Bumpin Uglies

Bumpin Uglies is a Maryland-based reggae-rock band that has been making music together for over a decade. Led by singer and lead guitarist Brandon Hardesty, the band has built a dedicated fanbase through years of touring and performing at clubs and festivals across the country. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought touring to a halt, forcing the band to adapt and find new ways to connect with their audience. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Bumpin Uglies never stopped working. They returned to playing backyard parties in their hometown of Annapolis, and also added socially distanced concerts and full-band livestreams. In the fall of 2020, they also began releasing a new song every month as part of a project called the Never Ending Drop. Through these efforts, the band has been able to maintain their momentum and continue making music, even during a time when many artists have struggled. Hardesty, in particular, has used the time at home to focus on songwriting and develop new material for the band's seventh studio album, Mid-Atlantic Dub, released in the fall of 2021. The album was a return to the band's roots, with a focus on grooves, hooks, and vibes, while also maintaining their storytelling and lyricism. The band is composed of Brandon Hardesty on vocals and guitar, Dave Wolf on vocals and bass, TJ Haslett on drums, Ethan Lichtenberger on keys and horns and Will Lopez on sax and guitar.