For the better part of the last year Virginia based reggae band Dub Campaign has gone from piecing together their ensemble to playing shows up and down the east coast to releasing their debut album. If you remember right TheDubSide did a feature on Dub Campaign back in the summer when they played several shows in the Outer Banks, NC. Since then the group has focused on releasing their debut album, ready to turn heads – and have them bobbing too.

Dub Campaign released their debut EP this week titled Lion In Disguise. The album features five original tracks full of blood stirring reggae riffs, mesmerizing bass, and addicting vocals. The first track is the title track, “Lion In Disguise”, and is probably the most dub sounding track on the album. It has a slow and steady yet adrenaline building effect. It builds you up for the tracks to come.

Of all five tracks TheDubSide tended to favor the last track on the album “I Require”. A track featuring slick off beat guitar, foot tapping bass, and plenty of reverb. A song sure to be a fan favorite. Not to take away from the album as a whole, however. All five tracks bring a different sound and rhythm but a hypnotizing like-ability. This is only the first installment from Dub Campaign, and we can’t wait to see what they throw our way as they continue to progress and grow.

The band consists of Chris Larsen (Lead Guitar, Vocals), John Larsen (Bass), Mike Lilburn (Drums), and Justin Pietro (Guitar).

Dub Campaign will be having an official album release party at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA this Friday February 1st along with Virginia Beach based band Bimini Rd. Tickets $12 at the door $10 in advance.

The 2nd annual International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC) organizers have announced a call for any poster entry to be due for March 30, 2013.

All submissions will be selected by a group of international design professionals and published in a catalog/book, before being displayed and auctioned. All proceeds, as before, will be going to help establish and create a Frank Gehry designed Reggae Hall of Fame Museum and performance center in Kingston, Jamaica. Other charitable groups that will be supported are the Alpha Boys’ School and HELP Jamaica! Charities.

The IRPC is anticipating building on the success in the 2012 poster contest, which received 1,142 entries from over 80 countries with the winner being Alon Braier of Israel who won top prize for his epic poster titled, Roots of Dub which is displayed below.

Other entries were exhibited in Athens, Greece, Kingston, Jamaica and at the Rototom Sunsplash in Spain. All poster designs are commended for building a positive awareness for Reggae music and helping its global impact. For more information visit, www.reggaepostercontest.com

Take a look at our gallery for a few of last year’s winners!

Florida based reggae-rock band Kayavibe is set to release a new album in January of 2013. The new year is sure to get off to a great start with the release of RedEP. The album is currently set to drop the week of January 16th.

The dates have been set for Rebelution’s Winter Greens Tour 2013.  The tour will feature mainly west coast venues and will kick off at The House of Blues in Las Vegas, NV and Houston, TX as well as the Ventura Theatre in Ventura, CA among many other venues.  We’ll be updating our show calendar this week with all the dates so you can keep track of shows coming to your area.  The tour features Rebelution along with J Boog and Hot Rain.  Both J Boog and Hot Rain are up and coming artists having blown on to the scene in the last year or so.  Below are a few videos of each to get you pumped for the tour.  Stay warm my friends, and stay Green this winter!

The Cure is back! Since his 2009 album release of Universal Cure Jah Cure has finally released his newest creation entitled World Cry. Because many songs were completed in 2010 the album was supposed to drop early 2011, but ran into some delays. In this 14-song set there were many partnerships created including Miami’s own SoBe Entertainment who has managed Jah Cure since 2008 when he was released from serving 7 years out of a 15 year sentence for a false rape charge.

Much of this album is centered around love and relationships with a soul type feel, mixed and graciously blended with a reggae style. Some of Cure’s songs reflect back on his controversial rape case and time spent in prison. The World Cry video, however, tributes the whole world and its population by displaying footage of natural terrain and children playing from different cultural and economic backgrounds. His lyrics express problems and point fingers at the “politicians telling their lies” that are making negative affects on the world.

“Unconditional Love” is a sweet tune about looking for a woman with heart, soul, and a desire.  It is the hit in the Cure’s homeland of Jamaica.  Mixed with a Latin guitar to the rhythm Jah brought in long time friend and musician, Phyllisia who is also managed under SoBe entertainment to add a tone of spoken vocals translating lyrics into Spanish. The theme of love follows on “Only Vice” which is one of the few reggae riddims on the album so be sure to check it out!

Jah Cure’s efforts are evident in every album he puts out hence a two year anticipation on his latest, World Cry. This set includes his love, past, and what he wishes upon the world. He has definitely made it clear that he belongs in reggae and has done so with his latest masterpiece!

Missouri based reggae artist Skillinjah released his album Skillmatic today December 5th. The album features fourteen new tracks with several appearances from fellow GanJah Records artists Josh Heinrichs and Lance Sitton. Skillmatic is Skillinjah’s third studio release in just over a year following Emergency Spliff and Reality. Featured below is the song “Fever” from the new album as well as an iTunes preview. TheDubSide review coming soon!

TheDubSide caught up with Cisco Adler and his band at the NorVa in Norfolk, VA October 11th. We thought the meeting would be the usual quick interview and killer show. To our unexpected delight, the meeting evolved into an outrageously fun and entertaining night far beyond the music.

Cisco Adler’s first solo album embodies who he is as a “musician first, and human second.” Adler exudes a mellow, friendly, and eclectic vibe, a truly seamless rhythm from music to musician and back again. His highly anticipated “Aloha” album dropped Monday October 22nd, completing his digital-only 6 song EP released earlier this summer, and we got a first hand look into the mind of the man behind the music.

The interview was unmatchable. Adler was open, inviting and forth coming, letting us into the real nitty gritty of him and his band, on and off-stage. His entourage includes DJ Skinnie, the band’s DJ, as well as Adler’s tour manager, TJ McDrums, the band’s drummer and resident, Swedish-born, male fashionista, and last but not least, the band’s tour bus chauffeur and all around joker, Shevon. Individually, the guys are each talented, personable, and simply, AWESOME. Together however, they are pretty much the coolest group of dudes out there.

After hanging with and talking to Adler, it became very clear; This is not a man simply behind the music, he is his music. And hey, as far as we’re concerned, he’s doing nothin’ less than killin’ it!

The Malibu/Maui raised artist blends hip-hop, reggae, smooth vocals and artist collaborations, with a lil’ sumthin’ sumthin’ to create a style all his own. Adler explains, “Every time I make a record, I want to make it sound better than the last”. His creation of a truly unique, one-of-a-kind music genre is portrayed in and justified by his new album “Aloha.”

The band’s high-energy opening performance set the stage for an irie night of exceptional music from Cisco’s tour family, Iration and The Expendables. From the moment Cisco and his boys took the stage up to the last second of their set, Adler maintained a cool, authentic smile on his face. It is undeniable; Cisco Adler loves what he does.

Cisco knows the secret to his success. It is not just his keen eye (or ear) for new talent, or his amiable, outgoing, fun-loving personality. It is waking up every day and hitting the studio for nothing less than the sheer love of music. TheDubSide asked Adler for some insight to the making of his newest compilations and how he approached his first solo project. Adler explains, “You’re only as good as your last outing, so you gotta make sure it sounds really good because its going to live forever. Ya know? I up my ante as far as sonnets or song writing or melody or anything. I really just take whatever I’ve learned from all my past work and just put it into the next one.”

The title of his album, “Aloha”, constitutes both the traditional meaning, “Hello, Goodbye, I love you” as well as one of personal inception. “My inspiration for Aloha was just my childhood really, growing up in Maui. I just wanted to get back to a place in my soul, so I just went there and that’s what came out.”

In the midst of our interview, Adler got a call from DJ Skinnie. “Skinnie Bones! Yo! Oh, I think that’s just his uh, butt dialing me.” Finally connecting on the call, we were invited on a field trip to the guys’ tour bus. The bands collectively put out a tour flier/poster design contest to fans. Each city on the tour had a winner that received a plus one invitation to private acoustic performances on each bands’ tour bus. TheDubSide went along to listen in on the winning fan’s meet n greet private show.

Check out audio from the private show with Cisco Adler!

Adler not only personally responded to our interview inquiry, but constantly interacts with fans via social media. Check him out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CiscoAdlerPresents or on Twitter @MrCISCOADLER.

Mr. Cisco Adler’s talents far exceed his musical ability; his genuine love for the art within the music industry is exhilarating and contagious.“I’ve just been on every side of the record company thing, I had a major label deal, an indie deal, I had this, I had that, and it was like, I just wanted to make a truly artist-friendly sort of environment.” Thus, the birth of Adler’s “lifestyle label”, Banana Beat Records. He serves as both the label head, producer and manager of the company. “This is a movement…let’s go BANANAS!”

TheDubSide asked Adler about the artists on his label, his longtime artistry partnership with Shwayze, and how these relationships have come into fruition. Adler explains, “Its all very randomly beautiful. Everyone meets for a perfect reason you know what I mean? The beautiful thing is no one is on or off Banana Beat at any moment. It’s really just a family of musicians that work together and make music and it keeps extending and growing and it’s really cool to watch now that there’s a catalog up there its not just one artist or album, its just fun, I think in years to come I’m excited to look back and see all the artists that have made it that came through banana beat.”

A resolute trait of Adler’s music is artist collaboration. Artists such as G-Eazy, G. Love, Don Carlos, and Mod Sun just to name a few, are blended into “Aloha” creating a dynamic, distinctive melody for each track on the album. “In any project I make sure that the collaborations are our friends or people I’ve worked with in the past. It’s a real natural setting, not like a manager calling a manager setting it up, it’s like ‘Yo, you wanna come play bass on this? Cool come play bass!’”

Adler’s world is anything but ordinary, and he invited us into it as if we were long-time friends. His free spirited, laid back, sunny nature lives within the music he creates, and spreads through the people he meets. “If I see an artist I love or I’d want to work with, ya know, we’ll make one record. It’s not tied together for 7 hours, it’s not anything like that. Its like lets make one piece of art and really be committed to it and putting it out well. I like to expose new artists to the world. Then hopefully they go out and do really big things, and then hopefully too, they come back and we make stuff forever.”

Singer, songwriter, rapper, guitarist, producer, entrepreneur, mentor, and more, Cisco Adler is a man of limitless talent. The music is epic, the vibe is awesome, the performance is killer, but most of all, the energy surrounding Cisco Adler and his band themselves, is truly addicting.

So, what can we expect from Cisco next?? As his Fall 2012 tour has just come to an end, Cisco has already announced a 2013 Northeast Tour with Aer, Mod Sun and Special Guest! The tour kicks off February 1st at the Hard Rock in Philly. Check the link for tickets in your city, and if you haven’t already, download Cisco Adler’s “Aloha”! TheDubSide personal favorites include “Boom, Boom, Boom”, “Rock Me All Night”, and “You’re a Fool”. Snag the tunes and grab your tickets! Cisco’s vibe is one you won’t want to miss.

Article, Interview & Pics by Rachel Gail

Cisco Adler, best known as the frontman for Malibu based rock band Whitestarr and his collaboration with Malibu based rapper Shwayze is releasing his debut solo album later this month.  The album, titled Aloha, is set to drop on October 26th.  For Adler it is a step in to the unknown, a new journey on which he has yet to embark and a exciting time for listeners to discover a new talent.  Adler describes the opportunities his debut album presents and what created this dream:

“This is the first time, after making music for so many people that I looked inward and said, ‘It’s time to do me. It’s time to present my real self to the world’…This record is the perfect entry point for people who have never heard of me to discover my music. For the people who have known me in various different vignettes, I think it really paints the complete picture. First and foremost, I hope people see that, I’m a musician. That’s why I was put here, and that’s what I wake up to do every day in my life”

Adler’s talent has not gone unnoticed as many well known artists contributed to Aloha including:  G. Love, reggae legend Don Carlos, G-Eazy, Mod Son, North Mississippi Allstars’ Cody and Luther Dickinson, Slightly Stoopid’s Kyle McDonald, and guitar virtuoso Josh Randy.  Producer Jim Jonsin, known for hits with Beyonce and Kanye West also lends a hand with the co-production of the track “California In The Winter”.

Artist collaboration may be one of the finest elements in music production and it seems Adler would agree, “G. Love, who murders it on the first single, ‘You’re a Fool,’ is one of my true inspirations as an artist, so to have him do a guest appearance on my record was huge,” said Adler.

A six song digital only EP was released over the summer which included six tracks from Aloha while the October release will feature seven unreleased tracks.  Adler describes the EP release as a bit of a summer tease, “The EP had the summer jams, and now the full length CD, which is like the second chapter, is a little more retrospective of the summer you just spent. It’s pop with a lot of reggae and mixed up with rock and hip-hop. It’s everything I love.”

In the meantime you can check out the video for Adler’s single “Boom Boom Boom” and can pre-order the full Aloha album at this link.

Mike Pinto Band closed out their Spring Tour with a wild performance at Belly Up! Tavern in San Diego, CA in front of a raucous crowd of local fans. The band kicked off their tour this past April bringing along East Coast band Three Legged Fox, from Pinto’s hometown outside Philadelphia. The band hit venues all over the country including Florida, New York, the Carolinas, St. Louis, Chicago, and ultimately California.

According to Pinto, the Mike Pinto Band’s most recent album, The West Is Still Wild portrays “a culmination of experiences and discoveries about life out west – from how wild it was, to how wild it is, and how wild it will always be”. Anyone who has been out west understands that Pinto speaks the truth.  The album quickly climbed multiple music charts, including iTunes and Billboard, and is a mainstay on reggae rock and acoustic radio worldwide.

TheDubSide got up with the Mike Pinto Band for a quick interview in the green room before they took over the stage at Belly Up!

TheDubSide: What was it like to meet up and collaborate with well-known Drummer/Producer Chuck Treece (G Love, Pearl Jam)?

Mike: Chuck Treece is a legend in Philadelphia. I met him through Don McCloskey who lived the town over from me, Bristol Pennsylvania, I grew up in Fairless Hills so that’s like literally maybe two towns away but, Don had told me about all of his prior work with Bad Brains, G-Love, Billy Joel, he had his own band McRad, and how good he was. So I met him over in LA, we had talked about it and he had a producer over In the LA area. So we met there and he just started going into the songs that I brought to the table that he’d never even heard before, and in a few takes he just crushed all of em!

TheDubSide: How did you find your band, when did the band actually form? How did you guys meet?

Mike: Oh, (laughter) well, I’ve been thru a few. I met the first ones in OB, Ocean Beach San Diego. But that didn’t work out, they weren’t really touring guys. And I met up with Sean here, who was in the second band I had, Sean Barrett, who’s playin tonight for the first time with us in 3 years.

Sean: We played that Gallaghers gig…

Mike: Oh we did do Gallaghers, you played something else too that weekend. It was more than one show wasn’t it?

Sean: Yeah, I feel like it was a couple gigs.

Mike: Sean was with this other guy Glenn Pfaff, and uh, sometimes ya know, things didn’t really work out with Glenn, but me and Sean always got along. Sean was getting his Masters, was in school and gigging for a lot of people. So that was tough. I was having trouble with the fact that I hadn’t really hit the road yet like I should have and I’d already been at it for about four years.

So then, that’s when I met my drummer, Todd. And Todd knew Matt Brein. They both played in the band Bargain Music and that band broke up, so they were all free and ready to hit the road. So, that’s what we did for about 3 and a half years. Then Matt just recently left the band and ya know, Sean and I still remained friends. He’s a monster on the bass. So I called him up and here he is, drinkin’ beer in the green room…

TheDubSide: Love at first sight huh?

Sean: Oh yeah…

Mike: Boy knows how to play the bass.

TheDubSide: Your lyrics are a huge attraction for people to your music, what are some of the major inspirations behind some of the lyrics to your songs? Are they mostly personal or are there certain people that have influenced you on certain tracks?  

Mike: Yeah, I mean, It’s hard to explain when it comes to lyrics ya know, about, like your way about it. There’s just an inspiration from everyday life that’s the really the only way I can put it.  I’m just very observant about the way people act. Ya know, there will be these times Ill be like, that guys a character, and when I mean a character I mean like, a character that I wanna write a song about hahaha, ya know, I like all types of subjects, I really dig dark subjects and human behavior and things like that. It’s just whatever’s around me at the time.

TheDubSide: So for example…Backburner? 

Mike: Backburner is, actually, not about anyone. That’s one of the few songs that’s not which is surprising because it’s one of the more popular songs. I guess it’s uh, everybody has that person they wanna get. Everyone has that girl they wanted to get, I mean you talk about girls maybe you really liked when you were a younger man but couldn’t get the nerve, didn’t really have the nerve at the younger age which I definitely did not…

TheDubSide: Were you a shy kid?

Mike:  Not shy, but shy with girls. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. Just when you’re young ya know, didn’t have anybody telling me about girls, I didn’t know what the hell to do.

TheDubSide: Is there any one song that a specific event really inspired you?

Mike: “Temptation” is probably the one that like, when I moved here my whole mindset changed really quick and it was an enormous culture shock for me. And ya know, I just had to put something down to try to explain what the hell was going on and what I was thinking, “Darlin” too, those two songs. I was just trying to figure out what the hell was going on over here in California.

TheDubSide: How does it feel to know you obtained a global following so fast, how did that happen?  Japan?

Mike: Obviously it’s flattering, I just wanna go play there. I used to play in Hawaii and it’s kind of bitter sweet now because I’ve never played in Japan and I haven’t played in Hawaii in almost four years. I feel bad that we haven’t played there having these fans there but not being able to go entertain them. Soon enough. But yeah, it’s flattering. It’s flattering playing for people in Iowa.

TheDubSide: How did that popularity occur in those two places?

Mike: Japan we were on a compilation for One Big Family Records. In Hawaii, I got a couple guys, Chase and Harry, these two guys from Hawaii, ended up getting me on the radio in Maui when I went over there solo. Then this guy Shaggy at 103.7 put me on regular rotation with Backburner and that’s where it all started.

TheDubSide: Obviously, we at TheDubSide know and love your music. But if you had to give our readers an pitch about your music that maybe aren’t as familiar with Mike Pinto, how would you describe it? What would you tell them to sell your sound?

Mike: Well I guess just, if I had to sell it to them I’d say there are some real lyrics in our music. There is some truth in a world of bullshit. (laughs) The songs I try to deliver are true to the way that we act in society, the way that people think. And that’s what I think is different. It separates my music that I wrote from other people. That with the quality backing band, these two (Sean and Todd are sitting at the table in the green room across from us), and the horn section, it’s entertaining, it’s happy, and it makes for a good party. But it’s got some real, true meanings to it which separates it from other people who are just trying to, well…I’m not tryin to be popular.

TheDubSide: I like that. 

Mike: I tried. Tell Virginia Beach I said hello.

After the interview Tribal Theory and Cisco Adler, quite literally, set the stage for Pinto and crew with energetic opening performances.  Taking in the atmosphere at the show, it was obvious that Pinto’s friends and fan base are not only one in the same, but thriving to say the least. The performance was exhilarating, with an energy and vibration from both band and crowd alike.  This IS Mike Pinto’s music movement.

The band consists of Sean Barrett on bass, Todd Elrod on drums, and guest musicians filling the sound with an amazing brass section.  Pinto’s guitar mastery and lyrical prowess are comparable to legends like Jim Morrison and backed by the outrageously talented musicians of his band, Pinto has created an enigmatic musical classification all on his own.

Each of Pinto’s songs has a uniqueness and personality.  Each song is equally amazing on the stage as it is in the studio.  From acoustic to electric, from on stage to jumping to the crowd, Pinto embodies a larger than life presence. Mike Pinto has mastered the creation and delivery of his truly extraordinary music.

Some of TheDubside favorites from Pinto’s albums (2007 Self Titled Mike Pinto, 2005 Little District, and 2011 The West Is Still Wild) include: Turn You On, Addictions, A Thousand Years Ago, Backburner, The Cool and The Deadly, Surf Tune, Everything I Got, Never Hold Me Down, Temptation, and the title song off his newest album, The West Is Still Wild.

As Pinto’s career has evolved, moving cross-country, snagging new band members and surrounding himself with new and lyric ready “characters” he continues to produce heralded music quickly filling the ears of the masses – despite his plea against popularity.  Sorry Mike, you’re one of the cool kids now.

The Mike Pinto Band wil be playing alongside Tribal Theory and Cisco Adler this Saturday August 4th at the famous Belly Up in San Diego, California.  Pinto first began his lyrical journey in Philadelphia in 2005 with the release of his debut album titled Little District.  He soon gained a guerrilla like following with his unique brand of surf roots, acoustic mastery and brilliant lyrics.  This success brought Pinto to Southern California where he refined his talents with famous drummer and producer Chuck Treece (Bad Brains, G-Love, Pearl Jam) to release a self-titled album that brought Pinto recognition from a number of radio outlets on the west coast and worldwide.

Pinto proved his abilities to write songs that “hit home” with listeners – with many of his tracks reflecting personal experiences.  While Pinto is a truly great musician it’s his vivid storytelling that makes him one of the best musicians of the present day.  His words flow effortlessly while his fingers pluck the strings of his guitar – much like and angel playing the harp at the gates of heaven.  Songs like “Addictions”, “Temptation” and “Never Hold Me Down” from his self-titled album provide a glimpse into the life of Pinto while his instrumental genius makes you tap your feet uncontrollably.

Shortly after his self-titled release Pinto put out an acoustic album and more recently an EP titled The West Is Still Wild with the newly formed Mike Pinto Band.  The West Is Still Wild garnered attention from west and east coast roots rock fans alike and continues to be a mainstay on playlists nationwide.

The EP itself is described by Pinto as an ode to the glamour and sense of new beginnings the west coast brings to so many, “It’s been 160 years since the Gold Rush and there are still people making the trip from all over the country because they feel their destiny is to reach the west coast. As someone who was also drawn to that same appeal, I wanted to capture that”.  Pinto does just that with songs like “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” and the title track “The West Is Still Wild”.  To us, the song “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” describes Pinto’s rise to becoming a well known artist, not forgetting his roots and having the strength to continue his passion – something many throughout the country and the world can relate to.  If nothing else, Pinto’s music allows listeners to escape their daily lives and find comfort in the fact that even those you look up to face the same crossroads in life.

Mike Pinto Band, Tribal Theory and Cisco Adler show begins this Saturday at 9PM at Belly Up San Diego.  TheDubSide will be in attendance to witness the powerful sounds of all three artists including an interview with Mike Pinto to be released shortly after the show.  To pump you up for the show you can listen to Pinto’s new track below as well as efforts from Tribal Theory and Cisco Adler.

Mike Pinto – Getting Older (New Track)

Washington, D.C. based reggae band Dub Campaign released their live recording of Dub Campaign Live at Outer Banks Brewing Station this week after their long weekend of three shows in the Outer Banks, N.C.  The boys from Dub Campaign wowed crowds at three unique venues last weekend including the Outer Banks Brewing Station, Island Dyes and The Pit Surf Shop.

The Outer Banks Brewing Station show brought a raucous crowd as people piled in to catch Dub Campaign and 40 Oz to Freedom (Sublime Tribute Band).  TheDubSide was in attendance for the show as well as the other two by Dub Campaign.

The group’s show an Island Dyes was strictly acoustic as beach goers got a piece of the island vibe as they entered the shop.  Later that night the band played at The Pit.  A former surf shop turned lodge and bar.  The Pit was a small surf shop prior to renovation which now boasts a much larger shop right next door.  The intimate setting was great for listeners and the band could be heard throughout the three levels of the bar rocking their reggae riffs and psychedelic dub effects.

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The group includes guitarist Justin Pietro, bassist John “Big L” Larsen, guitarist and lead singer Chris Larsen and drummer Mike Lilburn.  The group formed in early 2012 and has made waves up and down the East Coast as they spread their sound  and vibes.  You can listen to the full show Dub Campaign Live at The Outer Banks Brewing Station below.

From Seacrets in Ocean City, Maryland to Port O’ Call in The Outer Banks of North Carolina, (and pretty much everywhere in between) Bimini Rd. is becoming the hottest band of the hottest season on the East Coast. The release of their ‘And Then Some’ EP, reviewed by TheDubSide earlier this year, has blown these guys up on the reggae radar. While still maintaining their unique, musically ingenious roots, the band’s style innovation has made their sound incomparable.

The band’s music is a compilation of shredding rock guitar riffs channeling a Jimi Hendrix era sound, unconstrained Skank melodies pushing their new reggae vibe, an incorporated killer brass section of guest musicians completing their repertoire with a Ska undertone, and a steady bass line that never fails to keep us feelin’ the rhythm.

Band members include: Aaron Kuklica (Guitar), Dave Ortiz (Drums), John ‘Quan’ Wilkens (Keys & Vocals), Mike Fischetti (Bass & Vocals), and Travis Mansell (Guitar). Guest musicians include: Lead vocalist and bass player’s little bro, Max Fischetti, on the congas and Jackmove’s SP who, according to Mike, “makes random, sometimes unbeknownst to the band, appearances to improv” on trombone.

We talked more to Mike about the band’s inspiration, their most recent addition, and what to expect from the guys next.

TheDubSide: What most inspired the evolution of Bimini’s sound from the ‘Walkabouts’ album to the ‘And Then Some’ EP?

Mike: Bimini Rd. gets inspiration from many different facets. Members of the band have been playing and writing original music for over a decade. We enjoy playing other artists’ material and putting a “Bimini Twist” on (their songs), but overall, it is ALL about the original music. We will bring in ideas sometimes or other times fully written songs and make them into a Bimini Rd. original. So…with all this material, we know that we need to record and get it out there for people to check out.  Nothing feels better than to see people in the audience singing along to our original music. That is what makes all the hard work and crazy schedules worth it. Bimini Rd.’s mission is to create music that you can just listen, enjoy and relax to. A sonically pleasing cocktail of new and old age rock and reggae.

TheDubSide: As the newest member, how did John Quan come to be a part of the band?

Mike: He begged and pleaded. Hahaha!! No, John is an awesome addition to the band and we couldn’t imagine Bimini Rd. without him. Funny story…Bimini Rd. was opening for Pato Banton and Quan was the DJ for the event. During our set he was making sound effects over the mic and spouting out one liner’s. At first we were thinking, ‘What the fuck!? Who is this dude messing up our set?!’ But we realized quickly, it had a good sound that was different. We were looking for a keyboard player and since he plays keys, it seemed to be a perfect match. The band has grown in a lot of ways since Quan has come into the picture.

TheDubSide: Whats next for Bimini Rd? A national tour, back in the studio, music videos, radio?

Mike: We plan to take some time this coming fall-spring to make runs to Virginia, MD and NC colleges. We want to continue to put our new material out to those markets. Send inquires to biminird@gmail.com and keep an eye out for our schedule @ biminird.com. We are back in the studio in January with fresh material. We are also working on a new music video for one of the tunes on ‘And Then Some’ for 2013. We want to continue to reach out to existing fans and make new fans, network with other bands in our genre and continue to give a great live performance.

We caught the guys taking over the beach at 11^th Street Taphouse on June 16^th, Town Point Park on June 29^th, Mahi Mah’s 7^th Street Stage on July 6^th, and at the Reggae Solstice Festival on July 7^th.

The Reggae Solstice Festival with Session Rockers and Easy A All Stars brought an energetic crowd of Rasta fans to see Bimini play at the waterside venue. Guest brass musicians, Luke and Lori Swanson, added a vivacious sound when they joined the band on stage for a few songs throughout the set.

All in attendance were stoked on the guys’ performance, as they put on a truly electrifying show. The mix of brews, dancing, and a waterfront view, with the good vibrations and love of music you could literally feel in your feet, set the stage for the Norfolk Reggae festival.

Impeccable talent and relentless rhythms, fused with dynamic lyrics and invigorating stage presence make these guys even better live than recorded (if you can believe it). Bimini Rd. has conquered the realm of greatness as musicians. In our minds, the guys have closed the gap between what makes a band good, and what makes them incendiary. There is no longer potential for comparison. Bimini Rd. has arrived, and they ARE Rocksteady.

Check out the band at one of their upcoming shows. Trust us, you do NOT want to miss ‘em!    http://www.reverbnation.com/biminird.                               

Review & Photos by TheDubSide Staff Writer Rachel Gail

(More pics from the Bimini performances, coming soon)

Our friends from Bushwood (#6 on TheDubSide Top Ten Albums of 2011) have a new video from a recent show at the Culture Room in South Florida.  The band also redesigned their website recently to give fans a more robust reggae experience.  Check out the video and the link to the their new site below:

Over the weekend our friend Justin Pietro known as The Dub Architect released his first dub album titled Dub Volume 1.  Justin is a member of Dub Campaign and the creator of the Polyphonic Dub Collective.  Peep the album below: