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Dread Daze's Universal Vibe

Temple Bar, Santa Monica – April 2005

In a music scene sometimes bereft of short-term memory, it’s a pleasure to find socially-conscious work like Dread Daze’s. The group, led by rapper/toaster Najashi, isn’t so hardcore that it’s not universal. And it doesn’t take itself so seriously that it collapses under the weight of its own manifesto. Dread Daze has a message, and it’s political and spiritual. But they also want you to have a good time and simply be entertained. Fewer and fewer acts care to juggle that combination of elements in these days of insipid pop and gangster-glam’d hip-hop.

Najashi has a chant and cadence reminiscent of Buju Banton. He shares a warm and playful rapport with back-up singers Katie and Ria, who close many a song belting out ad-libs with him. Najashi’s stage presence gives him a nice parallel to tall Bay Area soapboxer, Michael Franti of Spearhead. One minute he pretends to be coy about ganja before firing up “Smoke Trees.” The next minute, he keeps it sardonic about the Bush Administration in “New World Plan.” Dread Daze doesn’t shy from calling out the “people [who] love the illusion” of these depressing political times. And Najashi voices his displeasure with most things narrow-minded in “We’ll Rise” and “Right Now.” The flow of “Right Now” never loses sight of its ‘70s bedrock, its classic Santana-like opening courtesy Irish guitarist Bryan. His chords echo across a canyon of soul, funk, and reggae. It’s interesting to note that while songs like “Big Shot Caller” are steeped in black American and West Indian motifs, Dread Daze isn’t militant.

“Morning Time” got the more reluctant Angelenos off the wall as Najashi, Katie, and Ria bid them to get up and express themselves. The group’s range of music swings from a reggae/rock mélange to straight-up, hardcore funk. The blow-out finale, aptly-named “Gunpowder,” recalls early, guitar-driven Funkadelic, on albums like Maggot Brain and Cosmic Slop. On that wall-rattler, drummer Donu nearly goes epic. He and solitary bassist Joey hold it down and aren’t to be underestimated. Each song, in its own distinct way, is given a touch of trip-hop with Peter’s sounds & vibes. He’s all about the aural f/x—a bit of mixing and a dash of contemporary blips blending into the roots-leaning core of each jam.

Dread Daze consistently implores a universal solution to all our ills, touting their theme of inclusion and peace. The band members are diverse and the benefits of that diversity are found in their music. Dread Daze puts forth a solid effort. They’re a band whose stickers can be found from Silver Lake to Brentwood and they deserve their shot at every worthy, funky venue in-between.

Review by Sean Cardinalli, 4/8/04
© 2005

seancardinalli@sbcglobal.net

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Malicious Bitch Interview and Review. Vote for Dread Daze !?

http://maliciousbitch.com/

Unheard Of: Dread Daze

To be musically tranquilized is a beautiful and sensual thing. It is very rare for a musician to make this occur. So when it does happen, the experience is something that will be remembered for lifetime. This is one thing that Dread Daze is hoping to accomplish. A seven piece band that wants to feel they're music, not just listen to it. They're not afraid to take a musical journey that you might not recover from. Don't worry, it's a good thing. See, Dread Daze wants to give you music that will lift you out of your consciousness and help you explore new dimensions of bliss and meaningfulness that your heart, body and soul has never felt before (I told you it was a good thing). You will be musically replenished and hopefully restored. The power of music can be a dangerous thing and this band is making sure that your experience is a safe one. They pour themselves into their craft with hopes of you doing the same when you listen to it. Dread Daze is like a cool breeze on a hot, sunny day. It's something that you need every now and then to make the day go by a little smoother. Enjoy the experience for what it can be, not what it's supposed to be.

Bitchin' Beatz: What's the biggest problem that you all have had while playing together and what did you do to overcome it?

Dread Daze: A good question. The biggest problem is we all would like to be creating 24/7 but day jobs cuts that short. So we all decided to quit the day jobs and focus on music. Quality and vibes come from constant creating. We all found little side things to keep the rent paid.

B.B.: You have mentioned Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix while corresponding with me, are these your musical influences? If so, are there others and if not, who is?

D.D.: Yes Bob and Jimi are influences they had vision and integrity in the music they put out. The late great Nat King Cole, Early Motown even to the Beach Boys and Buddy Holly music quality was the way. B.B.: What do you feel is the difference between yourselves and other reggae acts such as Sean Paul, Buju Banton, Lady Saw, Sasha and so on?

D.D.: Sean Paul, Buju, and Lady Saw are all excellent artists. They are more of a dancehall vibe even though they do the band thing at times. Our vibe is a little different. We are live band at all times and we incorporate many elements in the dread daze vibe. Also the dancehall has roots to hip-hop and on and on, so I would say where they stop, dread daze keeps going. No boundaries for us.

B.B.: You've said that one of the things that you would most like to accomplish with your music is ""to be apart of the shift from greed and material things to enhancing the environment and peoples lives"". How do intend to do this with just your music?

D.D.: Music is the foundation with that, contacts are made. Friendships blooms and resources are given. With the resources made, we take that and start building projects in all aspects. From creating jobs and opportunities which are endless. Everyone has a ingredient that if added to the pot it brings out the true flavor. There is lot of people who are standing holding there ingredient waiting for the right pot.{no pun intended}

B.B.: CD's are material things and anything that's used to listen to music is a material thing also. So don't you think that trying shift people from material things to enhancing the environment and our lives with music is a bit of a contradiction? How else are we supposed to hear your music?

D.D.: When I say material things I mean the human hunger for material things the makes one strive for that 350$ COACH BAG when her children needs some shoes and things. Or the man that spends 300$ at a strip club when he know his rent is due. For instance, the internet is a beautiful thing. Info galore. Meeting people all over the world that's how I vibed with you. The flip side of that is there's also crazy, sick pornography that floods the internet. So my thing is things in life are useable, it is just how you go about it

B.B.: Are you currently working on an album? If so, how soon do think it will be out?

D.D.: Yes we are in the studio as we speak working on some cool new vibes. Should be done by the end of summer early fall.

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Better Daze for the Dread

It was a hot night in la,la Los Angeles Arriving in the appropriate place and even on time had become one of the easiest things for me to do after all what story could possibly be gotten any other way. The wild west natives were restless and much to my surprise a bit humble for a Friday night such as this. Fast on the feet the sudden gush traffic from the outside led me to believe that either one band was leaving or another was just coming up to jam…I spoke to a rather handsome faced looking Asian which could have been hmm a bit of this or that. ‘I’m the promoter’..where is the band ‘Dread daze’ I asked? not here yet. I tried to look kinda cool by wearing my summer shades inside the Rock, the “Hard Rock” that is. The image of a large man loomed behind me as the Operations Manager of the café moved towards me in rather swift movements, “Hi what’s up”? I felt like my feet were stuck to the floor. When I spoke with a quick turn of the head, has the band Dread Daze begun yet? Not yet but they should arrive any moment. For some reason I found myself on the door side as I didn’t have a place to sit yet and the place was packed. Feeling confident I took my cool glasses off to make sure that I could really see. Glancing backwards I saw a pleasing looking man stroll through the door. I jumped in front with hand and mouth slurring hiiiiiiiii are you with the band? He smiled, I asked what’s your name? Donu, well Donu where is Najashi? It was Najashi who had invited me for the interview as well as mailed me free tickets to the performance. Donu beckoned me with his hand to come and meet some of the guys who were filtering in at various intervals.

Heh you guys this is “Osiris’ she is here to interview us for BFM magazine out of the UK. I got mad props first being introduced to Brian. Writing and speaking at once I asked with an I or a y? Brian acoustic guitar was happy to be involved, taking photos and speaking rather candidly about why he loved the band and the music. “ I’m Irish from Belfast, Northern Ireland to be exact. I’m happy to see you came to see us we could definitely use the exposure.” He had no fear of expression and appeared very wise to me although there was some detection of shyness. Heh wait, there’s Najashi right there. I couldn’t see exactly what he saw but I sensed the leader was about to enter the room. Brian rushed to get Najashi for me to speak with. ‘Peace” Osiris glad you could make it. This man was as dark as the Nile and truly just as mesmerizing. I could hear from the tone in his voice that he took no hostages when it came to the emittance of talent that would be shown as soon as they hit stageside. Lets go outside can’t hear nothing in here.

How did you get into this. Well he said in the lowest of voices, “I’m originally from Jamaica. Via NY then LA. I ‘ve been in LA since 1974. Wow, I gasped that’s a very long time to be here. I tried to underplay the fact that I’d been here a long time myself. How did you get into this type of music? “well my mother was the head of the Nat King Cole fan club. I heard all kinds of music while I was in her belly. This was starting to become real interesting. Yeh and, she taught me all about Ska and Reggae. Reggae and Mento, what , m e n t o? yeh that’s where Ska came from. Now Ska is?? Some of us blacks may not know what Ska really is yeh cuz in Jamaica Ska came from the influence of Fats Domino, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and the Jamaicans vibed with that. Their interpretation of American R&B is what became known as Ska. Someone liked it and then imitated it but everytime they would imitate it it would turn out different. Sometimes it comes out good and sometimes it comes out Good.” Lets cop a squat as I motioned the lead on where to sit. This was raw. No dressing area but table outside near the street. Well the reason I asked is because in my experience mostly whites are supporters of Reggae. The traffic on the outside was just as bad as noise on the inside. While in Jamaican boarding school that’s when the rap thing hit you know, Sugarhill Gang, Rappers Delight. ‘When I first heard Grandmaster Flash sing ‘Nasty” back in the 80’s that reset my whole vibe ya know.” Suddenly, I heard two voices that sounded like angels. Smiling, Najashi announced this is “Katy”, and Ria. They have been with the band for three years. I winked don’t you just love being around all these men? Katy was indeed a voluptuous clear one from the San Jose, Northen California area. When I asked how she got with the band she told me that the experience of it all had broadened her mind and she was single, no babies just wanted to sing and have fun and oh by the way, Ria was her girl. Typical I sensed of a Gemini Katy and the delicate but firm Libran called Ria. “Ria spoke up to say why she liked the guys and Katy and you should meet the young ones ( guys).” Trumpet Brian, Joey and Farmer. They have a routine and everything they’re soooooo cute. I asked Ria where are you from? “I’m from Richmond,Virginia and am a mother of three.” What, you don’t look like it, oh yeh but I am. Donu? I spoke louder, can you find out everyone’s sign, ‘I’m an Aries’. I spoke I think this one meaning Brian the Irish one is a Virgo you’re right and what about you Najashi what’s your sign oh he is a Virgo, hmm I can see that in him although I felt Scorpio. Just like a true Aries, to take the lead and get the real truth told. I’ll call the rest of the guys now. Donu, where are you from and how? I’m from LA. I have worked with the ‘Wells Brothers’ ya know the sons of Mary Wells”, yeh, yeh, I was thinking. And the drummer for the Isley’s” . This is Joey he’s a LA guy to. Oh yeh, Joey played bass guitar. Ok what’s your sign 10-2-72, I asked. Don’t tell nobody. Oh, I said you’re a Libran too, yeh afraid so. Al Keith was a Cleveland Ohio native and oh yeh very Pisces. Oh, I bet you’re everywhere? Al was the newest addition and just got up and left Cleveland to fulfill his mission in life. The guys each came and introduced themselves trumpet Brian, Farmer who caught my eye was just a hella cool whitey who fit right in the color theme he was cute too and too shy to say much..

Donu motioned, oh man lets go we gotta go on stage now…I bade everyone farewell and closing the door to the back went inside for the show. Donu was kind enough to grab me a chair right down front and center. As the entire group gathered on stage, I wondered how the different personalities would harmonize. Brian-guitar, Katy and Ria-vocals, trumpet Brian, Joey-trumpet, Al-percussions, Donu-Drums, Issaic-keyboards and Beakon-sax. We had a Libra, Gemini, Pisces, two Virgos and two Aries.

I knew Katy could sing just from the sound of her voice one of those raspy, sexual husky sounds and her girl Ria jumped all on the mic. The melodic trumpets from the guys hit the air. We were in for a treat. The message rang clear as Najashi moved into the poetic mixing of words and spirit and the angels chimed, what the world needs now is love. In my minds eye what the world really needed was more “Dread Daze”.

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AURAL FRAMES

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