Wailing Souls are standard bearers and among the few active surviving elder statesmen from the birth and the golden era of reggae music. With a career spanning more than five decades, from rock steady through reggae to dancehall and beyond, their canon is part of the soundtrack of Jamaica itself. Songs including “Fire House Rock,” “Jah Jah Give Us Life,” “Mr. Fire Coal Man,” and “Shark Attack” mark creative high points in reggae history.

Winston “Pipe” Matthews and Lloyd “Bread” McDonald’s creative history dates to Jamaica’s rock steady days in a group called The Renegades with George Haye. A number of name changes would take place into the 1970s, while they would first use the name Wailing Souls for a track called “Gold Digger” for producer Lloyd Daley in 1970. At that time, Pipe and Bread were joined by Norman “Fats D” Davis and Oswald “Sabu” Downer. With this lineup, the group also made a series of key recordings for Coxson Dodd’s iconic Studio One label, which included “Mr. Fire Coal Man,” “Back Out,” and “Things & Time.” These recordings either credited Wailing Souls or The Classics.

The group’s close association with Bob Marley & The Wailers during this era included singing harmony on Marley’s “Trench Town Rock” and seeing two tracks released on Marley’s Tuff Gong label in 1972, as Pipe & The Pipers.

Iriebellion is a 6-piece roots reggae influenced band from Taos, New Mexico whose original music features 3-part harmonies, catchy hooks, and high energy bass lines topped off with brilliant guitar solos creating a powerful foundation for gritty lyrics with super conscious hip-hop on top. Their songs bring positive messages about life, love and community. Their music will create an unforgettable experience, that will leave you singing in the sunrise!

Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 day of show (plus a $3 service charge). They are also available by phone through Hold My Ticket at 505-886-1251.

Taos Mesa Brewing Mothership is a standing room venue.