http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=3677
In love with Colorado’s vibe
John Brown’s Body making way to Gothic Theatre tonight
Denver Daily News
3-20-09
By Peter Marcus
Denver understands the riddims. John Brown’s Body drummer Tommy Benedetti told the Denver Daily News last week that he and the rest of JBB love landing their dub reggae in the Mile High City and nearby Boulder because, well, “There’s just an incredible vibe.” “Denver has really started to heat up for us the last few times we’ve been there, which is obviously an incredible thing,” said Benedetti, adding that he is always blown away by the historic grand art deco-style Gothic Theatre in Englewood. “Colorado in general has been really a great place to play music for us over the years.”
The Cambridge, Mass.-based band will perform tonight at the Gothic, along with Blue King Brown and Dub Skin. The riddims that this dub reggae group brings to the stage is both passionate and fluid. With a horn section, the thoughtful and melodic lyrics and vocals of Elliot Martin, tight drum and bass sounds from Benedetti and Nate Edgar, as well as the rhythmic hammering on keys by Matthew “Kofi” Goodwin, JBB has grown from grass roots beginnings to widespread acclaim and attention.
Their last album, “Amplify,” climbed its way to No. 1 on Billboard’s reggae chart last year. And the group is now touring in support of “Re-Amplify,” which dropped in stores on Tuesday. The album features one new song, “Struggling,” recorded last year live at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins, as well as six remixes of songs from “Amplify.” JBB’s world has been an ever-evolving one since 2005 when their entire globe was turned upside down. Martin underwent throat surgery, several band members — including former vocalist and founder Kevin Kinsella — left the band, and to top off the drama, bassist Scott Palmer was tragically taken from the world after losing his battle with cancer in 2006 — only six months after his diagnosis.
These days, JBB is looking forward, maintaining its dedication to road warrior status by traveling the country relentlessly with its message of peace and love through the good energy of reggae music. “I think that we’ve moved beyond everything that was thrown at us,” said Benedetti. “I mean, it did take a lot of settling into to adjust to some of the changes, but at this point it’s been almost three years … Obviously Scotty’s passing was a crucial blow to me and to the band personally and musically, so that’s something that you can never be prepared for. But the personnel changes, Kevin splitting and the horns, all that stuff was inevitably going to happen.”
JBB has no specific plans right now to get back into the studio. Benedetti
said the current focus is to continue touring in support of “Amplify” and
“Re-Amplify,” while bringing its live music to as many people as possible.
As a musician, Benedetti said he has a truly positive feeling about where he and
the band are at right now. “I feel like we’re at a really focused spot
right now,” said Benedetti. “I think the sound is more cohesive — there’s just a
more unified presentation right now with the music … I mean, we’re a family,
man. We spend a lot of time together, we’re tight.”
John Brown’s Body w/ Blue King Brown and Dub Skin
WHEN: TONIGHT, 8 p.m.
WHERE: Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway, Englewood
TICKETS: $15
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