ARSENALS BIOGRAPHY

The Arsenals 100% Kick-Ass , aka The Arsenals, is a Toronto band formed in 1994 by Crash Morgan and his brother James Morgan. They named the band after their London hometown football club. Their first “STOMP” was signed to , New York in 1995. After Crash Morgan’s untimely passing while playing drums for Big Sugar in 1996, his family asked Dizzy Minott to keep the band going to honour Crash’s memory. The original members included Crash and James Morgan on Lead Vocals, Seri Gee on Keyboards, Matt Ronson on Bass, Darren Edwards on Drums, Michael St. Clair on Guitar and Dizzy Minott on .

Today, The Arsenals are led by the energetic Dizzy Minott on Trombone with easy-going and charming Dave ”Comfort” Vassell singing lead vocals. The band features a steady rotation of accomplished musicians including, David “Stushie” Jackson (keyboards), Dwight “Duke” Dawes (keyboards), Shane “Shaky J” Forrest (bass or electric guitar), Neil “Nemo” Morris (bass), Tony Barrett (guitar) and the drummers are, Sunray Grennan, Austin Rowe, Neison Hardy and Oniel Fuller. An Arsenals show will often feature a guest performer. Lately, a certain half Jamaican, half Australian vocalist has been entertaining the crowds with his unique style and towering presence. His name is Ra Lion. (They say he’s raised on Jerk Kangaroo)

The Music is timeless, the show is entertaining. The Arsenals play the history of Jamaican Music, from authentic Studio One Ska and to classic . You will be treated to forgotten gems and modern songs played to the ska beat, a term the band calls “Ska-ter-izing” a tune. If you like Skatelites, , Alton Ellis, Jimmy Cliff and Desmond Dekker to name a few, you will be in for a skanking good time.

The Arsenals have performed with ska legend , Toots and the Maytals, Ernie Smith, Ziggy Marley, Third World, , , War, , , Bounty Killer, Skatelites Lord Tanamo and L.U.S.T. plus many more. The band performs regularly in and around Toronto, tours Canada and the U.S., is booked annually for festivals and frequently play private and corporate events

Arsenals’ latest album, Soopa Ska is available on iTunes