Dubconscious has instinctive skills when it comes to performing reggae music, which may seem unusual when you consider that the six-member collective is made up of a group of mostly white dudes from Athens, Ga. But measured against other culturally-challenged reggae groups — Pepper, 311 and Slightly Stoopid come to mind — and despite hailing from a town that's been called the "Liverpool of the South" for its contributions to rock, country and bluegrass, Dubconcious has remained committed to maintaining the authenticity of reggae music and generally avoids incorporating other genres into their dub/roots/Afrobeat sound. Drawing inspiration from pioneers like Burning Spear and Lee "Scratch" Perry, the group's mellow Island rhythms are marked by uplifting, socially-conscious lyrics and their live shows are spirited affairs with plenty of hip-shaking opportunities. Dubconcious is currently touring in support of their fourth recording, 2007's Stereotype EP, and they stop in Tampa this weekend. Sat., Feb. 9, 8 p.m., Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, $8, 813-971-0666, skipperssmokehouse.com.
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2008.