Specialising
in ska & reggae with a dash of soul, funk, R&B and
world roots, The Trojans were formed in late 1986 from the
ashes of the premature demise of Gaz Mayall's first band Gaz's
Rebel Blues Rockers where brief emergence on the London pub/club
scene lasted from early 1982 to mid 83.
Their debut gig was at the Astoria on Charing Cross road by
London's center point on the 23rd December 1986, supporting
premier ska band Potato 5 and ska legend Laurel Aitken. Within
two and a half years they headlined the same venue with the
above acts supporting. During the first few years they recorded
several albums that were well received on the UK underground
all on Gaz's own independent label Gaz's Rockin' Records.
The first was 'Ala-Ska' which featured the classic single
'Gaelic Ska' and launched a whole new genre of Afro-Celtic
fusion that has since become a hallmark of The Trojans' sound.
Several albums were licensed to Japan from 1988, with 'Spirit
of Adventure' on Sony records opening up an avenue of succesive
tours with mainstream coverage to a large audience where they
are still very popular today.
Some original band members are still regular performers with
the band including saxophonist Rudy Jones and Rick Baxendale
who began as our bass player in the early 1990's. The line-up
often features bagpipes, violin, guest female vocalists, two
guitars, drum and bass percussion, with Gaz at the centre
stage singing and playing melodica. Occasionally guest horn
player and the Trojan's long time founder saxman Colin Humphries
appear.
They tour often mainly in Europe and do lots of one-off special
shows at festivals, clubs, bars and private parties, being
popular with the young and old and people of all cultures
to suit our multicultural day and age.
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