BoodAbooM is working to spread the love, the rock and the reggae, and they’re bringing it to Coombs on Saturday, May 27.
The band, which got its start in 2012, has been through a few iterations, with band members coming in and then leaving to do their own thing, but Theo Massop, the leader of the band, said this latest three-person incarnation is the one to see.
They’ll be performing at the last Coombs Rodeo Grounds Hall dance of the season.
Massop said the name of the band is both a quick, phonetic reference to the Buddha, but even more, it’s an effort to describe the big, three-piece band sound that they are going for.
The band performs its own original tunes, in addition to unique covers, including music ranging from the X Ambassadors to Johnny Cash.
“This is basically a rock and reggae band, but we really cross a lot of different lines because the idea is to, first off, keep it interesting and diverse,” said Massop.
The band will be sampling tunes from Massop’s decades-long recording career, as well as new work that they hope to bring together as a new album in the near future.
Having had several different band members in the past who’ve chosen different career paths, Massop said the band is beginning to rise in popularity with the inclusion of Gade Vadas on drums and Peter Surridge on bass.
Having put together the new crew a little more than a year ago,
Massop said he sees real magic in BoodAbooM this go around.
“These two guys are easily the hardest working musicians I’ve ever encountered,” said Massop. “We have managed to get ourselves to that place where the x-factor has cut in and we have got that situation where the sum is greater than the parts of the equation. It’s a very cool place to be and we’ve definitely locked it down groove-wise and also just attitude and approach.”
He said moving from pub shows to places like the Coombs hall is a good sign. “It’s one of the greatest dance floors on the island,” he said.
The goal for the band at its gigs is to give audience members a fun time, and pass on a positive outlook.
“My songs that I write and a lot of the repertoire that we choose, we try to really lean into positive songs,” he said. “So you’ll hear stuff like Ziggy Marley’s Love is My Religion. My own song from the album called The Answer is basically the same thing that Lennon, McCartney and so many others have said — when it comes to dealing with issues, problems in the world, take a loving approach and it usually works out a little better. So there are a lot of positive messages that come out of it. ”
The show takes place at the Coombs Rodeo Grounds Hall on Saturday, May 27, and runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. They can be purchased at the Coombs General Store, the Coombs Rodeo grounds office, Cranky Dog, Arbutus Music and Fascinating Rhythm in Nanaimo.The show is for people 19 and older.
