The Macrotones have been bringing tightly honed afrofunk to Boston, New England, and beyond since 2007. Whether they’re opening for national headliners like NOMO, the Budos Band, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, and Grupo Fantasma, splitting sold-out bills with regional favorites like Rubblebucket, Westbound Train, or playing all night themselves, The Macrotones’ taut rhythms keep the bodies moving and heads nodding. Based initially in Allston, Mass, the earliest incarnation of the 10-piece Macrotones came together to play traditional afrobeat music. While this was a great introduction, it became apparent there were new, diverse directions the music was headed. Their sound quickly grew to incorporate elements of funk, soul, ethiojazz, and rock. The result is a dark and funky blend of persistent, interlaced rhythms, and powerfully dense horn lines. And with stimulating percussion percolating throughout, it's obvious the way to take in a Macrotones performance is on one’s feet and dancing.

Their debut album, 2008’s Wayne Manor, has been described by the Boston Phoenix as “a miraculous matrimony of funky preconceived ideals and effective spontaneity.” Recorded almost entirely live in a converted barn in the woods of Maine, the record captures a heavy-grooving band finding their sound.

The 2011 Young Cub Records (The Aggrolites, The Superpowers) follow-up, First Signs of Danger, features that sound gig-refined and presented in a warm and gritty analog setting. Engineered and produced by Craig Welsch, impresario of John Brown’s Body recording spinoff roots/dub project 10 Foot Ganja Plant, the album has been compared to a soundtrack for a car chase film, or can be thought of as simply "music for spies."

For their newest effort, Darvaza, the Macros hooked up with legendary producer Sean Slade (Radiohead, Pixies) to record 6 tunes live in the studio that demonstrate their truly distinctive sound. The album will be released on vinyl and CD via Music ADD Records on 12/4/12.