http://www.mycitytalk.com/article.cfm?articleID=22574
John Brown's Body
MyCityTalk.com -
Norfolk, VA
3-29-09
By VJ Melissa
“Don't put your life in the hands of those
who terrorize by taking life away from the
song that we sing everyday,
from the sun that we greet everyday.”
These are last lines of the song “Be At Peace” by John Brown’s Body, the progressive reggae band out of Boston and Ithaca, NY. They preach a sentiment of which John Brown, the abolitionist some credit with starting the Civil War and after whom the band is named, would have approved.
Armed with the power of music instead of the sword, John Brown’s Body is stronger than ever, gaining more success with each album. But record sales certainly aren’t their “bread and butter,” according to drummer and one of the last original members, Tony Benedetti. The band just kicked off a new tour last week after the March 17th release of their new EP Re-Amplify, a remix of their last album, Amplify, which debuted #1 on Billboard’s reggae chart and comprised 12 original tracks recorded by a new line-up with many special guests. Benedetti believes the remix EP is “a sonic treat for JBB fans” that should be absorbed with “open ears.” It features interpretations of favorites by artists from Toronto, Australia, the UK and beyond.
“This tour is gonna be a blast. It always is or we wouldn’t be doing it anymore. We’re a working, touring band. We do well and the good thing is even after this long of a career we’re still doing better album to album, still seeing progress. These days, with the state of the industry and the state of world, all you can ask for is progress.”
Or relief. The tour opened at The Fox Theater in Boulder, Colorado, one of the band’s favorite venues in the country, according to Benedetti, who also expressed surprise that the show was so “high energy” despite the laborious days band members endured the few days prior. Early that day, Benedetti spent a couple hours walking around Boulder just breathing in the “phenomenal air.” The band played The Gothic Theater next, one of the many “cool, historical theaters and venues” in the Mile-High City.
Benedetti commends the band’s management for the collaborative global strategy that has put the band in touch with all kinds of artists from all over the world. “Our management right now is really on top of stuff with good progressive ideas.” Tiny clips were donated by “cutting edge artists and producers all over world” for their stellar new stop-motion animation music video of their song “The Gold.” The project was directed by //kneeon!, a production company out of New York. “Everyone really liked the lyrical content. People kept signing on from all over the world. It’s a great concept,” says Benedetti.
As for the relationship they have with their recording label, Easy Star Records, the band couldn’t be happier. The first record with the company was a one record deal, after which the band decided to stay. “They’re super cool people,” swoons Benedetti, “They’re not just a reggae label but do so much more. They’re friends. We hang out and have a great relationship.”
For a band touting the name of perhaps the most controversial figure of the 19th century, John Brown’s Body better pack a lot of power into its collective punch. You can find out more about the band at www.johnbrownsbody.com. If you live in the Hampton Roads area, you can check them out April 19th at the Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach.
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