The Soulicitors , an Edmonton based reggae/ pop band, are looking forward to bringing their version of pop and reggae music to the Slice, March 19 with Clapping Monkeys.
“We‘ve never been out there before. Lorinda Peel just called us and asked us if we wanted to play, so we‘re excited to do it, ” said Soulicitors’ guitarist/ vocalist, Kelly Callin.
“We’re a guitar based band, but we’re filling out the sound with a horn section, so we’re not a traditional reggae band,” he continued adding they are chipping away at the follow up to their 2009 debut CD, which they hope will be released in the fall.
“We just finished the bass and drums. Our next session is April. That’s how we do it, we chip away at it, and pay for it then rather than one big bill at the end,” he continued adding the band doesn’t tour much as they all work full time in Edmonton. They have been together for about three years.
“We’ve never played there before, so we’ll play a mix of old stuff and new stuff and try to make a good impression,” he said.
“ We play a kind of mix of pop and reggae with a little bit of soul. We’re not a true reggae band. We’re more hook and guitar based. We’re going for that Sublime (the popular American ’90s band) kind of sound,’” he said adding they draw a lot of inspiration from punk bands like the Clash who were inspired by Britain’s burgeoning reggae scene in the ’70s.
“We all grew up listening to punk music. They ( the Clash) really embraced reggae,” Callin continued.
“We’re going to have a party. And we’re playing with Clapping Monkeys, so we’re looking forward to hearing them. We‘ve got some horns, a keyboard and one of our guys plays the djembe,” he enthused.
Clapping Monkeys and the Soulicitors play the Slice, March 19. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.