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Xpress Band - St. Croix Virgin Islands Soca Calypso Band

July 24, 2007

X-PRESS BAND
CATCH DE XPRESS

By: ms.cyntje
From Our Jul - Aug 2007 Issue

For over twenty (20) years the X-Press Band has been leading the pack with quality calypso music. Their legacy includes four (4) Cruzian Festival Road March titles, three (3) Brass-O-Rammer Championships, and twenty great albums. As true musical ambassadors the band has performed throughout the United States , Canada , South America, West Africa and the Caribbean . The X-Press Band consists of talented musicians who each bring a wealth of experience to the group: the founders (Al Baptiste Sr., Patrick “P.O.” Edwards and Dean Baptiste) have toured with the Mighty Sparrow; Pat Ragguette has performed with the popular St. Vincent band Signal; and Toby Derima was a member of the energetic Vio International. After all these years in the industry, the X-Press Band has maintained its identity and continues to please audiences with their pulsating original calypso renditions.

CORE sat down with the members of the X-Press Band during a practice session at Backyard Studios in St. Croix and found out what they have learned after 20 years.

CORE: What has kept the band together all these years?

Patrick: Commitment; we are all striving for the same goals. Modesty is also very important. As a band we have paid our dues. It’s not an easy thing to maintain a band for so long, just like a marriage it takes a lot of work.

CORE: The X-Press Band has managed to maintain a large following over the years. What do you attribute to the band’s success?

Patrick: We established our own identity. Most of the other bands out there seem to be walking in he shoes of some other band. When you hear X-Press you know the sound is different. Apart from having our own identity, we try to keep up with the new technologies, music styles and demands of the people. We embrace change since music is a changing process.

CORE: How did it feel to win this year’s Road March?

Dean: To win a Road March title is really a big accomplishment so we were very pleased. You really have to get all the people as well as your core fans behind one particular song.

CORE: Where does inspiration for lyrics come from?

Dean: We take inspiration from fans during performances. Just things you would see in a fete.

CORE: From a performer’s perspective, what’s different about playing with this band versus other bands?

Toby: Before X-Press I only played jam style music with Vio. Once I began playing with X-Press, I found myself playing all types of music. The band is a very good group and I’ve always been a fan.

CORE: What made you decide to join the band?

Pat: I remember hearing the band at Club 54; they looked so dedicated to their music and the sound was professional.

CORE: Most long standing bands in the Virgin Islands have been all-male groups. How do you compete in a role that has traditionally been dominated by males?

Pat: I try to have a strong stage presence. You can’t be timid as the lead singer, so being brave is very important. I go out there with a vengeance. When you’re on stage you have to say to yourself “I’m in charge”. With that type of personality the crowd will respond to you because they feed off of you. I believe having a female vocalist gives any band an advantage.

CORE: What does the future hold for the X-Press Band?

Al: The X-Press band will be making great music for years to come.

We embrace change since music is a changing process.

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