This month we caught up with the legends in Dub that are Dub Pistols! Having just dropped their banger of an album ‘Frontline’, we felt like it was the perfect opportunity to catch up with Mr Barry Ashworth himself and see what the rest of 2023 will bring for the festival favourites.
Check out the interview below featuring a fabulous illustration from Kelly Morrison ❤️
Hey Barry! Thanks so much for chatting with us – how are you doing today?
Just trying to recover from a 5 shows in 5 days in New Zealand. Although that’s not really possible as I’m also in the middle of organising our festival, Mucky Weekender and preparing to start touring the UK again from tomorrow.
Sounds hectic! You recently released your banger of a single ‘Soundboy Killa’ feat. MC and D.J. Natty Campbell – how did that collar come about?
Natty Campbell has been working with the band for a few years now in the studio and live. Recently I’ve started working with Aston from the Freestylers on various songs and remixes. Aston I’ve known for years back when the big beat sound ruled the world. We used to tour America together, so I wanted to give a nod back to those days and our biggest single ‘Cyclone’ and Freestylers ‘Ruffkneck’. Thats the vibe we were going for on this single.
Please describe your sound in five words to our lovely readers:
Dub, Bass, Reggae, Ska and Jungle.
Your album ‘Frontline’ is out now – what can your fans expect from it?
Personally I think it’s our best work to date. It’s a classic Dub Pistols album that has raised the bar. It features some brilliant collaborations from Horse Man, Chezidek and Demolition Man.
What’s your songwriting process like?
It varies from song to song. Usually working in the studio on grooves then either writing vocals or getting in guest vocals and then colouring in the whole track.
Who would you say are your biggest influences?
The Clash, The Specials, Leftfield and Lee Perry.
If you could collaborate with any artist – dead or alive – who would it be?
Joe Strummer or Bob Marley.
You recently celebrated your 25th anniversary as a band – how did you celebrate?
We celebrated at the end of our show at Mucky Weekender. Seannie gave me an award and we had so many artists we’ve worked with over the years on stage, it was a very special moment.
What advice would you give artists starting out in the music industry?
Always be true to yourself. Remember the love you have for the music and never take rejection personally. Just keep going.
Are there any London- based emerging artists you’d recommend?
The Skints, Hollie Cooke & Eva Lazarus.
What are your plans for 2023 – any festivals in the works?
Non stop UK/ European touring. Festivals and our own festival Mucky Weekender in September. I’m also releasing ‘What Could Possibly go wrong’ – a documentary I’ve been working on for years which is the history of the Dub Pistols.
Any final pearls of wisdom?
Yeah don’t listen to a word I say.
Noted! Thanks Barry ❤️