By Lookout Staff

July 28, 2011 – Rocksteady comes to the Santa Monica Pier tonight, when this summer’s Twilight Dance Series continues with East Coast reggae rockers Slackers joined by Southern California’s own ska masters Starpool.

Kickoff time for the bands is 7 p.m. As always, the concert is free.

For fifteen years the Slackers have drawn inspiration from deep inside the wells of reggae, blues and R&B to bring forth a new musical style that is refreshingly their own.

Imagine what would have happened if the Rolling Stones had grown up listening to Bob Marley as well as Muddy Waters. That’s what the Slackers sound like. They simply call it “Jamaican Rock and Roll.”

With spare vocals backed up by organ, electric guitar, bass, drums and horns – instrumentation reminiscent of classic Memphis soul superstars Booker T and the MG’s – the Slackers pay tribute to the best of Americana and island music without ever simply covering it. And they can out jam the best hippie rock bands that are out there.

That’s because, since forming in New York’s Lower East Side in the mid 1990's, the band has spent most of its time on the road, performing over 100 times a year, including 20 tours of North America, 14 tours of Europe, and three tours of Japan. They have also performed in Korea, Turkey and Brazil.

When not touring, the Slackers are in the studio, and have released numerous albums, beginning with Better Late Than Never in 1996. They released their latest, The Great Rocksteady Swindle, in 2010.

Joining them on the bill will be Orange County’s proto punk ska band Starpool – so named for a star-shaped swimming pool in one of the band members’ back yard where they used to practice and throw parties.

Lead by charismatic singer Alan Meade, the band has built up a loyal following and has sold out several live shows at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Their first full-length album, Living In Transition, was released last year.

Also taking the stage will be the finalists from Rusty’s Surf Ranch’s battle of the bands – The Bad Bad Things, Olio and Papa Fish. The winner will go on to open September 1 for Americana band Dawes.

Now in its 27th year, the Twilight Dance Series showcases an eclectic array of some of the best musical acts from throughout the world. Downbeat for the 2011 series is 7 p.m. every Thursday between July 7 and September 8.

Sponsored by One West Bank, upcoming shows include Nelson Marquez and Tutu Sweeny, sponsored Cirque Du Soleil in association with Heal the Bay, August 4. The series concludes with a New Orleans funk and blues night, September 8.

With this year’s lineup promising to draw large crowds, pier officials encourage concert goers to walk, bike or ride the Big Blue Bus.

Parking will be available at the beach lot located north of the pier at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, but the pier itself will be closed to traffic. A bike valet will be available on the bike path on the south side of the pier.

Cosponsors of the 2011 series include Pacific Park, Bloomingdales, StarLine Tours, the Australian Consulate, Cotton On and the City of Santa Monica. The series is produced by the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and Ron & Humble.