Mista Mushroom - Band Profile
by Tommy L
Arguably, the Isle of Wight has historically produced little of any note. Primarily known as a
retirement home off the South coast, its achievements include one-time resident Anthony Minghella winning the odd Oscar, Jimi Hendrix playing a famous set at its festival oh, and there’s quite a nice castle. But is that all there is to show for hundreds of years of history? Enter Shorwell’s death-reggae nine-piece: Mista Mushroom. Formed in 2003, the band’s eclectic mix of ska, dub, punk, tango, UK hip-hop, ‘other heavy shit and stuff like jazz’, coupled with a live show best compared to a meticulously arranged circus, has earned them fervent local support. Their first four-track demo ‘You do the Math’ also caught the ear of Radio one DJ Rob Da Bank, leading to the band’s ska-core sounds opening the main stage at the 2004 Bestival. Add to this a spot in the final of the Wedgewood Rooms’ Showcase '05 and the imminent release of their debut long player ‘Class A’s on a School Night’ and their CV makes an impressive read. Having recently escaped from the military stockade that is the Island, the band have infiltrated the mainland, surviving as soldiers of fortune (AKA students). If you can find them, and they’re not difficult to spot while wearing their matching band tracksuit tops, maybe you can hire them to solve all your protection problems. Probably a far better idea though is to catch a gig and get ready to skank your little arse off.
Arguably, the Isle of Wight has historically produced little of any note. Primarily known as a
retirement home off the South coast, its achievements include one-time resident Anthony Minghella winning the odd Oscar, Jimi Hendrix playing a famous set at its festival oh, and there’s quite a nice castle. But is that all there is to show for hundreds of years of history? Enter Shorwell’s death-reggae nine-piece: Mista Mushroom. Formed in 2003, the band’s eclectic mix of ska, dub, punk, tango, UK hip-hop, ‘other heavy shit and stuff like jazz’, coupled with a live show best compared to a meticulously arranged circus, has earned them fervent local support. Their first four-track demo ‘You do the Math’ also caught the ear of Radio one DJ Rob Da Bank, leading to the band’s ska-core sounds opening the main stage at the 2004 Bestival. Add to this a spot in the final of the Wedgewood Rooms’ Showcase '05 and the imminent release of their debut long player ‘Class A’s on a School Night’ and their CV makes an impressive read. Having recently escaped from the military stockade that is the Island, the band have infiltrated the mainland, surviving as soldiers of fortune (AKA students). If you can find them, and they’re not difficult to spot while wearing their matching band tracksuit tops, maybe you can hire them to solve all your protection problems. Probably a far better idea though is to catch a gig and get ready to skank your little arse off.
