Oracle Online

Umbrella Bed plays a traditional two-tone form of ska, tracing its influences back to bands like Madness and the Specials, as well as the style of traditional Jamaican reggae.

Much of the band’s creative work and songwriting comes from their bassist, Tom Sales, though Porter wrote and sings in one of the band’s newer songs, “Less Talk, More Rock.”

Umbrella Bed features a six-piece horn section, plus two guitars, drums, and bass, which leads to a massive live show. To achieve their goal of getting the listener up and moving to the music, the band puts everything they can into creating a fun and energetic atmosphere at their shows.

With three full-length releases already under their belts, Umbrella Bed has finished recording their fourth CD and are now putting on the final touches. The new album is the first to feature Porter on guitar and is due out this summer on German-based Mad Butcher Records.

As of now, there are no concrete plans for a U.S. release, though the band anticipates that this will come about sometime next summer, unless a distributor picks it up before then. For now, local fans will either have to wait and pick it up at a show or buy the import version straight from Germany.

The band will continue its routine of shows at bars across the Twin Cites, including the West Bank’s Triple Rock Social Club and Red Sea. Porter says that though the scene is not as strong as he would like it to be, it has been growing through word of mouth and the tireless efforts of the bands involved.

This May, Umbrella Bed plans to leave the state for a European tour in support of their upcoming album.
The tour may include stops with the Toasters, barring any major scheduling conflicts. Come June, it is back to the States for the lead singer’s wedding.

It seems that it may be difficult to coordinate the schedules of such a large band for any tour, especially one overseas, considering the busy schedules of each member. However, Porter points out that the presence of so many members actually makes touring or playing at the last minute easier. With two guitars and six horns, if one person has to miss a show, the band can still play on. In fact, the band has gone without their lead singer before, relying on the bassist to step in and take over on vocals.

Porter has a lot going on besides his work in Umbrella Bed. In addition to Umbrella Bed and Gybolts, he plays in Banned in TC and is trying to start another band to explore different styles.

He is a also a full-time student, works at the Klas Center, and helps run and book shows for MNSKA.com.

“It gets stressful after a while,” Porter admits, but he says he is pleased with the response to his bands and the growing interest he sees in the scene he is trying so hard to spread, adding, “It’s nice to know that all your work pays off.”

Having opened for major acts like the Skatalites and the Specials in their earlier days, Umbrella Bed is no stranger to large show experience.

Coming up on Friday, Feb. 18, however, is one of their bigger shows, as they play with the Toasters, Los Skarnales, and Westbound Train in a 21+ show at the Triple Rock Social Club.