aa GUAM PLANTS DIEGO ROOTS WORDS: POONAM HEMLANI (MARIANAS VARIETY) | PHOTO: STEVE HARDY The year was 2001 when four baldheads changed the way many listen to music. That was the year underground band Diego Roots was born; the day Chris McConnaughey, Ryan Kelley, Josiah Panella and Brandon Jensen felt the irie itch and started to jam, putting in motion what would become the band’s signature reggae sound. Up and down the west coast, Diego Roots has headlined at reputable venues. Copious amounts of alcohol and dancing along with a circle pit encompassing a whopping crowd is the norm. It goes without saying that Diego Roots’ live shows are full of good-natured energy. This San Diego ska-reggae band definitely has people rooting them on and, in turn, the foursome came to Guam, rooting for Mount Carmel Catholic School to stay open and branch out amidst its financial crisis. Band member McConnaughey’s relationship with the Agat school began when his mom worked as an administrator when their family was stationed on island. Dedicated to providing the best in island happenings and promotions, Entertainment Guam, the island's hottest new source, was responsible for bringing Diego Roots to Guam to share their brand of music with the locals and to support Mount Carmel's cause. How did you discover your passion for playing music? McConnaughey: I showed him three notes: g, cand d. Then, like, six months later, he's playing like a miracle child. He's got Panella: My dad had been playing pretty much his whole life, the talent. Ie’s a true blessing. since he was like eight years old. He's played with the ‘Tempta- tions, The Drifters and Chuck Berry in his day. He’s done it all, traveled. I kind of wanted to follow in his footsteps; he got me iy first drum set when I was two. 've been in little bands here and there and, finally, in high school, I got together with these guys and started Diego Roots. Jensen: Bass players are the coolest in my op down those flow notes. jon, so I dropped Is it all about music for Diego Roots? What about cutture, revolution. lifestyle or family? Did Diego Roots know exacily which musician fit the instru- ment? McConnaughey: Me and Ryan went to high school together, he’s kind of like a brother to me. He dated my sister for six years. We would be singing in the parking lot at two in the Jensen: Up until this point, it’s just the four of us doing our thing. As far as our music goes, we've got one bass, one guitar, one drums and one singer—we're the basic. I's kind of ironic. Asa kid, I was musically inclined toward the piano. I always liked music but I never knew what I wanted to do with it. As 1 got older, I just started experiencing music on my own and I had a love for it on a personal level. I started playing the guitar. Ie-was available, it was there, you carry a guitar everywhere and you can do anything with it.I was just like “Let me have it!” haven't put it down since then. Bee area-tell Ce ORT Re RU eRe) island. It's kind of a close unit, from what I've seen. I'm stoked to really be here.” morning, drinking beer, singing and then we started saying, “Wouldn't it be great if we started a band?” Panella: Once Ryan came into the group, the name Diego Roots came about. Before that, we messed around with a couple of different names, it wasn't serious until we got pretty stable with the group here. From then on, we just became family What was it like at your first couple of gigs?Kelley: At fist it was like, keep the girls moving and dancing at parties, things like that, which escalated quickly into people wanting albums, wanting us to travel to where they're at to play for them. McConaughey: A musician feeds off his audience, we really engage our audience. One of our biggest policies is getting people off the stages people just always want to be on stage with us. We're trying to cure that. We love what we do and that cross in our music. It’s obvious for s profound impact on the ‘McConaughey: People try to say we sound like 311, but then again we throw in our San Diego type of flavor, making it our ‘own unique sound. We have a number of influences, Police, Steel Pulse, groups like Barrington Levy, Don Carlos. I wouldn't say one in particular. Our reggae influences come from Bob Marley. We all grew up listening to a lot of good reggae music your band build its Kelley: Prior to coming here, we were in Mexico. It was a good time—spring break trip, you know. Lots of people there and beautiful weather. This is like the farthest we've ventured. «fishbowl OUNGE SS TOUCH OF SAN FRANCIS iat TERN PACIFI Se NAA A DON'T MSs! TAA We eerste Parent ked out the lo McConaughey: We had the pleasure of listening to Kaya on acoustic, it was cool. Our opening bands are Fanai Talari The Breakdown Band, Last Standing All Stars and Kaya. There are alot of good musicians on island, Session is really good. It just shows us that music is vibing all around this island. There are musicians here that love music. ‘McConnaughey: Its incredible to see all the love that’s here on this island. Its kind of a close unit, from what I've seen. mt stoked to really be here. It’s prime time destination here. If die, T'm coming here. It’sit for me, for real. @ future? Kelley: We've got plans in the picture for Florida, there's big fan following out there now. We're going to get out there and bring the music to the people who want it Keep your ear to the Roots. [+] idergrounds it’s where youl find Diego