Down Loa

Down Loa a rare reggae band at UA

By: Josh Mallory
Contributing Writer

Posted: 3/17/06
When you think of reggae bands, you rarely think of five Alabama natives, but local band Down Loa is hoping to change that. According to their Web site, Down Loa's only mission is to "bring the authentic, head noddin', fist pumping, ass shakin' true roots reggae sound to the masses."

The band, whose name refers to the Voodoo name for a god one calls down in a trance, brings a different sound to the local scene and calls it "refreshing."

"Not a lot other people are out there doing it," drummer Cliff Miller said of the local scene.

A Google search of "reggae bands Alabama" led to no other results.

The band plays at local venues such as Mellow Mushroom, Little Willie's and Innisfree.

They started out doing covers but now add some original songs, such as "Drinking Milwaukee's Best." They cover 1970s reggae icons such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff and Lee "Scratch" Perry, as well as reggae rock bands such as Sublime, which did reggae rock "first and best" according to the band.

The audience requests are often limited to Marley, as people no longer remember the popularity of reggae artists in the '70s. However, at one show, some guys in the crowd requested a song by Ape Men. When asked if he thinks the audience members really liked that band or just wanted to show off, Miller quickly responded "both."

The audiences at their shows have a good time and always dance, Miller said. He said that at one show, a Bob Marley Tribute at Little Willie's, the atmosphere was so free that a homeless woman was dancing with two students.

While the band plays a lot of dance-oriented music, it doesn't ignore the progressive tradition of reggae, either.

"We have lots of fun, but we play the political stuff too," Miller said.

What separates reggae from other music, Miller said, is the bass. It carries a lot of responsibility in a reggae band. Because the music is so percussive, the bass often carries the melody and, of course, compels people to dance.

Founding members Miller and lead singer Justin Jones became roommates several years ago and discovered they shared a love of reggae and wanted to play it.

They put together a band and played an open mic night at a now-closed Tuscaloosa bar, Poppy's. The crowd responded so well that the band eventually started playing there on weekends.

The bar might have been small, but it was packed, and these performances led to other gigs at larger venues.

The band also features bassist Adam Shattuck, keyboardist John Ellis and saxophone player Brad Guin. Guin, who started out in jazz bands, has played with notable acts such as The Temptations, The Four Tops and the O'Jays.

Miller said he is appreciative of the band's opportunity to play reggae music in the area.

"I'm just floored that people like it so much," he said. He added that the band members want to play reggae because of their love for it, and they are glad other people appreciate it too and have such a good time at their shows.

You can learn about future shows at the band's Web site, www.thedownloa.com.


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