If you've seen the singer/poet Michael Franti [ tickets ] of Spearhead [ tickets ] performing, you may have noticed that he wasn't wearing any shoes. It's not just a gimmick; Franti almost never wears them. Apparently the habit began in the year 2000 as a three-day protest against poverty.

The Oakland, CA, native is outspoken about many political issues, but for the most part, he channels his views into his music. He and his band blend several genres, including reggae, hip-hop, funk, jazz, folk and rock.

Fans can catch Franti and Spearhead when they begin a short tour at the end of this month in Ventura, CA. Here are some photos I took of the band when it performed at San Francisco's Ragga Muffins Festival in February of 2006.