When asked to describe a typical reggae band, you might picture a stereotypical group of Jamaican guys sitting on the beach, with their hair in dreads, smoking joints, singing about peace and love. This may be especially true if the name of the band is SOJA (Soldiers of Jah Army).
However, these men, who have played reggae for the past 11 years, didn’t come from Jamaica. They are a group of guys from Washington, D.C., and the only thing about them that screams “We are a reggae band!” is that three of the five members have dreadlocks. But that’s where their tie to the stereotype ends.
SOJA will be playing at 9 p.m. tonight at Mongo’s, 359 West Grand Ave. in Grover Beach. Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 at the door.
Percussionist Kenny Brownell explained the reasoning behind their music, and delved into personal issues with society and how music will affect the next generation.
Mustang Daily: How did you get into reggae music?
Kenny Brownell: When you’re a kid, there are different sources of inspiration and reggae music to enable people to receive a message, revolutionary messages. Really, we didn’t “choose” reggae music; it chose us.
MD: How did you meet?
KB: Bob and Jacob have known each other since first grade and then the rest of us met in middle school and high school. We have been playing (together) now for 11 years.
MD: Where are you all from originally?
KB: We are from Arlington, Va., which is just outside of Washington, D.C.
MD: How did you develop your passion for reggae?
KB: We studied it well throughout the years of playing and being in the music scene in D.C. We are good listeners, and we are always expanding our reggae horizons by checking out new artists of the genre. We went into the city seeing different artists, talking to Jamaicans downtown, and we just opened our eyes to the different sounds reggae has to offer.
MD: What was the first reggae album or song that got you into the music?
KB: It was by Apple, who was the singer of Israel Vibrations – a song called “Rude Boy Shuffling.” I think that was around ’96 or ’97. After that, of course, is Bob Marley.
MD: So who would you say are your biggest inspirations for making reggae music?
KB: For me personally, it’s Culture, Burning Spear, Bob Marley – a lot of classic roots style of reggae. Culture is a big influence on the band, and it was awesome because at the time we were starting, all the big-name reggae bands were touring and we got to be there. That’s what we dreamed of being, and now we share the same stage with these bands at venues around the world.
MD: What has been the most positive experience about being in a band and getting to travel all over the world?
KB: When we played Palau Island in Micronesia. It’s a small ancient island, and the people there love SOJA – and we love them. For most of the kids, it was their first time ever seeing a concert. It was awesome being the first band of a generation to come to this beautiful island with great people. The hospitality was amazing, and the vibes were incredible. It was an incredible time to realize music had taken us this far, to the other side of the world, and here were these kids singing our songs.
MD: Have you heard from people how your music has affected them?
KB: The mission of our music is about the fans. We have had people come up to us and tell us that our songs have helped them through dark times, such as drug abuse, all the way to the other side saying that people play our music to their kids to get them to sleep. What’s really cool about that is that they will raise their kids on SOJA, and hopefully we will be doing this for a long time.
MD:What messages do your songs convey?
KB: No. 1, that we are all one people. And No. 2, love your country but fear your government. I love my home and the people, but a lot of fucked-up decisions go on here and it affects everyone around the world. We need to step up as musicians and stop talking about candy-coated subjects. I wish more musicians would stand up and say something. It’s about social consciousness. Our music isn’t about weed, dreads, being vegetarian; we talk about what type of world this generation leaves for the next.
MD: Are you excited about coming to SLO County and playing here?
KB: We are excited to come back and feel the good vibes, because in the past we have had great times (on the Central Coast). We are looking forward to seeing everybody at the show, and we will have our new “Stars and Stripes” EP available.