EastWave Radio:
Reggae on the inside

The wallop of winter will soon be slowing. Before we know it, we will once again be able to feel the sun instead of just squinting at its reflection off the snow. In the meantime, there is one thing that makes us forget that it's still winter outside: Reggae music inside.

EastWave Radio front man Dave Gagne credits the Island influence in his music to his parents who played in Reggae bands as he was growing up. A Hallowell native, Dave began to beat his musical path at the age of five on his first instrument, a drum set. His parents played in a band with Winston Grennan, a Jamaican drummer most famous for creating the 'One Drop' drum sound made popular by Bob Marley. Grennan is known for session work spanning the 60's, 70's and 80's with icons such as Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker and Jimmy Cliff.

After suffering some damage to his hearing, Dave put down the drumsticks and began his evolution to guitarist, singer/songwriter and frontman.

"I became a bass player - and that didn't work - in a Styxx cover bandÊ in high school.Ê I stopped playing the drums because I messed my ears up. I was hearing a lot of ringing and all that...losing my hearing."

Along with the occasional one-drop, the heavy bass lines and the skank, Dave's musical palate leans more toward indi-rock and alternative influences than reggae.

"I can't say I listen to much reggae now but I listen to a lot of other alternative music. I think just because I play reggae well - I think that influence from other styles plus playing reggae creates an original sound."

That original sound will be available this spring with the release of the band's debut E.P. The E.P. features the trio's current line up of Johnny Venom (bass, backing vocals) and Eddie Dickhaut (drums) with Dave in the studio.

Eddie Dickhaut has played in well-loved Portland projects such as Zion Train and The Nigel Hall Band. He spent some time in Nashville living the life of a touring musician before returning to Vacationland and the Portland music scene.

Johnny Venom returned to his home state of Maine after spending several years in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he earned his degree in Music. He has played in several local projects including my own, A Moving Train and The WBLM Band.

Together Dave, Johnny and Eddie have a sound that trumps the size of their ensemble. It's the kind of music that makes you forget the snow and your troubles and reminds you how to let loose and dance.