Herbs were among New Zealand's first reggae bands to explore important Aotearoa New Zealand issues, standing up as a voice for people that weren’t getting heard.
Throughout their career and journey as artists, Herbs were important figures in New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance, the Rainbow Warrior affair, and M?ori land rights, most notably Bastion Point. At the time of the release of their debut EP/mini-album What’s Be Happen? the cover of their recording debut displayed a black and white photo of the infamous police eviction of the Bastion Point protestors on May 25 1978. It set the tone for where Herbs were coming from and that they weren’t afraid to use their music to make social commentary on issues affecting them. This year marks 45 years since the occupation at Bastion Point.
Herbs first debuted in the Official New Zealand Top 40 Albums on 24 November 2008 with the album Lights Of The Pacific: The Very Best Of. There is one entry by Herbs in the charts.