Destroy Babylon
| Destroy Babylon | |
|---|---|
 photo by Lara Woolfson |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | DB, The Culture Pirates, The Swearwolves |
| Origin | Hudson, New Hampshire, United States |
| Genres | Dub, Punk, Reggae |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Associated acts | The Swearwolves, 10 Foot Ganja Plant |
| Website | DestroyBabylon.com |
| Members | |
| John Beaudette Marc Beaudette Rob Carmichael Casey Gruttadauria |
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| Past members | |
| Chris Moran Jon Mercer |
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Destroy Babylon are a Boston, Massachusetts based band originally from Hudson, New Hampshire. Their music is influenced by the Jamaican backing bands of the 1970's and 1980's, dub, and punk rock, while their lyrics address political and social issues.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] 2001-2008
Twin brothers John and Marc Beaudette formed Destroy Babylon with their friend Chris Moran during the summer of 2001 in Hudson, New Hampshire, before attending college.[2] The band name was taken from a song by the Bad Brains. They began writing music influenced by the energy and DIY ethics of punk rock and the rhythms of Roots reggae and Dub music. The band relocated to Boston in 2005 and released their first full-length, Oligopuzzled, in 2006 on their own Music ADD label.[3] Rob Carmichael joined the band on lead guitar and they released two EPs, sEParation and The Shadow Army.[4][5] Jon Mercer then joined the band on keys and live dub effects, and after some national touring, released a live full-length, Backyard Babylon.
[edit] 2009-2010
Destroy Babylon gained national airplay with their 2009 single, Culture Pirates, released on a 7" vinyl record packaged with a 28-page art book. In January 2009, the band started a "Dub of the Month" series, releasing a new song once a month for a full year. Each song debuted on WMBR's Pipeline! show. The 12 songs were collected and released as Dub of Ages, Vol. 1 in 2010. DB toured and supported the likes of Lee "Scratch" Perry, The Wailers, Eek-A-Mouse, Bad Brains frontman HR, plus contemporaries like The Slackers, The Aggrolites, Dub Trio, and Westbound Train, among others.[6]
[edit] 2011-Present
The band worked with Craig Welsch (John Brown's Body, 10 Foot Ganja Plant) on their latest full-length, Long Live the Vortex. Both Jon Mercer and Chris Moran left the band before the album was released. John Beaudette switched to bass and Casey Gruttadauria joined on keys. In August the band completed a short tour with the Easy Star All-Stars.
[edit] Discography
- Long Live the Vortex (2011)
- Dub of Ages Vol. 2 (2010)
- Dub of Ages Vol. 1 (2010)
- Culture Pirates (2009)
- Backyard Babylon: Live in Queens (2008)
- The Shadow Army (2008)
- sEParation (2007)
- Oligopuzzled (2006)
[edit] References
- ^ Nate Leskovic, Performer Magazine article, "Destroy Babylon: Blast Away the Reggae Stereotypes", October, 2009.
- ^ Josh Bails, The Tech (newspaper) Live Review, September 2007
- ^ J-Sin, Smother Magazine review of Oligopuzzled, August, 2006.
- ^ J-Sin, Smother Magazine review of sEParation, July, 2007.
- ^ Melina Moore, Performer Magazine review of sEParation, August, 2007.
- ^ Nate Leskovic, Performer Magazine article, "Destroy Babylon: Blast Away the Reggae Stereotypes", October, 2009.
