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Image for The Expanders, with Dubbest, Sensamotion

The Expanders, with Dubbest, Sensamotion

  March 27, 2018 8:30 PM

Doors Open: 7:30 PM
Advance Price: $12 / Day Of: $ 15

THE EXPANDERS: For more than a decade, U.S. reggae artists have been building a foundation from the Hawaiian islands to the east coast. This new generation of reggae artists continues to reach new heights of success with album and ticket sales, as well as winning over fans worldwide. While most modern American reggae bands are rooted in the rock reggae style, there are a few U.S. artists championing the lineage of classic roots reggae traditions, and Los Angeles-based vintage reggae revivalists The Expanders are leading that charge, building their sound around classic 70's and early 80's style reggae, with three-part vocal harmonies, conscious songwriting, and an indie-DIY spirit.

The five-piece band comprised of John Asher (Drums, Vocals), John Butcher (Guitar, Vocals), Roy Fishell (Organs), Chiquis Lozoya (Bass, Vocals), and Devin Morrison (Guitar, Vocals) have been making reggae fans and critics take note with their refreshing sound that references the "golden era" of reggae. Morrison and Butcher grew up listening to the record collection of famed reggae archivist Roger Steffens, and credit much of their love and knowledge to the accessibility and education of those experiences. Becoming friends with Steffens' son, they developed an obsession with exploring the deepest reaches of the genre.

The band is part of a burgeoning Los Angeles reggae scene that sprang in large part from The Blue Beat Lounge (the longest running weekly ska night that happened at the Knitting Factory) and LA's longtime premier weekly reggae night Dub Club held at the Echoplex. A song that was inspired by a key member of that scene is "Reggae Pops," an infectious instrumental tune laid over a "steppers riddim" featuring John Butcher on lead guitar and Dan Hastie from Orgone on clavinet. The title was chosen as a tribute to the late-great Reggae Pops (born Nemencio Jose Andujar) who was a pillar of the Southern California reggae community for decades. Morrison states, "It's impossible to accurately describe what he meant to reggae music in Los Angeles, but those who remember him from shows will never forget him. He was a dancer, a fan, and a presence that was always felt. He was the man!"

The Expanders are on tour now supporting their new release. Morrison concludes, "Our goal is to bring that vintage reggae feel and sound that we love to places where people might not get to hear it on a regular basis."
Links: www.theexpanders.net www.facebook.com/theexpanders www.instagram.com/theexpanders www.twitter.com/theexpanders

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