It’s no secret that Reggae music originated from the island nation of Jamaica. However, other Caribbean island musical styles such as Calypso, ska, rock steady, reggaetone, junkeroo, and dancehall has been influenced by elements of African rhythms and American blues. For the most part, Reggae offers crafty, mesmerizing bass lines coupled with haunting rhythmic drum beats with off-beat accents throughout. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who, along with King Tubby, perhaps the most noted Jamaican producer and songwriter, was responsible for launching the careers of many reggae musicians, including Bob Marley, The Wailers, and the Congos. Mainstream reggae acts such as Grammy-winner Burning Spear and Massive Attack’s Horace Andy spread reggae music beyond the islands. However, none can match Bob Marley in terms of popularizing this music to the rest of world. In addition to Marley’s popularity, other artists with Reggae roots – Johnny Nash, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, helped bring reggae music to the forefront of popular culture following Marley’s untimely death in 1981. Popular crossover British bands such as The Police, UB40, Selector, The Clash and The Specials fused reggae music with rock.

Tampa-based reggae outfit Grass Roots is no exception.  Bay Area Beat sat with Jthe band following their gig at the Jerk Hut in Tampa. Grass Roots guitarist Jerry is from the US virgin islands, singer Singing Cool and Richie Fross are from Jamaica.

Bay Area Beat: How long has GRASS ROOTS been together?

A: (JERRY): We’ve been playing music with each other for only three months but we’ve kow each other for over five years.

BAB: How long have you been playing in the area?

A: (RICHIE GROSS): Well, we frequently play in Bay Area but I would say we’ve played consistently 18 months or so. We really like playing the Jerk Hut (on East Fowler Avenue in Tampa) because it’s a good place to play and the owner supports local music. The (Jerk) Hut is probably our main gig but we’re looking play other places like the Hard Rock Café or similar venues because places like the Hard Rock offer more exposure and opportunity for us and reggae music.

BAB: How does GRASS ROOTS feel about the Reggae scene in the Bay Area?

A: (RICHIE FROSS):  I really think there’s a strong reggae scene but I also believe it needs to be marketed and exposed. I definitely feel the reggae vibe when I hang out in the Bay Area.

(JERRY): The Bay Area has a somewhat “touristy” vibe, y’know? Reggae bands that play original music may find it difficult to get steady good paying gigs because we’re playing original music. People have told us we’re better off selling plates of food or cases of beer because we don’t regularly play popular reggae songs that people want to hear. We choose to play original material even though the local scene – especially the media, doesn’t support local artists playing original music.

BAB: What are some of the places you’ve enjoyed playing in the Bay Area?

A: (All) The Jerk Hut! The Jerk Hut! The Jerk Hut! It’s the best and most friendliest place we’ve played so far. Good environment! Good vibe. Good food! Simply, the best!

(RICHIE FROSS): When we play the Jerk Hut, we always get a good, supportive crowd. The Hard Rock is a good place to play. So is the Florida Fairgrounds. One day we’d like to establish a reggae venue in downtown Tampa, or do a festival at the Ford Amphitheater and expose people to reggae music and let them know what it’s all about.

BAB:  How many reggae bands are in the Bay Area?

A: (RICHIE FROSS): There are plenty of good reggae bands in the area. For example, there’s JAH FARI and countless others like GRASS ROOTS still fighting for decent exposure in the reggae scene. The main thing is for reggae bands to seize any opportunity to get their name out there. As you can see, we’re pretty hardworking people and have our act together.

BAB: Is playing and performing Reggae music a full-time or part-time job?

A: (RICHIE FROSS): Yeah mon, for the most part, GRASS ROOTS is a full-time gig because the music takes almost 100% of our time. We’re still trying to get things done on the side but to answer your question, the music gig is becoming a full-time occupation these days.

BAB: What are your musical influences?

A: (JERRY): As a guitarist, I admire everybody from STEEL FORCE to BOB MARLEY. It’s really difficult to pinpoint one particular musical influence because I listen to plenty of guitar music. I like (original Wailers guitarist) JUNIOR MARVINI and I enjoy channeling that energy so prevalent in BOB MARLEY’s reggae-blues style of guitar playing. 

(RICHIE FROSS): I have many musical influences because music has always been my first love. I listen to artists like MICHAEL JACSKSON, RON ISLEY, and, of course, BOB MARLEY. If I had to break it down, reggae music in general is perhaps my biggest musical influence because of its spiritual nature. Reggae music is the most moving music in the industry.

(SINGING COOL): I really like GARNETT SILK because he’s from the same district as me. He helped put reggae music on the local map and I appreciate it!  

BAB: What can we expect from GRASS ROOTS in the near future?

A: (SINGING COOL): Well, I can say this: We want to take this to a much higher level. We also have a CD we’re recording. We want to bring it back to Jamaica and finish it.

(RICHIE FROSS): We have a group CD called Grassroots and it musically mirrors our roots and everything we’ve experience from the start.

BAB: What is the difference between Jamaican Reggae and, say, Reggae from other Caribbean Islands like Virgin Islands or Dominica? 

A: (JERRY):  Well, each island has its specific “twist” to reggae/Island music, but, quite honestly, the art of reggae originated in Jamaica. Reggae from the Virgin Islands and Dominica is very different from Jamaican reggae.

(RICHIE FROSS): Basically, the world loves reggae music because it’s a foundation of sorts. Reggae originated in Jamaica and spread around the world. Many islands in the Caribbean, especially the smaller islands, embrace Jamaican reggae and respect its Jamaican origins. I believe everybody who loves reggae music cherishes its Caribbean origins.

BAB: What is the current status of reggae music in North America?

A: (RICHIE FROSS): I think the status of Reggae music is very good and healthy.

(SINGING COOL): Reggae music is reaching more audiences now more than ever, considering it was limited to the Caribbean.

(JERRY): We still have a long way to go, though. Reggae artists like Kim Marley and Ziggy Marley just toured with some 80’s rock bands and that only helps increase the popularity of Reggae music and, hopefully, takes it to the next level by exposing reggae music to different audiences. However, reggae is not as popular as, say, hip hop or rap but I think it will get biiger as time moves forward. The commercial media has been very helpful in breaking hip hop into the mainstream, but I don’t see commercial media doing that for reggae music. I could be wrong, though.

(SINGING COOL):  Reggae music in America is growing but in different parts of the world such as Japan or Europe, reggae music is more popular and part of mainstream culture. I wish that were true in the United States. Reggae bands make more money and have more opportunities to tour in Europe and Japan.  If we were in Europe, we could really make a decent living playing reggae music. That’s how we would like to see reggae music in America and especially in the Bay Area.

BAB: How would you feel about doping a showcase sponsored by Bay Area Beat with other local reggae bands?

A: (RICHIE FROSS): That would be really great because it’s that media exposure for reggae music which is lacking in this area. We’d love to do something like that. Just contact us and we’ll be there! We’d like to wish your readers and those who love and follow reggae music in the Bay Area plenty of peace and love!