Revolutions in Music

by Rachel Wagenman, Staff Writer


No one could have put it better than The Beatles when they brought us to our feet with, “You say you want a revolution? Well, you know. We all want to change the world.”



For decades, music has acted not only as an outlet for many artists emotionally, but also as an outlet to voice their opinions on social and political issues—to comment on society and rally people together and unite under a cause.

The reggae genre is no stranger to this cause, with great artists like Bob Marley who gave us songs like “Get Up, Stand Up,” probably one of the most popular political songs of today. So it’s of no surprise that other bands, like the local All Natro, continue to use their lyrics to bring messages to the public.

All Natro is a local reggae band who released their debut album, Onward, in March 2009. The band formed in 2001, and after some member shuffling, the six members, Toby Fujihara, Isaac Amado, Gabby Amado, Kawika Samson, Chad Soueira, and Rockwell Rapada, came together to spread some “All-Natro love.”

Although not as extreme as Marley, All Natro has their style and message they bring to the table. On their band emblem is the phrase, “Unity through music. Music is what binds us,” and these phrases definitely represent their music and their cause: bringing the people of Hawai‘i together and preserving our islands’ unique culture and identity.

The first song on the album, “Rise Up,” sets up this motif perfectly. “Speak loud, stand proud, let’s show them more than one voice,” repeats throughout the song and demonstrates the strength people can have if we all come together. “Hawaiian,” another song, further emphasizes this strength by explaining to the listener that they should never give up the fight or forget who they are or where they came from. It’s important to remember that while coming together under one cause, like protecting our Aina, the themes of songs like “Motherland” and “Ready for War,” we also need to remember who we are as individuals so as not to get lost in the majority or get caught up in what the majority deems as “right.”

From the sounds of the classic rowdy “chee hoos” in the background of their song “Onward,” it’s no doubt that this band definitely has the support of the island.

Check ‘em out, they’re worth a look...http://allnatro.smahty.com/site/news.php