Check Out Our HUGE Retail Store! ------Feature • Gizzae------Q Guitars Q Keyboards Q Live Sound Q Drums & Percussion Roots Goes Reggae Q Recording Equipment Q Microphones & More! By Mark Hunter the bill with Dallol. After Dallol fizzled, members of the newly formed Gizzae asked Rocket to play drums Brian “Rocket” Rock didn’t take long to accli- and maybe sing. It didn’t take long for Rocket’s bass mate to life in the United States. Shortly after moving talents and singing voice to rise up. Today, Gizzae here from Dominica, the experienced bass player and consists of Asrat Selassie on drums, percussion and singer got a call from someone to play bass on a song. vocals; Ralph Mote on keys and vocals; Clem Julian Rocket said sure. The session went fine. on guitar and vocals; Ruphael W. Mariam on drums, “The song was already recorded, but they wanted keys and vocals; and Evans Atta-Fynn, also on drums, a different bass line” Rocket recalled during a phone keys and vocals. interview. “A while later I was watching television Selassie and Mariam came to the states from with some friends and I saw him. I said ‘there’s the Ethiopia and formed the core of Dallol. They also guy.’ Turned out it was Bruce Springsteen singing played with during Marley’s Grammy- ‘Born in the U.S.A.’ I didn’t know who he was.” winning days. Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers Apparently the Boss knew who Rocket was. won Best Reggae in 1989 () and 1990 The second time a fa- (). Mariam mous rock group asked GIZZAE moved to the US in 1979. Rocket to add some bass Selassie soon followed to a song, he knew who it w/DAN DICKERSON after, leaving the popular were. After all, everyone Friday, Aug. 24 • 8:30 p.m. band, The Sensations, to knows the Rolling Stones. Foellinger-Freimann explore other music op- “I was standing there portunities. Together, they Come See The Piano Store talking to Ron Wood,” he Botanical Conservatory started Dallol with several said, still sounding amazed. 1100 S. Calhoun St., Fort Wayne other mates from Ethiopia. at Sweetwater! “I did the bass on ‘Too noticed their Much Blood.’” Tix: $6 d.o.s., children under 12 free progressive sound and con- People in Fort Wayne with adult, 260-427-6440 scious lyrics and signed know who Rocket is. He’s them to a record deal. Soon Q Expert Advice! the frontman for the reggae band Gizzae and will once Dallol was on the road with Marley for several world Q Region’s Exclusive again lead that band on stage at the Botanical Roots tours from 1986-1990, opening for such acts as U2, Outdoor Concert Series on Friday August 24. Dan Bruce Springsteen, Gun’s N Roses, Phil Collins, Iggy Yamaha Piano and Dickerson opens. Pop and Boy George. Clavinova Dealer! “We played there a couple of time. We played the Atta-Fynn hails from Ghana. After playing with Botanical series a few years ago,” he said. “It’s always his grandfather and father in bands in Ghana, in 1992 Q Personalized good to see everybody having a good time. We’re he joined the Western Diamonds, Ghana’s best known Financing Available! bringing a big band with us. Two keyboard players, hi-life band. a trumpet, trombone and a saxophone player. She is Evans moved to Chicago in 1997 with the West- very good. ” ern Diamonds and has been a member of Dansika and Gizzae will be doing tunes from their new CD, Hydro reggae band. Hang in There, as well as other originals and a few Mote has been a regular on the Chicago music PLUS, See the Region’s Largest select covers. “We always do covers. People like to scene in a variety of capacities. He is a long time reg- APPLE PRODUCT DISPLAY hear familiar songs.” gae veteran and has jammed with some of the biggest Gizzae played Spikes and Noa Noa a few weeks names in reggae. He also writes and produces for his ago, and Rocket said he’s been getting messages from company, Clear Vision Music, which produces ads for fans who were at that show asking for details about television and radio. it. With a band this good, a following is inevitable. Julian, like Rock, is from Dominica. He started Based in Chicago, Grizzae have been all over the U.S. playing professionally at age 19 and toured the Carib- playing reggae festivals and all around Chicagoland. bean for five years with the band Ignition. A trip to When we talked Rocket was getting ready to head to the States landed Julian the lead guitar spot with Bell Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, then up the Combo back in the late 70s and early 80s. From there Mississippi to Rock Island for another reggae festi- he hooked up with the band Swinging Stars for a few val. years. Eventually he hooked up with Rocket and what “We’re going to turn Mark Twain on to some reg- was left of Dallol, and Gizzae were born. Store Hours gae,” he said. Since then it’s been non-stop positive vibes and a Mon.–Thurs. 9–9 t Friday 9–8 t Saturday 9–7 Gizzae formed out of the ashes of Dallol, an whole lot of fun. Anyone who has seen them can attest Ethiopia-influenced reggae band. Rocket was at the to that. With a fabulous horn section joining the Giz- Call (260) 432–8176 or visit Sweetwater.com. time playing with Moja Nya, a band that often shared zae core, it’s a show that should not be missed. August 16, ’12------www.whatzup.com------5