The Spasm Band

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The Spasm Band is a Jazz quintet led by Trinidadian poet Anthony Joseph. The band was formed in London in 2003 as an offshoot of Joseph's then novel-in-progress The African Origins of UFOs. The band's musical influences include Free Jazz, afro-caribbean funk, rapso and the hypnotic Spiritual Baptist rhythms that were prominent in Joseph's childhood in Trinidad. The band comprises Anthony Joseph - poet, Andrew John - upright electric bass, Colin Webster - tenor saxophone and flute, Paul Zimmerman and Paul Brett - percussion. They do not use a drum kit. They are well known for their trance-enducing live performances.^{[citation needed]} In 2006 Parisian label Heavenly Sweetness released their debut 12" ep Spirit Lash. Their debut album Leggo de lion was released in April 2007 by Kindred Spirits. The Spasm Band toured Europe and Morocco during much of 2007 in support of the album, appearing at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Rotterdam, Les Eurockeennes, Belfort and the Blue Note Jazz Festival in Paris.