"The Buzz" (Jacksonville, Fl)  July 2009, Vol. 4 Issue 7.

Twenty Weight (20WT)

Ryan Wilson (Guitar/VOX)
J Hooks (Bass)
"Little" Dave Kelly (Drums)

Web site: www.20wt.com

Reggae, ska and metal, together? You may be thinking, are you serious? Well, you sir obviously have not listened to Twenty Weight (20WT). The amalgamation of these three generally separate genres was formed out of the brains of Ryan Wilson and J Hooks seven years ago in the Florida Keys, moving up to Jacksonville in 2003 for greater access to the Southeast, eventually teaming up with Jax native, "Little" Dave Kelly in 2007. Born out of the ashes of a Roots reggae cover band, 20WT have built a loyal following from Florida to Maine playing their completely original brand of music. 20WT, however, doesn't like to be pigeonholed into any certain genre, preferring to let the music speak for itself.

Fans of 20WT are close to the band's heart, often providing the indie trio with the essentials needed to survive as a band, such as beer, a place to stay and the ever-important emotional support. This is not to mean that they rely on their fans for everything though. The band is just a three piece and they are self-releasing, self-promotion machines; completely a DIY philosophy. Splitting up roles, Ryan records and mixes the music and prints the band's tshirts, Jay acts as the band's booking agent and PR machine while Lil' Dave performs the task as street team commander and internet marketing guru. It's a tireless, and often thankless job, but it all pays off when they get on stage in Whereverville, USA and blow some minds. 20WT are definitely a band you need to see live in order to understand the ability of the members. When you are listening to the music on your iPod of CD player (or if you still have a mullet, cassette tape player), you can't fully understand that all of the resulting noise is coming from just three people. It's an intensive display of skill that will impress even the most jaded of audience member.

Twenty Weight will be touring their original reggae-ska-metal through Florida in July, hitting Lake City on the 10th, Vero Beach on the 11th and Tallahassee on the 17th. Always remember to check out their website www.20wt.com for the latest update on shows and to preview and purchase their latest album In A Tree, There Is A Bird That Sings, release this past June.