Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

Posted by Todd Pritchard

THE SKINNY: Attention all reggae fans: I've had the good fortune of coming across a band from Rochester, NY which goes by the name Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. GPGDS is an arsenal of six musicians shedding true Roots Reggae and experimental Dub that will make you bob your head until it falls off.

MYSPACE: http://myspace.com/giantpandadub
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/giantpandadub
PURCHASE: iTunes
MERCH: District Lines

I had the pleasure of catching these guys at a gig in NYC two years ago and it was the best live reggae experience I’ve ever had. The slow jam grooves were so heavy it literally put me in a trance for the entire show. The most unique aspect of the group is the vocals which are both catchy and rhythmic. The strong, rhythmic lead vocals are fronted by Matthew O’Brian while bassist James Searl fills out the sound with his constant and effective vocal harmonies. The percussive groove is so deep that drummer Christoper O’Brian will have you drowning in his pocket from song start to finish. A Hammond B3 Organ is played by Aaron Lipp while Rachel Orke glides through changes on a Rhodes. Finally, Dylan Savage handles tripped out lead guitar and vocals, finalizing a powerfully talented sextet trained in the arts of dub.

GPGDS has played with everyone from Steel Pulse to G Love & Special Sauce. They are true road dogs and never stop playing. My favorite track, "Foundation," has a slippery groove, delayed vocals, and guitar that sucks you in hard. This song, along with their (mostly live) catalog represents love, creation, and great music, and this is revealed in every note. These guys are the reggae movement for the new era.

FAVORITE TRACK: "Foundation", "International Mother"
FOR FANS OF: Reggae, Funk, Dub