CULTURA (spanish for culture) was born in the fall of 05. Like the name states, they are a group of many cultures and ethnic backgrounds, who are out to spread the message of positivity, racial equality, and brotherhood through their own blend of reggae, latin,and funk music. In the summer of 05 the local Dallas band FiREAL played its final show. Mike Ubben (lead guitar), Brad Green (rhythm guitar), and Nico Sanchez (bass guitar) felt their musical journey was not at an end even though their band at the time was. They began jammin' with Joel Simka (percussion) at his band Redshift's jam room. What started out as a group of friends getting together once a week to improvise on some reggae and funk quickly turned to something greater than expected when Ed Chaney (drums) joined the fold. After a few months of playing with no vocalist, the guys knew it was going to take a large piece to complete the puzzle they had been building. On arriving at a local bar, Nico and Mike heard the voice they had been envisioning in their minds. Kumba (vocals, spiritual guidance), was playing a gig there with cover band, One Love Uprising. After the 1st break in their set, Nico and Mike convinced Kumba to come out to a jam session and CULTURA was born.