THE LO DOWN: The Aggrolites @ The Shattuck Down Low 6/13/10
Reggae in Berkeley is a redundancy — and smell, frankly — that I can only handle every-so-often. But when Los Angeles five-piece The Aggrolites came into town Sunday night, I strapped on my dancing shoes (those are flats, b-tches) to join the rest of the East Bay in the bowels of Shattuck Avenue for an evening of soul, grit, and in the band’s words, “dirty reggae.”
First up were Natives of the New Dawn, who were in the unfortunate position of opening act on a Sunday night and graced the stage at 8:30pm(still light out, ouch). Coupled with zero publicity from the venue and the token solo jam-band dancer dude scaring the rest of the early crowd from moving forward, the Natives didn’t have much of a chance. The six-piece was dually fronted by an emcee and vocalist, their sound toggling between hip-hop and soul-rock — but the style landed a little too heavily in the adult contemporary sphere to hold the attention of the Aggro crowd. It is worth mentioning that singer Tony Nouhan is a soulful beast on the mic — that means good, grasshoppers — and aside from seeming generally out of their element, the band’s energy, banter, and musicianship is worth commending. Cheers. (And let Tony sing more.)
There was no sign of the school-night daze, however, when The Aggrolites hit the stage. And they did — hit it, I mean, quite literally demanding energy that the audience was all-too-willing to give. Aggro-reggae is not your typical Three-Little-Birds Kumbaya crunchy time hippie fest (not that there’s anything wrong with that); it’s aggro — aggressive, in your face, danceyourtailoff, get down music, that still promotes love and peace but not at the cost of softening the edge and sounding like wusses (not that there’s anything wrong with that). It’s soul and good times and the best of ’68-’72 rocksteady and ska played by guys who look like they were definitely not the band geeks, but rather the bullies who beat them up, took their instruments, and schooled the sh-t out of ‘em.
Frontman Jesse Wagner strutted about the stage in his usual mix of charm and menace, with raw vocals and shout-choruses that the audience couldn’t get enough of. The band wisely mixed new songs from their fourth full length album, IV (Hellcat Records), with old favorites like “Mr. Misery” and “Work It,” seamlessly transitioning between tempos and style to demonstrate mastered musical prowess (and to keep the audience da-da-dancin’). Some of my favorite moments were when the beat slowed enough for Jesse to show his soul chops, and honestly, every time Roger Rivas let loose on the organ. Brian Dixon, who rarely stopped pacing as the band’s rhythm guitarist-on-the-prowl, and backbone-bassist Jeff Roffredo had the grooves on lock (you heard me). Completed with baby-faced drummer Alex McKenzie, they redefined “in the pocket” and would have had jazz cats shaking in their polyrhythmed boots.
In summary, The Aggrolites never disappoint. Ever. The audience left in clear agreement that we would follow the band to the earth’s edge (or into Berkeley on a Sunday, as it were) to get our fix of dirty reggae, to chant “A.G.G.R.O.” through the night, and, depending on the number of Red Stripes, to continue chanting into our bosses’ faces come Monday morning.
Photo Credit: (c)Â www.aggroreggae.com
Posted by:
Lauren Nagel - has posted 31 posts on The Owl Mag.
Oakland-based Lauren Nagel, slowly becoming the hipster she so fondly ridicules. Wanna get featured in The Lo Down? Contact Lo at lauren@theowlmag.com
Posted on 15 June 2010.
21 Responses to “THE LO DOWN: The Aggrolites @ The Shattuck Down Low 6/13/10”
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f–k yeah.
Saw these guys before but had to miss this show. Sooooo much fun. I'll be there next time!
You hit the nail on the head, reviewer. My sentiments exactly!
Woo! I like music!
well written, well informed. Keep these reviews coming!
Nice review. Me likes.
I love the Aggrolites, but i didn't go to the show cause live shows can be – you know, like you said, smelly and crowded. I will definitely go next time, though. Thanks.
excellent review! I'll go see them next time they're in town!
Your review succeeded in two things. 1) It made me want to see and listen to more of the Aggrolites music. 2) It made me acutely aware of how long it's been since I showered. I intend to take action on both of these fronts. The world thanks you
Amazing review! I want to see them!
I'll definitely have to check out the Aggrolites the next time they're in town. Your review reminded me how much I like this music. Thanks!
this review actually makes me kinda want to see this band that i would never have any interest in seeing. and you are funny.
If only you were there to review the post-show; things at the club were just starting to smell a little sweeter as the venue slowly turned into a reggae/dancehall dance.
This is a well written review and I couldn't have said it better.
BTW, thank you for mentioning Three Little Birds and Kumbaya in one sentence. Oh! And thank you for also mentioning the jam-band brofessional dancer. He was a winner that night. Keep up the good work.
Nice review! Very funny!
"i need more soul with my music", yeah!
Nice review! Definitely check out New Zealand's THE BLACK SEEDS on July 28 @ Slims in SF. Nice blend of reggae and soul
Woah folks, thanks for the love! In summary, yeah, reggae can smell and yeah, go see The Aggrolites.
Jenny, do The Black Seeds dub out every song? I'd love to check 'em, but I'm more into SOUL! than souuuuullllllll. KnowwhatI'msayin?
thanks again. check back for more musings with THE LO DOWN soon.
Sounds like I missed a great show . . . It's rare to find such a funny and yet informative review. I will definitely be following The Lo Down to know what to see/listen to next.
I wish I knew what "Three-Little-Birds Kumbaya" meant. i think i'm covered on the crunchy hippy part.
I have to imagine that danceyourtailoff-ing contributes to the fragrance… based on the review, I won't hesitate to miss a show should an opportunity arise. . .but I'll be wearing deodorant.
*WON'T miss….won't hesitate to SEE…..right.