| The Holdup | |
|---|---|
| Origin | San Jose, CA |
| Genres | Reggae, hip hop, pop |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Dub Rock |
| Associated acts | The Dirty Heads, Rebelution, SOJA, Pepper, Sublime with Rome, Collie Buddz |
| Website | dubrockmusic.com |
| Members | |
| Danny Flores Mike Garmany Kyle Christensen Clev Stiles |
|
The Holdup is an American alternative band from San Jose, CA. Their music incorporates elements of reggae, hip-hop, pop, and indie.
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Formed initially by Danny Flores (drums) and Mike Garmany (lead vocals/guitar) in 2008 after recruiting Kyle Christensen (bass guitar), the band started writing and performing their original songs at local venues around San Jose. It didn’t take long for a fan base to develop as the multi-genre music quickly spread through the area. As demand for an album began to increase the band recruited Clev Stiles (DJ/band manager) and The Holdup was complete.
Their first EP quickly sold one thousand copies in the summer of 2008; the band then received attention from local independent record label Dub Rock Records. A few weeks later the band signed with Dub Rock and began production on their first album, Stay Gold. Once released, Stay Gold debuted at the #1 spot on the iTunes Reggae Charts.[1] Due to the album’s success on iTunes, it was featured on the “What’s Hot” list for six weeks. The single “Good Times” was on rotation at multiple college radio stations such as Santa Clara University’s KSCU 103.3FM and also landed on the Bay Area’s biggest alternative mainstream rock station KITS Live 105.3FM.
After a successful first album, the need for a follow-up became apparent and The Holdup went back into the studio to create their sophomore record, Confidence in 2010. The song “Faster” adds a hip-hop style by incorporating an up-tempo beat and quick delivery by vocalist Garmany. It is followed by “Motion” which breaks down the band to its core, producing an acoustic sound with heartfelt lyrics, providing musical diversity to the album. Confidence debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae Charts and earned the band the award of iTunes Best New Reggae Artist of 2010.[2]
Growing in popularity, the band decided to release a third album in 2011, Still Gold. Prior to its release, a half cover of "Young Folks" by Peter Bjorn and John, renamed by The Holdup as "Young Fools", entered the music mainstream. The popular San Francisco radio station KITS Live 105.3 immediately started giving the song rotation adding to the band’s popularity. While the third album was in postproduction, iTunes recognized the band’s talent once more by placing their song "Summertime Baby", off of the album Confidence, on the iTunes Essentials Rising Stars: Reggae[3] playlist that was released on March 28, 2011.
Still Gold was launched on April 26, 2011,[4] and continuing the trend of the previous two albums, debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae Charts. It also earned the #2 spot on the Billboard Charts: Reggae Albums.[5]
The band is continuing to perfect their innovative style of reggae music and is currently working on their fourth album, scheduled for release Spring 2012.
The band has played shows all over the country. Some notable locations are: The Roxy - Los Angeles, CA; Slims -San Francisco, CA; The Catalyst -Santa Cruz, CA; BB King’s Blues Club - New York, NY; House of Blues - Boston, MA; House of Blues - Anaheim, CA; Shoreline Amphitheater - Mountain View, CA; The Bellyup - San Diego, CA; and Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA.
The Holdup has toured with such acts as Rebelution, The Dirty Heads, SOJA, Iration, Silversun Pickups, Hole, Panic! at the Disco, Sublime with Rome, Pepper, 311, Collie Buddz, Cage the Elephant, Blues Traveler, Dead Kennedys, Warren G, and many more.