JOHN BROWN'S BODY


Links:

Official Website

2002 Biography

1999 Biography

Tourdates



Press:

Pause Records
CD Review 8-02

Front Porch
Article 8-02

Reggae Movement
Concert Review 7-02

Maximum Ink
Article 4-02

All Music Guide
CD Review

Boston Article
May 2001

Isthmus Article
March 2001

Press Quotes

Press from 1999



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Color Photo #1

Color Photo #2

B&W Photo #1

In just over two years, John Brownâs Body has made an impact as one of the finest bands on the reggae scene. Their self-released debut CD "All Time," drew rave reviews, making Rolling Stoneâs alternative Top 10 chart in September of 1997, and their track ãVanityä earned a place in the HBO movie "The Substitute 2." Now the band makes their major label debut on Shanachie with "Among Them," a supercharged reggae album inspired by the early dance-hall roots reggae style of the late seventies.

John Brownâs Body began as the brainchild of Kevin Kinsella, a youthful veteran of the American reggae scene. It was back in 1984 that he first discovered Jah music. A couple of years later, at 15, Kinsella and his best friend started a band in high school called Tribulations. Kinsella remained in the band through his initial years in college in Boston, recruiting the staple members of the group in 1989. From that time on, they were professional soldiers in the Jah Army, bringing the sound of lovingly recreated Jamaican classics throughout the United States. In 1992, the band entered the Yamaha Sound check competition, beating 4,000 bands for the top prize, and playing a tour of Japan as part of their winnings. In 1993, they set up shop for two weeks in Jamaicaâs tourist paradise of Negril, adding their spin to the bass-rich sounds emanating form the areaâs seven mile beach front, and soaking up the rootical atmosphere.

By the following year, the group had released two albums, "The Gate" and "Daddy Good Pieces." But the players decided to part company over typical ãmusical differencesä admits Kinsella. ãI wanted more of a roots reggae sound, with less guitar driven/MTV-oriented focus. So I started John Brownâs Body, rejoining with some of the core members of Tribulations.ä

JBBâs repertoire in "Among Them" takes the listener on a spiritual journey, filled with thanks and praise in an acknowledgment of the divinity of Jah. The title track is, according to Kinsella, ãa song about hope. It refers to the Book of Revelations, in which God looks out and sees all the people and asks who they are. They are the chosen who have suffered and been found worthy to be in Zion, a holier place. So this is a song about the feeling of hope that we will be among the righteous, loving people.ä ãPlay Onä is a similar song, which discusses works in music. ãTell me something I donât know,ä with its self-explanatory title, follows the same message, but packs an uptempo ska-like punch, with melodica fills and a dub workout reminiscent of the late King Tubby at his most profound. ãLots of people donât understand the value of music making in a society like ours. They donât see it as ãwork.ä But I take it very, very seriously, having founded our own label, we try to promote Godly works.ä

As for the bandâs name, adopted in tribute to the famous Harperâs Ferry raider/abolitionist of the 1850äs, Kinsella explains, ãI saw John Brown as a paradigm and a paradox of American history. Someone who fights for justice and Godâs will. To me, heâs a white man fighting for an African cause. And because weâre basically a white group singing liberation music for black people, I see a real parallel there. Heâs an underground rebel, a freedom fighter.ä

With reggae music finding new audiences every day, John Brownâs Body have continued to spread their message to live audiences. Performing at such major reggae festivals as the annual Bob Marley Caribbean Festival and the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, the band garnered attention from both authentic roots reggae and ãjam bandä rock fans alike.

Explains Kinsella, ãTo see reggae performed live is an experience for your soul.ä

And with the breadth of praise and celebration of life expressed on Among Them, this spiritual experience is abundantly captured. States Kinsella, ãOur music isnât star-studded, weâre giving what we have to give and if you listen, youâll find that thereâs a universal message in our music, and thatâs what matters.ä

John Brownâs Body is:

  Kevin Kinsella - Lead vocals/ Rhythm Guitar
  Elliot Martin - Backing Vocals
  Tommy Benedetti - Drums,
  David Gould - Bass
  Nate Richardson - Keyboards
  Lee Hamilton - Saxophone/Backing Vocals
  Chris Welter - Trumpet
  Craig Welsch - Sonic Engineer

For Further Information, Interviews or CDs, Please Contact: Ariel Publicity • email: ariel@arielpublicity.com www.arielpublicity.com • www.johnbrownsbody.com