John Brown's Body

Formed in Ithaca, New York, in 1996, John Brown's Body (JBB) is widely revered as a foundational pillar of the contemporary American reggae scene. Originally founded by Kevin Kinsella and drummer Tommy Benedetti, the group was among the first homegrown reggae acts to tour nationally, effectively paving the way for the genre's current thriving landscape and inspiring massive contemporary acts like Rebelution, Stick Figure, and The Movement. Rejecting standard reggae clichés, JBB pioneered a signature, heavily layered sound they dubbed "Future Roots"—a mesmerizing, complex fusion of traditional reggae and dark dub atmospherics, anchored by tight horn sections and highly sophisticated, intelligent musical architecture. Following their initial breakout in the late '90s, JBB’s trajectory permanently shifted when they joined forces with the legendary independent label Easy Star Records in 2005. This pivotal signing sparked a monumental partnership that has defined the band's legacy and yielded over seven landmark releases. Easy Star provided the perfect creative home for JBB’s intensely progressive sound, ushering in an era of unprecedented chart dominance. Their 2008 full-length record, Amplify, hit #1 on the Billboard Reggae Chart, a monumental feat they repeated with 2012's JBB In Dub EP (hitting #1 on iTunes) and 2013’s critically acclaimed Kings And Queens, which topped both the Billboard and iTunes charts. The Easy Star era also saw the band expanding their sonic horizons with remix projects like the Re-Amplify EP and their celebrated 2016 studio album Fireflies. Throughout this prolific run, with vocalist Elliot Martin largely at the helm, the band continuously toured the globe alongside heavyweights like Dave Matthews, Burning Spear, and SOJA. After taking a well-deserved, multi-year sabbatical from the road and studio following the Fireflies album, the undisputed pioneers of the scene officially relit the torch to celebrate their 30th anniversary. The embers began to burn again when Kinsella reconnected with Benedetti, leading to a triumphant live reunion with the blessing of Martin. The rejuvenated live crew features a staggering lineup of long-time JBB players spanning different eras of their history, including founding members Kinsella, Benedetti, and Lee Hamilton, alongside a powerhouse backing of Easy Star-era veterans like bassist Nate Edgar, keyboardist Jon Pentronzio, and trombonist TJ Schaper. Naturally, this milestone reunion has also reignited their enduring recording relationship with Easy Star Records. Proving that their creative fire burns as brightly as ever, JBB partnered with their longtime label family to roll out a highly anticipated slate of fresh singles. This triumphant return to the studio includes the uplifting "Hard Fight," its heavy counterpart "Hard Dub" (mixed by Tippy I Grade), the cautionary and propulsive "40,000 Years," and "Little Bit of Some," a clever lyrical reworking of a classic 2000 instrumental. Three decades into their groundbreaking journey, John Brown's Body continues to build upon their legendary Easy Star legacy, bringing an electric, reinvigorated vibe to the stage and proving their "Future Roots" sound is as vital as ever.