Ooklah The Moc

Leading the Local Roots Dub Sound To The Top

By HuiMusic.com

Reggae music has influenced contemporary Hawaii so much, that it has become the anthem of many artists and bands repp’n the 808. Since the style naturally runs in the veins of the local music scene, it has had to endure the stigma of being labeled “Jawaiian”.  

But listen deeper into the sounds of the Hawaii Reggae artists, and there is a very unique style that stands true and speaks volumes of aloha, soul and spirit shared amongst islanders. One such band, Ooklah The Moc, has been a staple of the Reggae scene here in Oahu and is one of the best Roots Dub Reggae bands in the state.  

Coming together in the mid-'90s, Ooklah The Moc filled Palolo Valley with the hypnotic sounds of true roots dub and slowly started to build a strong following. But originally, the group started as a hard-core punk band and eventually completed a metamorphosis to Reggae in short order. GREAT CALL!  

As per any band that has been together for a long time, there are some line-up shifts. The current line is:

John "Barrucus" Davis - Drums, Ryan "Jah Gumby" Murakami - Bass, Asher "Killer P" Philippart - Guitar, Nick "Kali" Navales - Vocals, Jimbo "Ras Bird" LaPierre - Vocals, "Sister Micky" Huihui - Vocals, Gary Nakano - Trumpet, Tony Bush - Trombone, Brad Watanabe - Keyboards  

Fast forward to today and Ooklah The Moc has worked themselves up to being one of the premier live performing bands in Hawaii . With the success of their first album, "Ites Massive", they took full advantage of performances and a growing following that led to their latest release, “Rearranging Your Positive”, which has sold almost more than the first CD and it’s only been out for a few months!  

The reviews on their latest CD have been all-time, to say the least. The Star Bulletin, Honolulu Advertiser and the Maui News all gave the kind of reviews that one can only hope for, as critiquing in Hawaii can be a tough beast to tame. Across-the-board winner.  

But the real reviews are coming from the fans. Within the last few months, the rumble about Ooklah The Moc has been synonymous with some of the biggest shows as of late. “I love going to their shows,” said one of the band's fans, Kalani. "The music and the love sets off a vibe that stick with you for a while. It all just blends in without hype."  

A kick’n rhythm section that escorts top-shelf arrangements, and a HOT horn section and musicianship and vocals is the formula for the sound that is Ooklah The Moc.  

In quite of few of the interviews that I have done this year, Ooklah The Moc has been praised and has come up as the band to open for in Hawaii . As Wayne Harada said in his recent review: “The Moc ROCKS!”  

Below is the interview with Tony Bush of Ooklah The Moc:  

Who started the band?

The four-piece of drummer John Davis, bassist Ryan Murakami, guitarist Asher Philippart, and singer James "Jimbo" "Ras Bird" LaPierre created the band in mid-1990s.  

What's the spiritual vibe of your work?

We all like to remain in the positive. We give praises to the creator, whomever that may be for everyone in their religion. We are a nine-piece band and we don't adhere to one particular religion that unifies any of us. But we hope that people can draw a positive spirituality from our music.  

Give me a brief history of the beginning.

Three-piece punk band on the scene in Hawaii in the mid-'90s. Added singer Jimbo in '97. Added horns in '98. Released tracks "Roots Music" and "Dub Intermission" on Quiet Storm Records release "Roots Music: Vol.I". Released full album "Ites Massive" in 2000. Added singers Nick "Kali" Navales and "Sister Micky" Huihui. Released second full album, "Rearrange Your Positive", in 2004. Touring Hawaii and California and currently working on album No. 3 (yet to be titled).

Are all trained musicians?

Some have music degrees, some have many experience in the music circuit, and all have big imaginations (a vague answer for a loaded question).  

Are they Hawaii based?

All musicians currently live on Oahu (Palolo and Manoa)  

Where do you record your CDs?

First CD recorded at Audio Resource and Wendel Ching's Studio; second CD recorded at Wendel Ching's studio; third album currently under production at bassist Ryan Murakami's home studio.  

How well did your first CD sell?

First CD had to sell during the biggest depression of CD sales in history, due to the onset of digital music on the web and "burning". Additionally, it was distributed by Olinda Road , which, unknown to the band, was heading for bankruptcy. Despite adversity, and now being distributed by self-owned distribution and record label GHETTO CIRCUS RECORDS, first album has sold thousands of copies in its first three years.  

Do you have mainstream distribution?

We are distributed by CD BABY and REGGAECD.COM on the web, in the Tower Records, Sam Goodys, and Borders Books catalogs, and self-distributed by GHETTO CIRCUS RECORDS to over 40 locations in Hawaii and abroad.  

How is your new CD moving?

The new CD just had its six-month anniversary and is almost up over the "Ites Massive" sales already.  

How many shows are you up to per month?

We play from two to nine shows per month.  

What is your "home" venue?

Our starting "home" venue would have been Anna Bannanas, but these days we try to be as diverse from month to month as possible.  

Where have you played outside of Hawaii ?

San Diego , Ocean Beach , Carlsbad , Long Beach , Hollywood (second tour coming to N.Cal in March 2005).  

What's the best thing about being a Hawaii-based artist?

The fans are the best and most loyal; the inspirational beauty for the music is all around.  

What's the toughest thing about being a Hawaii-based artist?

Airline tickets for a nine-piece band!!!!!!  

What's in the future for Ooklah the Moc?

Many more albums, spreading the music to the people all around the world, and giving back blessings to the earth and the creator, for what it is blessing OOKLAH with these days.

www.ooklahthemoc.com