Why would anyone care to see a band that has been to their city three times in the past year, or to be more accurate, twice in the past three months? Or why would anyone care to see a band that hasn't put out an album recently? Well, it's because the band that keeps coming around is The Aggrolites and anyone that has seen them before will know that they put on one kick-ass show.

I have seen the reggae/ska band play multiple times and they never cease to amaze me... and I mean that in a good way. At every one of their shows, everybody in the room is up and dancing the entire time and I have never seen anyone leave without a silly grin on their face. And once again, The Aggrolites did exactly what I expected when they played at the Marquis Theater in Denver, CO with Tomorrow's Bad Seeds and Synthetic Elements.

The show started off with a bang. The Aggrolites came out wearing all black and started with a couple of songs from their last album, Reggae Hit L.A., which was released in 2007. Throughout their performance each member of the band danced around the stage and seemed to enjoy their performance, which of course led the crowd to do the same. We even got a treat when Flogging Molly's bass guitarist, Nathen Maxwell, came up and sang a song that they had recorded together. (The Aggrolites and Flogging Molly just came off a tour together, which was also when The Aggrolites recorded their upcoming album. So I am not sure if the song they sang will be on the new album or just a side project they have been doing with Maxwell.)

Like all good things, the show ended about an hour into it. However, that was not enough for us. Probably being one of the best requests for an encore I have heard in a while, the band came back on and played probably my favorite part of the show. Starting out with their famous song, "Banana", which they originally performed for the Nick Jr. show, Yo Gabba Gabba!, and then quickly went into a tribute to one of their favorite bands, Toots And The Maytals. They even sang the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down", which ended up bringing the whole room into a harmony of love.

And just like I have seen in the past, everyone leaving the Marquis Theater that night had a silly grin on their faces. The Aggrolites are just that type of band that makes you have a good time no matter what. And even though they have been touring non-stop for the past year, I hope that they will be coming back soon to promote their forthcoming album.

-Melissa Skrbic-Huss

The Aggrolites with Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, and Synthetic Elements
Marquis Theater, Denver CO
March 19, 2009
www.aggroreggae.com

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