freedubstar
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF
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GOOD VIBES
freedubstar's lead guitarist Michael Cooke enjoys the music while performing on stage at the Arlington in Maynooth on Saturday Nov. 8. More on pages 6 and 7. Harold Eastman. Special to This Week
REGGAE PLUS: FREEDUBSTAR PLAYS THE ARLINGTON
The energy was high and the vibes were good last Saturday night at Maynooth's Arlington Hotel, thanks to the eclectic sound of freedubstar.
The Toronto-based trio describes itself as a psychedelic dub band - with an edge that comes form a mix of musical elements and influences: psychedelic rock, funk, R&B, and Ska. Michael Cooke steers the [freedubstar]ship on rhythm and lead guitar, powerhouse drummer Derek Musgrave drives it forward and Dane Wedderburn on bass lays down the fluid musical lubricant that keeps everything running smoothly. All three contribute on the vocal front, with a mix of material that includes both reinterpreted covers of some classic --reggae and otherwise--plus original material by the songwriting of [Michael Cooke and Derek] Musgrave... - Bancroft This Week
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
freedubstar is a psychedelic dub band - with an edge.
Established in Toronto in 2009, freedubstar is a high-energy, positive-vibes, singing power-trio, influenced by a multitude of styles including: Indie-rock, R&B,-funk-reggae, pop and ska. With the authentic charm of some 2 and 3 part vocal harmonies and contemporary driving grooves, freedubstar can captivate audiences with their original songs and conscious lyrics that make this 3-piece rocking reggae power-trio an act to remember.
freedubstar is a 3-piece funk-reggae band, led by Toronto-born, singer/songwriter, Michael Cooke, holding it down on lead & rhythm guitar and vocals, creating spacey textures and chunky rhythms that define their new sound. Accompanied by the powerhouse drumming of London-born [UK] singer/songwriter Derek Musgrave (aka, Deelion) and the heavy and tastefully fluid basslines of the talented Dane Wedderburn, on bass, the trio just
released their “Into The Dub” EP this past October, 2014 and are finishing their first album this year in time for summer, 2015.
The idea for freedubstar was born when Michael Cooke met Jamaican-born reggae drummer sensation - The legendary - "Raffa Dean" who showed him the power of Roots music with conscious lyrics. These two individuals from different worlds apart, collided and together, they discovered they shared a similar dream, which was; to create a "dream band" that worked together to create harmony in the world through music and words. Through some of the many incarnations of the band, there were some personnel changes along the way, but for a time, Raffa had his “dream line-up” in keyboard-legend, Bernie Pitters, and bass player Garry Lowe from Big Sugar. Raffa is no longer with us but the power of his spirit continues to guide us in the pursuit of excellence through music.
When Michael Cooke met Derek Musgrae at Raffa Dean’s funeral in June, 2014, they bonded instantly and made a pact to keep the freedubstar dream alive. Since his arrival in 1972, Deelion has a long history of working with Raffa Dean in Toronto as one of few singing rasta drummers, often filling in for each other on local gigs and international tours. Deelion recalls being backstage at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1979 where Bob Marley himself, encouraged them both to pursue music - and in 1980 - when reggae was making its mark on the world stage, Derek Musgrave was representing Jamaica at the World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo, Japan. For Derek Musgrave, joining up with Michael Cooke so that freedubstar
could continue is the ultimate act of covering for our brothers and keeping the faith in music alive. With some catchy, original songwriting of their own, and covering some of their favorite classic reggae grooves, the new freedubstar is guaranteed to get people moving on the dance floor.
You can check us out online at: www.freedubstar.com
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