John Brown's Body, State Theatre, Falls Church, VA 4/18/09
Relix.com
By KT Smallwood
The skies finally parted on Saturday for what proved to be the first tangible
day of spring in the Mid-Atlantic. Nestled in the Washington D.C. suburb of
Falls Church, VA, the State Theatre welcomed a sold-out and sun-kissed crowd for
an fittingly wild night of reggae.
Though personnel changes over the years have uprooted their collective chemistry, new additions Drew Sayers and Sam Dechenne in the horn section have created a new synergy that can forcefully take over any venue.
Touring in support of 2008's Amplify, the band seems to be in a state of renewal. The album debuted on Billboard's Top Reggae Albums chart at number one and their current live performances are flawless.
The eight-tentacled monster that is John Brown’s Body put a vice grip on the crowd with their squallish “33 RPM” opener and never let go. The band ripped through songs both old and new during their hour long set. They stayed true to their authentic blend of progressive dub-funk that explores but never strays from a traditional reggae foundation.
John Brown’s Body will continue their tour with SOJA through late-April in Boston and will be on tour up and down the East Coast through August. You can catch them at the Vermont Reggae Roots festival, Camp Bisco and Gathering of the Vibes.
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