Symarip
High-energy early reggae and ska with driving organ riffs and subcultural anthems. Raw, rhythmic, and built for the dancefloor.
High-energy early reggae and ska with driving organ riffs and subcultural anthems. Raw, rhythmic, and built for the dancefloor.
Symarip represents the high-water mark of early reggae, specifically the era where the Jamaican sound met the British street. Their music is defined by a relentless, driving energy that sits right between the swing of rocksteady and the frantic pace of 2 Tone ska. It is the sound of a Hammond organ 'bubbling' over a rock-solid walking bassline, topped with vocals that feel more like a collective shout than a polished performance.
What makes them truly distinctive is their specific focus on the skinhead subculture of the late 1960s. Unlike their contemporaries who were leaning into more spiritual or political themes, Symarip leaned into the dancehall. Their tracks are filled with call-and-response sections, rhythmic chants, and a raw, unvarnished production style that captures the sweat and movement of a live club set.
Start with 'Skinhead Moonstomp'. It is the definitive blueprint for the genre, featuring the iconic spoken intro and a rhythm that practically demands movement. From there, explore 'Skinhead Girl' for a taste of their more melodic, rocksteady-influenced side. It is essential listening for anyone wanting to understand the roots of the UK's multicultural musical identity.
Symarip (also known at various stages of their career as The Bees, The Pyramids, Seven Letters and Zubaba) were a British ska and reggae band, originating in the late 1960s, when Frank Pitter and Michael Thomas founded the band as The Bees. The band's name was originally spelled Simaryp, which is an approximate reversal of the word pyramids. Consisting of members of West Indian descent, Simaryp is widely marked as one of the first skinhead reggae bands, being one of the first to target skinheads as an audience. Their hits included "Skinhead Girl", "Skinhead Jamboree" and "Skinhead Moonstomp", the latter based on the Derrick Morgan song, "Moon Hop". They moved to Germany in 1971, performing reggae and Afro-rock under the name Zubaba. In 1980, the single "Skinhead Moonstomp" was re-issued in the wake of the 2 Tone craze, hitting No. 54 on the UK Singles Chart. The band officially split in 1985 after releasing the album Drunk & Disorderly as The Pyramids. The album was released by Ariola Records and was produced by Stevie B. Pitter and Ellis moved back to England, where Ellis continued performing as a solo artist, sometimes using the stage name 'Mr. Symarip'. Mike Thomas met a Finnish woman while living in Switzerland and relocated to Finland doing the groundwork for the Finnish reggae culture through his band 'Mike T. Saganor'. Monty Neysmith moved to the United States, where he toured as a solo artist. In 2004, Trojan Records released a best of album including a new single by Neysmith and Ellis, "Back From the Moon". In 2005, Neysmith and Ellis performed together at Club Ska in England, and a recording of the concert was released on Moon Ska Records as Symarip – Live at Club Ska. In April 2008, they headlined the Ska Splash Festival in Lincolnshire as Symarip, and later performed at the Endorse-It and Fordham Festivals. Pitter and Thomas now perform in a different band as Symarip Pyramid. Their Back From The Moon Tour 2008–2009 was with The Pioneers. In 2009, to celebrate the rebirth of the band and the reunion of the two original members, Trojan Records released a compilation album, Ultimate Collection. Pitter holds all copyright and trademark rights for the name 'Symarip Pyramid'.
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