Coolie Ranx of The Toasters, Pilfers & Grand Theft Auto IV Discusses His Debut "Raggacore" Solo Album Days Gone By (The Witzard Interview)
Coolie Ranx (born Obi-Ajula Ugbomah) is well-known for his work within the New York City Ska scene and beyond. Starting in the very early 1990's, he was the frontman of New York City's own The Toasters, who were instrumental in getting Ska on the map in America. The Toasters, also, formed Moon Ska Records, which became the homebase for a multitude of the Ska bands that nurtured the 1990's Third Wave Ska revival. He departed The Toasters in 1997 and went on to start his own band, Pilfers. Through Pilfers, Coolie created an infectious and unique sound aptly named Raggacore, which seamlessly blended Pop, Reggae, Dub, Hardcore, Punk, and Ska in a rugged, hard-hitting energy. Coolie Ranx has continued to work within the scene as a collaborator and solo artist, well-known for his pinpoint precise chat skills, effortless genre-blending prowess, and soaring melodic vocal delivery.
Coolie Ranx has appeared on releases alongside the likes of Big D & The Kids Table, Catch 22, The Doped Up Dollies, Eastern Standard Time, Reel Big Fish, Sonic Boom Six, Spring Heeled Jack, and more. Ranx is also widely-known as the voice of Little Jacob from groundbreaking 2008 video game, Grand Theft Auto IV. Coolie Ranx has toured the world with The Toasters, Pilfers, and/or solo in direct support of CATBITE, Five Iron Frenzy, Goldfinger, Joystick, Monkey, Mustard Plug, The Pietasters, The Slackers, SOJA, Soul Brains (otherwise known as Bad Brains,) Suburban Legends, The Suicide Machines, and Westbound Train. 2023 ushered in the release of several singles as part of an upcoming solo Raggacore release. Said full-length album, Days Gone By, is now available on digital streaming platforms. We had the unique opportunity to conduct a comprehensive interview, via email, with Coolie Ranx himself. Check it out below lightly edited for general cliarity.
I. What can you tell us about the sounds, styles, and themes that can be heard across your latest solo release, Days Gone By?
Coolie Ranx: The sound is a natural blend of the sounds I grew up [listening to] as a British-born Nigerian and Jamaican kid living in New York City. Heavily influenced by the urban streets, sound of Brooklyn, NY, and influenced by good old [crunchy] Rock guitars from bands like Manyaka (Brooklyn-based [Reggae]/Rock band) and Roots Reggae and Dancehall music. My Pop sensibility is influenced by my love for Pop song-writers of all genres. Themes range from lost love, found love, looking for love in mankind, [and] seeking reasons for doers of evil.
II. Would you mind briefly telling us a bit about the writing, recording, production, creation, etc. processes that went into making Days Gone By?
Ranx: This is what this record is about: an [introspective] look and journey of parts of my life. So, writing this [was] easy once I [was] alone with my true self. The recording, production, creation process spans several years and several different musicians' studios [with] different versions of the same [songs]. Until it, actually, jelled to be what it is now, production expanded from New York, DC, [and] Massachusetts to Kingston, Jamaica, [and The] West Indies.
III. Who or what would you readily cite as some of your greatest sources of inspiration and influence while creating Days Gone By?
Ranx: I would [cite] my life in Brooklyn, NY and my life in London, England, which inspired me to write Days Gone By. I love artists like Seal, Sade... I love Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, [and] all of the artists that graced Saxon Sound System out of The UK. Alon Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Al Green, Lenny [Kravitz], and so many more.
IV. Aside from or in addition to yourself, who else contributed to the making-of the record?
Ranx: I have Ali Coulotta from Stop The Presses. She sang on "Incredible," sang back-up vocals, and she, also, sang and played keyboards on "Show You" and sang back-up vocals. [And she] played keyboards on "My Surroundings." I had The Doped Up Dollies sing on "Jenny Jen Jen." I had Kevin Bachelor of Grand Concourse, [The Skatalites], Steel Pulse, and so many other bands play trumpet on "My Surroundings."
Karen Gibson Roc [supplied] spoken [word poetry] on "My Surroundings." There were quite a few musicians that contributed in many ways; whether I was directly working with or [just] spoke [with them]. Playing drums and bass on all tracks, you have Phil Wartel and Steve Cappeci on bass, on most of the guitars, you have Jonathan Uda, Kevin Bachelor played trumpet, and Gilberto Covarrubias played trombone.
V. How would you say your personal musical style and sound has grown and evolved since your days playing with The Toasters & Pilfers?
Ranx: Well, that I would say from being in The Toasters it fostered my ability to express myself better musically. 'cos there is a language I wasn't [privy to] until I joined The Toasters. By the time I started [The] Pilfers, I was able to [communicate] my desires. Musically, I have always [ventured beyond] my surroundings; I am a sponge to good music regardless of the genre.
VI. How did you come to first meet The Toasters lead singer and guitarist Robert "Bucket" Hingley and come to, ultimately, join The Toasters yourself?
Ranx: I had a record playing on the major Urban stations in NYC. By chance, Katherine Tobias heard it. At the time, she was Shinehead’s manager and, I believe, they parted ways and I was and we had [similar] styles. She [sought] me out and brought me from Brooklyn into The City. One of the business opportunities she presented with me after coming to our camp in Brooklyn and hearing my various musical projects [was meeting with The Toasters]. She sort of "dared" me to join them due to the many different styles of music she heard in the studio.
VII. What can you tell us about the formation of Pilfers in 1997 shortly after you left The Toasters?
Ranx: Starting [The] Pilfers after I left The Toasters was a lesson of not giving up. I had some musicians that didn't know Ska and finding the right musicians turned out to be paramount.
VIII. How would you attempt to best describe the then-new hybrid musical style you helped created and coin as part of Pilfers with Raggacore?
Ranx: Well, it's pretty much its own thing as we [blended] all these different genres [to] make the genre of Raggacore. If you have ever [listened] to a Pilfers record, you have [heard] several genres [seamlessly] blended into one song. It can be slow or fast.
IX. When and where were you when you got the call to do voiceover work for Little Jacob for iconic 2008 video game, Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV)? Do you still get recognized out on the street for supplying his voice?
Ranx: At the time, I was living in The Bronx. I had recently bought a house in Little Italy, Bronx and I received the script from a friend of mine, who was working [as] a music supervisor [on] the project. At the time, I wasn't informed that it was, indeed, GTA IV. He called me, as he has done in many times, to come and [audition,] as acting has been a big passion for me before music. To be honest, recognition comes by way of me being in a room and someone [saying,] "he's Little Jacob from GTA IV" and, then, the fanfare starts.
X. Over the years, you've done memorable guest features for everyone from Big D & The Kids Table to Catch 22. What were some of your favorite such features to record and/or contribute to?
Ranx: Big D [& The Kids Table's "Put It In A Song"] is [definitely] one of those moments. Catch 22, another [one I'm] grateful for the call. The Pietasters, Sonic Boom Six, Spring Heeled Jack, Metro Stylee, Eastern Standard Time, and Reel Big Fish. Sonic Boom Six would be "a big deal" because it almost didn't happen. Reel Big Fish because they sent the track and said, "go! It's yours," and the second one was suggested while I was in the studio.
XI. Would you mind telling us a bit about some of the music you're listening to these days? What would you recommend our readership go look up and check out?
Ranx: Today, I am listening to a variety of music: Mark U Music. He's a rapper from Brooklyn; happens to be [amazing] and [I'm] listening to a singer from [Trinidad]. Her name is Empress Kushite and Carlton Livingston.
XII. What's planned next for your solo career, as well as potential collaborations with both The Toasters & Pilfers?
Ranx: Well, The Toasters, I have offered to record with them again. If that happens, only time will tell. Solo, I recorded a few collaborations records already with some of the bands you [mentioned] already. I will address those and release them on the next solo project or the next solo project afterwards.
I would like to add besides the musicians I mentioned, I would like to say this record wouldn't sound as good without the aid of a producer/musician by the name of Computer Paul Henton, the mixing skills of John Aliva of Oingo Boingo, and the mastering powers of Ian Sefchick; this has to be stated, as I took the music as far as I could go. The keyboard sounds couldn't have been arrived at without Computer Paul Henton in Kingston, Jamaica. He played over guitar parts, bass parts, and rhythm guitar and laid down tasty keyboard sounds.