SUPER-MASSIVE

Cincinnati’s finest and most popular Reggae crew, Super-Massive, will unveil its first album with two release parties this week — Wednesday at Stanley’s Pub and Thursday at The Mad Frog (where they’ll be joined by special guests Jah Roots, from Missouri).

Super-Massive — formerly known as Selecter — contains several skilled, veteran musicians from bands like Da Lemmings OnSombol, Ray’s Music Exchange, Zionites and Grand Oversoul, so it’s no shock that they’ve created a solid, eclectic collection of Reggae on their self-titled disc. Reggae grooves prevail on the album’s 10 tracks and the pristine vocals are drenched in Reggae soul. But, as the group members’ varying backgrounds suggest, there are a lot of other genres that inform the band’s sound. Rock, Jazz and Funk weave in and out of the supple rhythms like a boxer, but it is done so seamlessly, it all just feels like one big funky Reggae party. The band seems tailor made for not only Reggae fans, but “Jam band” fans as well, with flowing arrangements that leave a lot of room for extended jams and improv.

With the new CD’s crisp production, exceptional performances and outstanding creativity, Super-Massive makes it be known with this album that they are not only the best Reggae band in town, they are also among the best of any genre. (myspace.com/thesupermassive6)


http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/print-article-16030-print.html


- CityBeat

Jammin with Supermassive

EV: Super Massive is an Eastside band, however many of our Eastside readers may not be familiar with you guys. Introduce the band and tell us how you came together.


SM: In the spring of 2005, our friend and former band-mate, P.J Harrington, was itching to put together a reggae band after the breakup of Admiral Walker, his previous reggae endeavor. He called a group of musicians that he knew could get the job done and we began playing reggae cover tunes as “Selector”. In late 2006, P.J. and Selecter keyboardist, Jerome Kincaid moved to Austin, TX to pursue other avenues of music. This left me (Jeremy), Alonzo Leggette, and Nick Blasky (of the very popular jazz fusion group, Ray’s Music Exchange) and drummers (that were different from gig to gig), to carry on. It was then that we picked up John Gentry on lead guitar and Andy Lenihan on keyboards. It was also about that time that we decided to stop playing musical drum chairs, so to speak, and brought Tim Hensley on as our full time permanent drummer. John and Tim, having also played in Ray’s Music Exchange and being the super-adaptable musicians that they are, were obvious choices to take over for P.J. and our myriad of drummers. Andy had been coming to our shows for a while and was in Grand Oversoul, a local band for which John Gentry had produced a CD.
It was about this time that we began learning original tunes and working them into our set. Today we play mostly original tunes in our shows though we know about 75 cover songs. About 7 months ago in the process of going through the details of putting our CD together we found out that there is a Ska band from the UK called “The Selecter”, which is when we changed the name to “Super-Massive”, an adjective we had been using on our MySpace bulletins to describe our shows (super-massive reggae w/ selector!).

EV: People who hear Super Massive for the first time will instantly gather you play deep reggae, do you think of your band as pure reggae and how did forming a dedicated reggae band in Cincy ever come about?

SM: I’ve (Jeremy) been a reggae fan ever since my mom randomly bought me a Peter
Tosh album and a Bob Marley album when I was 12. She always encouraged my music and love of music and was trying to expose me to different styles. I listened to those albums and have been hooked ever since. Alonzo and I (Jeremy) were original members of Zionites, a reggae band that we started as a bunch of kids with some friends of ours including, Lucky Spaulding, who still plays around town and who has recently reformed Zionites. That band played throughout the Midwest all through the 90’s and to be honest, I’ve (Jeremy) never really thought of playing anything else. Staying true to what I feel and know has been my strategy, if you will, throughout my musical endeavors. So when P.J. called me (Jeremy) and Alonzo to start Selecter it was a natural fit. Nick Blasky (bass) had always wanted to play reggae and the rest is history.

EV: You’ve just released your new self titled CD “Super Massive” is this the first CD you have released?

SM: This is our first release, we plan on going back into the studio sometime this winter to begin work on number two. Hopefully if time and money allow, we will be able to release our second cd, and dub our first cd in the spring.

EV: We have been jammin’ this CD around here for days now, at first it seems a fluid reggae collaboration, deeper listening reveals two distinct phases. First you have the Lacinak written songs that have an “Island like” flow and easy feeling, they speak of love, relationships, great sex, good times and righteous “collie” (think Kush). Then you have the Blasky songs that are written with more of a Rasta attitude, in that they speak of political wrongs, injustice to society and the ills of man kind. And one really sweet rock/reggae/jam band instrumental “Unk”. Is this simply a reflection of each writer’s talents and personal focus or were there conscience efforts made on purpose to create a well rounded CD?

SM: We weren’t really trying to come up with two different dynamics, I think we were just writing from the heart.

EV: The tracks Dog Eat Dog, Unk, Bad Men and Dem Wrong really show off the rock n roll in the bands blood. Is this influence driven by any certain personalities in the group?

SM: These particular tunes are definitely studies in the rock /reggae dynamic. If you stick completely to conventional thought when writing any type of music, you can restrict the personality and possibility that might already be there. That being said, we all embrace the rock!

EV: On the other hand, Gotta Have Time, Shine, All Night, Collie Mi Cutchie, and Night Walk sound like straight Jamaica joints, musically as well as lyrically. With all the Sublime influenced rock reggae around, you decided to go back to the old school straight reggae dope, that’s refreshing and surprising. Where did this classic reggae motivation stem from?

SM: Its kind of the same answer as in question 2. I’ve (Jeremy) been a reggae fan ever since my mom bought me those two albums I mentioned. And while I like some dance hall reggae and I certainly like a myriad of musical styles, roots reggae has just always been my thing. My late friend and one time Zionites guitarist, Jordan Briggs Rebuhn told me, “Roots is too strong a sound not to come back eventually.” That’s one of those things that’s always stuck with me. And something that I’ve always believed is that there’s something to be said for staying true to what you know and love.

EV: Allow me to congratulate you on the CD, it’s fresh, clean, vibrant, intelligent and radio worthy. What I love about it most is the fact that it’s all original. Not just original tunes mind you, but original among the current jam band “reggae” bands. Many have reggae feel, but no real reggae soul. So many bands cry about Cincy conservatism, complaining about no interest in original bands and the like. This CD (among other recent releases from several local bands) goes to prove the bands producing original music will persevere... period. Covers are for casual bands, song writing is for the serious ones. That being said, what songs/artists do you cover when you choose to play covers at your live shows, or do you even play them at all?

SM: This band started as a reggae cover band, so we know quite a few reggae tunes. The beauty of this was that it allowed us to focus on the feel and timing. To sink our teeth into the rhythms, and experiment with different beats and chord changes. It also left us with a decent repertoire of covers to sprinkle about the set, include Peter Tosh, Steel Pulse, Third World, Bunny Wailer, and of course Bob Marley. Lately we’ve been taking songs we like from other genres and arranging them as reggae tunes, such as “Dirty Work” by Steely Dan, and “Across the Universe” by the Beatles.

EV: You guys released this CD back on September 19th at Stanleys Pub, Stanley’s has yet to join the official EV list so we weren’t there to cover the kick off or get the word out as we usually do with CD releases like this. Nevertheless, tell us what reaction have you had from the fans so far?

SM: (A) Our two CD release parties at Stanley’s Pub and the following night at The Madfrog were awesome! Our fans came out, we sold a good amount of CD’s, gave away a bunch too. So far, the response has been great! Everyone seems to really dig it. It’s gotten air play on WNKU and it got a great review from City Beat. Most importantly, our fans, who have waited so patiently for this CD to come out, have given us nothing but positive feedback. They seem to genuinely love it and we can’t ask for any more than that. That is, after all, why we do this.

EV: Your myspace has many show dates for area clubs and festivals, what shows have you played this year, which were especially great venues and which are you really looking forward to?

SM: We really enjoy our weekly gigs at Stanleys and the Madfrog, but Hookahville was a standout. Opening for Steel Pulse at Annies was also great. Play by Play in Silverton is nice too because they have a big stage and a great sound guy. Anytime we get to play is great. We’re looking forward to playing some more festivals next summer.

There you have it, you can hear it at www.eastsidevibe.com/supermassive or www.myspace.com/thesupermassive6 It’s available to buy at the shows. If you dig it tell your local club to book them, we need more good music like this in the Eastside so shout it out and lets get them on stage.

http://www.eastsidevibe.com/SupermassiveInterview.html - Eastside Vibe

Super-Massive (Profile)
They're one of the most original Reggae bands you'll ever hear
By RIC HICKEY


Recently I met up with the members of local Reggae giants Super-Massive at The Mad Frog in Corryville, where they play every Thursday. The band is wrapping up a year that’s included many successes and milestones, including the release of their self-titled debut CD in September and, just last month, winning their first Cincinnati Entertainment Award.


At a table near the front bar, I chatted with singer-guitarist Jeremy Lacinak, bassist Nick Blasky and percussionist Alonzo Leggette. Keyboardist Andrew Lenihan walked by our table once or twice to ask a question of his bandmates only to absorb their barbs and taunts like a barrage of snowballs or rotten fruit. Observing this good-natured torment through the bottom of an empty pint glass as I downed my first beer, I thought to myself, “I wonder if he’s The New Guy in the band?”

With a deep sigh emitting from behind the broad smile of experience, Lenihan takes this ancient hazing ritual all in stride. “These guys probably don’t want me in on this interview anyway,” he says, “’cause the last time I was quoted by a reporter the question was ridiculous and I was misquoted.”

De facto spokesman/frontman Lacinak is naturally laid back and well-suited to answer questions about the band, so I feel bad for not preparing any. Full disclosure: I’m no stranger to these guys. I’ve been out to see the band many times over the years and in the process have become well-acquainted with them. I recall seeing guitarist John Gentry Jr. with The Lemmings at Ripley’s some years ago, and many are familiar with Blasky’s work in Ray’s Music Exchange.

During his time with The Zionites, Lacinak learned the ropes of the music biz. Lacinak and Super-Massive are sitting in the fabled catbird’s seat on a local level and have no plans at this time for widespread touring.

Because the band is working more than enough paying gigs in the area (including some regional shows) to make this a full-time job, they think a massive touring schedule would be a step back. That said, Lacinak acknowledges the CD as a development that could possibly garner some label attention and create touring opportunities.

The self-titled disc is a brilliant blend of Roots Reggae with catchy melodies and harmonious hooks. Standing at a safe distance from the glitz and glamour of the red carpet outside the Emery Theatre for the recent CEA ceremony, Alonzo confided to me, “We definitely wanted it to be radio-friendly.” (Within the hour the band would take the stage to accept the award for Best World Music/Reggae artist.)


The CD runs the gamut from rasta love songs (“Shine”) to minor key lamentations on the state of the world (“Bad Men,” “Dem Wrong”) and a slinky Soul instrumental that’s equal parts Memphis and Kingston (“Unk”). Lacinak’s vocals embody a keen grasp of Jamaican phrasing and deep soul throughout.


“Dog Eat Dog” vacillates between the classic “one drop” Reggae groove and a heavy space vamp reminiscent of ’70s Prog. It’s here where the band’s sick Jazz chops and Zappa-esque humor begin to assert themselves as equal parts in the stew. It’s not blatant, but it sets the music apart from other Reggae.

Drummer Tim Hensley is largely absent from the wobbly table where the band graciously ignores my lack of professional interview techniques. He does take a moment to indulge in an all-too-brief discussion about the latest releases from the Frank Zappa archives.

Almost invisible from the pre-gig activities, his presence is literally felt by everyone in the club from the minute the band takes the stage. Precise in tempo, long on groove and an absolute wizard of hypnotic polyrhythms, Hensley speaks volumes with his drum work. Opening with a cover of Bob Marley’s “Bend Down Low,” Super-Massive snakes seamlessly into a jam on Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish.”

Moments before going on, the band is lamenting tonight’s small turn-out. But before the end of the first set, the place is swelling with dancers, college kids and cute girls chirping and chattering. Blasky does a double take and laughs as the young ladies yell out a spontaneous call-and-response sing-a-long during the band’s original tune “Mankind.”

Gentry’s dreads are piled high so as not to get entangled in his guitar strings. And before the end of “Mankind” he improvises a rabid guitar solo that sounds like it was kicked off a Donald Fagen record for beating up the other guitar solos and taking their lunch money.

It’s still early in their first set, but already Super-Massive’s jams are leaping and surging unpredictably while Hensley and Blasky are holding down a solid rock-steady Reggae feel.

Super-Massive have hypnotized me with their groovy sway on many previous occasions. But on this night I realize I’ve never heard a Reggae band that can conjure jams this interesting or a jam band that can pull off Reggae grooves this smoothly and effortlessly.



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SUPER-MASSIVE (myspace.com/thesupermassive6) plays every Wednesday at Stanley’s Pub (details here) and every Thursday at The Mad Frog (details here).

http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-16763-super-massive-(profile).html - CityBeat(Cincinnati)