Coming Soon: Punta Rebels in Concert
The last time the original Punta Rebels Band performed as a collective it was about twenty-five years ago, but the promoter of a Punta Rebels concert scheduled for this Saturday feels that the event will be so hype that it will draw even those people to the Bird Isle. Mark Usher is the Productions Promoter for SAAPPI – Singers, Athletes, Artists, Poets, and Players of Instruments. He has planned a concert that he believes will compel the young and the young at heart to attend.
Mark Usher
Mark Usher, Productions Promoter, SAAPPI
“SAAPPI really is responsible and we want to really push local bands: artists, and live music, let’s say that. And so we decided to start off with the Punta Rebels reunion, and that will be held at Bird’s Isle this Saturday.”
Marion Ali
“How did you manage to pull that off? Punta Rebels has been split up for what, over a decade?”
Mark Usher
“Well, here’s the thing, now, it’s like poetry, right? Because when Punta Rebels launched in 1997, I was a promoter back then, and I and my promotions company, we took Punta Rebels all all over the country. We even took them as far as Chetumal. And, we both had a lot of success. So when I saw that they were back together – the correct – all the original members, I told Supa “Hey, Supa, we have to do the Belize District, the Belize City version, and he said, yes. We worked out the logistics and now we are ready to go Saturday.”
Marion Ali
“So you have how many members strong from the original band?
Mark Usher
“Everybody. I’m going to try to name all of them, but you have Lloyd, you have Reckless, you have Super G, you have the drummer. Sorry, I can’t remember his name, the original drummer, you have Mr Obando, who is the original keyboardist, and my main man, Skull, the man weh used to have the most energy. Skull is also there. He’s a second keyboard player. The Rebels never come and cheat yoh of your money. Dehn wa perform. But let me also say that on the undercard is what I would call the New Rebels, when it comes to energy,. Bussa B Band. I’m sure you have heard of them. This is a band that has been kicking up storm. These are young teenage boys and probably in the early twenties and they’ve been doing a marvelous job pushing the music at that same level. And then we also have another up and coming star who is Hubee. I hope I pronounce the name correctly. Hubee is a solo artist and he will be a name to look out for down the future. And of course, my personal superstar, Bad Gial Sharon is on the card and you know, she brings a little different flavor, but all her lyrics they’re always authentic and original and they come with a message, so we had to bring her on the card. So you’re literally looking at five hours of quality live though, live entertainment. Not to say that we won’t have the DJs. We have DJ Lala, we have DJ Sambo and Brown, and we have DJ Brick.”
The concert gates open up at seven p.m. Saturday and the first artist will take the stage at eight-thirty. Tickets purchased in advance at Bird’s Isle or at any of the two Naybaz Stores at the Cinderella Plaza and on Cemetery Road near the Round-about will cost thirty-five dollars. On concert night, tickets purchased upon entry will cost forty dollars each.
