High Times Interview: Antibalas

After ten years of performing their incredible afrobeat rhythms for dancing crowds large and small, the members of the musical collective known as Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra still feel invigorated - In this climate of wars, famines and ecological disasters, their potent musical message has never been more relevant.
Interview by Danny Danko
Photograph by Jason Gardner

 

Antibalas, from the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, New York City takes their name from the Spanish word for “bulletproof” and their music certainly demands instant respect. Known for their amazing live shows - sometimes with members of the hugely influential late Fela Kuti’s legendary band sitting in - Antibalas quickly make their mark on anyone who hears them. Their unique combination of funk, soul, jazz, latin and dub with plenty of drums and blasting horns prove irresistible and crowds have been known to dance until they dropped at many a show.

    Sitting down with the members of Antibalas for a recent interview before a hometown Brooklyn gig, I can’t help but marvel at their ability to weave together so many personalities into a cohesive force. There are many opinions, yet each and every member of the band speaks for the group in terms of a musical mission to enlighten the world to the injustices and indignities suffered by the poor and oppressed.

    I ask them if it’s difficult to keep chugging along and coming up with new songs and ideas and they tell me that the Bush regime has made it “too easy.” When I inquire about anti-war leaflets on their merchandise table, outspoken trumpeter Jordan McLean replies with a hint of bemusement, “Yeah, we’re against women and children getting killed in the name of big oil. That’s our stance.”

    Antibalas have performed in 23 countries and places as varied as Central Park Summerstage and the Riker’s Island Prison facility. When I asked them that particular performance, band founder and sax player Martin Perna said, “It was an interesting gig. At the end when you’re packing up your gear, you wanna say to them ‘See ‘ya later’ but the truth is you won’t.” Jordan jumps up, “The food was absolutely atrocious - Another example of the system’s disregard for basic human rights.”

    Jordan continues, “The prohibition of cannabis is one crime against humanity. But the prohibition of industrial hemp is the big problem. I think industrial hemp could solve a lot of problems right now as far as fuel sources, food shortages, land use. Some of the band doesn’t smoke weed, but we all agree on industrial hemp.”

    Martin pipes up, “I smoke weed but I think it should be done responsibly. People aren’t teaching their kids the right time to start smoking and drinking and we see problems as a result of that. When used responsibly, it can bring families and generations together. We’re big supporters of cannabis use in all forms; clothing, shoes, teas for your mind.”

     I ask where the best marijuana on tour is found and they answer “B.C. baby, Vancouver and Victoria. Santa Fe treated us pretty nicely as well. Can’t forget Santa Fe. We always appreciate when fans help take care of us.” Toughest place to score some bud? “Cuba! I got like half a roach the whole time I was there. Japan is rough too.”

    Martin suddenly gets serious and leans in to tell me, “My mother suffered for eight years with breast cancer in the state of Pennsylvania. Her doctor told her off the record that the best thing he could prescribe was marijuana but he couldn’t officially do it. I got her a vaporizer and made some medicinal blends containing herb as well as raspberry leaves and some other stuff. It really helped her out with the nausea and calming her nerves and taking away some of the side effects of the chemo. At the same time, she was prescribed with all these pills that cost $50 each and had crazy side effects. When I saw the difference, I couldn’t believe the callousness of lawmakers to stand in the way of such a medicine.”

    Lately, Antibalas have been taking plenty of chances musically and their sonic journey continues into another decade of opening minds with incredibly spiritual and political music. Martin says, “Yes we’re political but we’re still about people getting together, smoking a bunch of weed and dancing to our music.” Any last words for the HIGH TIMES readership? “Vote!”
 

Learn more about Antibalas at http://www.antibalas.com or http://www.myspace.com/antibalas. Check out Martin Perna’s project, Ocote Soul Sounds and Adrian Quesada called The Alchemist Manifesto at http://www.ocotesoul.com or http://www.myspace.com/ocotesoulsounds.