Boostive: a fan experience
If you read my post about the start of my music project, you might remember that for this project specifically I’m just kind of letting The Universe guide the experience and to be quite honest, it’s doing a hell of a job. So as we talked about in the first Boostive post I’d found out about the band a year after seeing some of the band and their friends rocking out at a BLM march. #BlackLivesMatter
Now a year later I’d finally had learned their band name so I’d been binging on their catalog on Napster(1)(2) for the past couple weeks and reached out to them to see if I could shoot their show and thankfully they said “yes.” (3) The show was at the Music Box in San Diego which is a newer venue to me. Since I’d never made it out before I was pretty stoked to check it out. Since I was allowed to bring my camera I decided that I would shoot the show from the perspective of a fan, and so that’s what this post is.
My man Samy Wats rockin the whip with his tunes.
I hoped into an Lyft because I wanted to indulge in the devil’s lettuce (4) and I don’t fuck around and drive. In the Lyft the driver was bumping some tunes, we got to talking, and it turned out he’s a producer/performer named Samy Wats(3). We had a good chat, and he checked out Boostive and vibed out on their sound before dropping us off. If you’re into hip-hop, or supporting San Diego artists, check out my man Samy Wats on Spotify or buy an album or some shit so he can get out of that car sooner than later.
Anyway, showing up pretty early (5) there was a small line out front and we got in after just a couple minutes standing in queue(6). The venue was a modern, three story, industrial design (think fancy rave or like midtier venue on Guitar Hero). The stair access, merch area, and bar are all close by the door when you first walk in and there was a small gathering of people around here. Judging by the ages and outfits of the group (a lot of silver foxes and hippie attire) it seemed that these were some of the parents and music scene vets. I chatted one of them up who was friends with one of the parents of a band member and had back in his day written a song that was bought by none other than Neil Young. How about that?!
Further up in front of the stage it was pretty vacant save for all the cool kids glued to the seating along the wall. This made it super easy to get a decent spot a couple people back from the railing. As more and more of the youngsters started filing in it became like a who’s who of OB (7) people and I could feel the energy building. I mean, how could a reggae show not be full of good ass vibes?! Of course this show was gonna be bangin.
The opener Dread Kennedy kicked off the show with a great set that got the audience moving and by the time they had finished their set the place was stuffed to the gills. All three levels of the club were packed and the place nearly exploded as Boostive took the stage. Unfortunately, since there are like A HUNDRED members in the band (8) it took a little time to get everyone sound checked and I could hear some of the fans around me growing a little restless. Seems standard for a crowd that had already been drinking for over an hour at this point. For the record I was chillin (9). Once the band started playing all was forgiven.
They started with a slower jam and then eventually led into some of their bangers. The dancing in the pit was epic. The crowd was vibin’ HARD. It was as awesome as I’d expected it to be.
—Quick side note: the amount of big hats at this show was unthinkably plentiful. Like leaves in a rainforest plentiful. For which I say: what the fuck??? Also, the amount of tall people who show up just before the headliner and slipped in front of the crowd is certainly a detail about shows that I did not miss from my scenester days a decade prior. I understand every body type is different and they all have their advantages and disadvantages and I’m certainly not trying to body shame anyone. I get it, if you’re tall you have a better chance of dunking or getting a girlfriend in high school but when it comes to concerts you either need to show up early or fuck right off. I mean honestly tall people and big hats. At a concert?! What the hell is wrong with people? Ok rant over.
As the dancing to my left grew stronger and every person 6’3” or above conveniently found their place directly in front of me I went upstairs to catch a reprieve and get some different vantage points with my photos. I quickly found out the second floor was for VIPs only which was weird because they wouldn’t let me in (10).
I headed up to the third floor. Real fans are always reppin in the nosebleeds so it was good to check out the scene. It was an interesting vibe and as with any concert people were very protective of their places along the railing even just squeezing in for a second to take a photo was a big todo. Aside from that and a couple drunk dudes that seemingly came to a concert to converse loudly, there were a lot of good vibes up top and the band was connecting with fans even way up on the third floor. I even got a few pictures of band members looking and gesturing up to the fans which got big responses. “Did you see?! He pointed right at me!” exclaimed the woman next to me.
I stayed on the top deck for a while and then finished up the night by weaseling my way back into the pit during the last few songs. The energy was insane and the music was absolutely killer because well it was Boostive (11). I’m not sure if The Music Box had to file an insurance claim for damages or not but I am one thousand percent sure Boostive blew the roof off that fucker. They wrapped with 3rd Ear (12), took a band selfie with the audience, then proceeded to party with the fans as the venue made the slightest of transitions into a dance club.
It was bangin in there but I was wiped from a long day behind me. My night had run it’s coarse so I headed home just day dreaming about the next time I’ll get to see the band rockin it again.
That said, if you love good ass music and you have the chance to see Boostive, DO IT! Check out their LP if you don’t believe me cus that shit is crazy fucking good and they’re just as good if not better live. So that’s pretty much it. Boostive is fucking rad, go check them out.
Well what are you waiting for?! Go listen to Boostive already!
(1) Don’t judge me.
(2) Napster, formerly known as Rhapsody was the first streaming service and I’d been subscribed since like 2008 so if there are any Spotify loyalists squirming over you can save that noise you’re kickin and kindly Bioya*.
(3) The universe.
(4) Helloooooo it’s a reggae show.
(5) I like to watch the openers is that such a crime?! In reality I’ve found so many of my favorite bands by watching all the openers. If you don’t show up for the openers at concerts you’re doing yourself a disservice.
(6) So what I like to spice things in my writing. I’m not hurting anyone.
(7) OB = Ocean Beach. An area in San Diego famous for its hippie community and strong beach vibes. Lots of crystals, dream catchers, tie dye, street performers, that kinda stuff. You smell me?!
(8) Really I think there were like 9 members.
(9) I smoke weed baby!!!
(10) My mom tells me I’m very important but I guess that’s not the same as buying some sort of ticket or something. Who even knows?
(11) Helloooooooo?!?!
(12) My favorite song of theirs and an absolute BANGER
Boostive: music with meaning
A few months back I went to my first concert since the pandemic had started(1). The band and the show were both excellent and an interesting thing about this concert was that I’d only just learned of the band maybe a couple weeks before the show but it wasn’t the first time I saw them perform. Let me explain.
Last summer (2020) during the height of the Black Lives Matter civil rights movement which had been reignited by the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, I was at a large march taking place in downtown San Diego at the Waterfront Park which is kinda like our city hall here …I think. Any way, it was a hot, sunny, mid-day event in June and there was a massive turnout. Over 1,000 people marching. Things seemed like they had cooled out from a week or two earlier when there had been lots of teargas and police violence at other demonstrations throughout the county (and the country). As it turned out this particular march was very peaceful and very moving.
Now for people who don’t know me well (yet) I wear my heart on my sleeve and am very open with my emotions. I cry at movies and have no qualms about it. I mean who didn’t cry during Fast 9 when Vin Diesel gave everyone unlimited soup and bread sticks? #WhenYoureHereYoureFamily #OliveGarden #BadMovies
But in all seriousness I have been moved by the power of protest a few times before in my life but this was beyond anything I’d experienced. What was so different about this march? Was it the massive crowd? The touching speeches? The diversity of the people/groups supporting? No. These were all things I’d experienced before. What set this march apart was the fact that there was a goddamn marching band.
The band was comprised of about 10 young adults with various horns and percussion instruments (including a turtle shell). They were dressed as individuals, but they played like a fucking unit. These were real-ass musicians and they quickly became the sound of the movement (at least for that day). The marchers had a bounce and a groove in their steps and many were inspired to dance. The sound was so infectious even a racist would have to admit it sounded fucking awesome. They were undeniable.
I had been photographing the march so I was in and out of the band’s presence all throughout the day and I remember wanting to try and make contact with some of the band members for a potential interview afterward but I was new to photojournalism/documentary photography and I inadvertently let them slip away. To top it off my only lead (2) ended up ghosting me after I DMed him. A major bummer no doubt.
I knew the story was interesting. I’d seen the way the people (marchers and observers) responded to the band. I felt how much the music amplified the message of the crowd and I wanted to know more. Who were these people? Did play together often? We’re they a band? A meetup group just for the march? What inspired them to come out? I was desperate to know but I was at a dead end.
That was until about a year later.
After being vaxxed and taking a break from covering injustice/activism for mental health reasons I found my way back in a comedy club after being away for over two years. While at the club downtown I’d often take advantage of the location and take street photos in the Gaslamp (bar) District while I would wait for my time slot at the open mics.
One night I was walking down the street to grab a slice of pizza when I saw a guitarist and saxophone player jammin at a sparsely populated bar(3). I was still getting used to seeing maskless people doing things from the before times and the sound was nice so I hung out for a little bit to snap a couple photos. As I was photographing the saxophonist he made eye contact, then motioned for me to come in and join in the fun. It was at this very moment that I realized I’d taken his photo before. He was one of the horn players from the marching band.
I waited for them to finish their song and then pounced.
“Did you play your sax at a protest with a marching band last summer?”
“Yeah. That was with some friends. They’re a legit band called Boostive. I jam with them sometimes.”
We exchanged info. I told him about my ongoing music project that I’m shooting and even got a solid portrait of him (follow @salmakessounds on insta). Solid chance encounter thanks to The Universe and man was that satisfying to finally connect the dots on that marching band. Ahh what an itch to scratch!
Check out my man Sal on insta @salmakessounds or as Sean Lambert on all streaming platforms. His latest single “Violet (Remix)” is streaming now.
Over the next couple of days I’d listen to Boostive’s music and be absolutely blown away. The band is a perfect mix of reggae, funk, psychedelic, rock, and hip-hop with some Latin flavor in the mix and just an overall full sound that hits you right in the jaw if you’re not expecting it. The sound was so rich (my god the horns), the vocals outstanding, and the Emcee featured on about half of the tracks on the groups LP, Creme Supreme, was kickin' some real shit on there. Like the inter connectivity of open mindedness, history, and oppression kind of shit. It made sense that THIS band would be marching in a civil rights movement, they’ve got songs on wax(4) about exactly that.
I saw they had a show playing shortly after I’d officially stumbled across their music thanks to my new friend Sal so I got a ticket and reached out to see if I could bring my camera. They said yes.
So I present to you Boostive: a fan experience.
(1) Don’t sweat me I’m vaxxed.
(2) Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) member who said he was friends with the band.
(3) The sparseness was due to this being a weeknight in San Diego. We really are a weekend only town as far as partying is concerned.
(4) Or whatever. You know what I mean.
