Otherwise

From the Pipeline

- Scott Osika

Otherwise, one of Plattsburgh Pipeline’s featured artists, has been in the making for the last five years. The band finally found its completion about a year and a half ago with the addition of Matt Beckett and DJ Lock Mess, who brought together the band’s unique sound. The name "Otherwise" was chosen because it leaves room for the bands musical evolution and also references the band’s genre without being too specific.
Otherwise blends the sounds of Reggae, Hip- Hop, and Electronica. They are based out of Vernon, Connecticut and are a well rounded group. Otherwise brings together diverse talents to create a seriously unique vibe that is really worth checking out. Otherwise recently visited the Monopole in downtown Plattsburgh and if you missed the bands performance check them out on April 25th! Some of the bands major influences are The Marley Family, The Black Eyed Peas, DJ Shadow, 311, The New Deal, Aphex Twin, Daft Punk, Pink Floyd and there are many more.
Otherwise band members include Dan Porn on Vocals and Keyboard, Gabe Spector on Guitar and Vocals, Travis Zuidema on Drums and Electronics, Matt Beckett on Bass and Vocals, and DJ Lock Mess on the Turntables, Samples, Electronics and Vocals.
I asked, "What is the biggest challenge as a band you’ve been confronted with, and were you able to overcome that challenge?" Gabe Spector replied, "Our biggest challenge is not taking on too much at once. Otherwise runs two Connecticut festivals: Festivus and Uberfest. Now that we’ve learned how to balance our event planning with our main focus (writing and performing our music) we’ve hit what feels more like our true stride."
The main themes of the songs written by Otherwise deal with what each band member experiences as they all contribute with the writing process. Gabe says, "We write about love, relationships, hardships, victories, the ecstasy of communal musical experiences, politics..." He adds, "These topics will change, but they also seem to evolve as we change, and our learning helps us to see things in a new way."
Otherwise hopes that the listener will find truth within their music. They hope listeners can identify with the thoughts, feelings and emotions expressed through their music. Gabe says, "We play lots of original songs like Persuasion, Propaganda Wars, This Beat, and Rise, as well as a cover or two including a remix of Sun is Shining by Bob Marley and Deep Sun by The New Deal."
Otherwise has played all over New England and the band says, "some of our favorite venues are Sully’s Pub in Hartford, Bishop’s Lounge in Northampton, Monopole in Plattsburgh, Rhinobar in Newport, Bill’s Bar in Boston, and Crash Mansion in NYC. We’ve also played Camp Bisco and Wormfest, amongst many other festivals, including our own of course."
Otherwise is releasing their second full-length album, "Come with Music," this spring! They say, "We’re very excited about this CD, and we feel like it is a collection of songs that encompasses our club/ reggae/electronica genre-bending tactics." The new album will be available at their live shows, as well as on amazon and itunes.

- Plattsburgh Pipeline Radio

Otherwise is one of the few area rock bands that classifies its sound as club music. The Hartford-area quintet has been refining its blend of dub-reggae-electronica on the regional scene for years, continuing to push forward into new territory with the addition of renowned DJ Lock Mess to their lineup in 2008.
To celebrate the release of their second full-length album, "Come with Music," the fathers of popular local festivals Festivus and Uberfest are teaming up with fellow New England reggae-rock Roots of Creation for a major throw-down at the Warehouse on Saturday... - Hartford Courant

Otherwise call themselves "funkdubjazzreggaehiphopdrumandbassrock." Unfortunately there was no such category on this year's Band Slam Ballot-but we figured they'd settle for Best Jazz. This four piece just finished their first full length, entitled Kind Word. When they're not gigging, they're still knee-deep in music: they designed their own recording studio, and they're the organizers of Festivus Festival in Lebanon, which just featured local stars like Pencilgrass, Bipolar Jukebox, and band slam winners Rane and DJ Lock Mess. - Hartford Advocate

Lock Mess made his name holding down the 1s and 2s for the former Zigs and Batts Circus. He's featured on Zigs' Superheroes and Villains Vol. 1, and is coming to the Band Slam fresh off a set at the Festivus Festival in Lebanon. (No, not that Lebanon.) Ask him about his crab scratches. - Hartford Advocate

Jeff "DJ Lock Mess" Messier has taken his "scratch style" of DJing from the studio to the stage for over a decade. He first made the Grand Band Slam in 2006, DJing for the Zigs and Batts Circus. In 2008, he's the newest member of electro-reggae band Otherwise. He's excited to be a featured artist on the upcoming release The Planet produced by Furry Planet Productions. Lock Mess has shared the stage with artists like 311, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Method Man, the Ying Yang Twins, DJ Shadow and Snoop Dogg.
- Hartford Advocate