Kingston Rudieska is a nine-piece South Koreanska band formed in 2004. Their sound is mainly influenced by first-wave Jamaican ska, as well as other Caribbean genres including reggae and calypso music. They are heavily influenced by the Skatalites and frequently perform Skatalites covers. Many of the members are jazz musicians, and their sound is heavily influenced by ska jazz, with band members frequently performing solos during performances. With a high-energy style and a large backing band, Kingston Rudieska has gathered popularity around Korea, touring the country heavily and playing for most of the major music festivals including Jisan Valley Rock Festival, Pentaport Rock Festival, and Busan Rock Festival. They have had fewer chances to travel abroad due to their large roster, but they appeared at the Philippine Ska Festival in 2012. They have opened for such international acts as Chris Murray, The Slackers, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and Dr. Ring-Ding. They have collaborated with famous Korean musicians including Bobby Kim, YB, and Sim Soo-bong. They have appeared on numerous Korean television programs and become well known around Korea. They also appeared on a tribute compilation covering a song by Sanulrim.
Founding
Trombonist Choi put together Kingston Rudieska after responding to a post on an Internet bulletin board looking for musicians for a "Jamaican" sounding band. Many of the original members had previously played in punk bands, including Choi who was lead guitarist for the punk band Seagull and vocalist Suk-yul who was bassist in Half Brothers and Beef Jarky. The early lineup also featured Kim Insoo of Crying Nut on keyboard. Their first concert was at the legendary punk club Skunk Hell.
Seoul Riddim Superclub
More recently, six members of Kingston Rudieska teamed up with members of Purijah, Rude Paper, and Jah Mai Band to form Seoul Riddim Superclub, a Korean reggae supergroup. The group formed after three members of Kingston Rudieska went to Japan to see Jimmy Cliff. During their stay, they joined with Japanese ska band The Eskargot Miles to perform at an "Asia United" show. Afterwards, they were encouraged to start the band.
Critical response
Kingston Rudieska are widely accepted as the leading ska band in Korea. They are noted for their mainly Korean language lyrics which help to give the group a uniquely Korean sound.
International collaboration
They first got their name out by appearing on the United Colors of Ska compilation put out by German label. The song got the attention of German reggae/dancehall singer Dr. Ring-Ding who visited Korea in August 2013 to perform with his band Dr. Ring Ding Ska-Vaganza and record an EP with Kingston Rudieska. Their 2014 full-length release was produced by former Aggrolites member Brian Dixon and features guest vocals by Walter Dunn, former lead vocalist of Stingers ATX.
