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Kevin Kinsella, lead singer of John Brown's Body, believes reggae is a higher power. "Reggae is very spiritual," he says, "we treat it as a spiritual thing because it treats us spiritually." Despite hailing from Boston (not exactly Jamaica), Kinsella and the rest of John Brown's Body have made believers of many. The first version of the band, the Tribulations, beat 4,000 other bands to win the grand prize in a Yamaha Sound Check competition in 1992. In 1997, when the Tribulations reincarnated to become John Brown's Body, their debut album, "All Time," made Rolling Stone's top 10 best alternative albums of the year. The band has since opened for reggae icons and festivals across the country, such as the Marley Carribean Festival. Their pure "roots reggae" sound is beautifully fresh, and yet reminiscent of influences such as Bob Marley and Burning Spear. The band is able to keep their sound original by "trying to be creative individuals, and to express own personal spirits." says Kinsella, "We have no falcity. We are not trying to cop an attitude, accent, or philosophy. We live and breathe music. We try to remain inspired, positive living." Listening to their newest album, "Spirits All Around Us," it seems almost impossible that a band with astoundingly authentic island beats and lyrics reminiscent of Marley sounds are white boys from Massachusets. However, Kinsella explains that, "I love Jamaica, but Jamaica does not equal reggae...think of the blues men from late 1960's (Eric Clapton, etc.). They were not from the Mississippi delta. Yet, they were still amazing. We thank Jamaica for sharing with us a reminder of truthfulness, presence, and sincerity." |
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