Opening up for heavyweight reggae artists? Morgan Heritage and Gentleman are a few of the many things local reggae band Home Grown can put on their growing resume.

The band, comprised of six full time and one part time member have gained tremendous fame this summer playing weekly at Docksiders Pub & Restaurant, Whitehorse and Pier 6 Happy Hour.

The members include Mac ?Mr. Mox? Cassidy, lead singer, Justin Bernz, bass player and background vocalist, Oscar Deuss, saxophone and rhythm guitarist, Cullen O?Hara, lead guitarist, James Woolf, keyboards and background vocalist, William ?Willie Bouce? Tucker, drummer and Oscar?s step-father Neil Burnie on Saxophone. sat down with the musicians at Docksiders to talk about their recent successes and future endeavours.

The band was created about three years ago after bass player and background vocalist Justin and drummer William got together at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

The name Home Grown comes from being Bermudian.

Although the band has remained the same, the style of music has changed to accommodate Bermudians.

Mac explained: ?It was always that way but the venues weren?t really going to have us if we were strictly reggae because we had to give them what they wanted to get in the door and then when we got in the door we decided to do all reggae?.

The band names Gentleman, Anthony B, Morgan Heritage and Bob Marley as their influences.

When it comes to choosing songs, lead singer Mac, aka Mr. Mox, said the choice is fairly easy.

?Basically what?s popping right now, you know, I just listen to what the DJs play, what people want to hear, what?s on the charts right now,? he explained.

? So we kind of pick that and songs that were in my vocal range and classic tunes that are always known, that were big in the dancehall [were pretty much what we were going to do.?

The band unanimously agreed that they don?t have a favourite song.

? I think it switches every week,? said Cullen.

Justin said, ?A lot of it depends on how the crowd?s going if everyone in the crowds going crazy and we?re going crazy and the intensity is just getting picked up and everything is going great.?

As far as accomplishments go, Home Grown has had local and international exposure by opening for Morgan Heritage on July 8 and Gentleman on July 21.

They will also open at the upcoming Chuck Fenda show on August 4 at Snorkel Park.

As far their feelings on opening for Gentleman, keyboard player and background vocalist James quickly said, ?It?s more our vibe?.

Cullen continued: ?That?s the high point of our career. We had a bit more time to work with the artists than we did for the Morgan Heritage Show.?

?We?re a bit more confident. Because of the Morgan Heritage Show I think people are going to show up earlier to see the local acts. We got some experience under our belt.?

Saxophonist and rhythm guitarist Oscar said, ?This summer we really started creating like what we are and the band of the future.?

?This summer kind of marks the first point I think of us really making that first big step. Last summer people were like ?oh Home Grown?, now everyone?s like ?oh that Home Grown band?.?

?It seems like this summer is kind of that turn a new leaf kind of summer.?

?We finally became popular,? William joked.

The band said they don?t find it stressful to play so many nights during the week.

?I don?t find it stressful at all. This is what we all want to do.? said Mac.

?The pre-show was more stressful. We really didn?t know how people were going to take us you know, if they were going to accept it or not. We really didn?t know until we actually went out there and did it?.

?Once we got out there and did it and they ate it up we were good to go from there. We know we have a solid act.?

He also admitted that it was great to play at the Morgan Heritage show.

?It was great to play for that many people ? that was really good. More people to hear us that don?t usually come to our regular events. It really helped us?.

As far as the rumours go about Home Grown being Collie Buddz band, the guys were quick to clear that up.

While Mac says ?that was just a lot of hype?, Justin disagreed because ?we don?t know what?s happened yet?.

Mac said he thinks Sony is trying to get Collie Buddz ?up and running? before bringing on more acts.

?He hasn?t really busted on the world scene yet, he?s busted in Bermuda [but we?ve busted in Bermuda too?.

He did admit that it would be great to be signed by Sony.

Justin said the band would know what was going on in the next few days.

If signed, the guys would function as a backing band rather than their own act.

One thing the band is anxious to clear up is their name. They have been advertised as Willie Bounce?s Home Grown band when they are just The Home Grown Band.

Mac explained: ?Willie got a sticker on his drum kit from the guy who did the advertisement. His stage name is Willie Bounce and then it said Home Grown. The guy who did the ads put Willie Bounce?s Home Grown?.

Because Home Grown is an all male band, the question arose why?

Mac explained it?s difficult to find a female singer due to money issues and the huge commitment of being a member of the band.

As far as the future of the band, the guys said they plan to start recording in the latter part of this year.

?We?re on the wave now and we?re just going to ride it out and hopefully record by the end of the year and try to get a demo together obviously and shop it around and come back again next year hopefully with a whole other bag of tunes?, said Mac.

The guys agreed that the best part of being in the band was audience reception and the adrenaline rush.

?Making people have a good time is always what it?s about?, said Mac.

The band said their friends and family are very supportive and attend shows even if they don?t like reggae music.

When asked why they think they are so successful, Cullen said: ?We play good music but at the same time we?re actually entertaining.

?We?re all having a really good time on stage a lot of bands kind of sit off and play their instruments although they do play them well we deliver the energy to the crowd?.