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Biography

The Better Band's soca rhythms have dominated the airwaves, and night clubs in the Eastern Caribbean and beyond, for the past six years, thus earning them the title of Anguilla's Road March Champions in 1998,1999 and 2000.

The Better Band consists of eight dedicated and talented musicians, Corwin "Bookie" Carty, "Din-Din" Carty, Lanvol "Panther" Carty, Bevern "Sony King" Niles, David "Bassie" Smith, Dwight "Dwy-tea" Carty and Terry "Hodgie" Hodge-Carty carrying the enormous weight of Drum Programming and Keyboards. "Hodgie" the vocalist, once described by a radio DJ as 'the ladies man', has contributed to each album with a love song. "Come Baby", "Tonight", and "You need a man" have added much passion and intimacy to the Band.

In 1998 the "Every Thing Copperset" Album generated an immeasurable amount of recognition with "Blast" and "Raise the Roof" sung by Road March King "Panther" and "Congo Pepa" and "Reach for the Stars" sung by the man with endless lyrics "Bookie".

The 1999 the "Rough But Sweet" Album with who feeling "Soggy" by the energetic "Panther" and "Rags" by the vibrant "Bookie" were the tramping favourites. "Sony King" and "Bassie" pulled their strings to perfection.

In 2000 "Wuk Fe Yu Money" inaugurated Anguilla's first Road March Queen; "Sherma 'Da Babe' Hughes". This album also highlighted the diversity of the group with "Dwight 'Dwighty' Carty's" "Crazy Love" and Panther's "Hip Hip" reinforcing that the Better Band is here to stay, Can't stop it.

2001 "Mo Better" is an album of comparable splendour and harmony with intense rhythms. Being recorded in Trinidad once again has maintained that international soca flare. The Better Band is constructing a high rise building, with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor already completed with strong musical mortar and tough lyrical steel.

The 2002 album "Good To Go" featured a change up in the band. Gone are the Drummer, "Chucket" and female vocalist Sherma "De Babe". Replacing the drummer is "Savage". Album included hits like "Represent" , "Turn It UP" and the controversial hit "Questions". Represent brought the band international fame when they hit the charts in Miami.

Brand new for 2003 is the album "Time 4 Scratch". Just being released songs like "Punchin" and "Fever" are already chart toppers on the local scene. With a new drummer and vocalist "Din-din", the band is an unstoppable force throughout the region with regular gigs in Atlanta and Miami as well as the Virgin Islands. Highlights for 2003 include opening for Beenie Man in Anguilla and playing alongside the new Jam Band International and Pyour Passion from the VI.

Culture in Galore "Bacchanal" for 2004. With 30yrs of carnival on Better Band's mind, they have done it with a bang. Their new 2004 album, titled Bacchanal has incorporated Anguilla's local and aspiring talent. Individuals like Omari Banks, Amorell Bryan, Ricky Banton along with Ruel and Janelle Connor, Better Band has amazed and satisfied us with their versatility and creativity again. Always remembering what we all love Better Band for...The DRIVE!!!!!! With hot tunes like "Jam out your man" and "Wuk fast" putting us in the true carnival spirit, Better Band has definitely reserved the spot in the World charts.

2005 was another thrilling and pulsating production entitled "De Wetta De Better". Tune No.4 "Imagine" sung by Lanville "Panther" Carty was an instant hit and without any doubt the road march favourite. Dwy-tea’s "ight of my life" topped the charts as No 1. and was closely followed by Daddy Hodgie's "I got you" at No. 3. 2005 was another album to recon with, another year they dominated the air waives. John Connor plays the rich bass lines while the vibrant drums beats come from Alan Carty. Better Band made memorable performances in neighbouring St.Maarten, USVI and St.Kitts during the year.

The year 2006 Better Band continues to run things in Anguilla without a doubt with the album dubbed "Jam-A-Robics". Each year reference is made to the previous production. Better will have it no other way but to produce in grand style. Road March Champion for the first time with his tune "Jam-A-Robics" Corwin “Bookie” Carty was well deserved. Parade of Troops was testimony to his rule and conquer attitude.

Like every next album, they are not complete without the sweet singing flavours from Dwy-tea "Rescue Me"and Daddy Hodgie "In Love" two popular items for the lovers. Each singer brings their own flavour and style to the stage for their receptive audiences. In addition to the countries regularly visited the band made performances in Saba this year.

Look for the Better Band coming to a city near you...