Upcoming show: The Ruts D.C

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Matt

Our very good pal Mick (drummer and beatsmith for our long time fave Birmingham Soul band ‘The Atlantic Players’) is putting on a massive show at The Hare and Hounds on October 6th with legendary punk come dub legends ‘The Ruts D. C’!!

Here’s a Q&A with Dave from the band in the build up to the show….

B13 interrupts Dave Ruffy of the ruts (while he is rehearsing with Dexy’s, as he is playing with them on there up and coming tour) to ask a few questions. The Ruts D.C will be playing at the Hare & Hounds Saturday 6^th October. Tickets are available from www.theticketsellers.co.uk

For more information visit: http://www.theruts.co.uk/

1.) Hi Dave its been too long! 30 years since Rhythm collision, why the massive gap?

Dave Ruffy: Well, it kind of happened spontaneously, In December 2008, Segs and I were commissioned to remix some Ruts DC dub stuff from 1982 for a german company Echo Beach, the session went very well and the Engineer (Steve Dub) suggested we used our remix money to make some new recordings, so we called up Neal Fraser (Mad Professor) and went and did a few days at Ariwa, recorded on to 24 track tape came out with a few tunes which we have worked on at various studios and eventually mixed them mostly with Mike Pelanconi (Prince Fatty) in Brighton and we found we had a new album which we’ve called Rhythm Collision vol. 2 (released about 30 years after the old one)

2.) were you not tempted into getting Ruts D.C together earlier; say after the success of the 2007 benefit gig?

Dave Ruffy: Well not at the time although that was a great show, we did it for Paul Fox really, of course Henry (Rollins) was great fronting the band, and was a big fan of the Ruts, before the show Segs and I were in contact with him a lot and it was very evident that if we were going to do the show at all it had to have Integrity and not just be old fellas shouting! we did the show and really enjoyed it, dear Paul passed away a couple of months later and we felt we had reclaimed our Integrity and left the whole Ruts thing on a well deserved high.

But after writing new material with Segs for RC vol 2, Rob from Alabama 3 (who guests on a track Smiling Culture on the new album) suggested we did a few gigs supporting them last December, we played a short set at a few gigs a combination of a few new tunes and a couple of classics, it all went very well,so we thought we’d do some more shows, this year we did a festival in Croatia recently and a show at the Rebellion festival in Blackpool a few weeks ago which went amazingly well.

We have a great band at present,we are a five piece now, Segs does most of the lead vocals and Bass of course and were very fortunate in finding our great new guitarist Leigh (Heggarty) , we have also recruited Seamus Beaghen on organ (who you may remember from the Duplicates?) and we have our Molara with us who we met years ago with Zion Train, She does a couple of tunes and she and I do most of the back up vocals .

3.) You always had a strong connection with reggae and were one of the few bands that could convincingly pull it off? Tell us, what records were you listening to back in the day

Well I was into bluebeat and ska and rock steady as a lad in the east end, all types of stuff really Prince Buster and the Tighten Up albums were at every party one of my first gigs was at a huge blues dance at Luton baths we played soul and rock-steady (reggae hadn’t been invented yet) I know that Segs (who’s a bit younger than) me Inherited a lot of records from his Sister and had loads of great 7′ records when I first met him

and what are you listening to now?

Dave Ruffy: well I listen to all sorts really but I must admit I don’t buy much new music I tend to go further and further back in time I’m listening to jump blues collection 1944-1960 which is a bunch of mainly U.S stuff that they played In Jamaica pre Ska time and I’m just re discovering the first two Rolling Stones albums from ’64 and ’65 (I had them first time round) they feature Brian Jones heavily who was a great musician at that time, I like Alborosie and some of that Dubstep is pretty good, I’m listening to a russian cellist called Mstislav RostropovichI, I watched a great program on BBC 4 recently he’s worth a listen too a remarkable musician and a remarkable man.

4.) Recently, I came across a photograph of Bob Marley carrying a copy of the Ruts L.p ”the crack” Tell us how did you feel when you saw this?

Dave Ruffy: Well it was pretty amazing, my wife treated me to a caribbean holiday earlier this year for a birthday treat and someone posted it the day I arrived, It was quite an omen for me as Segs and I were just deciding to do some shows or not and when I saw that I just thought ….Yes, my mate Dave Collis who does some of our artwork has made me a t-shirt with it on too! class

5.) Rhythm collision volume 2 sounds fresh and re-unites you with the Mad professor, when can we expect a full release?

Dave Ruffy: Thanks yeah it did we started with Mad Prof but finished it with Prince Fatty who did a marvellous job, he has a real analogue studio, we put the five track sampler out a while ago and the whole album is pretty much done now,and we will definitely have it out this year

6.) Finally, you are well travelled chaps; what do you like most about birmingham?

Dave Ruffy: things I like about Birmingham…. the Christmas market, the unpretentious people, the curries, Top Banana vintage store in Moseley and my lovely friends I have there.

7.) Dave, we look forward to seeing you on the 6th October.

I’m really looking forward to it too come on down!

We’ll be at the front skanking so come and check out some proper live punk / dub in one of Birmingham’s best independent live music venues.

SFP

Tickets for Craig Charles now on sale !

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Matt

Hey Soul Fooders!

So we’ve been pretty quiet on here recently due to holidays, festivals and a busy kitchen at The Victoria….But now we’re back and are buzzing to announce details of the return of a certain Craig Charles to the Soul Food sage…

Those of you who caught Craig at our first ever Soul Food party will know that it was one of the most energetic and exciting parties we’ve ever hosted, so it’s with great pleasure we announce ticket details for our Christmas party at The Hare and Hounds…

Saturday December 8th

CRAIG CHARLES (6 MUSIC)

SAM REDMORE

SOUL FOOD SOUNDSYSTEM

£10 ADV / M.O.T.D

The last 3 times Craig has played Birmingham tickets sold out in advance, so if you want to ensure entry, then grab a ticket in advance.

Tickets are available right here

More shows coming your way soon !

SFP x

Channel One are coming

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Matt

On Saturday June 23rd, Soul Food Project will be working with Bass Festival (run by the good team at Punch Records) for a massive show with the legendary Channel One Soundsystem.

Channel One, who formed in 1979 have a reputation for absolutely tearing the house (or carnival!) down with the heaviest dub sounds from around the globe…..In their own words….

Channel One Sound System was born in the year 1979 by brothers Mikey Dread and Jah T. Before that time we played in parties and blues dances in 1973 with our father’s sound system Admiral Bailey who was also playing blues dances and weddings from the early sixties.

In 1975 we linked up with an elder sound in East London called King Edwards who was coming to the end of their sound system days. We merged the two sounds together and overnight became a force in East London armed with 4 foot & 6 foot double boxes (2 x 18” speakers) and various single 18” boxes what was amplified by a 3kw value amplifier.

In 1977 we bought our first truck, a Commer Carrier. We now had the transportation to get around without the need for hiring a vehicle. For the next two years we played locally and around London with other sound systems.

In 1979 we decided to rename the sound Channel One Sound System simply because we were playing nough tunes from out of the Channel One stable, Maxfield Avenue, Jamaica. In 1982 I (Mikey Dread) had a vision that I wanted to take the sound to a more international audience. The best places at that time were the colleges, polytechnics and universities.

In 1983 we started to go nationwide. Channel One started to be a travelling sound to places like Swansea, Cardiff in Wales, Bolton College in Lancashire, Plymouth University, Devon to the giant BIC venue in Bournemouth, Essex University to East Anglia University in Norfolk, Keele University in Staffordshire to Middlesborough University in Teesside in the North East of England. At the same time we were put on the bill with bands like Aswad, Misty in Roots and Ska bans like the Selectors and Bad Manners.

In 1983 we were given the opportunity to play Europe’s biggest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, London. Then we were playing to just 10 people for most of the day, 23 years later we are playing to 10,000 people a day.

In 1990 we took our first tour abroad with a 4 date tour of Italy and have been touring ever since. We have visited Sweden, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany & Finland along the way.

In 1994 we were the first sound System to travel to the Republic of Ireland for 2 gigs, we drove from London to Holyhead caught the ferry to Dublin port then drove to the other side of Ireland to a city called Galway. At that time it was strange for the Irish people seeing base bins being wheeled down Galway High Street into the Castle Club. The session itself was A1 because we took the crowd from all the pubs and clubs down the High street when they heard the heavy baseline. The day after we drove to Dublin and played to 800 people with a further 300 people being locked out side a venue called The Furnace. For the next few years we continued playing the college circuit up until 1998.

In 1999 we were invited to play at the University of Dub in Brixton, London which is a 3 sound system unity event.

In the year 2000 we went down to the South of France twice and played two memorable dances supporting Burning Spear on one and what was to be Dennis Brown’s last European show.

In 2004 we played at England’s biggest festival Glastonbury and ripped the place apart. The man controlling the PA system knew his pa had worked at the end of the 2 hour show. As usual the rain tore into Glastonbury for about 20 mins but the crowd stayed to make it the best two hours of the festival.

In 2005 we were back beating up Glastonbury when a man walked over to us and said he would like Channel One to come down under on the Big Day out Tour in Australia, which starts in Auckland, New Zealand for 1 date and another 5 across Australia, and true to his word we were on our way down under in January 2006. The first time ever for reggae music on one of the World’s biggest travelling rock tours. Channel One Sound System’s objective is to break down barriers through playing roots rock reggae music.

Channel One Sound System roars on like a lion.

JAH RASTAFARI

Channel One have played all over and are a permanent fixture at the Notting Hill carnival, playing to crowds of 10,000 plus, but the guys are equally at home in small function rooms (where they first made their name!), so it’s with great pleasure that we welcome a soundsystem that’s considered one of the best to the Victoria for the next Soul Food Soundsystem.

The Victoria function room holds 100 people and we’re not doing any advance tickets for this show, so if you’d like to come, then please come along early..Doors are at 9pm and entry is £5.

On top of this, we’re hosting a roasts ‘n’ records session with the guys the next day at The Victoria from 1pm onwards, so if you’d like to come and grab some food, have a few cocktails and chew the fat with the guys, then you can reserve a table by emailing matt@soulfoodproject.co.uk

See you at the front,

SFP x

Introducing: Holy Trinity Events

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Matt

We’re always keen to push things forward at SFP HQ, so we’re really excited to announce the arrival of ‘Holy Trinity Events’ to our family.

Holy Trinity Events specialises in street food catering that focuses on ‘destinational cooking’…This is to say we focus on the culture of world cities as well as their cuisine, taking in their unique approach to drinks, music and entertainment.

So whether it be the Pizza bars of Naples, the road side Jerk Chicken BBQ’s of Kingston, the beer and burger vibes of NYC or even the pop up hot dog vendors across Berlin, we’ll aim to recreate your perfect holiday experience in your back yard, office or function.

Not only can we offer bespoke food packages, but we’re also able to design and match drinks and entertainment to your party….Some examples? OK, how about a Jerk chicken BBQ, with homemade sexy juice, punch and ice cold red stripe with one of our DJ’s playing reggae and ska spanning the decades? Or Pizzas, Peroni and Prosecco ??

We can tailor our packages to meet any budget and occasion and we like a challenge, so if you’d like to discuss options, fire an email over to matt@holytrinityevents.com

Soul Food Soundsystem !!

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Matt

Hi folks!

This Saturday we launch the first ever Soul Food Soundsystem clubnight at The Victoria.

We’ve wanted to do this for AGES but have been so busy in the kitchen, but the time is now right.

So for all lovers of Ska, Reggae, New Orleans Funk, Memphis Soul, Calypso, West Indies Funk, Latin, Salsoul and beyond (infact anything that will bring the sunshine to the upstairs room at The Vic!), then please come along and let your chefs curate a melting pot of hip shaking, roof raising SOUL music!

FREE ENTRY BEFORE 11PM

£1 / DONATIONS AFTER 11PM

Any requests ????????????? Fire them over to matt@soulfoodproject.co.uk

Facebook event here

Soul Food visits… Jamaica

Posted on August 30, 2011 by admin

As part of our continuing series of ‘SFP Visits’ events, we’ll be hopping over to the Caribbean for an evening exploring the delights of Jamaica! We’ve long held a love affair with Jamaica, It’s culture, music and food. The street Jerk BBQ’s, huge pots of curried goat, salted fish and dumplings are all pure Soul Food and we can’t wait to cook it all up in the Soul Kitchen!
We’ll also have one of our favourite Reggae DJ’s coming and playing some records to get you in the mood!

3 Courses for £15 per head

As ever, pre bookings only for this evening, act quick as every ‘SFP Visits’ evening has sold out so far, email Matt to ensure your rice an’ peas are ‘pon de table.

Yah Mon!

SFP X