Tribal Seeds / The Expendables
- MIKE LOVE / SIMPKIN PROJECT
TRIBAL SEEDS
Based in San Diego, rock-reggae band Tribal Seeds approach their music from a unique angle, influenced by bands like Steel Pulse and Aswad more than the common touchstone of Sublime. Formed in 2005 by the Jacobo brothers, singer Steven and keyboardist Tony-Ray, the group released its debut album, Youth Rebellion, that same year. The album was the first of many to be issued on the group’s own label, including a self-titled album in 2008 and The Harvest in 2009. The SoundWaves EP followed in 2011, while 2014’s Representing cracked the Billboard 200 albums chart. The album featured guest appearances from Don Carlos, Mykal Rose and Midnite’s Vaughn Benjamin. Tribal Seeds released the aptly titled Roots Party three years later.
THE EXPENDABLES
Santa Cruz, California-based outfit The Expendables play reggae, ska, pop, punk and surf-influenced rock tailor-made for sunbaked good times. Formed in 1997, the quartet features the talents of Geoff Weers on guitar and vocals, Raul Bianchi on lead guitar, Ryan DeMars on bass and Adam Patterson on drums and vocals. The Expendables self-released two albums before releasing Gettin’ Filthy via Pony Canyon in 2004. After signing to Stoopid Records, The Expendables released their eponymous fourth album in 2007. The year 2010 saw the release of Prove It, their fifth studio long-player, then Gone Soft in 2012, their first all-acoustic album, featuring pared-down acoustic versions of some of their best-known tracks. The band’s seventh studio album, Sand in the Sky, followed in 2015.
MIKE LOVE
Mike Love developed his multifaceted sound due to his lifelong passion for performance. Love stepped on stage for the first time at age 16 and never looked back. Over the course of his early years, Love was involved with several bands and often played solo gigs, honing his craft through rigorous gigging and an openness to new ideas. His first solo recordings materialized in 2012 with the release of The Change I’m Seeking, the first look at Love’s genre-bending approach that mixed roots reggae, acoustic singer/songwriter fare, tightly arranged adult pop and other wide-ranging styles.
