Palmer Events Center
Look Beyond Marley and Matisyahu
RECEIVED Fri., Feb. 2, 2007
Dear Editor,
Imagine, as a rock & roll fan, if METV aired bluegrass music all day, every day, and spliced in the occasional Beatles, Julian Lennon, and Whitesnake as their only rock selections. Imagine, going to see Wilco at the Red Eyed Fly to a half-full room, while droves of people pushed by you, on their way to Emo's to see Joe ToneDeaf & the Drunkshitz. Imagine, if every time Whitesnake came to town, they filled huge venues, while the Stones paced out on Sixth Street to offer guest-list spots to frat boys so they wouldn't play an empty room.
That's my world! Bob Marley, Damian Marley, and goddamned Matisyahu are the only reggae they play on METV. The latter two are the only reggae acts that will fill a room in the "live music capital." Matisyahu relying on the dirtiest and most unforgivable trick: Fakin' Jamaican (anyone remember "Informer"?). King without a crown, indeed. Just a Phish-head, hip-hop wannabe with a glimpse of a niche as the reggae rabbi.
Time and time again, I'm shocked to see the tiny listing for the Flamingo Cantina contain names of veritable legends in the reggae world. Men and women whose lives have been dedicated to this beautifully heavy, African/island hybrid. Clinton Fearon, Dean Fraser, Doreen Shaffer, Capleton, Luciano, Itals – all the heavy hitters, playing to a half-filled room of people who are evenly divided between fans of the music and people hoping the word "ganja" might be chanted. "420, bra! Pass the J, Travis! Let's Hacky Sack and do a bizarre hippy dance! Irie!"
Can METV, KGSR, and the Chronicle look beyond Marley and Matisyahu? Check out Art Baker's Jamaican Gold on KOOP radio for some show tips as well as some swell, real-deal tunes on Sundays. See a reggae show or two at the Flamingo if you like Bob Marley. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Imagine, as a rock & roll fan, if METV aired bluegrass music all day, every day, and spliced in the occasional Beatles, Julian Lennon, and Whitesnake as their only rock selections. Imagine, going to see Wilco at the Red Eyed Fly to a half-full room, while droves of people pushed by you, on their way to Emo's to see Joe ToneDeaf & the Drunkshitz. Imagine, if every time Whitesnake came to town, they filled huge venues, while the Stones paced out on Sixth Street to offer guest-list spots to frat boys so they wouldn't play an empty room.
That's my world! Bob Marley, Damian Marley, and goddamned Matisyahu are the only reggae they play on METV. The latter two are the only reggae acts that will fill a room in the "live music capital." Matisyahu relying on the dirtiest and most unforgivable trick: Fakin' Jamaican (anyone remember "Informer"?). King without a crown, indeed. Just a Phish-head, hip-hop wannabe with a glimpse of a niche as the reggae rabbi.
Time and time again, I'm shocked to see the tiny listing for the Flamingo Cantina contain names of veritable legends in the reggae world. Men and women whose lives have been dedicated to this beautifully heavy, African/island hybrid. Clinton Fearon, Dean Fraser, Doreen Shaffer, Capleton, Luciano, Itals – all the heavy hitters, playing to a half-filled room of people who are evenly divided between fans of the music and people hoping the word "ganja" might be chanted. "420, bra! Pass the J, Travis! Let's Hacky Sack and do a bizarre hippy dance! Irie!"
Can METV, KGSR, and the Chronicle look beyond Marley and Matisyahu? Check out Art Baker's Jamaican Gold on KOOP radio for some show tips as well as some swell, real-deal tunes on Sundays. See a reggae show or two at the Flamingo if you like Bob Marley. I promise, you won't be disappointed.
Thanks,
Willy Camero
Willy Camero