North Coast Underground

"One thing I know right now, this race has just begun/ Common sense is essential, you need to know when to run."

Sentiments of a crew that is a movement. The voice of the woods AND the streets. Think back 12+ years where some creative minds met in a natural, artistic environment/ ex 60's hippie commune on Northern California's Lost Coast of Mendocino (4 hours NORTH of San Francisco) called Pt. Arena (pop. 400). For 8 years they played shows as a six piece band with a Sublime-esq. style with a touch more hip hop. Camo in effect as the world spirals out of control with war and environmental pollution, yet things dont physically change much in small town Mendocino. Things don't change much except for the band taking a temporary retirement and the crew molding into a three piece band (2 MC's and a DJ) with former rhythm guitarist Ian Stinson keeping the wax spinning and the party going as the full time DJ. The final component in the crew includes Jimmy the Jackhammer a 24/7 all gas no brakes manager now 4 years deep in the mix aligning the band with proper shows at such events as the U.S. Open of Surfing (2X) , Boardstock, The Pro Wakeboard Tour, 2 Vans Triple Crowns of Snowboarding, and film premieres such as Teton Gravity Researchs Tangerine Dream Premiere party. Add shows with Talib Kweli, Black Eyed Peas, Swollen Members, MC Supernatural, festivals such as Reggae on the River, and at such clubs as The Viper Room, Key Club, and L.A.s most respected hip hop/reggae night Chocolate Bar, the movement continues on with a lot on the agenda and on the mind. Real times, real issues, real problems, we may not have all the answers, but we have a lot to say and its not about the bling.

Cadillac Dreams is the third release, heavily beat oriented, this is a hip hop record from a place lost in time. Its already been a long road, with much more to come, As Jameson waxes poetic on Think Back; "This is for all my friends and family that died and/ In the big picture, I won't be too far behind/ This is for the people who stood beside me with my back and mind to the grind/ This is for that real thing, in midst of confrontations you do survive."

With the support of DVS Shoes, Channel Islands Surfboards, Ipath Shoes, Mendo Mate, Arnette Eyewear, Alliance Wakeboarding Magazine and the who's who of the action sport community, the band continues to progress. Writing and recording with such talented producers as Rob Siefert (Janes Addiction), Chris Stoll (World Wide Records), Jubal, and in house producer Selector Science. On Cadillac Dreams, NCU vents on the unhealthy and environmentally unconscious state of affairs the world has found itself in as Jameson notes on Wicked Enterprise

"Were you paying attention while your global eco system dies wake up World gone wild, world so called civilized this is for the revolution gen X strong inside my mind, from fast lanes, late nights, neon lights, to world districts and distant business in foreign countries, consume, pollute abuse a change for the worse has been contrived water, food, and air given free to sustain life, now youre feed garbage and ripped off at a high price the face of a new politician, I fight in this physical state, pray for an equal existence, life against all laws and high stakes, we fight no matter how ever many lifetimes it takes to choose your fate"

And as if the state of the worlds chaos isnt enough, we have a civil struggle thick with red tape, low wages, corporate scandal. Clear anxiety on the state of affairs, the quote of the title track Cadillac Dreams by David Mouton says a lot

"Come to find they got politics mixed with religion, pushing George Bush as the second coming of Jesus, thought we were coming together, they're pushing distance between us. I put my head in both hands just hoping Im dreaming, I ain't got no Cadillac, Im just trying to shit, trying to save a little bit, but theyre taxing my tax, I'm signing loan agreements with a fuckin knife in my back. I cry I laugh, man I overreact, I'd rather walk yo fuck that Cadillac"

However, amidst the tense times, there is no lack of appreciation for what's really important, friends and family, on Salvation Jameson asks, "Whatever happened to the family? mutual respect for humanity? Honesty? human right? human life?" While Dave further states on Wading, "What's the measure of a man? His heart and his soul/ or the weight in the value of his platinum and gold? / That shits so old, I fold/ but I dont let it grab hold of my soul/ Fight for mine till I go cold/ No chains, no rings, no things I dont need/ I put it down for my cousins, nephews, and the nieces/ Newborn, unborn..."

So with all the tension and real life issues, you'd think there would be no time for fun, but it's far from the truth and it's what keeps all this so balanced, equally adept at surfing in Pt. Arenas 44 degree water as they are snowboarding on Aspen, CO's Snowmass Mountain where the band regularly rides/ plays shows a favorite of the towns event promoters and clubs, NCU gets plenty of time to play, contemplate, and maintain the equilibrium that is needed for any finely tuned engine.

So as the movement goes on, the band continues on keeping it conscious, keeping it real, no nonsense music thats not about money and fame, but about waking people up, hip hop, reggae, soul, real music, smart music, struggle music, rebellion music.

What's new? What's next? Who's to say, we just play music and play OUR way.