Ballyhoo! & Bumpin Uglies

A rock band with punk energy and pop reggae grooves, Baltimore’s BALLYHOO! are a fun, fan-loving powerhouse. These road dogs have tirelessly toured coast-to-coast taking their music to the people. Between the road and the studio, BALLYHOO! have crafted a sound distinctly their own; fresh, fun, and embodied by the soul of the party lifestyle. Lead singer and guitarist, Howi Spangler, has a reputation for mixing slick lyrics with his smooth but powerful voice. Drummer Donald Spangler lays out the hard-hitting beats. Scott Vandrey layers in the finishing touches to the band’s signature sound on keys. The guys recently welcomed Nick Lucera as their new bass player. BALLYHOO! released their 5th studio album Pineapple Grenade on June 25th 2013. It broke through the Billboard Top 200 at #189 as well as reaching #4 Billboard Heatseekers and #5 at iTunes Alternative charts. The album features “No Good,” produced by Rome Ramirez (Sublime with Rome) and mixed by Paul Leary (U2, Sublime); while the first single “Run” saw an early radio add from KRAB Bakersfield and early radio spins by KROQ Los Angeles, WHFS Baltimore, KTCL Denver, and KCXX Riverside among others. Alongside the album release, BALLYHOO! co-headlined the 2013 Summer Sickness Tour with Authority Zero and special guests Versus The World. Pineapple Grenade is the band’s follow-up to the 2011 LAW Records release of “Daydreams,” which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Reggae Charts and #4 on Amazon. BALLYHOO!’s unique yet melodic blend of genres, along with their hardcore devotion to the road and their fans have pitched them into snowballing success. The band has performed with a myriad of national touring acts; 311, Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, The Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, and more. Tour highlights include the 2011 311 Pow Wow Festival, the 2012 and 2013 311 Caribbean Cruise, Bamboozle 2012, 2012 Charm City Music Festival, 2013 Cali Roots Festival & the entire 2012 Vans Warped Tour. In 2011, after concluding the Last Calls and Liabilities tour with respected contemporaries, Pepper, they were honored with being included on the ever-popular Hollister Holiday Playlist. They were listed on MTV’s Top 100 Bands to Watch and even featured 2 downloadable songs on the popular video game ROCK BAND.

For nearly a decade now, Bumpin Uglies have been playing their brand of groove-heavy jams – a curiously fun mix of ska, Reggae and good ole’ punk rock – all while putting strong lyrics at the forefront of the music. It’s a formula that quickly took them from local favorites, playing around Annapolis, to a national stage. With a wildly infectious sound, tattoo-worthy lyrics and an itch to take their music to the masses, the band piled into the van years ago and have rarely seen home since.

The Bumpin Uglies’ origin story begins with singer/guitarist Brandon Hardesty playing open mics around Maryland. He met bassist Dave Wolf not too long after and Bumpin Uglies was born. With a proper set of wheels and TJ Haslett on drums, they went off to spread their music across the country like modern day Johnny Appleseeds. The group recently added Chad Wright on keyboards, expanding on their sound.
Raised on everything from Bad Religion and The Beach Boys to Sublime and Reel Big Fish, Bumpin Uglies have managed to take inspiration from some of the best out there, run it through their own distinctive filter and end up with a truly original take on the various genres creating an original hybrid. With a unique sound that’s nearly impossible to ignore, the band has gotten everyone from dreadlocked kids to PBR-fueled tattooed punks moving their heads to their music at festivals and on headlining tours across the country.

When they aren’t on the road, they’ve been camped in the studio, churning out three full lengths, two EPs and a live record. Their latest, 2016’s Keep It Together came out on Right Coast Records and is proof that the band has found their groove. The album consists of a dozen stand-out tracks, any one of which could be considered instant classics for the band. They’re already at work on the follow up, but true to their rep as being on the never-ending tour, chances are they’ll be coming to a venue near you soon.

Formed in Columbus, OH in Spring 2016, The Quasi Kings are quickly gaining momentum in the Ohio and Midwest reggae scenes. Their unique blend of roots reggae and modern styles puts an emphasis on songwriting and vocal harmonies and has lead to their opening for the likes of Badfish, Fortunate Youth, Passafire, The Expanders, Third World, GPGD, The Werks, Tropidelic, and more. With a high energy stage show and an ever growing performance schedule, 2018 looks to be a big year for The Quasi Kings.

Through 25 years and eight independent albums, the last four on their own Right Coast Records, Ballyhoo! have earned the exclamation point which marks their name. Starting in the basement of their mom’s Aberdeen, MD, home, rocking out on guitar and drums respectively, practicing every day, brothers Howi and Donald Spangler formed the proto-punk band in the mold of Green Day and Nirvana, with an eye towards the emerging ska genre led by Goldfinger, Sublime, 311 and No Doubt.
The group’s eighth and most recent studio album, the breezy, ska-fueled, hookfilled Message to the World, on their own Right Coast Records, finds the selfdeclared “beach-rockers,” having grown up in public, accepting the
responsibilities of adulthood while still hanging on to their dreams of world
domination. Stylistically, their music ranges from the hard-edged punk of 2018’s
Detonate, which captured the feelings of anger and depression from dealing
with personal loss and the exhaustion generated by over a decade on the road
to the island reggae beats of the follow-up, Message to the World.
“Whatever you want to achieve, just focus on that and work towards it,” explains
Howi about the Ballyhoo! ethos. “Don’t worry about followers, views, or even
money. Just keep making good stuff. One day it may be possible to finally quit
that day job and live your dream full time.”Ballyhoo! is still doing just that,
purveying good vibes, positivity and fun live shows meant to take you away from
real life...

Bumpin Uglies' latest album, Climbing Up the Wall, marks a significant chapter in the band's evolution. Following their celebrated release of their last album, Lyrics Over Everything, this latest record showcases the band's enduring commitment to authenticity, bold storytelling, and their steadfast dedication to evolving their craft.
Consisting of 14 tracks, Climbing Up the Wall vividly explores personal battles, emotional vulnerabilities, and the intricacies of everyday life. Frontman and songwriter Brandon Hardesty dives deep, tackling themes of addiction, mental health, and love with an unfiltered lyrical honesty that resonates profoundly. The album opens with "Sweet Tooth," a candid look at addiction's lingering grip, juxtaposing upbeat melodies against stark reflections. Meanwhile, songs like "Back in Bed" provide an intimate, tender snapshot of comfort found within personal connections, highlighting the band's versatility and emotional depth.
With "Burn it Down" and the dynamic road-trip tribute "I-95," Bumpin Uglies channels their renowned live energy into studio recordings, capturing the spirit and gritty charm fans have grown to expect. The album also showcases notable collaborations, most prominently on the pre-released track "Orange Crush," featuring Logan Rex of Artikal Sound System. The song blends buoyant pop melodies with reggae undertones, perfectly capturing the tension and allure of a fleeting, passionate romance.
Further pushing their musical boundaries, "Thirst Trap" introduces hip-hop influences paired with an engaging R&B chorus, showcasing the band's creative willingness to experiment beyond conventional genre norms. Tracks such as "The Crown" and "Vultures" stand out for their incisive commentary on societal expectations, industry pressures, and personal authenticity, further amplifying the band's stance on remaining true to their values and artistic identity.
Throughout the record, Hardesty’s lyricism remains both relatable and profoundly reflective. Songs like "Crawling Up the Wall" and "Darkness" delve deeply into mental health struggles, candidly confronting anxiety, depression, and the isolation that often accompanies them. Yet, there’s a prevailing sense of hope and resilience woven throughout the album—particularly evident in songs such as "Growing Pains" and "Falling," which grapple openly with fatherhood, legacy, and the balance of personal fulfillment against familial responsibility.
Continuing their signature independent approach, Climbing Up the Wall preserves the gritty, authentic production style that has become synonymous with Bumpin Uglies. Distributed independently, the album’s production emphasizes emotional clarity and lyrical poignancy over polished perfection, further strengthening their deep connection with fans.
With a fiercely loyal following known as Uglies Nation, Bumpin Uglies’ commitment to their craft and their audience remains unshakeable. This album cements their reputation for delivering music that is both introspective and rebellious, deeply personal yet universally accessible.

Bumpin Uglies, proudly hailing from Annapolis, Maryland, have cultivated a dedicated fanbase through relentless touring, powerful songwriting, and an unwavering DIY ethos. Formed in 2008, the band's core lineup consists of Brandon Hardesty (vocals, lead guitar), Brent Schraffenberger (bass), T.J. Haslett (drums), Ethan Lichtenberger (keys, trombone, trumpet, backing vocals), and Will Lopez (saxophone). Their extensive discography—including well-received albums such as Go Folk Yourself, Mid-Atlantic Dub, and Lyrics Over Everything—showcases their dynamic musical approach that blends reggae rhythms, punk spirit, ska grooves, and heartfelt folk storytelling. Their honest, unfiltered approach to songwriting resonates deeply with fans, fostering an inviting and tightly-knit community known as Uglies Nation.