‘The Underclass’, hail from the suburbs of the famous hotbed of reggae, rock, ska and punk fusions; Birmingham. Originally formed in 2014, the line-up was completed in summer 2015, and their debut album ‘RISE’, was born. Founder members, Robb Swadkins and Sam Harris, featured in Birmingham Ska legends, ‘The Beat’ for several years, touring the UK and Europe.
Drawing on previous collaborations with ‘The Beat’, ‘Neville Staple’, ‘The Selector’, ‘Ocean Colour Scene’, ‘Musical Youth’ and Dexy’s Midnight Runners’, to mention but a few, The Underclass manage to bring together a unique blend of diverse musical influences and styles. They have created an original, unique and energetic sound, and are now destined for bigger things.
With the release of their debut album ‘RISE’, ‘The Underclass’ are poised to take their music to the next level and reach a wider audience. With backing from several local and national radio stations, including; BBC WM Introducing (DJ’s Louise Brierley and Jack Parker), Switch FM (DJ Callum Wilkes), BBC Coventry & Warwickshire (DJ Phil Upton), SRB Radio (DJ Gabbie Cabbie) and Bum Radio (DJ Danny de Reybekill), the band are reaching bigger and disparate audiences.
The album track ‘RUDY’ is currently (and for the duration of this current season) being played before kick-off at every home game at Aston Villa FC, reaching an estimated 20-40,000 people each time it is played. The band have established close contacts with Aston Villa’s marketing department, and the club will be announcing the release of ‘RISE’ and availability of the track ‘RUDY’ when ready for release in the spring. Our debut single ‘Life Without You’ is being released, worldwide, February 5th 2016 in all major online distributers including iTunes, Amazon, and BeatPort with the album being release February 26th 2016
With support and backing from many organisations and individuals, ‘The Underclass’ aim to become a household name. With hard-hitting tracks like ‘Fool Britannia’ and ‘Original Birmingham Ska’ to feel good grooves like ‘Life Without You’ and ‘Eternity’, this band has an incredible repertoire with something for everyone. With a well-deserved reputation as a great live band, there gigs are always well attended and positively charged affairs. They have just finished their latest tour, playing every major city in the UK, to critical acclaim. They have been described as ‘a band starting a movement, bringing music back to the people’. SRB Radio, so become a part of this musical reawakening and do not let these guys escape you. A must see, must listen band……