Show: Black Dub
Date: May 28, 2011
Venue: The Music Box
City: Los Angeles, CA
Black Dub
Photo by Nicolas Bates
Written by Michelle Oberg
Being caught off guard by a band is a rarity now days since everyone wants to be a star. But what happens when you put a group of like-minded artists together in a room with a world-renowned record producer who wants his own band? Black Dub emerges and quickly gets deemed “one of the top 25 artists to listen to this year.” Sounds of gospel, rock and blues seep from the stage and respect seems to be imminent for their conjunction from the get go. Daniel Lanois (guitar/vocals) can write songs and play a one-man-show, but, as any good producer, or person for that matter, will tell you: “there’s no I in team.” He lets each member shine as almost all of them double (even triple) up for multiple roles in the band, emphasizing their talents as a group and sharing the spotlight.
Trixie Whitley has a serious set of pipes, combining the sounds of Aja Volkman (Nico Vega) with Janis Joplin and Ida Maria. Whitley’s voice shines brightly and has a masculine touch to her indefinite femininity—distinctly heard on “Silverado.” She also doubles as a drummer while simultaneously orating the tunes, playing alongside resident percussionist Brian Blade. Blade looks like Stevie Wonder circa 1975; a real handsome fellow with long arms and lots of rhythm that has him rocking to the beats. The other smooth sounding vocals emanated from the intimidating, large bass player, Daryl Johnson, who crooned us back in time with his bluesy tone.
Though the stage lacked artistic design, it was filled with tools for creating harmonizing melodies. Patrons fit the artist’s bill with the look that at any moment the person standing next to you would join the quartet, bringing yet another tenor to the forefront.
Black Dub highlights not just beautifully crafted vocals, but long instrumentals of weeping guitar cries and dueling drum solos. They’re a one-band festival of interchanging tempos from one song to the next. “The Messenger” integrated all four to be at the forefront of the stage singing in unison. “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “Brother L.A.” were two memorable performances to add to the list as Trixie picked up a guitar for the first time to cover her own song, “I.R.G.B.” While “Brother,” lasting just over six minutes, and taking me back to the 60’s, when rock music made its name, had a little heavier guitar and psychedelic feel.
For the first time in my history of concert attending, I witnessed all members line up on stage for their farewell and take a bow after a very gracious “Thank you for coming out to see us, especially on Memorial Day weekend.” Even if the music is not your particular style, you would be of unsound mind to dismiss a group of this artistic proportion. Going into the show and not knowing what to expect, except for the acclamation of the artists that formulate Black Dub, I left feeling uplifted, inspired and astonishingly intoxicated with their performance and music. They ended their set with an extensive instrumental piece for the encore and left the crowd with the aforementioned descriptions of appreciation.
They’ve embarked on their summer tour with a mid-July stint in Europe but will return home for more U.S. dates. Be sure to check their website www.blackdub.net for all news and info. Disappointment is only applicable if you don’t see them.