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Genre: Reggae, Ska, R & B
Featured audio samples are from our newly recorded album.
List of song titles: Stand Together, Soul Liberator, Have Strength, Desire (redition, featuring Doris D. lead vocals), Knock Me Down
From Los Angeles California, Hoodlum Pharaohs have been able to independently write, perform, record and produce their very own exclusive native brand of Reggae and Ska music. This brand of their's is uniquely grass. They have very little competition in way of originality and are considered to be a bright part of a currently lit horizon in an on going larger Reggae & Ska revival movement, both over seas and domestically.
At present the band is excitedly working with TMG Records for their long awaited Classic Roots Reggae/Ska pop dance release suggestively titled "Bak tu da Groove". (click link for album details.)
History
Our story begins in Los Angeles during 2009, when our founding band member Thomas Zambrano was persuaded to score a new movie sound track for screen writer, director and local movie producer Leo Flores (known for his Mod cult urban classic film “Young Birds Fly". Leo Flores, seeking Classic Reggae music for his next film about a tough and reckless young girl named “Dutch” living her life as an outspoken worldly party girl in urban America.
After a few months, after Tom had written a few preliminary instrumental tracks on his own, Steve Govea (Steven Pharaohs) joined in with him as lyricist to write and record vocals. Then followed by Lynda Mancia (lead and back up vocalist A.K.A. Lynda Pharaohs) and Ian Olivera (Ian Pharaohs) as horn session and alternate session performer and secondary arranger.
“... I phoned Leo very excited a few weeks later about his movie project and told him how much material I had ready for a vocalist of his and our choosing. We had thrown around the idea of having an old school soul vocalist record a few songs, per his contacts abroad... Then our conversation turned . Leo stopped me suddenly and said, WAIT...
I’m not going into production with this movie for another two years TOM! (there was a second of dead silence) And I said ‘right...Leo uh... I paused again and then we both began laughing. "
"...(Tom) one of the best song writers of ska back when I knew him in the late 80s and he has just gotten better. With Hoodlum Pharaohs he has returned as a full grown master songwriter with his own quirky and distinctive take on the ska-reggae genre." - Dave Hillyard - The Slackers 
(Tom former band mate of Dave Hillyard currently of The Slackers was the central composer of 1990's international Ska legends and K.R.O.Q. show case band The Donkey Show.- See Wikipedia)
By later that year, in mid August (2009) a newly formed group named Hoodlum Pharaohs had released their debut album about urban struggles and luck appropriately titled 'Who's Making Your Life Like That?'. The titled track more or less being about homeless people in Los Angeles. The album quickly became an Internet radio favorite, scoring at number 29 on the ITune's Pop charts (Greece) with the groups rendition of 'Police On My Back', originally made famous by 1960's British Pop/Soul sensations Eddie Grant And The Equals and later by British Punk legends The Clash. Internet radio air play of the groups rendition of Lee Perry's legendary song 'People Funny Boy' must also be noted along with other cuts from the album played by various Internet and commercial DJ's (see Google).
RootDown FM
"Excellent indie release from LA's own Hoodlum Pharaohs - 'Who's Making Your Life Like That?' has a unique sound somewhere between first wave Brit revival ska and roots dub - basically some of the best white boy reggae of recent years - grab this... " - DJ Root
The following year in 2010 the group was discovered by long time, well known scout for new music, Allen Robinson. The group was personally asked to contribute their song "People Were Shouting" for Allen's music CD compilation on the United Kingdom's White label, used to promote Allen's favorite new artists. You can enjoy this song by viewing it’s video within our press kit’s video section.
Allen Robinson, has been a key player in the music industry for over thirty years. His successes in the business have gained him recognized credentials, having worked with hundreds of super acts such as David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Tina Turner. As partner of Manchester's influential venue Electric Circus, he worked alongside a generation of musical pioneers, too numerous to mention, including: The Sex Pistols, The Jam and The Clash, Dire Straits, Motorhead, UB40, Madness, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Billy Idol, The Ramones, Chaka Khan, U2, The Buzzcocks and in 2010 one of Allen’s best new prizes, made in America, Los Angele's Ska & Reggae pop sensations Hoodlum Pharaohs.
"Hoodlum Pharaohs bring to town a fresh and artfully wrought interpretation of the Jamaican styles. Get ready to tune in, drop down, and space out to the superior dub mixes on Ghetto Blaster and groove to the smooth-as-ice 60's reggae cuts on Who's Making Your Life Like That." - D.J. E-Roy, THE SPY FM
This same year Hoodlum Pharaohs joined forces with England's latest Ska solo artist vocalist, song writer Andy 'Keys' Clark (currently sitting at number 30 and climbing in the U.K. Reggae charts, GO ANDY!) to record the well sought after 5 song Soul EP 'King's Of The Cool Jerk'. Later that following year (2011) Hoodlum Pharaohs and Andy 'Keys' Clark teamed up once again to release their collaboration single and video for the song 'The Girl Next Door' (Walt Jabsco label), raising eyebrows throughout the United Kingdom and inspiring other musicians such as The Downsetters (U.K.) to cover the song. (see Google).
"Hoodlum Pharaohs music is original and honest, and is a true representation of how they see the world. Their sound, style and production is unique to the band. The songs that have been written & created between HP & Andy Keys Clark have also proved to be unique. There is no shortage of songwriting here, and the band have proved that they have longevity, style and charisma." - Andy 'Keys' Clark
Hoodlum Pharaohs next release in 2011 was fittingly titled 'Sing A Forward Motion'. The songs featured are about what the group felt they needed to express in observation of America's struggling working class and the many adversities (they themselves) faced during our nations hard economic crisis taking place during the albums creation. The album includes their classic hit track titled "People Were Shouting". NOTE: The video for this catchy foot stomping Alternative/Reggae pop classic was also made available by The NME online after its release in 2011 until earlier this year. All for it's international audience of eager viewers. Likewise the albums instrumental title track promotional video was also featured, during the above dates on The NME website, both without promotional submissions.
2011 Ronnie Spector listed Hoodlum Pharaohs version of Eddy Grant & The Equals epic love song Baby Come Back as number 10 of her 14 favorites The Boston Herald/World News 11/27/11. Featuring Andy "Keys" Clarks singing back up vocals and shouts. Performed and produced by Hoodlum Pharaohs. Go here
(2012-2013) Hoodlum Pharaohs was asked by the label owner of Walt Jabsco Recordings (London) to cover and record The Special A.K.A.'s (Jerry Dammers) famous trademark song 'What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend' (featuring Andy 'Keys' Clark guest vocals) as a favor to the label and it's following.
"...Hoodlum Pharaohs kick ass like all the great bands of the 50,s 60,s 70,s and 80,s." - Roddy Radiation (The Specials)
(2014) As of current, Hoodlum Pharaohs was asked to sign to Tate Music Group (TMG Records, USA) to release their latest full length Classic Reggae album titled “Back tu da Groove". This signing (no deposit, no fees, non-exclusive contract) includes the integration of Tate’s professional staff, plus international physical and digital distribution.
The promo video and song "Hey Are You Ready?" from the album has made it's from You Tube to the NME and MTV dot com and the song is now on constant rotaion on Coast To Coast FM.

NMETV MTV

Let’s put it this way, if you have a special taste for classic heart pounding inspirational Reggae, Gospel inspired lyrics and explosive dance hall dub rhythms, then "Bak tu da Groove" will surely find its way to the top of your favorites. Everyone will love and enjoy this highly energetic and all new American/Caribbean Soul album that was created in the same neighborhoods and streets that historically gave our music culture in the U.S. it's very own renown reputation internationally. Ironically you may find that it’s no surprise that Reggae’s Rock, Soul, R & B and Jazz origins come straight from our very own backyard. (Release date TBA)
"Hoodlum Pharaohs can mash it up real good with gut-crunching musical vibes that can get any radio audience moving to their infectious groove." - Gerald Lokstadt aka DJ Spot from Flashback Alternatives show: SKA-splosion!
Summarization
With little or no promotion on their own Hoodlum Pharaohs have created both commercial and Internet radio air play for themselves and have charted. They have established distribution through various sources and have created an international following based on talent and word of mouth.
All of the above has been achieved by following a simple formula made up of high standards based on above average song writing, performances and quality audio production for the publics enjoyment. With true artist integrity and the music industry in mind Hoodlum Pharaohs have taken the most direct approach using real world strategy and skills.
Currently, the groups key members are ready, willing and able to move on to bigger and better things in all aspects of their careers, with new music ready to be released. Hoodlum Pharaohs would like to reach larger audiences world wide supported by a company that care's about their artists with the resources to promote their music internationally through radio, advertising and distribution.
We ask that you join together with them in our most sacred honored living ritual of ancient magic, man’s creation of sound to invoke the human spirit to create positive changes within himself and humanity.
Internet radio airplay
Microsoft XBOX 360, ITunes, I Heart, Spotify, Jango, RootDown FM,
Flashback Alternatives show: SKA-splosion
Commercial FM Stations
The Spy FM, Oklahoma City
(3 songs + rotation)
91.3 WYSO BBC World Service (1 song in rotation)
Coast To Coast FM (1 song in rotation)
Thank you.

"When music hits ya feel no pain..." - Bob Marley
“People can change anything they want to, and that means everything in the world. ”
― Joe Strummer

 More music cuts on EPK music page