Biography Spanner Banner is the stage name of reggae recording artist and songwriter Joseph Anthony Bonner. One of Violet and Ivanhoe Bonner's 11 offspring, the Jamaican-born performer is one of four siblings who headed into the music business. Brother Pliers, who made the leap to professional recording artist in 1987, is one-half of the duo Chaka Demus & Pliers, whose international hits include "Tease Me." Banner penned and originally recorded the song before Pliers took it into the Top 5 on British charts.