Pink Floyd Classic Gets the Reggae Treatment at Pier Concert Opener

By Tomm Carroll
Music Critic

July 2 -- The 21st annual Twilight Dance Series of free concerts at the Santa Monica Pier got off to a skanking start Thursday night with a double bill of reggae bands: The Easy Star All-Stars and Detour Posse.

Photo by Gene Williams

Photos by Gene Williams

The headlining Easy Stars performed their "rasta-fied" take on Pink Floyd's landmark album "Dark Side of the Moon," which they have playfully retitled "Dub Side of the Moon."

Reggae and Floyd fans alike were in attendance, and expressed their approval of the cross-cultural musical experiment -- the album of which has sold over 70,000 copies -- by dancing along to the infectious sounds.

Local reggae outfit Detour Posse, who recently toured with legendary Jamaican vocalist Barrington Levy, opened the show on a high-energy note, with vocalists bounding about the stage as the band played original numbers and Bob Marley classics.

Next Thursday's free concert on the pier features veteran Tex-mex band Little Joe y la Familia, and East L.A.'s own chicano rock progenitors Cannibal and the Headhunters, known for their national hit "Land of a Thousand Dances" and celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.