Today I am starting a six part series sharing the works of three different bands. Each of the three is difficult to pigeon-hole into a particular genre. They each have their own unique styles that have created epic aural works.
All three are adjacent to Dub in some ways & that brought them to my attention over the years. While some bands stick to one recognizable style throughout their career (which can be good or bas) & some bands wear numerous guises (which can be bad or good), these three all speak through a voice true to their talents without falling into repetition.
I will try to begin at their beginnings with the sounds that first caught my ears & then travel through their wonderous diversity. All I can say is plunge in anywhere, beginning, middle, or end. Listen in any order you deem suitable to your mood. But most of all, Enjoy.
The first group in this series is Salmonella Dub.
Last Dubtember I began the month with two of their Dub Plate offerings, which you can find here.
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Salmonella Dub is a Dub outfit from Christchurch, New Zealand formed in 1992 by members of Golf Course Alligators. GCA would use lighthearted Dub covers of Nancy Sinatra, The Orb's Little Fluffy Clouds, Public Enemy, even Fred Daggs "Larry Loves Barry" to win over skeptical audiences. They took the name Salmonella Dub because of these "bad-taste" Dub cover versions. At the time in New Zealand, Dub/roots/reggae freak-outs weren't in vogue. Grunge & dance music held sway. In the early 90s, New Zealand's liquor licensing laws changed, allowing pubs & clubs to stay open late, totally revitalizing the country's live music scene. The members of Golf Course Alligators (Andrew Penman - guitar, Mark Tyler - bass, & Dave Deakins -drums) officially became Salmonella Dub. In the early days they lacked money for cassettes so they raided the bins of a record store, finding discarded copies of things like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles albums to serve as their early tape stock.
Dub for Straights is an early self-released CD from Salmonella Dub. All tracks were recorded live at Bob's Magic Carpet Studios in August 1993 except ''Reggi Flute'' recorded live at the Dux de Luxe 10/03/1993 & ''We the Dub Yore'' recorded in 1994. David Wernham, the band's engineer tidied up versions recovered off old cassettes & put them out on CD.
Cinncinati Kid
Dub for Straights
Shabba Dub
John Banks
Horses Arse
We the Dub Yore
Regi Flute
To prepare for their first, self-titled album in 1994, Peter Wood - trumpet, keyboard & Conan Wilcox - saxophone, percussion were invited to join the band. Salmonella Dub was released through the independent label Curious Records.
Orbital
Cock the Roach
Trumpet Dub
Cincinnati Kid
Wee the Dub Yore
Orbital (Yasmin Dub)
Pigmy
Pukaki
Meantime
Chuff
Ceremonial Dub
Industry in Africa
The Final Calling
Bad Acid Hysteria
Chuff the House
Lost Soul (Acid Dub)
bonus tracks -
More Dub Crazy
Final Out
Following quickly from this album the band released Dub Tom Foolery, a 7 track EP mixed by Mike Hodgson of Pitchblack.
Panza
Daisy Fields (Part 1 & 2)
Tom Foolery
Panza Dub
Dub for Straights
Orbital (Projector mix)
Sundeck Dakking
Enjoy,
NØ