Spiritual Rez: A Funky Fresh Spin on Reggae

Spiritual Rez rocking out.

Add a handful of Red Hot Chili Peppers to a cup of Bob Marley, then add a tablespoon of energy from the sun, and top it off with a pinch of potent soul, and you have just brewed the unpredictable and explosive reggae funk dance party known as Spiritual Rez. Spiritual Rez has gained fame as Boston’s top reggae band through purely grassroots efforts and by playing annually with bands such as Gogol Bordello, John Brown’s Body, and Badfish.

Formed in 2003, six young Berklee students united in their love of music to form one of the most exciting bands to come out of Boston. Throughout their 3 albums, they have flawlessly intertwined genres, spanning the musical spectrum from funk to psychedelic to metal. Their latest effort, titled The Nexus (2010), effectively blends their individual talents into thirteen beautifully crafted songs that reveal one simple message: have a good time. Whether it’s the trance-inducing sounds of “One Light,”  the fun and carefree riffs of “Alone Again,” the bouncy and Sublime-esque tones of “Baby’s Mama,” or head-banging bridge of “Steve Got Arrested,” Spiritual Rez manages to stimulate all the senses. Yet the band’s raw talent really shines on the stage, as their shows give the audience a glimpse into the soul kitchen in which Spiritual Rez cooks their powerful concoctions.

Spiritual Rez rocking out.
Bassist Jesse Shaternick joins singer Toft Willingham in harmonizing vocals during a concert. | Photo courtesy of Spiritual Rez

From the second that Spiritual Rez steps on the stage, the audience is assaulted on all fronts with an array of textures and tones. In one moment you will be sent into a sudden frenzy as Ian Miller flails away on the drums as if he had ten arms, reminiscent of a young Keith Moon. The guitar follows with charismatic rhythms and smooth tones that tingle the spine. The talented dancing brass section composed of trombonist Bryan House and saxophonist Kory Stanbury play perfectly in sync while somehow managing to dance like their legs are made of jelly. The hidden weapon that plays the bass, Jesse Shaternick, slyly lays down an infectious yet funky groove. All this is topped off with lead singer Toft Willingham’s smooth emotional vocals and his uncanny ability to woo and pull the crowd in with an invisible hand. His soulful preaching elicits a mystical state in which his words begin to reside in your soul. All together, the sounds of Spiritual Rez swallow you in a capsule of musical revelation.

A band with this much energy and chemistry on stage must have an unrivaled passion for music. In an interview with drummer Ian “Meat” Miller, he commented on the unspoken bond between his bandmates and the endless joy of playing music for a living. “Music is my favorite drug. Music is such an escape for the band–there is so much energy throughout the whole show. Our message is really all about having a good time.”

Throughout the years, Spiritual Rez has seen many lineup changes, the most recent occurring in August 2011 when esteemed lead guitarist and musical virtuoso Van Gordon Martin left the band to lead a solo career. The split was amicable on both sides and the newly minted 5-piece continued on with a resurgence of creativity in their music and shows. The band, as always, kept a positive attitude, with Miller remarking, “Adversity is to be looked at and smiled at. You must turn adversity into opportunity, keep growing as a band, and go on with your goal, which is try to make the world a better place through music.”

The year 2012 holds promising opportunities for Spiritual Rez, as they are in the midst of recording their fourth album and preparing to go on their next yearlong tour around the nation with a new guitarist. Don’t miss their show on January 28 at the Middle East in Cambridge, just in time to warm up chilly New England with what is known as “the craziest dance party you’ll ever be a part of.”

To learn more about Spiritual Rez, visit their website or their Facebook page. To take a listen to their album, The Nexus, visit their Bandcamp page

About Camilo Pardo

Camilo Pardo (CAS ’13) hails from the land of crabcakes and Old Bay (Baltimore). Here at BU, he studies Environmental Policy and Public Health. When he is not in class, he’s playing his guitar, Paloma. If you want to discuss anything music or science, he is your go-to guy.

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