The New Kids On the Block Bring Soulful Reggae To Keep You Movin'

Green Room Rockers “Hoosier Homegrown”
2007 (downtown records)

What happens when Otis Redding meets The Upsetters uptown in Indiana? The Green Room Rockers happen. One of the newest bands to play a very soulful style of reggae such as Deals Gone Bad, the Aggrolites, and Westbound Train. I actually heard about this group last time Deals Gone Bad played Balitmore, because they had mentioned taking these guys under their wing. And the from the quality of this album the Green Room Rockers have made quite a statement with this their debut album.

“Endure’ opens up the albums with a straight Motown drum beat with Mike telling everyone who they are which transitions into the actual song. “Endure” also has a sweet hornline thanks to El Ron (sax) and Chris aka Rusty (trombone). “Cold Hearted Woman” has some wicked organ and cowbell action. Rudy G’s organ playing emulates the greats like Mittoo, Billy Preston, Glen Adams, etc. “Venus Man Trap” opens with a killer sax and has a sort of sing songy/sing alongy type of vibe throughout. I think this song would be perfect with some hand clapping as well. Its really catchy song as are most of the ones on the album and most of the songs take up those universal topics such as women, drinking/partying, and surviving day to day. My favorite track on this album (and the one I used on one of my podcasts) is “Northbound Train.” Jamaica is filled with songs about trains and there is a certain fantasy element about taking a train and seeing where it goes.

The Green Room Rockers bust out more heavy soul sounds and foot stomping reggae on the title track “Hoosier Homegrown” in the vein of the Hippy Boys and the Mohawks. “Humor Me” brings a more reggae sounding tune to the forefront this song and this album at times reminds me of a time when there were a lot of quality recordings coming from Moon Records during the mid to late 90’s. “Divided” is an acoustic tune and I think it shows a good choice for a young band to try to mix it up so much on their album. The rhythm section of the GRR is rough and tough and this is exemplified on the latter part of the album during “Fight For Your Love.” “Everyday” is a fast pace ska tune that will keep you out on the dancefloor for a long, long time. “Untitled” is a cool grooving latin flavored instrumental with heavy percussion. The album ends with “Pieces” a happy-go-lucky soul-ska tune. GRR is a new band to keep your eyes on and your ears out. Check this album out and also if they are coming to a town near you go see them!!!

For more info about the band/album go here...
http://www.myspace.com/greenroomrockers

The Good isn't Gone At Ska Weekend : Great Bands For A Good Cause

This is a short review/personal account of the events I saw at ska weekend this past week in Knoxville, TN. Siafu opened up the show this local Maryland suburban based band played a mix of high energy ska, reggae, and rock. The next band that I saw was Hub City Stompers, who took the stage promptly at 12:30pm. Travis (HCS’s lead singer) dedicated “Chatterbox” to the nazi boneheads that threatened him on the internet. Allegedly they were going to prevent the band from playing the festival. They obviously did not stop anything. The band played two new songs that were in classic HSC style with clever tongue in cheek verse backed with heavy doses of ska/reggae aggro.



Steadfast United played right after HCS and every time I see this group of musicians I am just surprised how much they improve from each performance. Also their lineup seems to change from time to time. Their sound is drenched in old school soul mixed with reggae/ska influences. The drummer is a soul dj (Garden State Soul) and used to drum for Inspector 7. Ambrose has this sort of Jerry Lee Lewis/James Brown stage prescience down to a “T.”



Deals Gone Bad played next the majority of their set was from their new album “The Rambler.” But they did play some older tunes like their Bob Andy cover of “Games People Play” and “Be Mine Tonight.” The festival made it really hard for a lot of people in the middle of the day bands like Westbound Train and Eastern Standard Time played during the same time. A lot of bands took to the streets creating signs, flyers, and other ways to get people to check out their band. 4 stages is really a lot of bands but the festival ran very smoothly. I heard a couple of WBT songs both of them were from their new album “Transitions” the band sounds a lot tighter than the last time I caught them in Baltimore. EST played the best room ever at the Barly’s stage the only stage that was inside at a bar and air conditioned. They played a great set playing their classic ska/jazz/rocksteady material from their past albums. The highlights for me were “That Girl” and “Maddog” (from their first album).



King Django band played a great set made up of numerous selections from Django’s previous bands. Some of the tunes were “Fistful of Riddim”, “I’ve Got To Know” and “Nex Finga.’” I just remember during his set the weather started getting really hot but everyone just kept dancing and singing along. The drummer I noticed had a very small kit with only one crash cymbal, a hi hat, a snare, and a bass drum. My favorite set was Dr. Ring Ding’s he played all type of songs from his massive repertoire. Opening the set was the Skatalites’ inspired instrumental “Dandimite” and the Doctor began to work the crowd. During his set I saw a lot of the bands that played already huddled around the stage to get a chance to see his set. He played a lot of senior allstars material but also played some material he did with bands like Kingston Kitchen (“Fake Romance” being one that stands out in my mind for its Toots and the Maytals early ska sound) and Dubplate 48. He closed his set by doing some of his dancehall solo material including “Doctor’s Darling” which he closed the set with. The end of this song Dr. Ring Ding busted into his Gregory Isaacs impression and reached all the high notes on “Night Nurse.” The Drastics from Chicago really impressed me as they were able to keep every beat on note during Ring Ding’s set being able to play ska, rocksteady, reggae, and dancehall.


After Ring Ding’s set I rushed to refuel and grab some fluids. I didn’t catch much of the Slacker’s set but I did catch Vic making a political rant during one of their songs. I was surprised to see the band all dressed in black suits (Geard their bassie had a white suit). I was really worried for the Pietasters because as soon as they packed all their gear on stage it started raining. I think there was enough time in their schedule the sound guy allowed the rain to cease before they started their set. The Pietasters blasted into their heavy hitting mix of ska, reggae, soul. Playing some crucial oldies like “Maggie Mae” and “Night Owl” they also rocked their new songs (from their new album All Day). I really enjoyed the song about U Street (I think “G to F”). Mustard Plug ended the day and I missed their set as I was too smelly to enjoy anything but a shower.


I did miss some bands I wanted to see. I heard a couple tunes of Voodoo Glow Skulls and they sounded amazing playing some old old tunes. Also I missed Nashville’s AKA Rudie who I had never seen before. Their singer Rob Hoskins is an old friend of mine and I really regret not seeing any of them. Also my friend Cary’s band Lost Martyrs of a Lost Cause played and I missed all of their set. It sucks when you have to choose but there is always next year. Ska Weekend was a great experience. The After Show was pretty rad too I got to see the Drastics play some heavy dub sounds. Steadfast United also played again with some great soul/reggae covers. Both bands utilized the people in the room as a lot of performers were still there so during both sets various guest members jumped on stage creating a sort of off the cuff jam session.

For more on the DC Ska crew's trip to Ska Weekend, visit DCSka.com
The site has just been revamped and better than ever!
Show em' some love.
All photos by Bobby Babylon

"The Ramblers" won't leave you rambling just dancing

Deals Gone Bad "The Rambler" (Jump Up Records)



I anticipated the release of this album from the band for what seems like years. And the album lives up to every expectation I had going in. The band helped to establish Jump Up Records as a viable ska label as third wave ska floated from popularity to obscruity in the 90's. Thanks to bands like DGB Jump Up is still around and still putting out great albums that deserve to be heard. Deals Gone Bad always played a mix of Jamaican ska/reggae with elements of soul, rock, and jazz. Their live show is probably where the band has always shined with their scorching originals about Pirates with covers from bands such as Judge Dread, Derrick Morgan, and Ken Boothe. With singer Mike Park the band released 3 albums on Jump Up Records. Mike left the band a few years ago (now he plays in Lord Mike's Dirty Calypsonians - Check Them Out!) and was replaced by Todd Hembrook who belts out his vocals like Sam Cooke and Otis Reddng. This album is a non stop pleaser with the first tune "Messin' Around" Todd's vocals stand out as this agonizing soul that has loved and suffered. Mike Corcoran on drums transitions from a foot stomping soul beat to a smooth rocksteady rhythm. "Movin' On" begins with a Pet Sounds sort of organ intro supplied by Karl Gustafon. This song is very reminiscent of Todd's old soul reggae band Heavy Step.



What I like most about this album is the music covers all styles of Jamaican music with ska, reggae, rocksteady and has a healthy dose of other musical delights. "Cry For Me" has Todd channeling his inner Motown and even somewhat resembles the feel of a certain Van Morrison tune. "One More Day" is a love ballad of sorts, the horn players add the perfect melody that floats and grooves in the pockets. Deals Gone Bad prove they are at the top of their game with "Things Are Gonna Get Better", which demonstrates the bands' ability to jump from style to style. A more rootsy reggae sound is present in "Rough & Ready" which the band quickly grooves to. Aaron Hammes wrote the song "Good Old Days" that sort of harks back the past without being sentimental, just realistic. "City City" is a catchy ode to Chicago… "The second city, beats the first / Keep New York, forget LA, Chicago is my curse." "Take Time" and "The Cost" are two more reggae grooves number that keep the energy on the disc sky high. The album ends with a Western (fitting in theme with the album art) acoustic number that is just spooky sounding "I was Wrong." This will be on the top of the list for this year's best releases. And if you get a chance do not deny yourself an opportunity to see this group live on stage. Doing what they do best giving the fans all their blood, sweat, and tears and ripping from song to song. Lets hope they never stop.