From the Ashes of the Slow Natives Come The Natives

How the end of one band led to the beginning of another

Story and photos by Missy Repola

The smell of stale beer and sweat perfumes the air, as feedback from the speakers screeches through the bodies on the dance floor.  Sandals are stuck to the aged hardwood floor and even with no music, two fading 20-year-olds with long hair bounce around on the dance floor to the beat of their own drum amidst a hodgepodge of onlookers. A couple of minutes pass by and then finally a rim-shot and a blare from the piano begins an explosion of reggae music from the newly formed band The Natives.

The Natives, formerly known as “The Slow Natives,” didn’t take the slow out of their name because it sounds better. They have a new style all their own and that style is a mix of reggae and hip-hop.

“It’s hip-hop style beats mixed with progressive reggae.”

The story of how The Natives came to be is quite unique. A harsh touring schedule, soaring expenses, and changing priorities led to the end of the prominent Plattsburgh area band the Slow Natives. But two of the founding members of the Slow Natives weren’t ready to give up the music just yet, or the money. Shawn Parrotte and Jamse Ward decided to start up a new band, which would soon become known as The Natives. Already being members of a local funk band Eat. Sleep. Funk., Jamse and Shawn knew just whom they wanted for their new band.

Two of the founding members of Eat. Sleep. Funk., organ player Dan Andersen and vocalist Guy Szalkowski, were quickly recruited. All the band was missing now was an experienced drummer and another vocalist. After auditioning, Jessica Loughman was chosen as the second vocalist. As for the drummer, the band is currently auditioning. 

By spring 2009 the band was almost complete. The only problem was that the band didn’t have a name. They couldn’t keep the name Slow Natives because it was no longer the same band, and not wanting to abandon the Slow Natives fan base all together the band decided to simply change the name to The Natives.

“They’re one of my favorite local bands to see play out.”

Now with a new band and a new name, The Natives began to find their own new style. Dan Andersen can sum up the band’s new style. “It’s hip-hop style beats mixed with progressive reggae.”  The music that The Natives play has a more relaxed and melancholy sound than the band’s predecessor the Slow Natives. The Natives only perform a few cover songs. They primarily play their own music, born out of a collaborative effort. Jamse Ward handles the chord progressions and melodies as well as the lyrics on most occasions. When Jamse is through Shawn Parrotte takes the song and embellishes it. The other members of the band then put the finishing touches on the new tune.

The band practices their music every Wednesday at a local Plattsburgh performance space known as the Plattsburgh Musical Arts Center, or the PMAC. Once they’ve practiced, they head over to a popular downtown bar called the Monopole to play their music for the crowd that has gathered by the stage. The Natives play out quite a bit, not only at the Monopole, but other Plattsburgh bars as well as the Oraja Lounge, which is also located in downtown Plattsburgh. As for their favorite place to play out, Dan Andersen says, “The only place the band has played a real show at is the Oraja Lounge. We really have no other place to compare it to.”

The band would like to eventually tour all over New York, as far as Rochester. Szalkowski has major hopes for the band. “I’d love to tour the region and even play in Boston one day.”

The band does not have an album out quite yet, but one is said to be in the works. “I can’t wait for them to come out with a CD,” said a fan of the band, Ashley Cross. “They’re one of my favorite local bands to see play out,” said Casse Forte, another fan of the band. With an ever-growing fan base, things are looking good for this band. There is no question that The Natives have stepped out of the shadow of the popular Slow Natives and are in the process of making a big name for themselves.

Where would you like to see The Natives play?