http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=16547
Not Your Father's Reggae
John Brown's Body takes reggae into the future
New Haven Advocate
02.03.10
By Brian Baker
John Brown's Body
With Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. 9 p.m., Feb. 4. Toad's Place, 300 York
St. $13.50-$15. 203-624-TOAD, toadsplace.com.
When John Brown's Body first formed in the mid-'90s, the Boston-based band's only concern was spreading reggae's gospel. Not a white suburban genre translation, but a straight reading of the tablets as they were brought down the mountain by Bob Marley.
But in 2003, JBB pushed its sound in a new direction, taking its reggae to an evolutionary new level, inspiring comparisons to Massive Attack in the process.
"We got to the point where we were pretty good at King Tubby/Lee Perry-inspired reggae records," says drummer Tommy Benedetti from his Somerville home. "I think we just felt the creative need to explore and bust out of the box a little bit. But it always sounds like JBB to me. We've managed to keep that certain vibe and a sound that's our own. I think that carries through all the records."
Then came 2006, when JBB experienced the kind of year that would have shattered a lesser band. Frontman Kevin Kinsella had already left the previous year, and harmony vocalist Elliot Martin admirably took the reins, but was suddenly confronted with the grim reality of throat surgery. Then came the big blow: Longtime bassist Scott Palmer died just six months after his cancer diagnosis and several long-standing members simultaneously departed from the group.
"That was a difficult time," says Benedetti. "With the personnel, the writing was on the wall for a few people to be splitting, but the Scott thing was out of left field. Being one of my best friends and the monster bass player that he was, it definitely stopped us in our tracks. After going though it, we realized there was potential inside all that crazy stuff that went on to retool the band a little bit and explore some sonic directions that we'd been hinting at for a couple of years, and go full bore into those areas."
2005's Pressure Points had been disjointed and problematic and JBB was determined to improve in its aftermath. They added bassist Nate Edgar, keyboardist Matthew Goodwin and horn players Sam Dechenne, Drew Sayers and Scott Flynn in the wake of 2006's turbulence. JBB then moved forward at warp speed.
Relentless touring honed JBB into a stellar unit — Martin's lyrics grew to incorporate cultural and political observation, and the band deepened its resolve to hybridize space rock and pure reggae. In 2008, with no label overseeing the process, JBB holed up for a series of no-pressure sessions and assembled their sixth studio album, Amplify.
"There was an excitement and comfort factor going into it," says Benedetti. "We were between labels, so we didn't have the pressure. And we knew we were going to take a little time off [from] the road, so it was a little bit more relaxed and we wanted to make sure we did it right."
The extra effort and the relaxation clearly paid off; Amplify debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's reggae charts and earned a spot on iTunes' list of best reggae albums of the year. Although they had thought about what they would do with their next album, JBB approached Amplify with one clear intention.
"Our goal was to make the best record possible and to make all the music feel and sound really good," says Benedetti. "I think we hit the nail on the head with this one."
In the year or so since the release of Amplify and its accompanying remix EP Re-Amplify, John Brown's Body has hit the road with a vengeance. And JBB's road passion is consistent throughout every aspect of their musical endeavors.
"I just played a gig in town last night; it was me, Nate [guitarist], Mike [Keenan] from JBB and our friend Timo Shanko who plays for G. Love — we did a little pub gig," says Benedetti. "That's the kind of stuff that makes JBB so strong these days. We all love playing music together; on the road, off the road, little side projects, studio sessions. It all feeds into all the music we make together."
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