Das Contras: a six-headed musical monster with a Latin temperament, an axe to grind, two devilish horns & a rock n roll heart.
Born in Fife, nurtured in Stockholm and corrupted in Glasgow, Das Contras have been performing their unique funk/folk/jazz/rock since 2005.
Since winning the PRS New Music Award in 2006 the band have played hundreds of concerts from Auld Reekie to New York.
Live highlights include tour shows with Ozomatli, Acoustic Ladyland, Terry Callier, Marlena Shaw & Candi Staton and festivals in the US & Europe.
People have tried to describe Das Contras...
" A refreshing change to guitar bands, their obviously studied dedication to their craft created layers of sometimes up beat jazz and reggae to despairing sadness.
Think Ruben Wilson, gypsy violins, Miles Davies, filterless French cigarettes, The Bosstones, bull fighting and Ray Manzarek and you’ll probably wonder what the hell I’m talking about.
There appeared to be a fairly large fan base with them and rightly so. It was not just a gig but a celebration and a chance to party.
A joy to watch and even better to listen to..." - Live Music Direct
"Das Contras are a band of musicians from Fife in Scotland playing Folk-Funk-Jazz-Punk or something.
Elegant and unusual Das Contras display venerable creative ability in their music, with distinctive composition and craftsmanship.
They are rare carpenters with a distinct musical vision and spirit, at once eclectic and refined, brisling with improvised energy, a fusion of classical, jazz, reggae influences.
Das Contras are a rarity and a prize. Give these guys a listen, you won't be disappointed. " - Scotcampus
"...blend folk, rock, latin, punk, reggae, shake them around a bit and take _yourself off to a distant place and you've found their sound.
And what a sound it is- they really are making some great music. " - Music News
" Das Contras are a rare breed, gigging a unique soundscape that is dynamic and original but with familiar roots.
This is a band that laps up the live environment and revels in getting feet from tapping to jumping." - Nexus Live
"
Hiding is a flood of intrinsic composition, expert instrumentation and sublime structuring, smartly shrouded in a seemingly simple song.
This is only one of the reasons why it is so wonderful.
It is a striking display which still only exposes a fraction of what Das Contras are all about." - The Glasgow Reviewer
" Das Contras! Normally I’d run a mile from anything remotely jazz-funk, but these guys made me confront my prejudices." - Review
" Bongos, brass and balls: a mariachi mardi gras!" - The Lizard
" Das Contras- one of the most talented bands in Scotland.
Three-fifths of the band were there, and as stripped-down versions of their own songs with an emphasis on trumpet and saxophone, they treated the Edinburgh audience to two John Martyn covers.
" - The Herald
" Mixing rock, funk, folk and jazz, Fife band Das Contras are mesmerising live.
" - Martel Maxwell
"An absolute joy, and one of Scotland's hidden pleasures." - Record
"Electic and original are the only words to describe Das Contras." - Bloc
"Tonight's proceedings take a surreal twist when, about half way through Das Contras' set, a group of drunken cheerleaders crash into the venue and start chanting.
To their credit, Das Contras don’t even flinch and continue about their unenviable task of making danceable, catchy jazz without borrowing heavily from ska and reggae. They manage it with gusto.
Occasional Latin rhythms, the odd free form breakdown and a little piano weirdness mixed with probably the most impeccable musicianship The Loft has ever seen. " - The Skinny
" One of our favourites, Das Contras bring their rabble-rousing blend of jazz, reggae and latin-tinged songs of love, hedonism and Fife." - Get Into Trouble
" Next up we had Das Contras who kept the Jazz flowing with a funk twist. This six-piece from Fife combined Latin, reggae, jazz and funk to create an engaging set that helped the beer go down more smoothly. If your into bands like Ozomatli then Das Contras will not disappoint." - Chris Torres
"Upbeat jazz combo Das Contras, whose number may be cut to a trio today, but this only highlights the virtuoso playing of their pianist and an eternally smiling saxophonist.
Lead singer and guitarist Sher Watson’s Latin-inflected vocals may make him sound like he’s from the barrios rather than Fife " - The Skinny
"The limits of the English language are reached when trying to describe
Das Contras" - T-Break
"High octane mix of Latin, funk and soul" - The Scotsman
"Define the Das? you might as well not even bother.
Just make sure you see them and figure it out for yourself." - Fringe
"Das Contras are beyond rational description. Irresistibly danceable, funky, with cracking tunes and unimpeachable musicianship.
There's more to love than should fit on a stage." - Is This Music?
Greetings gents! A spot of news for you: Our long awaited album is nearly here. 'A Fistful Of Dynamite' shall be launched with no small amount of style at Studio 24 on Friday February 27th. Tickets are available now. Take a look at our page for more info... Over and out.
if you want your information, music, shows, bio, etc...posted on our page please contact us for more information and maybe you can be our Artist of the month for March
our email to apply for artist of the month or for comments/questions njazz@rocketmail.com
Big Hand once again hit town for the mother of all gigs - this Friday at Studio 24. The greatest ska line-up ever to be seen in Scotland, in honour of the mighty Bombskare and the release of their long awaited album.....Root System...The Amphetameanies...Big Hand...and of course Bombskare.
If you miss out, how will you ever look people in the face and saw you love ska! Hey?!! Hope you can make it - will be a night to remember. This Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks for the friendship! We would be honored if you read and comment the new artist interviews on our profile!<br /><br />SEX AND CONSPIRACY!<br />Swedish punkrocker and painter Karl Backman talks about his art, and the reactions to it from right wing christians, pee fetish girls and conspiracy theorists.<br /><br />MYTHOLOGIES AND LIFE!<br />French graphic designer and writer Laurent Rivelaygue discuss nightmares and a road movie in bumper cars.<br /><br />GRACE AND ELEGANCE!<br />American artist Betsy Jones talks about geometric landscapes, happiness and the arts of the geisha.
North Atlantic Oscillation's "Hollywood Has Ended", from the forthcoming album Grappling Hooks, is featured in this month's Police Box compilation from TenTracks. It's here:
In case you haven't heard, TenTracks is a new music delivery service where you can buy exclusive 10-track compilations for £1, i.e. a mere 10p per track.
This month NAO are in the illustrious company of the excellent Found, Orkestra Del Sol, Fence Collective luminaries James Yorkston and King Creosote and exactly 5 others. Once again, that's £1 for ALL TEN TRACKS. Not bad, really.
Thanks for acceptance of addage. Hope you are all well. What are you up to at the moment? We are in the process of putting together some rough home recordings to help us pick which ones to record as an ep. Would be great if you have a chance to listen to them and let us know what you think. Just remember they are DIY bedroom recordings though!!!;oD We just thought we would fire them up anyway.
Hello, I'm just sending out a reminder that due to the nature of the site, this event does have limited capacity ... we will be selling only 2000 adult tickets - buy soon to avoid disapointment. Tickets purchased at the gate (if still available) will be more expensive.
So grab your tickets in advance from our website -
Online Now!