Sonic Boom Six

Sonic Boom Six

Sonic Boom Six is a Manchester group active since 2002 and also known as SB6. The band works across punk, punk rock, ska, ragga, hip hop and electronic music, with its sound also drawing on grime, dubstep, metal and pop. It records for Rebel Alliance Recordings.

Style and themes

The group is known for mixing several genres into a fast, hybrid style. Its lyrics often centre on social commentary, and its live performances are associated with a combination of activism and crowd-pleasing energy. The band cites Bad Brains, Public Enemy, The Fugees, The Specials, The Streets and The Clash among its influences.

Formation and early releases

Sonic Boom Six first appears on the Manchester punk scene in 2002. Some members previously play in Grimace. The band self-releases its self-titled demo in 2002 after recording it with Jerry Melchers. It then tours the UK with The Toasters and King Prawn, and also performs as backing band for Coolie Ranx.

Its first release for Moon Ska Europe is The Turbo EP, followed by Sounds to Consume in 2004, which includes the earlier EP as bonus tracks. These releases are produced by Ace of Skunk Anansie and Christophe. The band also records sessions for BBC Radio 1’s The Lock Up.

Albums and touring

The debut full-length album, The Ruff Guide to Genre-Terrorism, is released on Deck Cheese Records in 2006. That same year the band plays Reading and Leeds as a last-minute replacement for Paramore. It performs again at Reading and Leeds in 2007, and covers Operation Ivy’s “Sound System” during the Lock Up stage set.

The second full-length release, Arcade Perfect, appears on Rebel Alliance Recordings in 2007. The band later releases the remix and rarities collection Play On: Rare, Rejected and Arcade Perfected and tours it in late 2008. City of Thieves follows in 2009, also on Rebel Alliance Recordings.

Live appearances and collaborations

Sonic Boom Six plays the Love Music Hate Racism event at Glastonbury in 2005, Sortie 23 in Belgium, the premiere of the Rock Against Racism film Who Shot the Sheriff?, Slam Dunk Festival in 2007, Hevy Music Festival in 2009, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals on several occasions. It also tours with Catch 22, Leftöver Crack, The Suicide Machines, The Aquabats, Never Heard of It, Big D and the Kids Table and Random Hand.

Guest and live collaborators include Itch of The King Blues, who joins the band on several performances, and Laila Khan, who appears with Reel Big Fish on stage during “She Has a Girlfriend Now” and later joins them again on tour. Nick “The Blade” Horne of Howards Alias also appears with the band on trombone before becoming a full-time member.

Line-up changes

By 2005, guitarist Dave “Hellfire” Kelly is replaced by Ben Childs, who had previously played saxophone. Ben’s sax parts are then performed live through a sampler or by guest musicians. Nick “The Blade” Horne later joins as a full-time member, playing guitar, bass and trombone live. In 2010, James “Jimmy T Boom” Routh joins on guitar after Ben Childs leaves.

Band members

Members associated with the group include Dave “Hellfire” Kelly, Ben Childs, Neil “Madfish” McMinn, Barney Boom, Laila Khan, James T Boom, Luke Hesketh and Nick “The Blade” Horne.