AMPLIFYERS
SSDP is proud and excited to be working with the following AMPLIFYers! These amazing artists support the work that SSDP is doing to reform unjust drug policies, spread harm reduction in the live music community and get students involved in the political process!
Slightly Stoopid has become a case study in how to ‘make it’ without the aid of radio or MTV circa the early 21st century. Slightly Stoopid is all the proof you’ll need to show that once and for all, with hard work, new technology and file-sharing, die-hard fans, and the right tunes, anything is possible. And the buzz surrounding the group continues to increase with each successive release – as their album catalog sales have topped the 500,000 mark, while the group has no problem filling prestigious concert venues throughout the world.
Slightly Stoopid have been vocal supporters of marijuana law reform since the band’s inception. Thanks to them, SSDP will be bringing our message to a larger audience than ever before. Keep a lookout for SSDP booths at these upcoming Slightly Stoopid shows!
Additionally, Slightly Stoopid is part of the Marijuana Majority!
Follow Slightly Stoopid on Facebook and Twitter today!
Lotus formed at a Mennonite college that had banned on-campus dancing as late as the 1980’s, and has been creatively fusing electronic dance music with instrumental post-rock for the past eight years. Armed with a massive light rig and one of the most energetic shows on the circuit, Lotus was a go-to act for late night festival slots this past summer, performing at ROTHBURY, Summercamp, Camp Bisco, and many others.
Look for SSDP tables at these upcoming Lotus shows and follow Lotus on Facebook and Twitter today!
EOTO
Throbbing bass and thudding beats are the signatures of this project from drummers Michael Travis and Jason Hann. Born out of their shared love of electronic dance music, EOTO’s M.O. is to take the free-wheeling party vibe of a DJ set to the next level by using organic instruments, innovative performance technology, and uncharted musical exploration. Live drums, guitars, and keys, and vocals are mixed, remixed, and sampled on the fly using cutting-edge programs. This is all done without a script, and without a net.
You can follow EOTO on Facebook and Twitter today!
Big Gigantic is Dominic Lalli’s latest project that showcases an array of gripping compositions combining elements of a DJ and a live band setup. Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken, mix thoughtful melodic ideas, with pulsating dance tunes, sure to energize the dance floor. Big Gigantic flavors the electronic music scene with powerful sax solos and soulful synth lines on top of super hot beats.
Easy Star All Stars
The Easy Star All-Stars are a collective family of some of the finest reggae musicians in the New York area. The band features a rotating cast drawn from a talented pool of players, meaning that every show has its own nuances and its own life. Each line-up may result in slightly different sounds for this unique reggae band, but regardless of who plays, the one thing that never changes is that the Easy Star All-Stars deliver a fun, exciting, and different show every time out.
You can follow the Easy Star All Stars on Facebook and Twitter today!
For the past 5 years, Papadosio has been creating conscious, mind expanding dance music that purposely defies classification. In an attempt to create an inspirational environment for progressive and positive thinking, this year of 2012 will see the addition of some very exciting and integral means of expressing their artistic message. Papadosio asks that everyone reevaluate the role of music and take a less nostalgic view of what has been and a more enthusiastic view of what is and what could be. As the year unfolds Papadosio encourages fans to come with open ears, minds, and hearts, and help them wake the world.
His crystalline voice and funky, easygoing beats earned Cas Haley a second-place finish on America’s Got Talent, which in turn netted him a measure of fame and a following. But the contest also locked the Texan singer/songwriter/guitarist into a major label deal that didn’t feel right. So, not wanting to be turned into a manufactured product, he struck out on his own. ??Connection, his Easy Star Records debut, is aptly named. It’s all about those deep-running connections that make him what he is—those unbreakable links between artist and audience, between styles of music, between art and life, and most of all, between all people. As Cas points out, reggae’s core message is, after all, “one love.”
You can follow Cas Haley on Facebook and Twitter today!
Cas Haley by Madison House
Formed in New Hampshire at Franklin Pierce College, Roots of Creation is a powerhouse band blending reggae, jam, dub, and electronica to create a sound they describe as “dubtronica.” RoC has supported SSDP for years, playing benefit shows for the Franklin Pierce SSDP chapter and allowing SSDP members to table at shows all over the country.
Looking for a band to play at your chapter? Look no further. Contact amplify@ssdp.org for info on how to book RoC!
You can follow Roots of Creation on Facebook and Twitter today!
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad is North American International Body Music. GPGDS has played 500 shows in the past three years, touring relentlessly and developing a widespread grassroots following. The group has performed across the US, Canada, and Jamaica, including festivals at Red Rocks, Rothbury, Wakarusa, All Good, and Nateva. “Truly one of the world’s finest roots reggae ensembles” (CBS Radio Street Date)
John Brown’s Body brings earth shattering, bass thumping, ass shaking performances to a venue near you! JBB supports SSDP’s mission to bring sensibility to America’s drug policy. The band writes songs that contain inspiring and progressive lyrics and they have earned a large following of fans through years of extensive touring.
JBB has recently released their newest album to date titled AMPLIFY! Coincidence? We think not. Now is the time for change and JBB is spreading that message. The band is currently touring in support of Re-Amplify – a remix of this fantastic album! SSDP is excited to have the support of John Brown’s Body!
You can follow John Brown’s Body on Facebook and Twitter today!
The Gold (Dubmatix Runnin’ Remix)
Cindercat
Cindercat’s broad range of musical influences emerges through a unique tapestry of sound. They create a hypnotic flow, manipulating the soundscape with soaring peaks and spacious resolves. The band thrives on improvisation, continuously reshaping their live performances. As a collective of creative individuals they incorporate various forms of mixed-media to create a dynamic atmosphere at every show.
You can follow Cindercat on Facebook and Twitter today!
Forty years after four musicians completed their swan song album which was named for the studio that they made famous, another group of supremely talented musicians entered into a studio to re-imagine that same album.For Dub-Reggae rockers, Yellow Dubmarine, the choice to take on the Beatles Abbey Road was a simple one.The result is a shockingly original take on the legendary album. Horns where there were once voices, a slinky groove where there was once none, and a smooth mellow essence that seems to find the long lost island-roots soul of Abbey Road. It is quite simply a chance to hear the much loved classic album again…for the first time.
“The war on drugs is a failed war, its a waste of tax payer money, money that can be used to educate the masses and help people lift themselves out of poverty. The hypocrites in government talk about small government and individual rights, except when it is something they don’t like.. then it’s a moral blight and a detriment on society, go figure. They are the ones getting the lobby money from big pharma.. its an evil cycle”-Yellow Dub
You can follow Yellow Dubmarine on Facebook today!
The Green
Formed in 2009 in Oahu, Hawaii, The Green blends roots reggae with traditional Hawaiian vibes. Their self-titled debut album was named iTunes Best Reggae Album of 2010. “The Green” has sold over 14,000 copies, and includes the hit song “Love I,” which continues to climb the AC Top 50 Chart. “There’s plenty of invention, not imitation, which should propel The Green to the stratosphere reserved for few stars” (Honolulu Advertiser)
The Black Seeds
With gold and double-platinum selling albums in New Zealand and several years of successful touring, the New Zealand-based 7-piece The Black Seeds have been winning over fans with their unique blend of reggae, dub, funk and soul since forming in 1997. Friends and former band mates of Flight of the Conchords, The Black Seeds are ready to take listeners one step deeper into the Other Down Under, with infectious grooves, slamming brass, and booty shaking beats on the group’s first North American release, Solid Ground.
SSDP is incredibly excited to have the support of The Black Seeds! Follow The Black Seeds on Facebook andTwitter today!
Rubblebucket
Rubblebucket’s second studio album, Omega La La produced by Eric Broucek (LCD Soundsystem, !!!, Holy Ghost) @ DFA Studios & mastered by Joe Lambert (Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors, Herbie Hancock) came out June 21st, 2011. Paste calls them “joyous jungles of worldly pop-funk, instrumentally rich but catchy enough to ass-kick Katy Perry off the pop charts (in a just world)—mega-melodic without sacrificing an ounce of atmosphere or creativity.” And the LA Music Blog says “They sound like hippies who have taken over a city, hog-tied any uptight citizens, and painted all the yucky grey/brown buildings in acrylic colors and neon war paint.” We’re glad Rubblebucket is joining other notable artists in taking a position against the war on drugs.
Coming out of Savannah, Georgia, Passafire packs a powerful punch of infectious rythyms and inspiring lyrics. The band blends elements of rock, ska, reggae and metal, creating a unique concoction that will delight your ears. Passafire continues to tour heavily, both headlining major cities and supporting great bands including Van Halen, 311, The Wailers, Pepper, John Browns Body, The Expendables, and Badfish.
Be sure to look for SSDP tables at select Passafire shows !
Jahman Brahman
Jahman Brahman is a four-member collaboration originating from Columbus, Ohio in 2005. They currently reside in the mountains of Asheville, NC. The name Jahman Brahman emerged from the band’s goal to achieve ultimate musical cohesion: each instrument a facet of a single greater goal to deliver music from the heart of one. The band strives to leave the listener with thoughts of love, life, and the wonders experienced while being part of an extraordinary musical family. Check out their latest album “Newfields” today!
Hailing from Santa Barbara, California, Rebelution has developed into the front runner for grassroots, independent and touring driven music groups representing the Cali-Reggae scene. Originally formed in 2004, members Eric Rachmany (vocals / guitar,) Rory Carey (keyboards,) Wesley Finley (drums,) and Marley D. Williams (bass) met in college, while residing in Isla Vista, a popular beachside community in Santa Barbara. It was there that the seeds to Rebelution’s future would be planted– and would instill their kick back, “worry free” vibes, catchy refrain, and optimistic, inspiring, and engaging music that would leave their listeners with the sense that they have the power to make this world a better place.
The lead singer of Antioquia is none other than Rachel Antony-Levine, SSDP’s first AMPLIFY Project Coordinator and counder of the project! From JambBase: There’s a cosmically lubricated whoosh to Antioquia, where spiky rock skitters atop thundering, Latin & African rhythms and a whacky inner gyroscope that spins through the Art Ensemble of Chicago, pre-Stop Making Sense Talking Heads, prime 70s jazz-fusion and a stoned Sproul Plaza drum circle in Berkeley. Antioquia make one reach for vibrant language to wrap around their sound, syllables as rich in exuberance and color as the music pouring out of this hungry, young Bay Area band.
“We support SSDP because we have seen that the drug war is really just an excuse for maintaining structures of oppression that we find unacceptable. SSDP is working to topple these structures and that inspires us.”-Antioquia
Blindman
Blindman brings funky reggae jams together with pop rock and soul and delivers his “see with your heart” message to audiences far and wide. His new record features appearances from reggae sensation Rica Newell (Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, Dennis Brown, and Black Crows) amongst other notable talent. Blindman is excited to join the roster of AMPLIFY artists and has this to say about his involvement:
“I am really working with some good people and I keep telling them all about SSDP. I recently wrote a song called “IRIE SOUL UPRISING” which is dedicated to the freedom fighters at SSDP. It will be on the upcoming record. The bottom line is, I am hoping in the coming year ahead I can be active in supporting SSDP as an artist. As you know, 2016 is a very important election year in ending the ‘War on Drugs’. I am hoping to do my part!”
Check out Blindman’s website and his newly released music video!
KB Jones & the Kontraband
KB Jones & The Kontraband is a contemporary American band from Queens, NY. Their musical style is versatile, spotlighting each band member’s background. Blanketing the realms of funk, hip hop, pop, and classic rock; The Kontraband strives to create an atmosphere of party-filled fun sprinkled with consciousness. Taking an unbiased, non-genre specific, fusion of musical forms, their releases reflect on the ever evolving pop music scene. The Kontraband curates a concert series entitled ‘The Hot Soup NYC’, which is an alternative music event that collaborates with various non-profit organizations with the intent to help feed the less fortunate. Attendees who bring cans of soup or other non-perishable food items to these events receive discounted admission to the concert. All food donations that are received at the event are passed on to a non-profit organization with the means to distribute them to needy New Yorkers.
Follow KB Jones & the Kontraband on Facebook and Twitter today!
Jonathan Gaskill
Darlington
Darlington is the love child of Philadelphia musicians Jack Shoudy and Emily MacDonald. Their unique style of Americana folk and acoustic roots have made them a rising act in the Philadelphia folk scene. Mixing deeply personal lyrics, vocal harmonies, and a modern take on traditional folk, Darlington brings a unique sound to the acoustic roots scene.
