Supervillains bring ‘swamp-reggae’ to Richland May 28

Dom Maresco started playing piano when he was about 6.

“My grandmother taught me,” he said. “That kind of blossomed into me playing drums.”

And singing. And playing guitar and bass.

Then he began his own band, The Supervillains, with longtime friend Scott “Skart” Suldo.

The “hard-partying, easy-skankin’ swamp-reggae” group will stop in the Tri-Cities on May 28 to play Ray’s Golden Lion. The all-ages show starts at 8:30 p.m. Cover is $10.

The Supervillains are in the midst of a multistate tour, playing the California Roots Festival and shows from Portland to New Mexico.

After the Richland performance, the crew heads to Boise and then Salt Lake City.

Along with Maresco and Suldo, The Supervillains includes Dan Grundorf and Tom “Key Rex” Moulton.

A live show puts the band members’ musical abilities on display — and also their personalities, Maresco said.

“In the middle of the songs, we talk back and forth. We keep things lively, keep things moving. It’s a full show when you come and see us. You more or less know us by the time we’re done,” he said.

While the music touches reggae, ska and punk, it’s not easy to label or define, Maresco said. “We don’t want to be stuck in one style. We like the variety. It keeps the show moving.”

Maresco and Suldo grew up together in Florida, listening to music from Less Than Jake to Real Big Fish, The English Beat and Fishbone.

They formed their own band in 1997, and in The Supervillains’ 18-year history, the guys not only have released several albums and earned acclaim and a following, they’ve also taken the stage with those early idols — and other groups they grew up loving.

“We really lucked out. Over the years we’ve been able to play with these bands. Before you know it, we’re friends,” Maresco said.

The group also has made friends at tour stops across the country, including the Tri-Cities. The Supervillains have played Ray’s Golden Lion several times, and Maresco said it’s always fun.

“We’re really excited to get back there,” he said. “We love playing in Washington. The Tri-Cities are cool. We can’t wait.”

Ray’s at 1353 George Washington Way, Richland.

The Supervillains are online at www.thesupervillains.com.

This story was originally published May 20, 2015 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Supervillains bring ‘swamp-reggae’ to Richland May 28 ."