Sonic Boom Six
http://www.myspace.com/sonicboomsix
From Manchester's dynamic musical landscape comes the most compelling soundclash to rise from the underground for years. Few bands can so smoothly mix dancefloor-savvy elements of reggae, jungle and ska with the rigorous commentary of hip-hop whilst retaining enough grit and aggression to be an active fixture of the UK's punk scene. Only Sonic Boom Six are propelled by the melodious rapping of Laila K who (characteristically contrary to the stereotype of a young asian female from Hulme) is one of the most incendiary vocalists to ever bounce around a moshpit of Mohawks.
A true product of their environment - the sound of a thousand city-centre clubnights and student party mash-ups invigorate the righteous fury of distorted guitars and dubby grooves – SB6 create a sound as authentic as it is unique. Looking as at home on a festival stage as they are playing at a warehouse party, the band are retaining their grassroots ideation and positive, unifying message as their music steadily permeates a wider international audience. Check out ‘Sound of a Revolution' for the Boom in an instant – fluid grime vocals laid over a bass-heavy skank, detonated with a blast of punk-rock.
In addition to Sonic Boom Six, the band perform acoustic reggae sets as Babyboom; a project that specialises in playing fundraisers, houseparties and holding musical workshops… but won't turn their nose up at busking for a few extra pennies during tours. Laila, Ben and Barney are also members of Suicide Bid, the ongoing dub-punk collective who are beginning work on their third full-length. A continuation of the DIY approach at the heart of band's ethos, SB6 arrange the Ruff and Ready package tour which provides a collective platform for some of the most intensifying underground bands around and toured to resonant success in 2007 and is set to return in Spring 2008.
Touring in the past year has placed Sonic Boom Six on festival stages at Fusion (D), Rockade (D), Mondiali (IT), City Invasion (UK), Rock Im Dorf (A) and the Lock-Up stage at Reading and Leeds festival as well as support slots at high-profile shows with Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Bad Brains. Up next, the Boom head around the UK on their biggest headline tour to date with Connecticut's The Flaming Tsunamis in support and then onto a full UK tour with Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto in the 2008 New Year.
"One of the most exciting bands in the country, their brilliant fusion of punk, hip-hop and ska is never anything less than thrilling."
NME SEPT 07
“Ska-punk isn't dead, it's just got a whole lot better.”
KERRANG! MARCH 07