A STEADY-STEPPIN, BARRINGTON LEVY-INSPIRED REGGAE-ROCK TUNE FEATURING LOCAL ORGAN LEGEND, GERRY ATWELL.

Although the track is fresh, the song was written a few years ago when guitarist/singer Mitch Kruse was listening to a lot of reggae and dancehall music, especially Barrington Levy, Yellowman, and Sugar Minott. 

"Austin and I were planning to go to Minneapolis to see Pepper (Hawaiian reggae-rock band) play, and it just seemed the natural time to add a badass dancehall-style song to our repertoire," says Mitch. "The song is kind of about abolishing negative energies like macho aggressiveness, paranoia or embarrassment and letting loose on the dance floor instead. Kind of like: you're at a show. so have a good time — don't be an insecure dick."

The tune was produced by the band and recorded at Wonder Dog Recording in Winnipeg by producer/engineer/musician Lloyd Peterson (The Weakerthans, Big Dave MaClean, The Wailin' Jennys), who now co-owns Paintbox Recording with Mike Petkau (Head in the Sand records), where the remainder of the EP is being completed.

When Wang wanted to complete the reggae grooves with the class Hammond organ sound, Lloyd suggested his friend, esteemed session musician Gerry Atwell, who nailed down the hypnotic organ tracks in two takes. The band also had fun experimenting with auxiliary percussion, including triangle, clave, rhythm sticks and vibra-slap.

"DANCEHALL REBEL" LYRICS:

Throw your hands up
This is a hold up
You try to stand up
You gonna get shown up

Turn down the treble and a crank up the bass
I am a dancehall rebel gettin up in your face.
Don’t try to test me, 'cause I’m packin' heat
I got my dancin' shoes on and I’m feelin the beat.

In kicks the guitar rockin reggae riddim
I get a better workout dancin' than hittin' the gym.
So if you ain’t sweatin' yet, then you’re lackin' purpose
You’ve got to dig the music much deeper than the surface.

And throw your hands up
This is a hold up
You try to stand up
You gonna get shown up
You think you know all
About this bass line
Then you better show all
And don’t waste time
Do not waste no time, c’mon

I like the music when it’s played real tight
When the bass has a rumble and the snare has bite.
Dancing with them mamis, oh they look so fine
Because the reggae music makes ‘em want to bump and grind.

Some people smokin get a so paranoid
And the dance floor is a place that they try to avoid.
But sensi don’t give me no embarrassment
Because we’re here to disestablish this establishment.

So throw your hands up
This is a hold up
You try to stand up
You gonna get blown up
You think you know all
About this bass line
Then you better show all
And don’t waste time
Do not waste no time, c’mon

Dancehall Rebel

"Hypnotized" Lyrics:

A full moon was out
There was a feeling in the air
She walked towards me
She gave me a feeling that I can’t forget

The girl was a gypsy 
She knew how to mesmerize
The look that she gave me 
Made me burn like candlelight

Gitana mi tiene hypnotizado
That gypsy girl’s got me hypnotized

Dancing slowly under dim light
Your body moves to hypnotize
I can’t stop, I can’t look away
she’s got a spell on me now

My eyes, they move to the sway of your hips
They work their way up, you’re lickin’ your lips
I fell for the passion when I looked in your eyes
There’s no turning back now.

Gitana mi tiene hypnotizado
That gypsy girl's got me hypnotized

Hypnotized

"Welcome to the Club" Lyrics:

If you've got the vision and you're down for committin'
to a drink and a joint then you're bound to fit in.
The party's just startin' and we ain't quittin'
just so long as the music is spinnin'.
We live and we love, so welcome to the club
We steppin' to the dub — girls you know we gonna rub
you the right way — not the wrong way.
It's been a long day, so let the song play.

Who would ever think that the summer would end?
All that I can hope is that I make more friends.
Who would ever think that the love that I send
could go around to everyone and come back again?
Who would ever think that I could feel so free
right here in the middle of society?
But it feels so good when life's a party
with Austin, Mitchevus, and Little Mike V...

Music has the power to bring us together,
music has the power to make us feel better.
Music to me is like a warm sweater
which I put on to keep from the cold weather.
So never, ever, ever try to put it down
when I'm around, cuz I live for that sound.
I want it, I need it.
I love it, I breathe it.

Wang the Merciless

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