St. John’s band is part of movement and music for change

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This article was published 20/08/2009 (6205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Idlers have the PMA.

That would be a positive mental attitude, a slogan/philosophy championed by Washington, D.C. punk-reggae pioneers Bad Brains and carried on in the music and philosophy of the Idlers, a St. John’s, N.L. 11-piece reggae-ska band.

"It’s transformative music. It’s cultural," says upbeat frontman Mark Wilson, a founding member of the ensemble. "It’s about change in people and change in society and acceptance and promotion and the celebration of a holistic lifestyle, family and food — all of these parts of living that really are beautiful and we want to celebrate."

It’s that belief system that led the band to Woodstock, N.Y., earlier this year to work with Darryl Jenifer, the Bad Brains bassist.

The Idlers hooked up with Jenifer, who helped them record their forthcoming sophomore album, Keep Out, when guitarist Pahl Schiralli-Earle sent him a copy of their 2007 debut, Corner. Jenifer liked what he heard and agreed to produce the disc at the Dreamland Recording Studio, a former church used by everyone from Ron Sexsmith to the B-52s.

"What he heard in us — this quest for change, this interest in culturally important music coming out of this strange place — he heard a voice from us you don’t expect it to come from," Wilson says.

"He’s a Rasta dude. He’s very spiritual and getting to work with him was amazing. The way he approaches things is cool. He wanted to let us do what we do and softly guide us."

The album won’t be released until October. In the meantime the band is getting its name out in Western Canada on its first Canadian tour. The Idlers play the Royal Albert tonight to kick off the fourth annual Winnipeg Ska and Reggae Festival; they also play the Cavern tomorrow.

Since forming in 2006, the group has spent its time building a fan base out east, along with earning accolades including the CBC Galaxie Rising Star award and alternative artist/group of the year at the 2008 Music Newfoundland Conference and Awards Show. They were nominated for a 2009 East Coast Music Award for best world album and have won various readers’ surveys in their hometown paper.

Of the 11 members in the band, nine of them are on this tour, along with a merchandise seller.

While traversing the Canadian west in a 15-seat passenger van, Wilson, an organic farmer and food inspector, is interviewing people involved in local sustainability projects relating to food, water, the economy and development as he solidifies his platform for the St. John’s mayoral race next month.

Yes, Wilson is putting his politics where his mouth is by running for mayor. Election day is Sept. 29 and he’s taking his campaign seriously, offering an alternative to the current mayor and deputy mayor, both of whom are running for re-election.

He admits it’s a long shot, but believes the issues he’s bringing up need to be heard.

"For me it’s a movement for change," he says. "It’s something that has to be combined; I can’t separate myself as an activist and musician. I want to move the whole community forward to something that’s more long-term and inclusionary. I think we can do that. I only see benefits all around that way.

"Realistically, if I do win as mayor I’ll get paid pretty well, so I can pay for a bunch of tours."

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The Winnipeg Ska & Reggae Festival is a three-day event running at three different venues.

Admission is $10 per night, or $25 for a three-day pass. Tickets are available at Into the Music, Music Trader and Kustom Kulture.

Here’s the complete schedule:

Thursday, Royal Albert: The Idlers, Friendlyness & the Human Rights, the Afterbeat.

Friday, King’s Head: Jason Wilson, JFK & the Conspirators, Colin Bryce.

Saturday, West End Cultural Centre: Fredlocks Asher & the Ultra Flex Crew, Mellow Man, Greg Crowe & the Scarlet Union. All ages.

rob.williams@freepress.mb.ca