Roots Tonic : Josh Werner (Bass) Aaron Dugan (Guitar) and Jonah David (Drums) all went to Mannes Jazz Program (New School) together. We had never actually played all together, but we all knew of each other. Josh and I had played together quite a bit, as we were part of a small group of musicians at the New School interested in playing other styles and working with whomever we could.
Come to think of it, we were probably the only two students intensely interested in playing Reggae. We learned to lock our grooves in while playing behind many poets and emcees at the NuYorican Poets Cafe and through our experience playing shows such as Verse 4 Verse, All That and Words. We went on to join Butta, a group put together by Ettienne Stadjweick and Rocky Lamontange to play the Rock Steady Crew Anniversaries and tour colleges up and down the east coast. Josh And Aaron had played together while attending the New School as well. Aaron's experimental Free/Jazz/Drum n Bass group 717 played quite often around NYC. It was during one of these shows that Matis, (aka Mathew Miller at the time) became a fan of Aaron's playing. Time went on and after Matis had become religious, he happened to meet Aaron while walking on the street in mid town Manhattan. They exchanged numbers. Aaron was called that very night to play Washington Square Park with Matis, the first gig. Aaron was asked to assemble a band. He called Josh, and Josh called me. We first played together at the Y.A.M in Crown Heights, and we never looked back from there. - Jonah __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Our First Album, Produced by the legendary Bill Laswell: Roots Tonic Meets Bill Laswell ~~ A futurist space/dub transmission! ~~ Out on ROIR May 9th! ______________________________________________________________
"Band mates Aaron Dugan (guitar), Josh Werner (bass) and Jonah David (drums) are three of the tightest musicians in the Western hemisphere, never missing a beat, playing in perfect unison. You can feel the energy and emotion of every note released from their fingertips." - MEAN STREET
Guys thanks for the add ur 3 amazing musicians I had the Honor of seeing u guys live in Concert in 2006 when u came to Puerto Rico with MatisYahU AND u guys ROCK all 4 of u , ur music is truly an inspiration 4me dont stop making such meaningfull music Peace
HI JUST DROPPING BY TO SHOW YOU SOME REAL JAMAICAN LOVE.I JUST LOVE YOUR MUSIC ON YOUR PAGE "TUFF".KEEP THE LINK WWW.STEELIEBASHMENT.COM WAAH GWAAN RADIO GOOD VIBES TO LISTEN TO.HAVE A IRIE WEEK,NUFF RESPECT.
GREAT BAND!!!! :)
U MAKE ME IN SHOCK WHEN U PLAY IN ISRAEL WITH MATIS... ALL THE LUCK AND SUCCESS
LOVE AND HUGS
YIME
<left>COOL MySpace Comments Graphics </left>
I love that album with Bill Laswell and got it in my earphones every day..my No.1 song is "Road to Axum". I know quite some people over here, who listen to your staff a lot!!!
BIG UP ROOTS TONIC!!!!!!
East Coast Spring Tour dates w/ The Wailers ! AVIV
Joseph Israel will be heading east this spring with His acoustic Guitar. He will open for one of reggae's Greatest bands The Wailers !
This takes place after a Brief trip to Jamaica next week to perform along side -Luciano , Anthoney B, Capelton , Shaggy, and more at the King of Kings Benifit for the Haile Selassie School in Kingston. 3/31/07 in St.James Jamaica. Then off to La for a show at the Knitting Factory on 4/7/07.
From the west InI are going EAST!!!
" I am Glad to head out East it has been along time and we get lots of request to play " .. " I look forward to link with the people, and it is a blessing to work with The band ( The Wailers)that had such a great Impact on my Life , This is a great JOY!" Joseph Israel says.
we look forward to seeing you all on the road !
Lions of Israel
12 Apr 2007 0:00
Brandeis University w/ The Wailers Waltham, Massachusetts
13 Apr 2007 0:00
Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel w/ The Wailers Providence, Rhode Island
14 Apr 2007 0:00
Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom w/ The Wailers Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
15 Apr 2007 8:00
Higher Ground w/ The Wailers Burlington, Vermont
17 Apr 2007 8:00
The Town Ballroom W/ The Wailers Buffalo, New York
19 Apr 2007 8:00
Penn's Peak W/ The Wailers Jim Thorpe
20 Apr 2007 8:00
Univ. Of Hartford W/ The Wailers West Hartford, Connecticut
21 Apr 2007 8:00
Wheaton College W/ The Wailers Norton, Massachusetts
22 Apr 2007 8:00
Water Street Music Hall W/The Wailers Rochester, New York
23 Apr 2007 8:00
Crazy Donkey W/The Wailers Farmingdale, New York
28 Apr 2007 8:00
EarthTones Festival in Eureka Springs- Eureka music park Eureka Springs, Arkansas
6 May 2007 12:00
Sun Fest - other artist-The wailers ,Sean Paul, West Palm Beach, Florida
Joseph Israel cd Gone are the days is in Stores Now !!! Find it at Best Buy , hast
can you put all employees must wash hands. and you should put me on the top friends. cos im that cool. hey you guys want to play in san antonio texas? i can get a good roots tonic show together. we should talk. im dead serious.
Great show last night guys!! As much as i like seeing MaTis I rather see a Lions Den show anyday of the week! The crowd was extra wack but what can be expected from a Hammerstein Ballroom show? When you comin back around sin Matisyahu? Happy holidays and Best Wishes...Rt in 07
