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Pink Floyd has approved. Thom Yorke touts them onstage. Who knew a rasta cover band could pull this off with such panache? Take a deep breath (hold it!) and meet the Easy Star All Stars.
The NYC dub reggae collective first caught the attention of stoners in dorm rooms everywhere with their re-imagining of the seminal “Dark Side of the Moon” album. Then came “Radiodread,” a complete dub version of “OK Computer” in its entirety. The latest is “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band,” an updated Jamaican version of…well, you know. It’s been reported that they asked for and received approval from Radiohead themselves, as well as the remaining members of Pink Floyd, and that Thom Yorke has actually plugged the record during a show. Time will tell if Sir Paul and Sir Ringo will also reciprocate.
On paper, the idea of reggae covers of classic albums made my hipster bones itch, but I have to admit that all three records are fun, and in the Fujirock setting (sun-kissed mountain stages packed with perma-grin college students), their set will be infectious.
Let’s just hope that no lawsuits from the McCartney estate roll in. Hey Paul! Don’t bogart that copyright, my friend.
Video from SXSW on WIRED
Their SITE
Their MYSPACE
Feature on eMUSIC
“Dub” and Oz
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