New Heavy

"In all languages, this music simply rocks." The Wire (UK)

"The Sonic Youth of Dub." Dub-O-Rama

Dub Trio is one of the few bands that can open for Mike Patton (featured on this record), reggae legends The Wailers, hip-hop MC Beans, electro-pioneers Meat Beat Manifesto, firebrand Capleton, jazz-funkers Soulive, and electronica maestro Prefuse 73 (all of which they did in 2005). It speaks volumes about their music's versatility, one minute it's gummy dub, the next it's chest-beating, chug-a-lug metal, shredding punk, and bleeped-out electronic psychedelia. At its best, Dub Trio's music is simultaneously all these and more. Their sophomore album, aptly-titled New Heavy, is undoubtedly a rock record that retains enough dubby elements to save the boys a name-change:

Dub is the foundation. It's in everything we do, whether it's the structure, the effects, or the bass line. It's what all other elements are based on. You hear that even on the heaviest parts of the new record. -Joe Tomino, drummer

New Heavy is indeed heavy, and hard. It references Metallica more than Marley, and features the one and only Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr Bungle, Tomahawk, Fantomas) on "Not Alone," which Billboard Magazine describes as "an old school Faith No More-style rocker."

How did this collaboration come about? Simple. Mike Patton heard Dub Trio's music. Yep, that's all it took. No mutual friends, no money, no label pressure, just a few rough mixes from the New Heavy sessions and Patton knew they were on to something:

Dub Trio are very talented musicians that cover many different genres in each piece they play. They are doing something that very few artists are doing today, and doing it their own way. -Mike Patton

This versatility and singularity has as much to do with musical acumen as it does with the communication between each member's unique personality:

We have our own musical language. We communicate with each other through our instruments, eye contact, energy. That's why no two live shows are the same, no two performances of a song. That's also why it's as important to see us as it is to hear us, because you can see that interaction on stage. -Stu Brooks, bassist




Praise for Exploring The Dangers Of...:

"Like King Tubby, this hot & visceral little trio makes a little go a long way." -VILLAGE VOICE

"Dub Trio follow their instincts, bastardizing the genre's rules by incorporating electronics, noise & winding paths of unconventional, proggish rock...Dub Trio's Jamaican color is drawn expertly by human hand (no drum machines were ever employed) with dubs performed on the fly...Exploring the Dangers of is a smart, inventive record that captures of-the-moment dub/rock creation as it flows from the spigot." -SPLENDID

"Dub Trio is to dub what The New Deal is to house music." -JAMBANDS.COM

"An outstanding introduction to their unusual style...Very highly recommended. 4 Stars" ALL MUSIC

"In all languages this music simply rocks. Top Dub Album of 2004" THE WIRE (uk)

"Part dub danger, part psychedelic madlib, Exploring is outstanding." XLR8R

"The Sonic Youth of dub." Dub-O-Rama