Destroy Babylon |
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"Destroy Babylon play such a fluid dubby-reggae style, they sound more like original early ’70s Jamaicans (they deserved their bill with Lee “Scratch” Perry)... absolutely skilled, soulfully political, and riding all the right horns and harmonies." - Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover more press/reviews
Destroy Babylon have spent over a decade refining their unique, immersive sound into a militant mix of progressive reggae rhythms, striking harmonies, and populist politics. The five original members grew up together in Husdon, NH, formed Destroy Babylon in 2001, and settled into Boston in 2005. Here they formed their own label, Music A.D.D., and released 3 full length CDs, 4 EPs and a 7" single.
The band has made their most cohesive statement yet with their latest album, Long Live the Vortex. Produced, engineered and mixed by the inimitable Craig Welsch (John Brown's Body, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant) and mastered by Kevin Metcalfe (The Clash, The Police, Paul McCartney), these ten original and hard hitting dub/reggae anthems feature members of Morphine, John Brown's Body, and the Macrotones. The 12" vinyl LP, released in junction with Young Cub Records, features cover and label art hand-silk screened by the band, while the CD version is packaged in a unique book combining art and lyrics.
With an established fan base in the Northeast, and past tours extending across the U.S., DB has shared the stage with legends such as Steel Pulse, Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Wailers, Eek-A-Mouse, The Itals, HR of Bad Brains, The English Beat and The Toasters, in addition to shows with contemporaries like The Slackers, The Aggrolites, Dub Trio, Westbound Train and a recent tour with Easy Star All-Stars.
John Beaudette - vox / bass / gits / trumpet / melodica Casey Gruttadauria - keys / perc
ADDITIONAL DB PLAYERS Andy Bergman - baritone & tenor sax / flute / perc |
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MP3: #1 Killer from Long Live the Vortex
Full Discography at dl.destroybabylon.com |
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+ Press Highlights ↑ | ||
"...just as suitable for a dance party as for a street fight... Long Live the Vortex by Destroy Babylon is a radical DIY masterpiece for the Occupy generation."
"...the Northeast U.S. is putting out some of the best reggae-roots music around – DB finds themselves as one of the best and Long Live The Vortex is proof. This is definitely one for your long term collection." TheDubSide '12 (full review here)
"The group has veered slightly from it's punk roots... to now playing music that gets people down on the dance floor." The Hippo '12 (full article here)
"Long Live the Vortex is a magnificent and accomplished album whose compelling imagery and brilliantly dread music will haunt, captivate, and reward you for many days to come. This is easily one of the top five ska/reggae releases of 2011."
"Destroy Babylon play such a fluid dubby-reggae style, they sound more like original early ’70s Jamaicans... absolutely skilled, soulfully political, and riding all the right horns and harmonies."
"The band draw freely on reggae from ska to rockers with a musical sophistication that confirms an American origin... intelligent lyrics spiced with lots of good playing, sparse licks of guitar and sax, a lick of country psychedelica and the occasional touch of funk or Mexicana. Some of the tunes are beautifully realized slices of pop that recall the best of English new wave of the Eighties. Close your eyes listening to this album and you can imagine what Led Zepellin might have sounded like if they started playing reggae."
"Two things jump out at listeners when Destroy Babylon begins to play; the sextet is effortlessly in the pocket, hitting the groove unerringly whatever the tempo, and their vocals are first-rate."
"Roots reggae/dub protectors Destroy Babylon are a case study in DIY success... they've diligently built themselves an empire that landed them on bills this summer with some architects of the sacred sounds they proselytize: The Wailers, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Eek-A-Mouse... the crew began and remains fiercely independent."
"The Boston dub legends took control of the scene with a complex array of echoes and harmonies that made everyone drool. It was hard not to be completely captivated by the persistent intensity and heaviness of each song. What was more impressive was the multi-instrumentation talent of this band, switching from guitar to trumpet or bass to melodica with absolute ease."
"Rooted in dub, hip-hop and post-punk ethos, Destroy Babylon casts an anguished eye on society and never looks back. Five friends from Hudson, NH join forces on "The Shadow Army" ... and everything from the D.I.Y. booklet, ground-zero graphics and militant stance says we're not gonna take it anymore. Along the way they incorporate some nice roots elements- they've definitely done their homework here- and the entire project comes off solid and sincere."
"All the familiar conventions are scrupulously observed–heavy reverb, bass high in the mix, swaying rhythmic impetus, scrupulous drumming, and politically charged lyrics."
"With a sound that embraces the defiant punk vocals and lyrics that challenge both the decisions of our current government administration and the dangerous apathy of the listener, DB continues to defy strict genre categories with this new release... Overall, sEParation is a successful follow-up. Edgy, spirited and at times surprisingly catchy, the record asks bold questions, ultimately leaving the listener to find the answers."
"...their mix of reggae and punk works quite well, and while that’s an easy pairing of which to be skeptical, there’s no authenticity issue here either... Destroy Babylon is worth keeping an eye on."
"Highly energetic ...a blister of punk rock who should never have time to properly heal."
"It did not surprise me when I discovered vocalist/guitarist/horn player John Beaudette and drummer Marc Beaudette were twins because the band stayed coordinated during very complicated pauses without ever missing a beat. They are definitely worth seeing live..."
"This is a clever bit of musical art delivered in a highly inventive and original package."
“Reggae-Rock with an agenda."
"...roots in bands like The Clash and Bad Brains... the debut release is a blistering adventure that plants a wooden stake firmly in the heart of the neocon vampires running our empire."
"Clearly a group who wants you to be a bit puzzled, then ask some questions, Destroy Babylon puts a tripped-out spin on the reggae sound and seizes on a number of current social issues to come up with a strong first record." |
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| + Facts ↑ | |||
| DB fact sheet here. | |||
| + Show Highlights ↑ | |||
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Nov 27 11 Brooklyn NY The Rock Shop w/Mr. Kowalsky
Sep 03 10 Quincy MA Beachcomber w/ Rhyging Aug 19 10 Cambridge MA TT the Bears Place w/THE VOID UNION, Guns Of Navarone, Riki Rocksteady July 15 10 Cambridge MA Lafayette Square Cambridge Summer Concerts Representing the Middle East |
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| © 2012 Destroy Babylon and Music ADD, LLC ↑ | |||
