The Bloodwarmers

The Ska's the Limit
Bloodwarmers on the rise

It's all about the show. These high-energy musicians are known for their explosive ska performances focused on the audience need to move. If you don't jump up and join in, check your pulse "cause you must be dead!" says manager and trombone contortionist Allen Pleasants.

The Bloodwarmers are a six-piece band of ska-crazy islanders led by vocalist John Dewis. Pleasants is half of the brass section along with trumpeter Kevin Eames. Aaron Weatmen provides the driving bass lines. Jamieson Patton checks up on the skins and newest member Tyson Reilly, with a background in jazz and a love of Reggae, helped switch the original punky guitar to better emulate the sounds of old.
The Bloodwarmers, founded in February '99, grew from Dewis, Eames and Patton and their late band Cause for Reason. The band is a local favorite with a diverse following. From the pubs of Victoria to the halls of Courtenay and Cortes Island, the guys tour Vancouver Island with the same energy and enthusiasm they show on stage. Their objective is to make their followers dance into exhaustion.

The past four years provide good memories for the six ska fanatics who are strongly -influenced by bands like the Mad Bombers, Might Mighty Bosstones, Skatalites, Sublime and Los Furious. Their future plan is to keep writing explosive, original tunes, over 28 now and counting.

What else keeps the Bloodwarmers going? The crowd of sweaty bodies and the chance to continue their friendship through their tight, zany and energetic stage antics along with their original "ska-rific" sound that can only be truly experienced live.