The Pomps

Boston-based Ska band. In 2011, Alex Stern recognized a problem of his own creation: He was in a reggae band that was firmly committed to writing within its genre, but his songs were grounded in a fascination with late '70s power pop and new wave. He was simultaneously in a new wave band that objected to his insistence on a singularly Jamaican syncopation. He formed The Pomps with an ear towards an amalgam of the two styles, and a hope that it would be a solution. Few bands get their lineup correct from the jump, but the initial team of Jameson Hollis (bass), Rick Smith (drums), and Casey Gruttadauria (organ) endures to this day. The group got a running start by playing warehouse parties, opening for modern ska heroes, and even scoring a little bit of love in the hometown (Boston) press.