Roots Down Below
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Roots Down Below

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"The Expendables and Winter Blackout Tour Bands heat up a cold Eugene night at the WOW Hall"

But on Saturday, January 9th, the WOW Hall experienced warmth, if only for a few hours, that could only come from some of the best reggae-influenced bands that the good old USA had to offer.

When I entered through the double doors of the Hall, the Winter Blackout Tour was already off to a start with the first band, Roots Down Below, getting the growing crowd into the right state of mind with their blend of roots, reggae and hip-hop. Unfortunately, I was only able to catch two of their songs but from the crowd’s enthusiastic dancing and cheers that culminated in lead singer Daniel Allen’s stage dive (the definitive “Rock Star” moment for anyone who has ever been in a band), it was clear that this opening group had set the stage for things to only get better.

There were a total of five bands on this tour, which made for a diverse collection of styles to bless the crowd and all but one of them had a not-so-subtle influence of reggae-rock dominating their sound
- Oregon Music News by Blake Hoshibata


"Musical Paradise 2009"

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Cape-based band Roots Down Below – from left, Brandon Eardley, George Bous and Dan Allen – performs at the Heineken Regatta on St. Maarten.March 14, 2009ST. MAARTEN, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES — Clad in board shorts and sporting dreadlocks and Ray-Bans, the members of Cape band Roots Down Below stare at their audience, a ragtag mix of families and bikinied coeds dancing on soft, white sand.

Sailboats drift by, the sun shifts overhead, and sandy feet mingle, inspired by the band's bass-and-drum-heavy sound. It's a beautiful day in this beachy paradise, and Roots Down Below seems to know it.

Roots Down Below

Formed in 2001 in North Harwich

Has released two albums, "From a Seed" and "152 Sessions"Ranked in top 14 bands at the 2005 Emergenza International Music FestivalHas opened for the Wailers, Burning Spear, Zox, Naughty by Nature and Yami Bolo, among others
For most of the Cape's bands, playing just inches away from the surf isn't new. But Roots Down Below isn't playing on any beach you're thinking of.

To stave off a winter of periodic gigs and sparse weekday crowds, the North Harwich-based band travels to a Caribbean island for a mini-tour each year, trading Blue Moons and Cape Codders for pina coladas and St. Maartinians. Though still in its early days, this year's trip to St. Maarten is proving the perfect antidote to what could have been a dreary winter.

"To me, it's been amazing," says Dan Allen, the group's lead singer. "It's such a rare thing to be able to follow our dreams (here)."

Full-time musicians, Allen and bassist Aaron Small, guitarist Brandon Eardley and drummer George Bous chose the St. Maarten surf over the Cape Cod snow after a successful 2008 winter tour to St. John and St. Thomas. Eardley visited the tiny St. Maarten in January and convinced the band it was a perfect place to settle in until the Cape starts hopping in the summer.

Being on the island, says Allen, "is taking my energy and amplifying it. ... It's like being on an adventure."

Roots Down Below's sound, a mix of college keg-party standards such as Sublime and O.A.R. and the classic sounds of reggae greats Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, is a perfect fit for both seaside locales, whether on Nantucket Sound or the Caribbean Sea.

And with two albums, opening gigs with some of reggae's legends and six-plus years of playing together under their belts, the men of Roots Down Below believe they're prepared to perform for a nation in the same part of the world as reggae's mecca of Jamaica.

On Dutch St. Maarten — and St. Martin, the French half of the one-square-mile island — the Caribbean-created genre of music blasts from car stereos and restaurant sound systems, providing a never-ending backbeat to daily island life. Turn on the radio, and nearly all stations are playing the beats; there's a good bet that a two-week vacation will have you singing "Buffalo Soldier" for at least that long after you return home.

Despite a major booking snafu, discovered when it first arrived March 2, that left the band without a gig for a few days, Roots Down Below is looking forward to spending time closer to the music its members love.

Bookings have increased, too, Small says, with three weekly gigs already arranged.

Ideally, says Allen, the band will continue its Caribbean tour through mid-April. "We'll be back at the time when the lilacs are blooming."

Back home in May, Roots Down Below's New England performance schedule includes nights at Harry's Blues Bar in Hyannis, Improper Bostonian in Dennisport and Rick's Outer Bar in Eastham.

But even here, on an island almost 200 miles east of Puerto Rico, the band can't forget its Cape Cod home, opening for Marley backers the Wailers at the four-day-long Heineken Regatta, this island's answer to the Figawi.

The after-party? At a yacht club, of course.

Familiarities aside, Roots Down Below members are making musical memories to last them through even the harshest northeaster.

"We came here together not knowing what to expect," says Allen. "It's been very surreal."


- Cape Cod Times By HEATHER WYSOCKI


"Review of RDB at Emergenza Festival Semifinals"

Roots Down Below blew the roof off the house and had every hand in the room raised to take the night g.celf emergenza music festival semifinals 4/14/05 Paradise Rock Club Boston

Roots Down Below played next and brought a whole new kind of irie energy to the room. They got the crowd jumping up and down. If you missed these guys at Avalon you can pretty much see them everywhere else this summer. Check out their site for details.
NATIONAL Finals
6/25/05 AVALON Boston MA - emergenza.net G.clef


"Live Show Review-- Hyport 2/4/05"

Remember that scene in Good Will Hunting when Ben Affleck's character tells Matt Damon's character that because of his genius, he's sitting on a winning lottery ticket? Well, Roots Down Below might just be the Good Will Hunting of the local music scene.

The "roots" of RDB is in a mixture of Ska, Reggae, Hip Hop, and R&B. The result is a hodge-podge of sound that is undeniably groovalicious. Combine a dynamic stage show and a tangible confidence in their music, and they seem to have what it takes to bust them outta this clambake.

There is no single thing that stands out about RDB, there are several things. Individually, they are some of the most talented musicians around at their respective instruments. As a unit, they create a vibe and energy that feels real, spontaneous, and fresh.

RDB's live show setlist combines originals and covers. Whether painting a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with ska-rock strokes, or revving up a reggae standard with their trademark energy, RDB handles cover tunes the right way - they make them their own. They inject them with surprising twists, leaving the listener eager to find out what's around the next curve. On this night, they paid proper homage to one of their more obvious influences, Bob Marley, whose 60th birthday passed this weekend.

RDB's original music combines their varied influences and can swing from the frantic energy of ska to the softer reflections of R&B. Like much Reggae and classic R&B, RDB preaches peace and equality. As noble as that is, it's when RDB turn their focus inward, on emotion -- that's when they, and especially frontman Dan Allen, shine. Allen stretches and alternates between their various styles of music with ease, but his smooth, affective tone lends itself to the more emotional side of the music. He displays the versatility of a well-trained vocalist - ranging from the perfect pitch and clarity of a high school musical crooner, to the guttural roar of a hard rock screamer. In the context of RDB's original style, however, his inflections definitely reflect the influence of, and the love for, the roots of reggae and ska.

Guitarist Brandon Eardley capably volleys between their various styles of music with ease, channeling an experience that seems well beyond his years, and yet never losing the youthful energy that drives all the members of the band. On stage he is a dynamo, ripping it up with a grit and playfulness that makes you wonder if he knows how good he is.

Perma-grinning bass player Aaron Small tends to lean on the funky side, lending a danceability to the music that is definitely not lost on the audience. He sets the pace for the band, playing the right note at the right time (perhaps the highest compliment a bass player can be paid).

Pat Golarz's drumming is generally in the pocket and fairly non-intrusive, letting the music breathe sufficiently. But he can pour gasoline on the fire when it is called for, and his cymbal work can loosen things up when appropriate, thus lending a jazzy element to the mix.

RDB have their roots firmly planted in the styles that influence their sound. Down below, there appears to be a love for playing live that drives them. The combination of those roots, and that desire down below, might just have them sitting on a winning lottery ticket.
- SOUTH SHORE MUSE.com


"Recommendation from Pixy 103 DJ"

I am writing on behalf of one of the most energetic, enthusiastic, infectious bands I have seen in a VERY long time. I have been working with the band Roots Down Below (and it's individual members prior to forming RDB) for many years. They have never let me down -no matter if they are booked for a radio show, a non-paying gig, or simply returning a phone call. You could set these guys up to play on a street in front of an unfamiliar crowd and they will still sell out of everything they bring for the merch table! (I know because I've done it to them before). Like a professional band, I have seen them adjust their set list on the spot to adapt to age groups and venues -successfully.

If anyone has any doubts about working with Roots Down Below, I would encourage them to call me.

Sincerely,

Cat
Marketing
Qantum Communications
WPXC/ WCIB/ WRZE
154 Barnstable Road
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 778-2888
- Cat of Pixy 103/Sea Sound Recording Studios


Discography

What we live for, 2004 Full Length Original Album

Peace Love Respect and Equality, 2005 Four Song Demo

From a Seed, 2006 13 Song Original Album

152 Sessions, 2009 10 Song Original Album

Roots Down Below Self Titled, 2010 Best of cd Remasterd By Ronnie Champagne in Seattle, Washington @ the Auditorium.

Tracks from 2010 Best Of Cd has been Liscenced To Mountain Dew

Photos

Bio

In a musical landscape populated with rock, hip-hop, reggae, funk, ska, and R&B artists, what territory can a band claim for its own? Faced with all these possibilities, Roots Down Below, four energetic musicians from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, have chosen to build their own blend of music from the ground up. Inspired by artists such as Bob Marley,Led Zeppelin, Sublime, 311, Jimi Hendrix,Wu-Tang and Bad Brains, the group has created a polished mix that incorporates high energy guitar, melodic bass, fluent drums, and soulful vocals.

With over 1200 shows under their belt, over 25,5000 hits to their website, 240,000 song plays, and 25,000 MySpace friends, Roots Down Below has cultivated a following of loyal fans who respond to their message of positivity and their energetic showmanship.

The band performshigh energetic live performances weekly throughout respected venues. They also tour the Caribbean yearly. Through their dynamic lyrics, RDB confronts worldwide issues by presenting an unbias view that is informative and easy to consume. They encourage their listeners to evaluate one..s lifestyle and daily habits and the effects they have on our world. They believe this reflection is enough to spark the fire inside to empower our generation for positive change

In January 2010, the group will release their Self titled album, mixed and mastered by industry professional Ronnie Champagne, who has worked with artists such as Jane’s Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, and Alice in Chains. The album features 18 original tunes, ranging from the Rockers Reggae Style "Crazy",hard-driving civil rights anthem “My Domain “ to the evocative, hip-hop style “Hard Way” to the sentimental crowd-favorite “Friends.”

Roots Down Below has supported many national acts including: Toots and The Maytals,The Wailers, Rusted Root , Burning Spear, Eek A Mouse, Long Beach Short Bus, Slightly Stoopid,The Streetdogs, Yellow Man, Maxi Priest, Sage Francis, Collie Buddz, Zox, State Radio, Pete francais, Monty Are I, Shootyz Groove, Barrington Levy,Naughty by Nature, Mikey Dread, Entrain and even backed reggae legend Yami Bolo.
Roots Down Below Toured with The Expendables for the WinterBlackout Tour 2010 Playing 43 shows in 52 days.
www.theexpendables.net/winterblackout

Dan “Dallen” Allen, Vocals
Sennheiser ear monitor and wireless mic

Dan Allen was born March 22, 1983 on Cape Cod, MA. The youngest of 5 brothers, he grew up in a houseful of music. He credits his parents with exposing him to his earliest musical influences – the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, U2, Neil Young, Jimi Hendrix and more. Without much money to go on, Dan and his family survived on humor and love. “Not having a lot of money made me appreciate the little that I had, and turned my attention towards creative self-expression. Singing is always free: music quickly became my escape – the sound of my heart and my soul.”

Dan’s joined his first band in 2001- The Whole Truth, a drum and bass hip hop act. His experiences there – learning to work with a band on stage and play to the crowd – fostered a love of performing so strong that he knew he wanted to be a professional musician, While taking a radio broadcasting class at Cape Cod Community College (CCCC), he met RDB’s guitarist, Brandon Eardley, a like-minded musician focused on “making it”. In 2002 Dan joined Rubbda Buddah, which in 2003 became Roots Down Below.

Dan’s commitment to social issues and to improving the world he lives in manifest in personal lyrics that relate to the everyday struggles of people from all walks of life. His powerful, positive message inspires hope and joy in fans of RDB.

Brandon “B-Roc” Eardley, Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Special 2 Gibson Faded SG
Marshal Cab 1960
Fender Custom Hod Rod Deville Amp
Ernie Ball Strings Light Top heavy Bottom 10-52

Brandon was born on April 28, 1984 on Cape Cod, MA. He grew up listening to vinyl –45s of the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Cream, Zeppelin, the Eagles and the Kinks, “all the things that make a kid want to pick up a guitar.” He started playing guitar at age 12, and by 16 was interning at local studio Griffin Sound Studios, where he contributed to more than 100 projects as an intern. At Griffin Sound, Brandon was exposed to many different layers of the business of music, with stints running recording sessions, playing, mixing, engineering, producing – and getting coffee.

“I played school band and made it cool.” Brandon played for every side project he could get started, the school jazz band and even in pit bands for his school’s musical productions. He was chosen as one of only 32 guitarists in the region for the Southeast District Jazz band, beating out hundreds of other guitarists.

As co-founder of Roots Down Below, Brandon’s heart and soul go into the music the band puts out. His lyrical jams, trippy chords and funky vibe – and yes, ladies, he CAN play the guitar with his tong