| The Gadjits | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
| Genres | Ska, Rock and Roll |
| Years active | 1997–2004 |
| Labels | Joco Ska, Epitaph Records, Hellcat Records, Thick Records, Anodyne Records |
| Associated acts | The Architects The Anniversary |
| Website | http://www.thegadjits.com/ |
| Past members | |
| Brandon Phillips Zach Phillips Adam Phillips Heidi Blobaum Hilary Allen Ehren Starks Mike Alexander Adrianne Verhoven |
|
The Gadjits were a ska and rock and roll band from Kansas City, Missouri. Their sound was influenced by The Clash, The Who, AC/DC, Elvis Costello, The Stooges, and The Rolling Stones.
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Brandon, Zach, and Adam Phillips come from an artistic family, their father was a jazz musician and their mother an art teacher. The brothers played music together from a young age. Originally they covered songs by the band AC/DC, but later they began incorporating elements of punk, ska, reggae and swing into their sound, soon beginning to write their own material as well. The group was formed in 1991 when 14-year-old Brandon led his younger brothers Zach and Adam into a seedy bar in Kansas City to play their first gig to the small crowd of locals.
The Gadjits' debut LP, Da Gravy on Yo' Grits, was issued on their own JoCo Ska label, and its local success won the group opening slots for bands including the Skatalites, Rancid (band) and Let's Go Bowling; in time, they added keyboardist Heidi Blobaum to their ranks, replacing her a year later with Hillary Allen when Blobaum departed to attend college.
Released in 1998 on Epitaph Records after attracting the attention of Tim Armstrong of Rancid (band). The Gadjits appeared on the Vans Warped Tour later that summer.
Released in 1999 on Hellcat Records.
Released in 2002 on Thick Records. Featuring Brandon Phillips (vocals, guitar); Zach Phillips (vocals, bass); Mike Alexander (guitar); Hilary Allen (Fender Rhodes piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Adam Phillips (drums).
In June 2004 The Gadjits ceased to exist as a band and a new band, The Architects, was formed. Brandon announced the news on the Gadjits e-mail list as follows:
Adrianne Verhoven shortly thereafter also left the band, but with great respect and affection for this amazing group of talented musicians.