Dub Trio

Although noise metal and dub seldom intersect, Dub Trio stands apart from typical ensembles. The outfit concentrates almost entirely on instrumental work and features guitarist D.P. Holmes, bassist Stuart Brooks, and drummer Joe Tomino. Each member ranks among the most accomplished and in-demand session players of the era, with credits spanning the Fugees, Bo Bice, G-Unit, Tony Yayo, Mobb Deep, Common, Mos Def, and Macy Gray. Holmes and Brooks first collaborated in Actual Proof while studying at Berklee. After the pair moved to New York City, Tomino joined and introduced his colleagues to dub, particularly the recordings of King Tubby. Steady session obligations supplied the musicians time to compose and practice, sharpening them into a cohesive rhythm section. The musicians performed locally without a formal identity until “Dub Trio” appeared on a venue marquee before one show; the designation remained. ROIR Records head Lucas Cooper soon offered the group a contract. In 2004 the band issued its first album, Exploring the Dangers Of, and supported the release with occasional live dates, including opening slots for Meat Beat Manifesto and Soulive. While preparing the follow-up, 2006’s New Heavy, Dub Trio added vocals to one selection by enlisting Mike Patton for “Not Alone.” The initial collaboration occurred entirely via file exchange, yet the participants convened in person on December 28, 2005, to perform the track for an unsuspecting crowd at a Patton/Rahzel concert in Brooklyn, New York. The encounter proved so successful that the musicians intend to record an entire album together.