Published: November 3, 2009  


Barry Ashworth and Jason O'Bryan AKA the Dub Pistols have spent the best part of a decade at the forefront of Beats culture. From their early singles for Concrete Records to their genre defying 'Six Million Ways To Live' long player, the Dub Pistols have always added a much needed Rock n Roll swagger to the UK's dance scene. Chewing up hip-hop, dub, techno, ska and punk and spitting them out in a renegade futuristic skank they have consistently defied categorisation and exceeded the highest of expectations.

Their genre-mashing abilities have led to remix work for the likes of Moby, Crystal Method, Limp Bizkit, Bono, Korn & Ian Brown, and has seen them work with hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes on 'One', a track for the Blade 2 soundtrack and 'Molotov' on the Y Tu Mama Tambien soundtrack. In recent years the band has mutated from a studio based duo into a fully fledged live act often featuring the talents of guest vocalists UK Hip Hop don Rodney P, the maverick and mercurial former Specials front man Terry Hall, US rap wünderkind T.K., as well as Sugardaddy horn-blower Tim Hutton and scratch maestro DJ Stix.

Their third album 'Speakers And Tweeters', released on 9th April 2007, through Rob da Bank's Sunday Best label, is a consummate statement of intent. Their most accessible to date, the album's 13 tracks draw on a rich tapestry of influences, weaving tight beats and even tighter rhymes into a refine and assured set. The stirring chords and laid-back beats of 'Speed of Light', featuring guest vocalist Blade's skilful flow, opens the album in style. An inspired cover of Punk legends The Stranglers' classic 'Peaches', immediately grabs the attention, with the vocal dexterities of guest vocalists Rodney P and Terry Hall taking centre stage, before the pumping, angular funk of the album's title track 'Speakers And Tweeters' takes hold. A deeply ingrained skank runs throughout the album, as ably demonstrated on the horn-driven 'Running From The Thoughts'.

The 2009 Dub Pistols LP 'Rum & Coke' melds a euphoric carnival atmosphere with bass-heavy soul, ska, electro-funk, lovers rock and quality hip hop. A touch of Latin and some deft brass arrangements complete the picture: a warm, sun-blissed jump around feel-good journey that encapsulates perfectly the West London origins of the band.

Assisting the boys, Barry Ashworth and Jason O'Bryan, on new material are a collection of champion collaborators: Ashley Slater (Freakpower) on 'Back To Daylight', Lindy Layton (Beats International) on 'I'm In Love', Gregory Isaacs on 'Six Months', superstar DJ Justin Robertson sings on 'Keep The Fire Burning', Red Star Lion on 'Peace of Mind' and regular D.P. cohorts Rodney P and TK Lawrence.

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