Big Audio Dynamite

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Big Audio Dynamite
Big Audio Dynamite at Lollapalooza 2011.jpg
Big Audio Dynamite performing live at Lollapalooza at Grant Park in Chicago, 2011
Background information
Also known asBAD
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1984–1997
  • 2011
Labels
Past members

Big Audio Dynamite (later known as Big Audio Dynamite II and Big Audio, and often abbreviated BAD) were an English band, formed in London in 1984 by Mick Jones, former lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the Clash. The band mixed various musical styles, incorporating elements of punk rock, dance music, hip hop, reggae, and funk. After releasing a number of well-received studio albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Big Audio Dynamite broke up in 1997. In 2011, the band embarked on a reunion tour.

Contents

History

T.R.A.C. (1984)

After being fired from the Clash in 1983 and following a brief stint with new wave band General Public, Mick Jones formed a new band called Top Risk Action Company (T.R.A.C.). He recruited bassist Leo "E-Zee Kill" Williams, saxophonist John "Boy" Lennard (from post-punk band Theatre of Hate), and former Clash drummer Topper Headon. Headon was quickly fired for his heroin addiction and Lennard either left or was fired and the band folded. [1] Although the band released no material (only demos were recorded, which have yet to be officially released), T.R.A.C. can be seen as a forerunner to Big Audio Dynamite in much the same way that London SS can be seen as an early incarnation of the Clash.

Big Audio Dynamite (1984–1990)

Jones then formed Big Audio Dynamite with film director Don Letts (maker of 1978 film The Punk Rock Movie , various Clash music videos, and later the Clash documentary Westway to the World in 2000), bassist Leo Williams (from T.R.A.C.), drummer Greg Roberts, and keyboardist Dan Donovan. In November 1985 the band's debut studio album, This Is Big Audio Dynamite , was released. The album's cover shows the band as a four-piece, minus Donovan who took and designed the photograph.

1986's No. 10, Upping St. reunited Jones for one last album with former Clash lyricist and lead vocalist Joe Strummer, who was credited with co-producing the album and co-writing five of its nine tracks. BAD supported Irish rock band U2 on their Joshua Tree Tour on certain dates, then released 1988's Tighten Up Vol. 88 and 1989's Megatop Phoenix . Tighten Up, Vol. 88 contained "Just Play Music!", which was the second No. 1 single on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.

In 1990, the original line-up wrote and recorded the song "Free" for the soundtrack to the adventure comedy film Flashback , starring Dennis Hopper and Kiefer Sutherland. This would be the final song written with the original line-up, as the band would break-up shortly after. "The Bottom Line" from the band's first album was remixed and used as the title track for Flashback (1990). However, this track was not included on the film's official soundtrack. It can be found on the 12" or by download. Later in 1990, Jones debuted Big Audio Dynamite II and released the UK only studio album Kool-Aid . Keyboardist Dan Donovan remained in BAD II for one song, a re-working of the final BAD track "Free" renamed "Kickin' In".

Big Audio Dynamite II (1991–1993)

For 1991's The Globe , only Jones remained from the original incarnation of Big Audio Dynamite, and the band was now called "Big Audio Dynamite II". This new line-up featured two guitarists. The album sleeve was designed by Shawn Stussy. The Globe (1991) featured the band's most commercially successful single, "Rush", which hit No. 1 on both the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and the Australian National ARIA Chart. "Rush" was also released in the United Kingdom with the 1991 re-release of the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go". The sleeve art for the 7-inch and CD singles displayed the Clash on the front, and BAD II on the rear with the record label displaying "Should I Stay or Should I Go" as side "A" and "Rush" as side "AA". Even though it was effectively a double A-side release, the Chart Information Network/Gallup decided that only the Clash would be credited with a number one hit. "Innocent Child" and "The Globe" were also released as singles.

BAD supported U2 on their Zoo TV Tour, headlined the MTV 120 Minutes tour which also featured Public Image Ltd, Live, and Blind Melon, [2] and released the live EP "On the Road Live '92".

In 1991, while Jones formed Big Audio Dynamite II, the rest of the original line-up briefly formed a band called Screaming Target. They released one studio album Hometown Hi-Fi and two singles "Who Killed King Tubby?" and "Knowledge N Numbers" before disbanding. The title and album cover art were purposely meant as a tribute to Jamaican reggae deejay Big Youth's debut studio album Screaming Target (1972).

In 1993, Greg Roberts formed the electronic band Dreadzone with Tim Bran, with the name suggested to them by Don Letts. Bassist Leo Williams and keyboardist Dan Donovan joined the band before their second studio album Second Light and the single "Little Britain" in 1995. Dreadzone is still active, with Roberts and Williams remaining members.

Big Audio (1994)

A promotional photo of Big Audio Dynamite in 1995 Big Audio Dynamite.jpg
A promotional photo of Big Audio Dynamite in 1995

The band later recruited keyboardist Andre Shapps (co-producer of The Globe, brother of MP Grant Shapps and Mick Jones's cousin) [3] [4] [5] and DJ Michael " Lord Zonka" Custance as DJ and vocalist. Both appeared on the band's seventh studio album Higher Power (1994), which was released under the shortened name "Big Audio".

Final years and subsequent activities (1995–2010)

After signing a recording contract with Gary Kurfirst's Radioactive Records in 1995, the band reverted to the original "Big Audio Dynamite" moniker and released their least successful studio album to date, F-Punk (1995).

Radioactive Records refused to release the next proposed BAD studio album, Entering a New Ride . [6] The line-up contained MC vocals by Joe Attard of Punks Jump Up, Ranking Roger of the Beat and General Public and drummer Bob Wond of Under Two Flags. In 1998, the band launched a new website, primarily intended as a means to distribute songs from the Entering a New Ride album. In 2001, after having only released 6 songs from the album, the website went down and Big Audio Dynamite disbanded. Their final studio album was never properly released in its entirety, but it has been heavily leaked online for fans who wished to hear it.

Since 2005, Jones has been working on a project with Tony James (formerly of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik) called Carbon/Silicon.

In early 2007, a BAD II live 8 song DVD was released, titled Big Audio Dynamite Live: E=MC².

2011 reunion

In 2010, Don Letts revealed to Billboard.com that he and Mick Jones broached the idea of a Big Audio Dynamite reunion in 2011. He explained, "I could lie to you and say 'Not in a million years,' but... if Mick wasn't tied up with Gorillaz it might happen this year. (Jones) has looked at me and said, 'Maybe next year,' but who knows. I've got to admit that in the past I'm not a great one for reformations; I always think if you're lucky in life, you get a window of opportunity, use it to the best of your ability and then fuck off and let someone else have their turn. But here I am 25 years down the line considering the thing." Besides a Big Audio Dynamite reunion, Letts said he was also hopeful for more Legacy Editions of the band's studio albums after finding more unreleased material—including live recordings—in the vaults. "There's definitely more stuff; whether Sony thinks it's worthwhile, that's another matter. But there seems to be a lot of respect for Big Audio Dynamite. Time has shown that a lot of the things we were dabbling in back then have come to manifest themselves today...so hopefully we'll get to do some more." [7]

The reformation of the original line-up of BAD was confirmed on 25 January 2011 with the announcement of a UK tour. [8] The 9-date tour was a commercial and critical success. The first of their two sold out Shepherd's Bush Empire shows received a 4-star review in The Times ('Not just a reformation - this is their time'), The Observer welcomed BAD's return with a glowing review declaring, 'they remain a joy'. [9] Their headline slot at Beautiful Days festival was favourably reviewed on the Louder Than War music website. [10]

Big Audio Dynamite played sets at the 2011 Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, [11] Glastonbury Festival 2011, [12] Rock en Seine [13] and Lollapalooza. [14]

Members

Timeline

Big Audio Dynamite

Big Audio Dynamite (1984–1990, 2011)

Big Audio Dynamite II (1990–1993)

Big Audio (1994–1995)

Big Audio Dynamite (1996–1998)

Big Audio Dynamite (1984-1990)Big Audio Dynamite II (1990–1993)Big Audio (1994–1995)Big Audio Dynamite (1996–1998)Big Audio Dynamite (2011)
Mick Jones vocals, guitarvocals, guitarvocals, guitarvocals, guitarvocals, guitar
Don Letts vocals, samples vocals, samples
Dan Donovan keyboards, backing vocalskeyboards
Leo Williams bass, backing vocalsbass
Greg Roberts drums, backing vocalsdrums, backing vocals
Nick Hawkins guitar, backing vocalsguitar, backing vocalsguitar
Gary Stonadge bass, backing vocalsbass, backing vocals
Chris Kavanagh drums, backing vocalsdrums, backing vocals
Andre Shappskeyboards, sampleskeyboards, programming
Michael 'Zonka' Custance DJ, percussion, backing vocalsDJ, keyboards, samples
Daryl Fulstowbass
Bob Wonddrums
Joe AttardMC
Ranking Roger vocals

Discography

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rush (Big Audio Dynamite II song)</span> 1991 single by Big Audio Dynamite II

"Rush" is a song by English band Big Audio Dynamite II from their fifth album, The Globe (1991). A longer version of "Rush", entitled "Change of Atmosphere", had previously appeared on the group's 1990 album Kool-Aid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Globe (song)</span> 1991 single by Big Audio Dynamite II

"The Globe" is a 1991 song by British electronic group Big Audio Dynamite II. It was released as a single in the United States and is taken from their album The Globe. It samples the 1981 song "Should I Stay or Should I Go", which was written by Big Audio Dynamite II singer Mick Jones during his tenure with The Clash, and Lionel Richie's 1983 single, "All Night Long ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mick Jones (The Clash guitarist)</span> British musician and singer

Michael Geoffrey Jones is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer best known as the co-founder of the Clash, and as that group's guitarist until 1983. In 1984, he formed Big Audio Dynamite with Don Letts. Jones has played with the band Carbon/Silicon along with Tony James since 2002 and was part of the Gorillaz live band for a world tour in 2010–2011. In late 2011, Jones collaborated with Pete Wylie and members of the Farm to form the Justice Tonight Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreadzone</span> British electronic music group

Dreadzone are a British electronic music group formed in 1993 in London by ex-Big Audio Dynamite drummer Greg Roberts and musician Tim Bran. They have released eight studio albums, two live albums, and two compilations.

<i>The Globe</i> (album) 1991 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite II

The Globe is the sixth album by alternative dance group Big Audio Dynamite II, their second album credited under that name instead of Big Audio Dynamite. It was released on 16 July 1991 in the United States, and in August elsewhere else, just after their limited UK-only album Kool-Aid and includes reworked versions of some of its songs. The Globe was certified Gold by the RIAA. Some CD versions came with the live album Ally Pally Paradiso as an additional disc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Letts</span> British film director

Donovan Letts is a British film director, disc jockey (DJ) and musician. Letts first came to prominence as the videographer for the Clash, directing several of their music videos. In 1984, Letts co-founded the band Big Audio Dynamite with former Clash lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist Mick Jones, acting as the band's sampler and videographer before departing the band in 1990.

<i>This Is Big Audio Dynamite</i> 1985 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite

This Is Big Audio Dynamite is the debut studio album by the English band Big Audio Dynamite, led by Mick Jones, the former lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the Clash. It was released on 1 November 1985 by Columbia Records. The album peaked at No. 27 on the UK Albums Chart and at No. 103 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Three singles were released from the album, all of which charted in the UK. "The Bottom Line" released a month before the album, barely made the Top 100, peaking at No. 97, becoming their lowest charting single, whereas its follow-up single "E=MC²" released in 1986, became their only Top 20 hit, peaking at No. 11, and becoming their best-selling single. The final single from the album, "Medicine Show" also released in 1986, became their last single to chart within the Top 40 under the original line-up, peaking at No. 29. The music video for "Medicine Show", directed by Don Letts, featured two other former members of the Clash, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon as police officers as well as John Lydon of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbon/Silicon</span> Rock music duo

Carbon/Silicon is a rock music duo consisting of Mick Jones and Tony James. The band formed around 2002.

<i>No. 10, Upping St.</i> 1986 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite

No. 10, Upping St. is the second studio album by the English band Big Audio Dynamite, led by Mick Jones, the former lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the Clash. The album's title is a pun on 10 Downing Street, the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom. The album reunited Jones for one album with former Clash bandmate Joe Strummer, who was a co-producer of the album and co-writer of 5 of its 9 songs.

<i>Entering a New Ride</i> 1999 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite

Entering a New Ride is the ninth and final album by Big Audio Dynamite, recorded in 1999. Radioactive Records declined to release the album, so in 2001 the band decided to post the tracks on its website. In this way, the album is one of the earliest internet-distributed albums. To support this self-release by the band many fans and media creators became involved centered upon a discussion board on the BAD website. Among these was filmmaker and interactive media producer Krishna Stott, who created the interactive film NTR, a noir-ish story written by Tim Birch, starring actor Wayne Simmonds, and featuring three of the albums tracks. This guerrilla film was distributed using the then new technology of CD-ROM.

<i>Higher Power</i> (Big Audio Dynamite album) 1994 studio album by Big Audio

Higher Power is the seventh album by Big Audio Dynamite, released in 1994. First released in the US on 8 November, it was then released in the UK the following week on 14 November 1994. "Looking for a Song" was released as a single; it peaked at No. 24 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. The band supported the album with a North American tour.

<i>F-Punk</i> 1995 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite

F-Punk is a studio album by Mick Jones' post-Clash band Big Audio Dynamite, released in 1995. It was the first album to be released under the name of Big Audio Dynamite since 1989's Megatop Phoenix. The title is a pun on the funk group P-Funk, and is supposed to imply "Fuck punk." The album cover lettering takes influence from London Calling, one of Mick Jones' albums with The Clash, which in turn was a copy of Elvis Presley's debut album.

<i>Megatop Phoenix</i> 1989 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite

Megatop Phoenix is the fourth and final studio album by the original line-up of English band Big Audio Dynamite, released on 4 September 1989 by CBS Records. Mick Jones and Bill Price produced the album. It was recorded at the Kinks' Konk Studios in Hornsey, London, who were considered an inspiration in the album's liner notes.

<i>Kool-Aid</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite II

Kool-Aid is an album by Big Audio Dynamite II. It was their first album under this name and with this line-up, which had been changed by band leader Mick Jones in 1990. It was only released in the UK, Europe and Australia. Several of the songs appeared on the group's next worldwide release, The Globe, albeit in reworked form. Among them is "Change of Atmosphere", which was reworked into the group's number 1 hit "Rush".

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<i>Tighten Up Vol. 88</i> 1988 studio album by Big Audio Dynamite

Tighten Up Vol. 88 is the third studio album by the English band Big Audio Dynamite, released in June 1988 by Columbia Records. The album peaked at No. 33 on the UK Albums Chart and at No. 102 on the Billboard 200 but was their first not to receive a certification.

<i>Planet B.A.D.</i> 1995 compilation album by Big Audio Dynamite

Planet B.A.D. is a compilation album by Big Audio Dynamite. The album was released 12 September 1995.

Big Audio Dynamite are a British musical group formed in 1984 by the ex-guitarist and singer of the Clash, Mick Jones. The group is noted for its effective mixture of varied musical styles, incorporating elements of punk rock, dance music, hip hop, reggae, and funk. BAD's one constant throughout frequent shifts in membership and musical direction is the vocals provided by Mick Jones. After releasing a number of well-received albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Big Audio Dynamite disbanded in 1997. In 2011, the band embarked on a reunion tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Bottom Line (Big Audio Dynamite song)</span> 1985 single by Big Audio Dynamite

"The Bottom Line" is a song by English alternative dance band Big Audio Dynamite, released as both a 7" and 12" single from their debut studio album, This Is Big Audio Dynamite (1985). It was written, and produced by Mick Jones, his debut single with a band singing lead vocals since being fired from the Clash in 1983. Whilst not a hit in their home country, peaking at No. 97 on the UK Singles Chart, it was a Top 40 hit in Australasia, peaking at No. 34 on Australia's ARIA Singles Chart, and No. 38 on New Zealand's Recorded Music NZ chart.

References

  1. "Big Audio Dynamite – "This Is Big Audio Dynamite" (1985)". Beatpatrol.wordpress.com. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  2. "O.C. POP MUSIC REVIEW : That What It Wasn't : A hard-to-take PiL and a so-so B.A.D. II and Blind Melon make for a tedious '120 Minutes.' Live, though, is lively". Los Angeles Times . 28 March 1992.
  3. "The eight weirdest things we know about Grant Shapps". www.newstatesman.com. 8 June 2021.
  4. "The Saturday interview: Grant Shapps". the Guardian. 27 April 2012.
  5. "Profile: Grant Shapps, Conservative party co-chairman". BBC News. 11 September 2012.
  6. Colin., Larkin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). London: Music Sales. p. 2600. ISBN   978-0857125958. OCLC   993081261.
  7. "Big Audio Dynamite Reignited". Billboard.com. 8 April 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  8. "Big Audio Dynamite reform with original line-up". NME. 25 January 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  9. Kitty Empire (10 April 2011). "The Naked and Famous; Big Audio Dynamite – review". Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  10. "Big Audio Dynamite live at Beautiful Days Festival: review". Louder Than War. 20 August 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  11. "Coachella 2011 Poster". Los Angeles Times.
  12. "Welcome to Glastonbury Festivals". Glastonbury Festivals. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  13. "Big Audio Dynamite fait un retour gagnant à Rock en Seine". 27 August 2011.
  14. "Lollapalooza 2011". Lineup.lollapalooza.com. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.

Further reading