Sticky Fingers (STIFI)

   Has anyone ever came across something on YouTube that looked interesting, but you just carry on with your original search - Three weeks later you come across the same video that you ignored so you finally give it a chance, then next thing you know you are hooked and watch the damn thing 15 more times in a row. Suddenly you are exploring more videos from the same profile or something similar to it. Yeah I know the feeling. I was happily watching Slash do an acoustic show with Myles Kennedy when I saw a band named Sticky Fingers in the "Videos you might like" box. As clicked on the video there were two dudes in the middle of a village sitting on their guitar cases on some grass performing a song titled "Cyclone" with their acoustics, after the first few notes they played I was instantly hooked.

 Sticky Fingers is a band from Sydney, Australia with a reggae sound mixed with indie rock with a well balanced mix of psychedelic and soul. Their diverse sound can speak to all walks of life and make you forget about the world's problems and fill your space with positive vibes and mellow moods. The four man group is a unique and under rated group that people need to hear at least once in their life. And believe me YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. With Dylan "Dizza" Frost on the guitar and vocals, Paddy Cornwall on the bass and back up vocals, Seamus Coyle on the lead guitar, Beaker Best on the drums, and Freddy Crabs on the keys/synth. These five can make you feel like you're about to be on vacation on the beach, reminisce on a past relationship of happiness to heart break, to just going out on the town with friends with not a care in the world, but to live in the moment.

  STIFI was formed in 2008 with their first live show being performed in 2009. Shortly after that show they released their first EP "Helping Hand". I honestly have not listened to the entire EP itself, but have streamed some songs from it on YouTube such as: Change and Lyrical Stoka which gives you that indie reggae sound they are famous for.  Later on in 2011 they released two more EPs; "Extended Play" and "Happy Endings". "Extended Play" is one of those albums that really makes you sway back and fourth like you were in an ocean of sound moving with the waves as your body floats. With only 7 songs with a lot of emphasis on their reggae roots, "Extended Play" is one of the best EPs I've ever listened to. "Happy Endings" takes a you into a whole different direction all together. This EP is pure acoustic songs with some keys and simple, but effective, percussion that gives you an inside look at the band's soft side. Notable tracks that are constantly on my playlist that should be on yours as well include: "Happy Endings" and "Eddy's Song".

  In 2013, they released their first album "Caress Your Soul" which is personally my favorite album of theirs. This album really shows their diversity and how well they can mix different genres of music to produce a unique sound they can call their own. Each song has something different to offer the listener. It's one of those albums that you can listen from front to back multiple times. In 2014 STIFI released their second album "Land of Pleasure" and in 2016 they released their final album to date "Westway (The Glitter & The Slums)". Notable songs from "Land of Pleasure" include "Rum Rage" and "Land of Pleasure". Notable songs from "Westway" include "One by One", which gives you that indie pop sound, and my personal favorite "Outcast At Last" which just gives you a burst of energy and uplifts your spirits.

   Aside from their original stuff, STIFI does an amazing job doing covers to other band's songs as well. Each cover they do sounds similar to the original, but they end up sprinkling a bit of their signature sound to it to spice things up. These covers include DMA's "Delete" and my personal favorite Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon".

   This is one band I would hands down see in concert, but in 2016 the band decided to take a break from music due to internal conflicts with band mates. Dizza announced that he was suffering from alcohol addiction and a mental illness. If you haven't listened to this band at all then you are really missing out on great music in your life. It's funny how one song on YouTube can get you hooked for life to band that you will forever be kicking your own ass for not listening to sooner.

- Positive Vibes
Josh "Voodoo Chile" Reynaga