THE BUG

In Gibson’s Neuromancer, when Case & Molly meet the two surviving founders of Zion, there is talk of hearing a “mighty dub” in the Babel of tongues signaling the “final days”. If indeed we’re living in these ‘end times’, as many predict, then there can be no more of an appropriate soundtrack for the coming apocalypse than The Bug’s “London Zoo”.

The Bug is the main project for Kevin Martin, a producer who over the years has also been behind a diverse range of projects. He is part of Techno Animal / Ice / God (all with Justin Broadrick of Godflesh / Jesu), King Midas Sound, Razor X Productions (with The Rootsman), Pressure and Ladybug to name a few. Then there is the running of his Pathological Records label, collaborations with noise jazz outfit 16-17, Pete “Sonic Boom” Kemper’s E.A.R project, John Zorn, Kevin Shields, El-P, Antipop Consortium. He has recorded for labels as diverse as Virgin, Rephlex, Position Chrome/Mille Plateaux, Word Sound, Hyperdub, City Slang, Tigerbeat 6, Grand Royal, and now Ninja Tune. He has been personally asked to remix Thom Yorke, Grace Jones, Einsturzende Neubauten and Primal Scream, and has compiled jazz & dub compilations for Virgin Records. The new album “London Zoo” is the fruition of all these activities…

“London Zoo” was born of three key moments. An introduction to the thriving Dub-Step scene (of which The Bug is very much a pioneer before it carried a name) and it’s key producers (via Kode 9) where Kevin realized there was others on the same sonic trajectory as himself, an introduction to Warrior Queen via his work with Wayne Lonesome on the Razor X Productions project, and a Mary Anne Hobb’s Breezeblock session which introduced him to Flowdan (Roll Deep), and Ricky Ranking. All three of which figure heavily in the end result and live presentation.

Although the obvious entry point to the album will be the Dub-Step tag, particularly after the success of the three lead up singles (’Jah War’, ‘Skeng’, and ‘Poison Dart’ in that scene) it’s a record that clearly reaches past and brings together/celebrates reference points from dancehall, grime, hip-hop, and noise onslaughts. A record that could have only come out of London sound-system culture but whose appeal spans past any singular city or scene.

From the opening strains of “Angry” (featuring reggae legend Tippa Irie) it’s clear that the world has been served notice from the heart of the UK capital. A position further strengthened as Ricky Ranking (best known for his work with Roots Manuva), Flowdan, Warrior Queen, Spaceape, Roger Robinson, Killa P, and Aya step up to lay waste to the boombastic rhythms put before them, eventually culminating in “Judgement” where Ricky Ranking leaves us with a prophecy … “so much people are losing their minds, because we’re living in a serious time. I guess it come in like a judgement sign, the people have killing on their mind”…. living in end times indeed. Best start building the Marcus Garvey tug now.

I’ve been listening to Jesu since December of 2005 when I received their self-titled debut. It took me little time to figure out that Jesu is fronted by Justin Broadrick, the main guy from Godflesh, who won me over during my dreary days as a college disc jockey.

I finally saw Jesu live for the first time during SXSW 2007. Coincidentally, it was their first time visiting the states because visa issues had defeated them prior (Justin writes extensively about it in his blog).

I know music journalists are supposed to keep their cool, sitting off to the side of the stage, arms folded in front of them, stern look of concentration on their faces. But I’ve always thought that forced stoicism was absolute bullshit. So there I was front and center, hair in slow-motion headbang, arms outstretched, fully rocking. To hell with the non-believers, this was what I came to Austin for.

People ask me what my favorite part of SXSW 2007 was. I’ll answer “Jesu.” (That is, when I am not answering “The Mountain Goats” or “Melvins with Big Business” or “Andrew Bird” or “Robyn Hitchcock with Peter Buck” or whatever pops into mind as being above awesome.)

I wrote a long-winded history of Justin K. Broadrick and Jesu, complete with purple prose, mixed metaphors and a reference to Shiva . Read it after the jump if you like.

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