Last Saturday at the third staging of Alkaline’s New Rules, dancehall newcomer Skeng stood out as a superior performer dropping hits after hits. The London artist performed with the Tower band for the first time to a jam packed National Stadium car park. By the end of the show the band leader Andre ‘Kryss ras’ Barnes became a meme and was the talk of the show. Skeng ended with the enigmatic track Protocol and Barnes in true ‘rockstar style’; turned over the Hi-Hat Cymbals, and sneer drum, he then walked off the stage.
This caused many to wonder if he was under the influence as this is not the norm for dancehall concerts.
World Music Views caught up with the 33 year old band leader who says he was only “high on music” but from now on persons can expect the dancehall Rockstar style of performance from him.
“A just musical energy, you know me crazy from long time, when music hit me a just the energy weh Skeng have and weh Tower band have and me bring my energy to that,” he said.
“We wanted to leave the show with a bang bro, Like we were here, Jamaica, Skeng and Tower band were here,” he said with much enthusiasm. “The dancehall rockstar and the dancehall band, the rock dancehall band was here you simmi.”
The feedback from social media on his performance at New Rules has been overwhelming for Barnes even though the Tower band have worked with many artists in reggae and dancehall industry such as Marcia Grifiths, Gyptian, Ritchie Spice and he was part of Alkaline’s first management team under his company Caban Records.
The Edna Manley College graduate talks with World Music Views about his career as a musician, and working with Skeng for the first time.
When and how was the Tower Band Formed?
The band started in 2015, it was formed from the company Tower Music Media Group, we all had the same passion and vision for music.
Who are the members?
Andre’Kryss ras’Barnes- drummer, manager and band leader, Ryan ‘prof’ Smith- keyboard player and band leader, Corey Coombs- guitarist, Mario ‘King Marz’ Ramsey musical director and base player,
David ‘Tesla’ Mclish, Shane Williams- Engineer, Micheal ‘Bear’ Hayles – trumpet player and road manager.
You used to manage Alkaline’s early career?
Yes I was apart of the management team in his early career from January 2013 to January 2014 my main roles were marketing, PR, artist development and producing.
What was it like playing at his show New Rules for the first time?
It was a great opportunity for the band and just to share the stage once again with my band and to showcase our skills, love for music, and to entertain the crowd.
Are you Skeng’s official band?
Well this is our first show with him, and management and artist are indeed impressed so we are hopeful for more shows to come.
I noticed you turned his songs into rock performances, what lead that decision?
Skeng and his music is energetic, reggae and dancehall is our bread and butter, it was a no brainer when we got the music and learnt it, so we enhance it and it was a great alignment with the artist and the band.
The audience was entertained by you, the drummer, you are now a meme?
Well I’m naturally an energetic person, I love music and I love playing drums. I enjoy entertaining and giving people a show leaving them well satisfied.
Can you see Skeng touring as a ‘dancehall rock’ artist?
Yes it’s possible based on his music and personality. New rules was a great experience to show his fans what his tours would be like with Tower band.
Could more dancehall acts reach bigger audiences if they incorporated a band and musical director?
Yea man, by far, based on who is the musical director and musicians and understanding the visions of the outcome of how you want the music to sound. So once approached properly the performance you saw at New Rules, Skeng and Tower Band, is a prime example. Image is important to tower band. The outfit you saw on stage, That’s the package we bring when you book tower band.
