Music travels beyond the boundaries of regions, allowing for things like this: One of the best reggae-influenced bands in the Midwest comes from the St. Louis area. Mixing up a whole bunch of Jamaican-based sounds, such as ska, reggae and dub with a twist of blues-rock feel, put band members, Dane Wells (guitar, lead vocals), Nick Christie (bass), Kevin Krauss (drums, backing vocals), Ryan Stewart (keys), Zaq Nunley (alto sax, backing vocals), Sean Myers (trombone, backing vocals) and Brian McEuen (trumpet) in a feel-good place to make original music, shaped by a variety of artists. From Bob Marley to Bad Brains, Sublime to Son House, Steel Pulse to The Urge, The Driftaways wear their influences proudly, while seemingly, effortlessly creating a whole new sound from the familiar beats and progressions we associate with “island music.” The seven-piece band heads to town as part of a larger concert production hosted by your friends at Killinoize. The show also features Kamikaze Kush and Devin Williams with break music by Mondope.

The Driftaways
Friday, July 11, 8pm
Donnie’s Homespun
From Dusk Till Dawn
Pre-Party Session 3

Tom Irwin

Tom Irwin, a sixth-generation Sangamon County resident, has played his songs and music for nearly 40 years in the central Illinois area with occasional forays across the country. He's contributed to Illinois Times since 2000 by writing Now Playing, a weekly music column, as well as features stories and other articles...

Illinois Times has provided readers with independent journalism for almost 50 years, from news and politics to arts and culture.

Your support will help cover the costs of editorial content published each week. Without local news organizations, we would be less informed about the issues that affect our community..

Click here to show your support for community journalism.

Got something to say?

Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!

Comments (0)
Add a Comment