ENTERTAINING. Fun. Sexy. Those are words that describe the youth rock band, Irie Rice.
You probably heard them play during the election season. They were actively entertaining the audience during one of Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider’s rallies.
You may have spotted them playing tunes at some bars on island. Probably at God Father Bar.
They may have played your favorite song at one of the fundraisers sponsored by Marianas High School and they may have had you sing and dance with their music at one of the festivals held this year.
They play anytime, anywhere to give you the fun you want.
Who are they?
Music on the Menu
The band’s unique name, Irie Rice, was taken randomly from a restaurant’s menu.
They are students of Northern Marianas College.
“It’s fun and it sounds cool,” band member Peter Matagolai said.
Although the rock and reggae band settled with the unique name, they also adopted a variety of names, which they are also known for.
One of the names MHS students call them is “Fritada,” also derived from a Chamorro food.
This band, Matagolai said was formed by young musicians who love to play instruments and sing.
They play tunes from different genre like hip-hop, metal, rock, reggae and mainstream music.
But according to him, the band’s main genre is rock reggae. They do covers of popular songs and singers like Revolution and Rebel Soldiers.
Teen life and Music
Matagolia believes that music diverts the attention of the teens from drugs.
According to him, although rock music and drugs come together in some countries, it is not the way things are in here.
He noted that their band is not into alcohol or booze simply because they chose not to be influenced by it.
“The life here is so peaceful and laidback that music serves as an instrument of fun and not something negative,” he said.
He added that music is necessary to give color, energy and fun to a teenager’s life.
According to him, the songs they made come from the emotions they encountered as youth.
This is a stress reliever and is therapeutic, he said as he strums his guitar during the interview.
As he plays tunes at NMC’s hallway during this interview, students and passers by who heard his songs can’t help but smile.
Magatolia said the pressure teens encounter here on the island is less compared to the pressure in the city life.
“They should remain calm and make music a part of their life,” he said.
Teen life without music is white and black, he added.
With the band’s popularity rising, and their image becomes well-known to youth, Irie Rice is also faced with the challenge of being a role model to the youth.
Part of the challenge, Magatolia said is that some people give the band constructive criticisms.
But he added they take it as an advice to improve their music more.
So if you want to chill out and relax with Irie Rice tunes, join their jam at Mt. Carmel’s Winter Tale production on December 4 to 5.
