Dreadzone 2015 201 (c) Sarah Read
Dreadzone have announced an extensive 20-date UK tour throughout October, November and December 2015, in support of the recent re-release of their classic 2001 album, Sound. Undoubtedly one of the UKs greatest live acts, Dreadzone will be performing tracks from Sound alongside an of array of hits and live favourites from throughout their 22-year history.
Dreadzone formed in 1993 when the former Big Audio Dynamite rhythm section; drummer Greg Dread Roberts and bassist Leo Williams teamed up with musician, producer and mixer Tim Bran. Throughout the 1990s Dreadzone had continually remixed itself; chopping and changing members and record labels (including stints on both Virgin and Alan McGees Creation), picking up a devoted fanbase who notably included John Peel and performing across the globe.
Greg and Tim decided to approach the new millennium with a fresh idea in the form of the Dubwiser Club night at Notting Hill Arts Club; a club night that fused dub and reggae with contemporary beats to create the perfect soundtrack for people from different planets. This proved a fertile musical playground which had an immediate impact on the Dreadzone mindset, and it was in this climate (helped by their new Dread Central studio complex) that the band would create Sound, released on Ruff Life in 2001.
Written and evolved over a two-year period, Sound featured contributions from Don Letts, Earl 16, Aswads Brinsley Forde and MC Det. Indeed, tracks such as Digital Mastermind and Dreadpon Sound have now reached classic status, becoming entrenched favourites in the Dreadzone live show. It it is also notable for the first appearance of a certain MC Spee on opener, Return of The Dread.
Dreadzone are still going strong after over 20 years and seven studio albums under their belt, with core members Greg Dread, Leo Williams, MC Spee and legendary reggae vocalist Earl 16 alongside Chris Compton on guitar and Bazil on all things technical.
UK TOUR DATES 2015
OCTOBER
Fri 23 DERBY Flowerpot
Sat 24 NORWICH Waterfront
Fri 30 WARWICK Copper Rooms
Sat 31 NARBERTH Queens Hall
NOVEMBER
Thu 12 CAMBRIDGE Junction 2
Fri 13 STOCKTON KU Bar
Sat 14 EDINBURGH Electric Circus
Sun 15 LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Fri 20 BRISTOL Fleece
Sat 21 MEGADOG Manchester Academy 1
DECEMBER
Tue 1 SOUTHEND Cliffs Pavilion (With Levellers & Ruts DC)
Wed 2 READING Rivermead (With Levellers & Ruts DC)
Thu 3 DONCASTER The Dome (With Levellers & Ruts DC)
Fri 4 WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Hall (With Levellers & Ruts DC)
Sat 5 BLACKPOOL Empress Ballroom (With Levellers & Ruts DC)
Fri 11 TUNBRIDGE WELLS The Forum
Sat 12 PORTSMOUTH Wedgewood Rooms
Thu 17 LONDON Under the Bridge
Fri 18 STOWMARKET John Peel Centre SOLD OUT