Friendlyness & Human Rights (FHR) & House of David Gang (HODG) are two of Toronto's busiest touring reggae acts who have joined forces to release a 45 rpm / 7inch vinyl on the Toronto imprint Ohm Grown Records/NuFunk Recordings. FHR are releasing a new song "Right Now", and HODG are releasing their first single from their upcoming CD called "Reggae Party." The partnership of these two lead reggae bands were solidified at a sold out concert at Lee's Palace in February honoring the life of the immortal reggae superstar Bob Marley. Joining the release party are Gisto; M3 of BC based band "The Wassabi Collective mix of rock, hiphop, reggae and electro to their cult-like " who will bring their following in Toronto.
FRIENDLYNESS & THE HUMAN RIGHTS
FHR released their debut CD "One Thing" in June 2010. Friendlyness, a Juno nominated vocalist and devoted Rastafarian has had a long history in the Canadian reggae scene working with such groups as Culture Shock, Raggadeath, SuperHeavy Reggae, and Truths & Rights. Friendlyness has also recently joined the reunited high-profile Canadian rock band Big Sugar, who recently performed for several thousand people at the Sound Academy in March for Canadian Music Week. Over the last three years Friendlyness and the Human Rights have been honoured to warm up the stage for reggae legends Gregory Isaacs, Beres Hammond, John Holt, The English Beat and Clive Chin. They have also been featured on regae & ska festivals in Western and Central Canada including The Calgary Reggae Fest and IRIE fest in Toronto.
HOUSE OF DAVID GANG
HODG takes its name from a legendary rooftop apartment on Queen Street West in downtown Toronto. "The House of David" was the after hours spot of choice for the city's burgeoning reggae scene in the late 1980s. It was a place where members of Selassie I Power, The Resinators, Revelation, Imagine Rainbow Warriors and special guest touring musicians would join together and jam late into the night. Now with a revamped line-up House of David Gang has toured Central & Atlantic Canada, having performed at Evolve Festival, Salty Jam, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Ottawa Reggae Fest and to over 10,000 people at the Toronto Freedom Festival in 2010.
GISTO & M3 of the WASSABI COLLECTIVE
M3 (Melissa Meretsky) Percussionist/Singer and Gisto (Brent Hongisto) Guitarist/Singer/Producer are the frontmen of BC based Wassabi Collective who have thoroughly honed their craft over a thousand shows and 7 years on the road across North America. The duo will be showcasing their evolution with an all new Electro Reggae Dance sound featuring all the percussion, guitar and vocals backed by live sequencing through Ableton Live. The response has been overwhelming, now the high energy duo is set to embark on their first Central & East coast Canadian Tour.
