Gus Riby on sax for De Jah Gro Interview

DE JAH GROOVE HIT THE JACKPOT WITH DEBUT ALBUM & TOUR

Put your ear to the speaker, cast your worries away, set your mind at ease, let your feet do the talking, this is DE JAH GROOVE!

Born out from Melbourne's sultry live music scene just over two years ago, DE JAH GROOVE provide welcome relief in a world full a worry - here the answer is simple dance, love, music, laughter.

An addictive combination of rock and roots with blazing horns, explosive percussion, rhythmic drum 'n bass and rocking guitars, the six piece have won over a legion of fans from Brunswick Street to Byron Bay, from to Bondi Beach to Birmingham.

Thanks to hard work and dedication, DE JAH GROOVE have spawned nationwide Triple J and community radio airplay, great reviews, sellout shows, a loyal following from a number of successful tours throughout Australia and the UK.

* Debut EP Renegade Reggae launched
late 2006 with sellout Melbourne launch
* Debut EP sold 3000 copies
DE JAH GROOVE release their debut album ?Rock Bottom Jackpot? on November 10 which will be backed by a full national tour hitting taking in all states, and even includes remote destinations like Darwin and Broome.

The album features the band?s current single ?Mellow Stages? which was released on September 3 and is currently enjoying airplay on Triple J and has appeared on the Long Beach Records Compilation CD which was distributed via 10,000 magazines around the world and will see the band develop their market into the US, Japan and other overseas destinations.

Gus Riby De Jah Gro Interview1. How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

i dunno if we really troubled the airwaves THAT much. felt good but.


2. Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

many, many, dark, dark clouds. no not really, we just travel and make good times happen. what music industry? :)


3. Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

yep we write them all. harley and delany pretty much write all the lyrics and chords. they bring it to us and we tell them it's shit and change it completely.


4. What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

we've all sorta grown up with hendrix, marley, ac/dc, etc. but currently there's some bands makin real good rock'n'roll. kings of leon, the exploders (melbs)... also i'm gettin into this dude from melbourne 'austin'. sick voice, check it out!


5. What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

tour and album... album tour. we're goin til the end of january, trying to cover as much ground as we can, twice, and sell a pantload of CDs!!


6. Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

many. it's hard all the time but when you rock up to byron and your mates are waitin there bustin to party with you gotta think "this is allllright".


7. Do you prefer performing live or recording?

recording is amazing, especially this time cos we got to work with the great man andy baldwin. we learnt a shit load from that mad scientist. but all that being said playing live is much more fun and we get free booze. so live wins.


8. What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

bon scott.


9. What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

shawdow boxing. us vs. cat empire's shadow.


10. What's a typical day like?

that's a broad question.


11. What has been your favorite part of becoming a music artist?

i don't need to practice sax any more cos i'm playing it every other night on stage!


12. If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

johnny cash.


13. Are you single? What do you look for in a partner?

yep, i look for a nice girl, blonde, brunette, or ginger... generally 5" 3ish... grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. all that.


14. Do you have a website fans can visit?

you can go to www.dejahgroove.com or for our latest stuff, songs, photos, etc. myspace.com/dejahgroove


15. Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

1. sun, 2. mates, 3. love, 4. time, 5. music.


16. What message would you like to say to your fans?

we're getting better, promise!


17. What is the story behind the bands name?

it came to harley in a cheese dream. it seemed like a good idea at the time.

60 Second Quiz

Full Name: angus alexander hamilton wildcat rigby
Nickname(s): rigbert, rigborg, borg, bison, sibo.
Star Sign: vegetarian
Music Talent: X
Favorite Food: Mi Goreng 2 minute noodles
Favorite Film: City of God
Favorite Actor: William McInnes
Pet: 2 pet rats Amity and Cos. their awesome.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Calm, Stressed, Thinker
Best Feature: hairy face
Worst Feature: hairy toes
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: my mum and dad when they were kids
Hobbies/Interests: guitar, cycling.
First Job: keyboard salesman
Are you a Pub, Bar or Club kind: puuuuuuuuuuuuuub
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: my medic manbag.
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning: the empty side of my double bed.