There are so few bands in the reggae scene that are not only so well known, but universally beloved than the Kona Town heroes themselves, Pepper. Wherever the guys go, they are the most popular people in the room, and for good reason. Their charisma is inarguable and palpable, and their larger-than-life personalities live up to their fans’ hopes who might have only seen them from the stage.

When one first hears Zero, whether it was back in the 80’s or last fall, the immediate thought is, “How have I never heard about these guys?” And then considering the next thing you’ll want to do is share it with a friend, you’ll once again wonder, “How have I never heard about these guys?” Regardless of whether you haven’t heard of them, or haven’t spread their music to your friends enough, with the release of Naught Again, there is no better time than now to dive into the ocean of phenomenal music that is Zero.

Hopping into a tenured band as the newest member can be an intimidating task in any capacity, much less the frontman, but for Jamaica's Hector Roots Lewis, stepping up and filling in as lead vocals for Southern California reggae veterans Tribal Seeds came instinctually.

Jerry’s kids are all outstanding players, Steve Kimock, Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, the list goes on. Only one truly has that Garcia way about him, John Kadlecik. John K came about improvisational music much like his traveling life, making do with the best around. His job is to shed light but not to master. Signing on with Melvin Seals & JGB in 2019, they are just now really running full steam.

Frontman of the Midwest hip hop group Atmosphere, Sean Daley, or "Slug" as he goes by on stage, is a rare breed in the sense that seems to wear his heart on his sleeve and has the perspective to allow himself to be his own person rather than a manufactured image of an onstage persona. Sean carries himself with a sobering energy that reflects his sincerity in how he sees the world and communicates with a level of genuineness and empathy that is refreshing to see in an artist of his tenure.

Rock guitarist extraordinaire Mike Keneally passed his “audition” with Frank Zappa almost 35 years ago, when he was only 25 years old. Impressing the always-exacting composer, guitarist and performance artist wasn’t easy. But with his keen technical ability and singular, almost-photographic-memory recall of even Zappa’s most labyrinthine compositions, the then-young FZ devotee earned his “hall pass” to the inner realms of the band leader’s legendary 1988 tour band.

Reggae has always been known as the genre of “one love” but from the earliest days of his Hawaiian origin, Mike Love has taken this to a new level. He wears many hats as a musician, a spiritual shaman, and even an ordained minister, but few who meet him could help but call him a friend as his welcoming and affectionate aura touches shines so brightly.

Hailing all the way from Saint-Étienne, France, Dub Inc has found a way to transcend the language barrier and garner a passionate fanbase more than 5,000 miles from home. Their onstage passion and chemistry are informed by decades of knowing each other as bandmates and friends, the energy in their live shows are impressive by any standards.

Providing an anchor of stability and a backbone behind the rhythm, bassist Keith Moseley of The String Cheese Incident is no stranger to the blending eclectic sounds and unifying them within the musical soundscape. Pioneering one of Colorado’s most influential jam bands, Keith has been the steady driving force behind the successful 25+ year career of SCI.

Island bred, Southern California based reggae sensation Common Kings has spent over a decade becoming one of the most decorated bands in the genre. Behind one of the cleanest voices in reggae, Jr King, the powerful percussion of Big Rome, the colorful antics of Mata, and the leadership of Uncle Lui, the band has risen to a status enviable by any musician, selling out some of the biggest stages in music with regularity.