Green Room Rockers on their first tour to California.
They continue to break new ground with their big sound
so well suited to soul, reggae, rock and festival sets.
Based in Indiana, Midwest bookings are constant,
national touring and festivals book seasonally.
Double bookings are available with Coyaba and other clients.
Stax & Studio One. Otis Redding & Toots Hibbert. Motown & Kingston. Soul & Reggae. The ‘&’s’ are unnecessary; same struggles, aspirations, and trenchtowns. True, the beats used by both were presented through different influences, but the heart is the same.
That heart, in all its gritty real world applications, struck a chord with and drives the sound of Green Room Rockers, their new album Hoosier Homegrown and their current tour. The tour supports the aptly named Hoosier Homegrown, recorded and produced by GRR guitarist, Ron Shoemaker; an amazing effort for a studio piece from the likes of Victor Rice or King Django, much more impressive as 100% DIY Indiana reggae.
The blending of soul and reggae goes back to the genesis of the Jamaican recording industry. Alton Ellis and John Holt were among the early greats of Jamaican soul. Texas soul singer, Johnny Nash, even moved to Kingston in ’68, recording with Marley and the Wailers for several hits by ’71. The Green Room Rockers have revived this rhythm exchange that drove that sound.
and a reaction to the current state of music.
What we saw was a lack of soul and candidness
and we look to the bygone era of the late 60’s for inspiration.
Reggae and Soul have
always been tied together. As a group
of reggae lovers that are far from its source...
we have created our own Culture that is uniquely
Indiana although universal. Good times,
Good music, Good BBQ, cold PBR, and of course close friends...
this is the G-R-R experience.
This brings us to the band and the live show. Great bands have always set the tempo for the soul singer. "Grittily soulful style" exemplifies the ethos GRR brings to crowds today; through the lens of 21st century trials and a hometown closer to Motown and Stax then Treasure Isle. To the East, groups like NYC’s The Slackers share fans. Representing the West, The Aggrolites endorse GRR as part of their "Dirty Reggae" movement (posted on youtube).
of country roots, and Punk Rock Ethos.
The style of reggae and ska we play has
urgency and intensity. It’s sweaty, pound the floor,
dance music. Though themes are of heartbreak,
disappointment, and social worries,
the end all be all is "don’t stop, keep moving."
...when we play in front of people, it’s as if we
had hundreds of members in the band.
The result is a brilliant, high-energy record with live GRR shows being events unto themselves. Think James Brown beats, Curtis Mayfield lyrics, and Toots & The Maytals "Funky Kingston" energy.
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