UPDATE: The Human Rights' performance at The Cove Inn on November 15 has been postponed to summer 2025, specific date and time TBD.

I have always said that Bob Marley is one of the most universally accepted and loved musicians in the world. You know, "This a reggae music… One love, one heart… Everything is gonna be alright… Is this love that I'm feeling?" There are so many positive vibes with this music. Vibes that permeate all of Bob's followers and continuers! When I heard the dub, dancehall, roots reggae style of The Human Rights, I got so excited and we could only imagine to have real roots reggae like this show up in our hallowed halls in our backyard! Come and feel the music on Friday, November 15 at The Cove Inn in Westport. Dinner available after 5 pm, and the show is 8-11 pm. Details and reservations here: web link

Seamus Cowan: I have always loved the essence of reggae. A positive message with an incredibly unique sound and a trance like groove. What got you into reggae and where did your inspiration come from to create this band?

Friendlyness: I got into ska and reggae at a very young age of about 11 or 12. I had an older friend in my neighbourhood who schooled me on The Specials' album and the two-tone ska, rude boy/girl movement that was going on in the UK. Me and one of my junior high school friends started going downtown to Kensington Market where I got exposed to Stranger Cole and Rannie Bop’s record stores. We also started going to downtown dances called “Start Dancing” to hear ska music and to hang out with social rebels like the mods, the punks and the skins. I remember hearing Black Uhuru‘s “Darkness” in the dancehall, and that was it for me. ”Reggae is cooler than ska!“

I had always been in bands since high school with a band that I formed there called Jah Youth. Later on I joined Revelation, Culture Shock, The Hit Squad, Raggadeath and Truths & Rights 2.0. Except for Jah Youth, those were all groups that I joined or was asked to join and when Truths & Rights folded in 2007, I travelled to Ethiopia and England. I was trying to figure out what my next musical move was going to be when I met Eric Woolston and we formed The Human Rights with original members Tyler (Wagler), Graham and Bernie (Pitters).

Q: You're so lucky to have such engaging front men: Friendlyness and Tréson. They compliment each other and they lead the mind of the band so well. The band is hot. From the outside looking in, this strength seems to keep the band intact and together.

Friendlyness: It’s really the strength of what each band member brings to the band that keeps it intact along with the leadership of our drummer and driving force Eric Woolston. Also, the lack of individual egos is what makes it possible to keep going.

Q: Big Sugar was one of my favourite bands when I first started playing bass and going to shows. Their psychedelic dub sound was the perfect blend in my books. It must be an incredible feeling having that depth of reggae life with Big Sugar's Friendlyness in your band.

Friendlyness: Actually, we formed The Human Rights a couple years before (2008) I joined a Big Sugar (2010), and and my reggae depth started long before that. When I was in the Hit Squad with Bernie Pitters, I was fortunate to play for some of reggae‘s greatest legends. That was in the 90s alongside the great Garry Lowe.

Q: Pretty exciting that you won the award for Group of the Year at the Reggae North Awards! Recognition is always appreciated in your community! You gave a shout out to many great Canadian reggae artists. What does that foundation mean to you?

Friendlyness: Thank you! We were pretty shocked and happy that we won. It’s important to show respect to the ones who carved the path and led the way so that we can do what we do today. I was part of that scene here in Toronto performing since 1988 and releasing songs since 1989 but those foundations that I was working with were all about 10 years older and had to put in a ton of work before I showed up (on the scene).

Q: It's an honour and a privilege to be in the position to create, write, record and perform music with a band that works so well together like yours. Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar produced one of your records. Can you give us some insight as to what is in store for your next release in 2025? We look forward to it, and we look forward to your party here on November 15!

Friendlyness: It was great to have Gordie Johnson produce that record in 2016 titled The Human Rights. We released one since then called Reggae Strong in 2021. The new record we’re working on is really more reflective of the musicians in the band. One song written by our bass player Tyler, some of the rhythm tracks inspired by Dave, our keyboard player, one track written by Eric, our drummer and one song on it written by Lauren, our sax player. We’re excited to get it finished and out for 2025 and we might even release a single from it before 2024 is over. Really looking forward to playing The Cove in November and hope to see y’all there! More love. Posted: Oct 14, 2024 Originally Published: Oct 8, 2024