Nathen Maxwell is the bassist for Flogging Molly which is one of the best bands in the world.  This is not just my opinion I think there’s a UN resolution about it somewhere. (Does anyone have Ban Ki-moon on speed dial?)  Anyway, there are 2 very important points I need to make before we all hop on the Original Bunny Gang bus here: 1) All is absolutely wonderful in the Flogging Molly world and Nathen considers his position with Flogging Molly to be “the greatest job in the world.” (And he’s pretty much right.) 2) The Original Bunny Gang is the kind of awesome that lives on the same block as Flogging Molly but has a different zip code.  Where Molly Malone’s most favored progeny are the kings (and queen) of Celtic punk on a worldwide scale, Nathen Maxwell and The Original Bunny Gang, are the epitome of honest and in the groove SoCal reggae/folk.

Nathen Maxwell has punk blood running through his veins but the heart that pumps that blood is made up of pure reggae. His new solo album White Rabbit is a 10-song showcase for that folksy heartbeat.   For 10 years Maxwell has been piecing these songs of trials and triumph together and perfecting them into what they are now. White Rabbit is such a strong album that once you listen to the record it will work its way into your every day life and you won’t even take notice. You will just know that you want to sing that “bumpadadum” part again as you drive to the store, or better yet, the shore.

The Original Bunny Gang section of this reggae equation is as impressive as the main dude.  Up first is maxwellvision on drums.  Maxwellvision (Or Papa Maxwell) is Nathen’s father and also one of the best drummers on this planet and probably some others I haven’t visited.  He also lives in a tepee on a mountain outside of Malibu, plays with the Blue Hawaiians who create tunes for the SpongeBob SquarePants show,  and honestly is one of the coolest Buddha type guys I have ever met.    Then there’s the 4  string master Michael Peralta from the underground badasses The Rolling Blackouts on bass.  Besides that when the OBG plays live there can be ALL sorts of surprises of who joins them on stage.  Nathen and Papa Maxwell have a lot of very talented friends.

The White Rabbit CD was produced by Flogging Molly producer Ted Hutt who has also produced albums for The Gaslight Anthem, Chuck Ragan, Lucero and Bouncing Souls.  If a team is greater than the sum of it’s parts then if you look at the  components of Nathen Maxwell and The Original Bunny Gang it should be no surprise why this album is so good.

If you are into reggae, soul music, or just want to decompress.  Check out the OBG CD White Rabbit and definitely go see Mr. Maxwell live.  Europe! he’s headed your way starting in London on March 30 which is less than 2 weeks after Flogging Molly finishes the fifth annual Green 17 tour on March 17th in Tempe, Arizona. Cheers!  (Photo by Stu Kennedy of skfunphotos.com)

http://www.myspace.com/nathenmaxwell

grooveyhmm@gmail.com