"In all languages, this music simply rocks." The Wire (UK)
"The Sonic Youth of Dub." Dub-O-Rama
Dub Trio is one of the few bands that can open for Mike Patton (featured on this record), reggae legends The Wailers, hip-hop MC Beans, electro-pioneers Meat Beat Manifesto, firebrand Capleton, jazz-funkers Soulive, and electronica maestro Prefuse 73 (all of which they did in 2005). It speaks volumes about their music's versatility; one minute it's gummy dub, the next it's chest-beating, chug-a-lug metal, shredding punk, and bleeped-out electronic psychedelia. At its best, Dub Trio's music is simultaneously all these and more. Their sophomore album, aptly-titled New Heavy, is undoubtedly a rock record that retains enough dubby elements to save the boys a name-change:
Dub is the foundation. It's in everything we do, whether it's the structure, the effects, or the bass line. It's what all other elements are based on. You hear that even on the heaviest parts of the new record. -Joe Tomino, drummer
New Heavy is indeed heavy, and hard. It references Metallica more than Marley, and features the one and only Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr Bungle, Tomahawk, Fantomas) on "Not Alone," which Billboard Magazine describes as "an old school Faith No More-style rocker."
How did this collaboration come about? Simple. Mike Patton heard Dub Trio's music. Yep, that's all it took. No mutual friends, no money, no label pressure, just a few rough mixes from the New Heavy sessions and Patton knew they were on to something:
Dub Trio are very talented musicians that cover many different genres in each piece they play. They are doing something that very few artists are doing today, and doing it their own way. -Mike Patton
This versatility and singularity has as much to do with musical acumen as it does with the communication between each member's unique personality: