Pressure Cooker

Formed in Boston in 1997, the seven-piece Pressure Cooker blends Jamaican traditions of rocksteady, reggae, and ska, setting the group apart from the local third-wave ska-punk environment. Jazz, Calypso, and Latin influences further shape their approach, with the lineup consisting of Dan Hawkins on upright bass, Adam Dobkowski on guitar, Michael O'Connor on saxophone, Zack Brines on keyboards, Kreg Fujita handling vocals, Jeffrey Eckman on drums, and Geoff Shamu on trumpet. The band issued its self-titled debut full-length on Orchard Records in 2000, then followed with the album I Wanna Tell You the next year.