http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/music/2009/06/scene_jah_warrior_shelter_hi_f.html
Reggae: still fresh? Yes. A lot of stereotypes have attached themselves to reggae over the years, not all of them good or true. But this is the Bay, a blazing nexus for the sound, and a spirit of liveliness and innovation can always be found here — especially if members of the classic Jah Warrior Shelter Hi Fi sound system are twisting it. Since 1988, the crew has been rocksteady on the roots scene — and hardly a evening goes by that you won’t find Rocker T, Jah Yzer, I-vier, or Irie Dole lighting up the decks or the mic with his unique approach somewhere. Serious with that: besides Jah Warrior Shelter’s weekly Bless Up joint at Milk every Tuesday (celebrating its five-year anniversary July 14) and Toppa Top blast at Club Six every Thursday night, the crew brings the fire to EndUp, Laszlo, Luka’s, Pier 23, Oasis, Jelly’s … I-Vier co-helms KPFA’s Reggae Express show with Spliff Skankin, the sound system has snagged numerous soundclash competition titles, and Jah Warrior Shelter mixtapes flow like rolling verbiage throughout the scene. Check out their mad productivity at www.jahwarriorshelter.com.
SFBG Why do you think reggae has found such a home here?
Irie Dole San Francisco has always been a hub for reggae music and performers. The hippie movement’s peace and love vibration naturally attracted Rastas — foundation artists Jacob Miller and Hugh Mundell were known to be around the city quite a bit. With San Francisco’s beautiful landscape, healthy food, and lax weed laws, reggae just fell into place with a lot of people of our generation. California is the ganja capital of the world, the Bay Area is the reggae capitol of California — San Francisco is the place to be.
SFBG Have you seen the scene evolve at all?
Irie Dole It has definitely evolved over my short career — there used to be more Caribbean folks here who fed the scene with personal and social interests and raised the demand for events and goods. Without the core Caribbean [being so] massive anymore, and the city cracking down on the nightlife, central venues like Maritime Hall and events like Reggae in the Park have fallen by the wayside. But the reggae community is always there, always younger folks who have been brought up on the One Love mentality, with motivation to make things better.
I-Vier It’s good and growing. I’m always surprised by how many people are in tune with Jamaican and reggae dancehall out here. It seems as though every day there’s a new person that connects. It’s all about the youth, because they are obviously the future. One of my favorite things is to hear friends say that their little brother, sister, and even students borrow/steal one of our mix CDs. It’s good to know that positive music is reaching Bay Area youth.
SFBG What do you think of dubstep, which has its roots in reggae and dub music?
Irie Dole Reggae has spawned so many variations that I wasn’t shocked when I heard about dubstep — but I was surprised when I heard how unique it is. Someone really stretched the boundaries with that one.
I-Vier Dubstep is a newer subgenre of reggae that is gaining huge momentum.
I think of it as wicked hardcore steppers-style infused with house. Definitely influenced by roots reggae, but there’s also lots of classic and current dancehall dubstep remixes too.
SFBG Your events are more lively than some expect …
Irie Dole Our parties our always high energy and positive. We pride ourselves on pleasing the crowd — they come first. People also check us out to hear what’s new or what’s poppin’. Jah Yzer keeps it nicer, mixing all the classics just right, I-Vier busts the newest tunes, and Irie Dole makes sure the party never stops.
I-Vier What sets us apart from a lot of other reggae and dancehall DJs is our ability to read crowds and mix new with old. You can find us playing all kinds parties from dub to hardcore dancehall, hip-hop, even salsa.
Jah Yzer We mix with the fire. People know when they come see us, they’re gonna dance.
BLESS UP
Tuesdays, 9 p.m., $7
Milk
1840 Haight, SF.
www.milksf.com
TOPPA TOP
Thursdays, 9 p.m., $5
Club Six
66 Sixth St., SF.
www.clubsix1.com
Popularity: unranked [?]
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