We return to the Nectar Lounge in Fremont in support of Boston, MA & Ithaca, NY reggae band John Brown’s Body.

JOHN BROWN’S BODY

The band’s sound was described by the New York Daily News as “more Massive Attack than Marley” and by the Village Voice “reverent and revolutionary at the same time”. John Brown’s Body has performed with groups that represent a wide range of genres including Dave Matthews Band, The Flaming Lips, STS9, Furthur, Ozomatli, Broken Social Scene and Jurassic 5.

Together for two decades and hailed as “Future roots, reggae, and dub with an intricately balanced weaving of vocals, percussion, keyboard, bass, guitar, and stunning 3-piece horn section that ties it all together” (WRUV), John Brown’s Body (JBB) is building “a legacy that has inspired and carved a path for the now thriving contemporary American reggae scene” (Rudeboy Reggae). Formed in Ithaca, New York, in the mid 1990s, at a time when there wasn’t yet a far-reaching U.S. reggae scene, JBB was one of a small handful of U.S. reggae bands that began touring nationally. Since then, JBB has played an important role in helping define distinctly “American reggae.” JBB’s music is steeped in traditional vibes, but unapologetically incorporates elements from other genres.

While most American reggae bands tackled typical reggae themes (such as religion and marijuana), JBB acted more like an indie band, writing songs that used the vocabulary of reggae to express their own experiences. Their unique approach resonated with the masses. The group’s 2008 full-length record, Amplify, hit #1 on the Billboard Reggae Chart, 2012’s JBB In Dub EP reached #1 on iTunes’ Reggae Chart, and in 2013 Kings And Queens topped both Billboard and iTunes Reggae Charts at #1. Today, JBB’s signature style has become the norm for U.S. reggae bands – and many in the genre admittedly point to John Brown’s Body as a key influence.

Two Story Zori

Two Story Zori is a reggae band formed out of Seattle, Washington consisting of talented members from Guam, Hawaii, Samoa, Philippines, Vietnam and….Oklahoma! TSZ Band fuses the pacific islands, showcasing their culture and island reggae music to not only all in the Pacific Northwest but all over the world. The band features an ukulele, guitar, drums, bass, keys and melodic harmonies.