Formed in 2001 in the sticks of Hudson NH and relocating to the bricks of Boston in 2005, Destroy Babylon has taken the idea of "punky reggae" to the next level. DB has shared the stage with legends that have greatly influenced the band such as Lee “Scratch” Perry, The Wailers, Eek-A-Mouse, HR (of Bad Brains), and The English Beat, in addition to shows with contemporaries like Dub Trio, The Aggrolites, The Slackers, and Westbound Train.
The band, however, is more concerned with the evolution of their own unique sound; a mix of vintage Jamaican and British dub, post-punk energy, and 1960’s psych rock. Lyrically, they tackle topical issues with fervor and wit, while honoring the tradition of using roots reggae to address social ills and less convenient issues.
The latest single "Culture Pirates" finds the band incorporating elements of 1960's pop in the mix with it's soaring vocal harmonies, while "Gimme Dub" recreates a Black Uhuru classic into a foot-stomping dub-rock anthem. The Culture Pirates CD also features elements of hip-hop on "Lights on the Shadow" and exotic jazz fusion with their cover of Alice Coltrane's "Journey in Satchidananda." Culture Pirates is available on 7" colored vinyl packaged in a beautiful 28 page art book that comes with bonus digital downloads including a self-produced music video.
Destroy Babylon has released several albums on their own Music ADD label, which also includes their alter-rock-ego, The Swearwolves (formerly Growlers). After years of DIY recording and recent national touring, DB's fan base is greatly expanding beyond the New England borders catching people's attention regardless of their musical tastes. Keep a close eye on Babylon- it's destruction is well underway.
John Beaudette - vox / gits / horn / melodica
Marc Beaudette - drums / perc / vox
Chris Moran - bass / keys
Rob Carmichael - gits / vox
Jon Mercer - keys / fx / horn |
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"Roots reggae/dub protectors Destroy Babylon are a case study in DIY success... they've diligently built themselves an empire that landed them on bills this summer with some architects of the sacred sounds they proselytize: The Wailers, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Eek-A-Mouse... the crew began and remains fiercely independent."
Performer Magazine '09
"Rooted in dub, hip-hop and post-punk ethos, Destroy Babylon casts and anguished eye on society and never looks back. Five friends from Hudson, NH join forces on "The Shadow Army," and all original songs like "Blackwater," "Shadow Army" and "Nuh Skin Up" and everything from the D.I.Y. booklet, ground-zero graphics and militant stance says we're not gonna take it anymore. Along the way they incorporate some nice roots elements- they've definitely done their homework here- and the entire project comes off solid and sincere."
Chuck Foster, The Beat '09
"All the familiar conventions are scrupulously observed–heavy reverb, bass high in the mix, swaying rhythmic impetus, scrupulous drumming, and politically charged lyrics."
Noise '09
"Destroy Babylon opened up the night with a much louder, harder sound than is usually associated with the genre. It did not surprise me when I discovered vocalist/guitarist/horn player John Beaudette and drummer Marc Beaudette were twins because the band stayed coordinated during very complicated pauses without ever missing a beat. They are definitely worth seeing live..."
The Tech (MIT) '07
"With a sound that embraces the defiant punk vocals and lyrics that challenge both the decisions of our current government administration and the dangerous apathy of the listener, DB continues to defy strict genre categories with this new release... Overall, sEParation is a successful follow-up. Edgy, spirited and at times surprisingly catchy, the record asks bold questions, ultimately leaving the listener to find the answers."
Performer Magazine '08
"...their mix of reggae and punk works quite well, and while that’s an easy pairing of which to be skeptical, there’s no authenticity issue here either... Destroy Babylon is worth keeping an eye on." Noise '08
"Highly energetic ...a blister of punk rock who should never have time to properly heal."
Smother '08
"This is a clever bit of musical art delivered in a highly inventive and original package."
Metronome Magazine '07
“Reggae-Rock with an agenda."
Boston Globe '06
"...roots in bands like The Clash and Bad Brains... the debut release is a blistering adventure that plants a wooden stake firmly in the heart of the necon vampires running our empire."
Skratch Magazine '06
"Clearly a group who wants you to be a bit puzzled, then ask some questions, Destroy Babylon puts a tripped-out spin on the reggae sound and seizes on a number of current social issues to come up with a strong first record."
Performer Magazine '06 |
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July 15 10 Cambridge MA Lafayette Square Cambridge Summer Concerts Representing the Middle East
July 3 10 Brooklyn NYC Brooklyn Bowl The Clash London Calling Tribute w/ The Macrotones
July 2 10 Boston MA Concert Cruise, Boston Harbor The Clash London Calling Tribute w/ The Macrotones
June 27 10 Woodbury CT REGGAE FEST w/I WAYNE, Misteree, Sledge, Dadre Coleman, Pulse Prophets
June 19 10 Quincy MA The Commonwealth
June 11 10 Peterborough NH Harlow's Pub w/Charlie Christos, DB featuring The Know Nothing Party
June 3 10 Boston MA The Paradise w/THE WAILERS
May 22 10 Cambridge MA Cantab Lounge Downstairs w/ Swearwolves, Bacchus King & The Cool & Deadly
May 15 10 Nashua NH Sky Lounge BENEFIT FOR CRAIG DION w/Hot Day at the Zoo & The SSP
May 07 10 Somerville MA Rosebud Diner Johnny Babylon DJ Set
Apr 20 10 Manchester NH The Last Chapter Pub SNHU Campus - DB 420 show
Apr 17 10 Davis Square Somerville MA Rosebud Diner
Mar 20 10 Stamford CT Seaside Tavern w/The Cool & Deadly, Jacques le Coque
Mar 19 10 Arlington MA The Regent Theatre w/Sour D, The Flo, Travel Info, Leaders Led
Mar 13 10 Quincy MA Beachcomber - Reggae Beach Party Benefit for Autism
Mar 06 10 Somerville MA Precinct w/Don't Kill Antz, Merrimack Delta Dub Set
Feb 14 10 Somerville MA Rosebud Diner - Johnny Babylon Lovers Rock DJ Set
Feb 04 10 Somerville MA Johnny D's - CD Release Party
Jan 20 10 Boston MA Church - w/Swearwolves, Clarias & Jet Black Sunrise
Jan 01 10 Cambridge MA Middle East Up - Clash Tribute w/The Macrotones SOLD OUT
Dec 22 09 Cambridge MA WMBR @ MIT Live on Pipeline!
Dec 03 09 Cambridge MA New Alliance Studio 8:00 w/Monique Ortiz and Larry Dersch
Nov 23 09 Allston MA O'Brien's Pub w/The Swearwolves
Nov 21 09 Stamford CT Seaside Tavern w/The Cool & Deadly
Nov 1 09 Lowell MA Village Smokehouse
Oct 31 09 Lincoln MA Paul's Haunted House w/The Shitfits
Oct 30 09 Cambridge MA Middle East Down w/Spiritual Rez, The Organic Sound Project
Sept 26 09 Martha's Vineyard MA Cuttyhunk Bash
Sept 25 09 Boston MA Copperfield's w/Growlers, Pickup Freud, Little Motel
Aug 27 09 Bridgeport CT The Klein w/THE WAILERS
Aug 26 09 Hampton Beach MA Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom w/THE WAILERS
Aug 22 09 Allston MA Harper's Ferry w/LEE SCRATCH PERRY
Aug 16 09 Lowell MA Village Smokehouse
Aug 8 09 Northampton MA The Elevens - Benefit for Valley Free Radio
Aug 8 09 Northampton MA Dynamite Records - In Store Performance
July 28 09 Rehoboth Beach DE Dogfish Head Pub w/EEK-A-MOUSE SOLD OUT
July 27 09 Ocean City MD Seacrets w/EEK-A-MOUSE
July 26 09 Lowell MA Village Smokehouse - Lowell Folk Fest - 2 sets
July 23 09 Cambridge MA Middle East Down w/EEK-A-MOUSE
July 4 09 Crested Butte CO Top of the World Tavern w/Growlers
July 3 09 Fort Collins CO Mishawaka Amphitheatre w/Lion Vibes, Rogue Sound
July 2 09 Omaha NE PS Collective w/Growlers
July 1 09 Madison WI The Frequency w/The Binges, Cold Ground & Low Sky, Kick Back
Jun 30 09 Chicago IL Reggie's Music Joint w/Mr. Blotto
Jun 27 09 Buffalo NY Benchwarmers w/Growlers
Jun 26 09 Boston MA CONCERT CRUISE w/THE SLACKERS SOLD OUT
Jun 20 09 Londonderry NH First Players Club w/Growlers
Jun 20 09 Londonderry NH First Players Club w/Growlers
Jun 19 09 Boston MA The Paradise w/THE AGGROLITES & BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH SOLD OUT
May 16 09 Worcester MA Ralph's Diner w/The Cool & Deadly, Guns of Navarone
May 09 09 Manchester NH Milly's Tavern w/Growlers, Gravehaven & Highfire Skyline
May 02 09 Allston MA O’Brien’s GROWLERS Release Party w/Gravehaven
Apr 24 09 Cambridge MA Middle East w/Westbound Train, Royal City Riot SOLD OUT
Mar 08 09 Allston MA Great Scott w/Void Union + King Django, Thousands of One
Mar 01 09 Allston MA Great Scott w/Gravehaven, Talk Modern, Izzi Creo
Feb 19 09 Manhattan NYC Pianos w/Black Taxi, Mother of Three
Feb 14 09 Brookline MA Matt Murphy's
Feb 14 09 Boston MA Baseball Tavern GROWLERS - Anthem BOTB Boston Finals
Feb 12 09 Boston MA Baseball Tavern GROWLERS - Anthem BOTB Semi Finals Winners
Feb 06 09 Manhattan NYC Fontana's GROWLERS SET w/Exit Verona
Jan 30 09 Boston MA Oliver's @ Cask N Flagon w/Guns of Navarone, Miars
Jan 17 09 Boston MA Baseball Tavern GROWLERS - Anthem BOTB 1st Round Winners
Jan 03 09 Boston MA Bill's Bar w/PRESSURE COOKER, The Macrotones
Dec 06 08 New Bedford MA No Problemo w/The Cool & Deadly
Dec 05 08 Taunton MA Ward 5 w/The Cool & Deadly, Night Swim
Dec 04 08 Allston MA O’Brien’s w/The Cool & Deadly & The Stolen Records
Nov 12 08 Allston MA Harper's Ferry w/DUB TRIO, The Cool & Deadly, Irepress
Nov 01 08 Poultney VT Green Mtn College w/Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root
Oct 30 08 Boston MA Church HALLOWEEN SHOW- DB perform LONDON CALLING, The Macrotones as The JBs, & The Well
Oct 16 08 Manhattan NYC Fontana's
Oct 01 08 Boston MA Bill’s Bar GROWLERS set
Sep 13 08 New Bedford MA New Wave w/The Cool & Deadly
Sep 09 08 Allston MA Harper's Ferry w/HR of BAD BRAINS
Sep 06 08 Manhattan NYC Knitting Factory Version City w/Cool & Deadly, Have Nots
Aug 29 08 Hartford CT Sully’s Pub w/The Cool & Deadly
Aug 09 08 Waltham MA Lincoln Bar dub set
Aug 04 08 Allston MA The Draft w/The Macrotones
Jul 31 08 Hartford CT Sully’s Pub w/The Cool & Deadly
Jul 18 08 Allston MA O’Brien’s w/CAMPAIGN 4 REAL TIME, the Macrotones SOLD OUT
Jul 17 08 Portsmouth NH Muddy River w/Growlers
Jul 04 08 Astoria NYC Grandma’s BBQ set
Jul 03 08 Fairfax VA TT Reynold’s w/Can’t Hang, The Five One
Jul 02 08 Washington DC Wonderland Ballroom w/Noah Woods
Jul 01 08 Philadelphia PA Tritone w/Wareika Hill, Dubsmith
Jun 28 08 Boston MA Bill’s Bar w/Flaming Tsunamis, Have Nots...
Jun 26 08 Hartford CT Sully's Pub w/The Cool and Deadly
Jun 23 08 Allston MA The Draft w/The Macrotones
Apr 10 08 Hartford CT Sully's Pub w/The Cool and Deadly
Mar 19 08 Cambridge MA Zuzu Guest DJ w/Roots & Razors
Mar 02 08 Somerville MA Abbey Lounge w/The Cool and Deadly
Mar 01 08 Manhattan NYC Knitting w/King Django & Reegal Beegal SOLD OUT
Feb 16 08 Brooklyn NYC Loft Party w/Exit Verona
Feb 14 08 Boston MA Oliver's @ Cask N Flagon w/Royal Sound
Jan 17 08 Boston MA Paradise Lounge w/World's Collide, Black Button
Dec 29 07 Cambridge MA Middle East Up MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES THROWDOWN w/Riki Rocksteady, Mile 21
Dec 1 07 Cambridge MA Middle East Up w/Pressure Cooker, Satori, Stolen Records
Oct 27 07 Boston MA Bulfinch Yacht Club w/Welch Boys. DB BAD BRAINS SET
Oct 08 07 Cambridge MA Middle East Corner KTRON art show
Sep 21 07 Manhanttan NYC Fantanas w/The Cool And Deadly
Sep 13 07 Cambridge MA Middle East w/THE ENGLISH BEAT, Pressure Cooker SOLD OUT
Jul 09 07 Cambridge MA Middle East Up w/Growlers, The Kode Secret
Jun 26 07 Boston MA Bulfinch Yacht Club w/Have Nots, Street Credit, Trebek
May 04 07 Somerville MA Abbey Lounge w/Growlers, Mile 21, Bad Ash
Apr 14 07 Durham NH UNH, Main Lawn Step It Up 2007 UNH Headliners
Apr 06 07 Boston MA Bill's Bar w/On the Drop, Berklee Marley Group
Apr 03 07 Cambridge MA WMBR @ MIT Live on Pipeline!
Mar 18 07 Brooklyn NYC Trash Bar Fugitive Kind, Bad Mouths
Mar 2 07 N. Andover MA Merrimack College w/The Kode
Feb 21 07 Allston MA Haper's Ferry w/The Kode, Daniel Bennet Group
Jan 26 07 Boston MA Bill's Bar w/Elephant House, The Brew, Hello Mahalo
FULL SHOW ARCHIVE HERE. |
