the Scotch Bonnets

Punky reggae rockers from Baltimore whose infectious blend of Jamaican-inspired grooves with American R&B stylings keeps the party jumping all night, The Scotch Bonnets have been bringing the heat and their good-love vibes since their debut in 2009. The crew is fearlessly lead by Kristin Forbes aka Lady Hatchet, who is a formidable triple threat as lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter.

Since the band’s founding, The Scotch Bonnets have cut their teeth in collaborations with HR of Bad Brains and Roddy Radiation of The Specials. Early triumphs led to local headlining shows and opening slots for touring acts including The English Beat, Fishbone, The Slackers, The Toasters, The Suicide Machines, The Pietasters, and The Aggrolites. 

The Scotch Bonnets have played the main stage of Supernova International Ska Festival, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival, and Baltimore's Artscape, as well as numerous local festivals and summer concert series.

Corresponding with their rise as a live act, The Scotch Bonnets have released two full-length LPs, one EP, numerous singles, and were featured on several compilations. Their second album, Come On Over (Jump Up Records), was selected by Do The Dog Skazine as one of the top albums of 2019. Their cover of “Give Paris One More Chance” was featured on a Jonathan Richman tribute record that charted at #23 on Billboard’s Compilation Albums chart. The Bonnets are currently writing and recording a third album of original music which will have a 2024 release.

In the pandemic year of 2020, The Scotch Bonnets expanded into livestream concerts and made virtual appearances with the Big 10 festival in the UK, the 2020 Supernova International Ska Festival, and on The Slackers’ Holiday Concert. Having previously performed many outdoor summer shows in Baltimore, The Scotch Bonnets channeled that experience into two successful headlining tours of outdoor venues in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic in 2021 and 2022. 

In 2023, The Scotch Bonnets' first LP, Live Ya Life, is being re-issued on vinyl by Jump Up Records for its tenth anniversary. The band is currently booking dates to support it in the Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and beyond.