So Where To Today?

THE MAGNETICS is an Italian Rocksteady band formed in 2017 and led by Olly Riva (also front-man for Italian Punk rockers Shandon and The Soulrockets). Their sound mixes original Ska, early Reggae, Jamaican music, Rocksteady beats all filtered through a “vintage” soul.

The band’s first album “JAMAICAN SKA” (2017 - Get Up /SELF) was chosen as ‘Record of the Year’ by many SKA webzines and radios all around the world. After the Album tour the band went back to studio to record the second LP, titled “COFFEE AND SUGAR” and released in 2018 by the legendary Ska Label GROVER RECORDS. 2018 bore witness of the release on vinyl of “COME PRIMA”, cover song of the Italian classic pop tune, enriched by the feat. with Tony Dallara in person, one of the greatest voice in the Italian Music history.

The band has toured restlessly until today, raking up more then 200 shows around Italy and Europe, appearing on some of the greatest festivals for the Ska and Rocksteady genres, like Zwarte Cross (NL), Reduit and Dynamite Fest (DE), Gdansk SKA Jamboree (PL), Tramore SKA fest (IRL), Rock N’Stock (FR). The band opened for SKATALITES, attracting a solid following and becoming one of the most THE MAGNETICS – BIO (ENGLISH) Formed in 2017 by frontman Olly Riva (Shandon, The Soulrockets), The Magnetics blend original 60s ska and early reggae with a vintage soul and R’n’B touch. The band has toured extensively across Europe and beyond, performing at major festivals such as Ska Wars (Mexico), Zwarte Cross (Holland), This Is Ska, Dynamite Fest (Germany), Gdansk Ska Jamboree (Poland), Tramore Ska Fest (Ireland) and Rock’n’Stock (France), and opening three times for The Skatalites. They are regarded as one of the most promising acts in the modern ska scene. Discography & Highlights 2017 Debut album Jamaican Ska released on vinyl & CD (Get Up / SELF), widely acclaimed and named “Record of the Year” by several ska media and radio stations worldwide. 2018 Second album Coffee & Sugar released on Grover Records (Germany). They also released a vinyl single with Italian legend Tony Dallara, covering the classic “Come Prima” (1957). 2019 – 2021 The Magnetics backed Trojan Records icon Susan Cadogan in Italy and Germany and later supported Roy Ellis (Symarip). 2020 – 2022 Released digital covers and the EPs Cocktails & Fairytales Vol. 1 & 2, later pressed on vinyl with bonus tracks. Participated in Inspector’s 25th anniversary compilation A Si Suena. Also released Live in Italy with Susan Cadogan and vinyl singles on Jump Up Records and Grover Records. 2023 JET SET Records (Japan) released a 7” of Queen’s “Love Of My Life”. The band toured as backing group for Roy Ellis, Winston Francis and Dr. Ring Ding. 2024 Constant touring across Europe, Spain and Mexico. Released new Spanish tracks and the split single with The Autocratics on Funhouse Records (Japan). In July, they launched the album Skangre Latino, their first in Spanish and Italian.