Near the turn of the 21st century, rebel forces attacked Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, forcing a panicked mass exodus to neighboring countries. Among the thousands who fled were musicians and future band mates Reuben Koroma and Francis Lamgba (Franco) who connected in a refugee camp in Guinea, West Africa. Along with  Reuben’s wife Grace they began making music for their fellow refugees, providing a welcome distraction to life in the camps. When the camp was attacked by the Guinean army and citizenry, they were evacuated and relocated to a camp set deep in the remote Guinean countryside. It was there that the developing band was able to acquire the rusted-out sound system and beat up electric guitars that helped officially launch the group.

In 2006 the band released their debut album “Living Like A Refugee” (Anti Records), one of the most acclaimed world music releases of the past few years. Now the group tours the world (having performed on 5continents for hundreds of thousands of people) including performances at the Hollywood Bowl, NYC Central Park Summerstage, Bonnaroo, Fuji Rock in Japan, East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Australia and much  more.

They are in New Orleans  recording at Piety Street studios and will be performing Saturday, July 18, 2009 at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street.  The show begins at 10 PM.