Recently, Big Audio Dynamite’s performance in Manchester, England, represented not just a nostalgic experience, but a landmark in musical innovation.
The journey from Australia to Pommieland is quite long, but the opportunity to see B.A.D. was one I couldn’t pass up.
I had high hopes that it would be worthwhile—and indeed, it was.
Despite some of the samples feeling a bit dated, their creative fusion of music still resonates with freshness. This is certainly more than I can say about Mick Jones’ dental situation.
Mick Jones draws the crowd in as the main act, skillfully hammering away on his guitar amid the lively environment. However, it’s Don Letts’ raps that often capture the audience’s attention during songs like ‘A Party’.
Many artists and bands today claim to have invented a ‘new sound’ in music, referring to themselves as ‘urban’. But they’re sorely mistaken; they lack a true understanding of what it means to be ‘urban’.
These middle-class performers, including Justin Timberlake—who, to be fair, possesses talent with a good voice and dance skills—fail to offer substantial content in their music. In contrast, Mick Jones and Don Letts had real messages to convey, and witnessing their performance in Manchester made it clear how relevant those messages remain even now.
“It’s all the original guys,” Jones asserted. “Thank goodness we’re still alive!”
Emerging after The Clash’s breakup, the group achieved success in 1986 with hits like E=MC2 and Medicine Show.
They were pioneers in incorporating samples, guided by former film director Don Letts, creating a groundbreaking blend of rock, reggae, and hip-hop.
“We’re on a quest to locate the old tapes and reintroduce the classic samples. I’m eager to utilize much of the original equipment, as it produced a distinctly different sound,” he said.
“I departed from The Clash in 1983,” Jones shared. “The club scene was emerging, and hip-hop was just beginning to take shape.
“I found myself surrounded by Don and Leo Williams (on bass), and I was inspired by the kind of music I was experiencing in that environment.
“It felt exhilarating to be part of a band again. After the chaotic whirlwind with The Clash, we seldom paused, and ultimately, we were all caught up in a sort of insanity.”
Big Audio Dynamite recorded four albums from 1985 to 1990, with their second album, No. 10 Upping Street, including contributions from Joe Strummer, a former bandmate of Jones in The Clash.
Although the original band broke up in 1990, Jones kept the name alive through a variety of projects across the subsequent decade.
Truly, they are a timeless band.
Perhaps this perception stems from The Clash’s legendary status or the recent documentary about Joe Strummer.
But it extends beyond that; they have carved out their own legacy. The nature of their music caters to a niche audience, yet it’s their performance style and songwriting that captivates almost everything about them.
They speak bluntly about the realities of life, articulating political views relevant to the working class.
This undoubtedly stands as the reformation of the year.
by Wallace McTavish
