| Three5Human Hits a Rocking Social Chord Text By Sandra T. Molina |
Editor's Note: In case some of you haven't clued into Three5Human's name,
it's an obscure reference to the U. S. Constitution, Article I Section 2 "and
excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons." This reference
wasn't changed until the 14th Amendment, Section 2 in July 1868.
With Top 40 commercial radio’s play list filled endlessly with songs about
body parts, booty calls, gold diggers and partying, the only songs of real
substance it seems is coming from the indie music community. It’s not to say
that the indie scene doesn’t have its share, and rightfully so, of frivolity and
debauchery lionized in song. It is, after all, rock ‘n’ roll! These types of songs
are mandatory, relevant and yes, necessary. But there is more of a wide-
range of themes expressed by artists in the indie forum as opposed to those
heard over the commercial airwaves. And as has been said, a steady diet of
only one thing, no matter how tantalizing, is not a good thing.
One band mixing the inherent fun of rock ‘n’ roll – with heavy guitar rifts and
awe- inspiring vocals – with compelling, provocative and socially relevant
lyrics is Three5Human. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Three5Human encases
its lyrics the most guitar-laden, high-intensity vocals and steady rhythm
section that equals to one of the fiercest rock sounds today.
“It’s our classic sound,” said lead guitarist co-songwriter and band
spokesperson Tomi Martin during a day off from the band’s opening slot for
fellow Georgians Indigo Girls in January and promoting its latest release,
Flying Below the Radar. As he sees it, Three5Human is offering something
that’s missing from today’s musical landscape.
it's an obscure reference to the U. S. Constitution, Article I Section 2 "and
excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons." This reference
wasn't changed until the 14th Amendment, Section 2 in July 1868.
With Top 40 commercial radio’s play list filled endlessly with songs about
body parts, booty calls, gold diggers and partying, the only songs of real
substance it seems is coming from the indie music community. It’s not to say
that the indie scene doesn’t have its share, and rightfully so, of frivolity and
debauchery lionized in song. It is, after all, rock ‘n’ roll! These types of songs
are mandatory, relevant and yes, necessary. But there is more of a wide-
range of themes expressed by artists in the indie forum as opposed to those
heard over the commercial airwaves. And as has been said, a steady diet of
only one thing, no matter how tantalizing, is not a good thing.
One band mixing the inherent fun of rock ‘n’ roll – with heavy guitar rifts and
awe- inspiring vocals – with compelling, provocative and socially relevant
lyrics is Three5Human. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Three5Human encases
its lyrics the most guitar-laden, high-intensity vocals and steady rhythm
section that equals to one of the fiercest rock sounds today.
“It’s our classic sound,” said lead guitarist co-songwriter and band
spokesperson Tomi Martin during a day off from the band’s opening slot for
fellow Georgians Indigo Girls in January and promoting its latest release,
Flying Below the Radar. As he sees it, Three5Human is offering something
that’s missing from today’s musical landscape.
| All Band Photos & design supplied by Three5Human |
“We just want to put out good rock songs with meaningful lyrics,” he said simply.
Martin observed that this type of expression in music – whether singing about
social injustice, the environment or what’s happening in your own backyard – is
dying under the weight of such pop phenomena as American Idol. He wondered
what has happened to the passion that inspired artists like Ritchie Havens and
Bob Dylan – people who he listened to and drew inspiration from while growing
up.
But he sees that not all is lost. Beyond the Kelly Clarksons, Ashlee Simpsons
and their ilk, Martin is inspired by artists like Indigo Girls and Dixie Chicks who
aren’t afraid to speak about politics no matter the consequences.
“[The Dixie Chicks] certainly had a lot to lose,” he said regarding the popular
country act’s statements against the Bush administration a couple of years ago.
That’s something he admired and applauded. “I’m at a point in my life that if you
have a platform, you have a responsibility to say something. And if you’re afraid
[of the consequences] you have to get off the platform.” And thankfully it looks
like the public agrees since the Dixie Chicks’ latest release, Taking The Long
Way, is number one in the country.
Martin observed that this type of expression in music – whether singing about
social injustice, the environment or what’s happening in your own backyard – is
dying under the weight of such pop phenomena as American Idol. He wondered
what has happened to the passion that inspired artists like Ritchie Havens and
Bob Dylan – people who he listened to and drew inspiration from while growing
up.
But he sees that not all is lost. Beyond the Kelly Clarksons, Ashlee Simpsons
and their ilk, Martin is inspired by artists like Indigo Girls and Dixie Chicks who
aren’t afraid to speak about politics no matter the consequences.
“[The Dixie Chicks] certainly had a lot to lose,” he said regarding the popular
country act’s statements against the Bush administration a couple of years ago.
That’s something he admired and applauded. “I’m at a point in my life that if you
have a platform, you have a responsibility to say something. And if you’re afraid
[of the consequences] you have to get off the platform.” And thankfully it looks
like the public agrees since the Dixie Chicks’ latest release, Taking The Long
Way, is number one in the country.
It’s not surprising that Three5Human (Martin, lead singer and co-writer Trina Meade, bassist Billy Fields and drummer Bernard Coley) have
been friends with Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray and Emily Saliers who are as well-known for their activism on behalf of a variety of social issues as
for their harmonies and guitar work. “We’ve known the girls for about ten years and toured with them four or five times, and it’s always a
great experience.”
Their collaboration was also a great experience for the audience earlier this year as they were not only treated to a great rockin’ opening
set, but a three-song encore with the Indigo Girls to close out the evening. “It’s easy to perform with them because they write great songs,”
Martin said. He also said that the behind-the-scenes aspect of the show is where the two groups have really formed a bond saying that
unlike other experiences with other acts, being on the road with Ray, Saliers and their crew is an enjoyable one filled with a great sense of
camaraderie. In fact the experience was so enjoyable that Three5Human will be joining Indigo Girls once again when their summer tour stops
in the eastern part of the country.
The obvious respect that the two groups have for one another began a decade ago and has included some interesting turns. Three5Human,
then known as Social Insanity, was a part of the Indigo Girls’ take on the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. And on the night Three5Human won
a battle of the bands competition it did not even want to enter, Ray and Saliers made the group an offer it couldn’t refuse. The folk-rock duo
asked the newly-crowned winners to refuse the $5,000 prize money from sponsor Virginia Slims and instead accept $5,000 from them and a
spot on their tour as the opening act. They gladly accepted.
“We discriminate who we play with,” Martin explained. “It sounds old-fashioned, but it’s important what the message is that the other band is
saying. [The audience] knows how to party. I’d rather tell them to read, take care of their children…” And getting the message across to the
masses, said Martin, is a lot easier via the Internet and sites like MySpace. “The Internet is the great leveler. It killed the legs right out from
under the big monster – the music industry,” he said with a laugh. “A band like us – black group playing rock – is not being played on radio.
With the Internet, we get our music straight out to the consumer.”
Martin also pointed out that playing live and showing their chops in front of an audience is also an important tool to gaining and keeping a
following. “Bands like Fishbone, Kings X or even the Indigo Girls – record executives will say they’re not going to sell records for a whole lot
of reasons. But go to anyone one of their shows and there’s a huge audience. Forget about bankability. It’s just about the music.”
For more information on Three5Human, please visit www.three5human.com or www.three5human@myspace.com.
been friends with Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray and Emily Saliers who are as well-known for their activism on behalf of a variety of social issues as
for their harmonies and guitar work. “We’ve known the girls for about ten years and toured with them four or five times, and it’s always a
great experience.”
Their collaboration was also a great experience for the audience earlier this year as they were not only treated to a great rockin’ opening
set, but a three-song encore with the Indigo Girls to close out the evening. “It’s easy to perform with them because they write great songs,”
Martin said. He also said that the behind-the-scenes aspect of the show is where the two groups have really formed a bond saying that
unlike other experiences with other acts, being on the road with Ray, Saliers and their crew is an enjoyable one filled with a great sense of
camaraderie. In fact the experience was so enjoyable that Three5Human will be joining Indigo Girls once again when their summer tour stops
in the eastern part of the country.
The obvious respect that the two groups have for one another began a decade ago and has included some interesting turns. Three5Human,
then known as Social Insanity, was a part of the Indigo Girls’ take on the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. And on the night Three5Human won
a battle of the bands competition it did not even want to enter, Ray and Saliers made the group an offer it couldn’t refuse. The folk-rock duo
asked the newly-crowned winners to refuse the $5,000 prize money from sponsor Virginia Slims and instead accept $5,000 from them and a
spot on their tour as the opening act. They gladly accepted.
“We discriminate who we play with,” Martin explained. “It sounds old-fashioned, but it’s important what the message is that the other band is
saying. [The audience] knows how to party. I’d rather tell them to read, take care of their children…” And getting the message across to the
masses, said Martin, is a lot easier via the Internet and sites like MySpace. “The Internet is the great leveler. It killed the legs right out from
under the big monster – the music industry,” he said with a laugh. “A band like us – black group playing rock – is not being played on radio.
With the Internet, we get our music straight out to the consumer.”
Martin also pointed out that playing live and showing their chops in front of an audience is also an important tool to gaining and keeping a
following. “Bands like Fishbone, Kings X or even the Indigo Girls – record executives will say they’re not going to sell records for a whole lot
of reasons. But go to anyone one of their shows and there’s a huge audience. Forget about bankability. It’s just about the music.”
For more information on Three5Human, please visit www.three5human.com or www.three5human@myspace.com.
| ©Indietude.com 2006 |
