Alter-Native and Silverback Present: Viva Ras Vegas, a Reggae Rock Weekend at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas at The Linq Promenade on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 1 – 2 at 6:30 p.m. Z (Pictured: The Expendables – Photo credit: the D Casino Hotel Las Vegas).
In fewer than four years, Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas has become the go-to spot for some of the biggest and best reggae and island-rhythm groups in the world. The two-night Viva Ras Vegas will be an intersectional celebration of reggae, ska diaspora, Jamaican reggae, SoCal punk-reggae, and Hawaiian and Jahwaiian reggae.
NIGHT ONE of Viva Ras Vegas will feature headliner, and Brooklyn Bowl veteran, The Expendables. The SoCal surf rock quartet comprised of friends Geoff Weers (guitar, vocals), Adam Patterson (drums, vocals), Raul Bianchi (lead guitar) and Ryan DeMars (bass) spent seven years releasing full-length independent albums. In 2009, they hit the road, opening for notable acts NOFX, Less Than Jake, Pennywise, Pepper and 311. The group continues to produce good vibes through their high-energy live performances.
Directly preceding The Expandables will be Anuhea (Anuheake’alaokalokelani Jenkins). The self-taught guitar player and songwriter began her career in Hawaii, skipping water polo practice to go back to the dorms to jam out to recently printed guitar chords of Bob Marley and Jack Johnson songs. Anuhea has since shared the stage with the likes of Bruno Mars, Babyface, Al Green and FloRida. On Sept. 1 at Brooklyn Bowl, she will share the stage with another all star lineup of talent. Spawnbreezie, another Brooklyn Bowl alumnus, will follow with his unique brand of “Island Hip Hop.” Spawnbreezie’s blend of hip hop percussion, reggae skank and island vocals are familiar to those who know him and refreshing to those who may be hearing him for the first time. The Aggrolites, the Los Angeles-based self-proclaimed “Dirty Reggae” band that encompasses the spirit of reggae with the grit and determination of soul, will open night one.
NIGHT TWO of Viva Ras Vegas will be headlined by Long Beach Dub Allstars (LBDAS). The dub/ska/punk outfit was formed by Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh, who met as kids in 1979. They would go on to form Sublime with Bradley Nowell and, subsequently, LBDAS in 1996 after Nowell passed. Frequent Sublime contributors Michael “Miguel” Happoldt, Todd Forman and “Field” Marshall Goodman were also members of LBDAS. Though the group has gone through many iterations, including a decade-long hiatus from 2002 to 2012, the spirit of LBDAS lives on through Opie Ortiz (vocals), Jack Maness (keyboard, guitar, vocals), Peter Schumacher (bass), Happoldt (guitar), Goodman (as Ras MG, drums, turntables, percussion) and Tim Wu (saxophones, flute, vocals).
Immediately supporting LBDAS will be legendary reggae artist Don Carlos. Born in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, Don Carlos began his singing career in 1973. For decades Don Carlos has worked alongside Goldie, his sidekick, co-writer and back-up vocalist, building a loyal following through live shows and his 12 solo albums. Hirie, a seven-piece band fronted by the eponymous global citizen – born in the Philippines, raised in Italy and settling in Hawaii – takes the stage second on Sept. 2. The San Diego-based band that offers an uplifting experience to all its listeners takes its name from “H” for “Hawaii,” and the feeling if “Irie,” that old Rastafarian greeting and term of approval. Night two will start off with Law, a Long Beach City, Calif. Band, spreading their message through straightforward, to-the-point, no-nonsense rock music.
Viva Ras Vegas Lineup
Friday, Sept. 1
- The Expendables – headliner
- Anuhea
- Spawnbreezie
- The Aggrolites
Saturday, Sept. 2
- Long Beach Dub Allstars – headliner (former members of Sublime)
- Don Carlos
- Hirie
- Law
Viva Ras Vegas at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas is for ages 18 and up. Single-day general admission tickets start at $23 (two-day passes start at $46, both plus applicable service fees) and are on sale to the public on Friday, June 23, at 10 a.m. PT at the Brooklyn Bowl box office, by calling 877.987.6487 or online.
