"One of Dubconscious' most sacred mantras is: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." We deeply believe in those important words, and do our best to represent our ideals as we tour. We aim to live and tour sustainably by using bio-diesel fuel, recycling, selling organic merchandise and educating our fans about critical issues"...
Guest Column: Dubconscious on sustainable touring Live Daily
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NonViolent Album Review
Yes! Albums can’t receive a stronger recommendation than a stiff, “Yes!” Yes, because Dubconscious’ Nonviolent is superb, well written, thoughtful, socially and environmentally conscious, and because it deserves your attention.

I passionately recommend this album, because it is a work that will stand the test of time, rather than falling to the cemetery of albums that only get a spin or two before being forgotten in some dark and dusty corner. Another rarity is that this isn’t a band that just talks the talk. Their world-wise philosophy extends into their active use of sustainable resources during tours and the push for existing in a world that will leave a better platform for upcoming generations to thrive upon.

Dubconscious’ sound is firmly and knowledgeably rooted in a Dub-Reggae format, with touches of Middle-Eastern and Afro-Beat infusions on various songs. Adrian Zelski’s distinctive vocals are equal parts strength and compassion, and the group’s dub breakdowns are mind-meltingly addictive; Solomon Wright’s bass lines are likewise intoxicating and a powerful hinge pin in the formation of these delicious dubs. Dubconscious’ live dubs often honor the forefathers of Dub Reggae, while their unique creations are on par with those innovators they regularly sample from.

The band’s progressive and thoughtful message can be summed through a line from the second track on this album, “Words of Tomorrow.” The line reads, “I hope the words of tomorrow do not contain the mistakes of today.” Progressive thought only leads to progressive action when a conscious effort is made to change the status quo. Dubconscious has the gift and responsibility-laden honor of bringing this spirited and meaningful message to its audiences. One comes away from a Dubconscious recording, or show, with the feeling that anything is truly possible, simply by recognizing the need for growth, and beginning to act and live in a way that will make this new reality manifest. Few bands forward such a positive outlook so consistently and with such creative musical prowess.

Needless to say, I am a fan of Dubconscious. I kick myself for the shows I’ve missed, and I rank the shows I’ve seen as some of the highlights of my concert experiences; they are truly valuable memories. But, that doesn’t mean I will just offhandedly recommend anything any band decides to release to the public. Lucky for me, I can recommend all of their albums with a clear conscience, and Nonviolent is another obvious recommendation from their growing catalogue. The future bodes well, with bands like Dubconscious helping to reshape social ideologies, both through message and through action.

-by Jeremy Sanchez


"Poised to become another name that's dropped when discussions of the world-class Athens, Georgia music scene commence, Dubconscious embraces the role of torchbearer. The band has been testifying to impressed audiences throughout the fertile music cradle of the Southeast for years, and now plays to audiences all over the country." 
David Eduardo 
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"Athens, Georgia can cover bases most college towns can only hope to when it comes to a polished, eclectic mix of musicians and bands that thrive on each other’s energy in a place where bars and bands are as common as corner coffee joints. This is where Dubconcious has crafted something that has rarely been done successfully: a dub reggae collective that picks at the resounding characteristics of the genre and fashions them for 21st century consumption. From vibrant upbeats, to heady dub reverberations, Dubconcious traverses the spectrum laid by the genre’s forefathers by embracing a mantra filled with expressive positivism and acute social consciousness." 
Hittin' The Note Magazine; issue 44 
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2/21/2006

"In 2003, Dubconscious released its debut offering, Word of Life, which received ample response and exposed the rootsy foundation from which the band's live forays grow. Two years later, the group followed up with The American Dream, a sprawling, 21-song collection bolstered by intoxicating dub, socially conscious lyrics, and a feel-good vibe that has made the band a hit on the club scene across the southeast." 
Jamie Lee for Glide Magazine 
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12/23/2004

"Turn it off — your television that is — and Tune In to Dubconscious, the Athens, Ga.-based reggae sextet. Rouse the Rasta within and heighten your social senses while celebrating six cute boys aligned on a stage. The goal? Celebrating music and dance within intimate settings. Progressive reggae in the Lee "Scratch" Perry category, combined with the social drive of Burning Spear, set this young reggae ensemble apart from their contemporaries." 
Jennifer Daniel for Valley Planet 
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4/8/04

"When Motown and Jamaican music collided in the late '60s in the soulful sounds of Bob Marley and the Wailers, it started down the path of what would eventually branch out into ska, rocksteady, roots, dub, dancehall, and ragga. The storied, larger-than-life characters of the late '60s and early '70s reggae scene, like demented producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, infused the roots of this movement with a dose of edgy politics and slightly unhinged fervor." 
Scott Medvin for New Times 
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Hailed as a unique world music psychedelic dub/reggae collective from Athens, GA, the group’s name suggests a creative peak into their identity. According to vocalist and guitarist James Keane, “The name Dubconscious stems from the words ‘dub’ and ‘subconscious,’ both of which are integral concepts in our collective musical philosophy.” Dub music orginated in 1960’s Jamaica and is a form of reggae that features reverberation, delay, and sonic effects as elements in it’s musical delivery; these effects are then layered over traditional reggae and ska. Dub also refers to the overdubbing of music and sounds on studio tracks. Dubconscious has taken all of those elements, mixed them together with (strong vocal harmonies, lyrical concepts of awareness and progress – mw)a few ingredients of their own, and is now one of the most highly anticipated world music acts on the national touring circuit today.

The band consists of Adrian Zelski, vocalist and guitar; James Keane, vocals and guitar; Matt Woolley, drums and vocals; Jerry Hendelberg, keyboards, melodica, and vocals; Scott Pridgen, tablas and percussion; and Solomon Wright, bass, trumpet, and vocals. Dubconscious formed in the spring of 2002 and has recorded five albums thus far. Their upcoming release ‘NonViolent’ was engineered and produced by Grammy-winner, Robert Hannon and is set to be released later this year.

Dubconscious attributes its rhythm, harmonies, studio techniques, and spirituality to artists such as King Tubby, Augustus Pablo, and The Gladiators. Individual music experiences also imbued the group with its current sound; from Wright’s gospel background to Hendelberg’s former preference for hard rock; from Woolley’s love of hip hop to Pridgen’s passion for Afrobeat, Zelski’s desire for electronica, to the signature role of folk jazz of James Keane.

One of Dubconscious’ most sacred mantras is: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” The band deeply believes in those important words, and does their best to represent those ideals as they tour throughout the nation. The band achieves this goal by using bio-diesel fuel, recycling, selling organic merchandise and educating our fans about critical issues.

Dubconscious is fueled by the passion, love and encouragement from their family of fans. The positive spirits, smiling faces, and kind words of gratitude that can be found at each show are the seeds of inspiration that keep our tribe in motion.

No stranger to many of the country’s top festivals, including Bonnaroo, Langerado, Wakarusa and 10,000 lakes to name just a few, Dubconscious is consistently finding new fans at festivals, on the road, or performing with some of contemporaries like Mad Professor and Michael Franti. The band maintains a relentless touring schedule, from coast to coast, while still finding time to dedicate to the studio, to craft intricate collections of songs loved live by their many fans.

Dubconscious maintains a firm stance on being an environmentally progressive band and the group truly walks the walk in living the message they convey from the stage through their music. All merchandise items are crafted from organic materials, promotional tools such as posters and handbills are all created from post consumer waste/PMW materials and printed with soy based inks.