BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The bassist for Long Beach Dub Allstars can't wait to play at One Earth ReggaeFest — if not for the chance to riff at the SteelStacks, a concert venue riddled with industrial history and, some believe, ghosts.
“It looks like a trippy place," AllStars' Ed Kampwirth said in a phone call Tuesday. "I'm a vortex, so it will probably get me right away.
“I love that stuff. It's become one of my favorite things on tour, playing in interesting places with a nice view.”
AllStars, the dub/ska/reggae rock band founded by Sublime bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh after the death of singer Bradley Nowell in 1996, on Saturday will headline the second year of ArtsQuest's free OneEarth ReggaeFest.
The festival which will offer a dozen reggae and related musical acts on two outdoor stages over 12 hours on the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem.
It also will offer eclectic vendors, Jamaican food and activities.
The hours will be noon to midnight. AllStars are scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m.
Other scheduled acts will offer Cali reggae, classic reggae, hip hop and funk.
They include Mighty Mystic, F.Y.A.H, Marrissa Joy, SunDub, Ras Jem & Unity Vibration, Jincho El Rustico, Sound Off, Space Kamp, Trouble City All-Stars, DJ Menace, The Tabernacle, Elephants Dancing, Cheezy and The Crackers, Cultivated Mind and more.
'In a good place'
Kampwirth, who joined the AllStars in 2017, revealed that the group is making a new album — a follow-up to 2023's “Echo Mountain High,” its fourth LP since the release of 1999's “Right Back.”
The only remaining original member of AllsStars is lead vocalist Opie Ortiz. The original band broke up in 2002, but reformed in 2012.
With Ortiz, the group now consists of Edwin Kampwirth on bass, Roger Rivas on keyboards, Devin Morrison on guitar, Brad Croes on saxophone and Ian Foreman on drums.
“The band's in a good place," Kampwirth said. "There's less drama to deal with, so we can concentrate on [touring] more. I've been touring for probably 30 years of my life, but this last four or five years I've really been into it.”
Kampwirth also has been a member of Alleged Gunman, Suburban Rhythm and the Hit Men.
Come Saturday, expect to hear an array of songs from the band's four albums, which now span more than 25 years.
“I think we'll play a couple of songs that maybe people will be surprised or never heard,” Kanpwirth said.
“We're concentrating on the four albums we have out, so we'll touch a little bit on each one and maybe throw in a cover here and there and some fun instrumentals.”
Positive vibes only
Another dub/ska group, SunDub, also is looking forward to its time at SteelStacks.
The New York-based dub group consists of Finn Singer, Ben Teters, Eric Toussaint, Joanna Teters, Derrick Bourne, Jose Lopez and Sidney Mills.
Drummer Ben Teters calls the group's sound diverse, representing its members, who range in age and background.
“We try to exemplify that too and sort of try to make music that everyone can [relax] too. Reggae is really good for that. It can give you a respite."Ben Teters, the drummer for SunDub
“Mills and Toussaint have been playing reggae and in the genre for a long time and we're really lucky to have them,” Teters said Tuesday.
“And my sister Joanna, influences range from reggae to soul to jazz to R&B. As the drummer, my influences are from African music to soul to reggae, so we got a lot of different stuff in there, but all pivoting off each other.”
He said he hopes the crowd enjoys the vibe at OneEarth, which will be filled with uplifting sounds and energy.
“We try to exemplify that, too, and sort of try to make music that everyone can [relax] too," Teters said. "Reggae is really good for that. It can give you a respite.
"Music in general is good for that, but reggae specifically because you can have that really positive sort of vibe with you whether onstage or in the" audience.