Mind The DubStep....innit?

A few years ago if anyone said Dubstep I would have looked with blank expression and that’s coming from girl whose into her music!  However "Dub" is becoming the buzz word more and more around Glasgow's club scene.....

Dubstep dates back to the 90's mainly popular in South East London however it has increased in popularity majorly since then and now everyone’s getting in on it!  More recently Britney's release "Would You Hold it Against Me" has brought Dubstep to the masses. 

 

 

I decided I didn't know enough about Dubstep and what in particular it was that distinguished it from other electro dance music, so I spoke to a Dj who was big into Dubstep and who played it in a local club and got asking some questions.

Q. Lee what separates Dubstep from other types of electro dance music?
A. Its the tempo and the basslines really. ‘Dance’ music is generally more up-tempo. House and electro tracks range from 125-135bpm whereas DubStep sits between 70-80bpm. The basslines in a lot of the songs are so heavy too. I remember hearing chase and status – eastern jam for the first time. The bassline is ridiculous you just wouldn’t hear it in any other genre.

Q. How did you become interested in playing Dubstep?
A.I got into it mainly from hearing it on Annie Mac, there was obviously Dj’s before her supporting the genre like John Peel and Mary Anne Hobbs but it was through Annie Mac that I really started to take notice. She was also the first Dj I saw play out a DubStep track in a nightclub, the bassline was phenomenal that you couldn’t help take notice.
Q. What do you think of Dubstep becoming a more popular genre?
A. It can only be a good thing. Obviously you’re going to get haters like you do when any artist or band get popular but i'm not complaining turning on the radio at 11am and hearing a skream or benga track


Q. Do you think more artists will jump on the Dub band-wagon like Britney?
A. Definitely. Even before the Britney track, DubStep had been noticed by loads of artists. Chase and status produced several songs on Rihanna’s Rated R album and with rusko supposedly behind a few tunes on Britney’s album it’s only a matter of time before other artists jump on the bandwagon.
Q. Why do you think DubStep has become so popular in the Glasgow Music Scene?A. Well, Glasgow has such a massive club scene and with venues like The Arches and Subclub it seems only right that DubStep has become so popular!



Thanks Lee! :D
Here's one of Lee's favourite tracks enjoy!! :)

 

The Fratellis....

Another home grown band from Glasgow worth a listen are The Fratellis.  Although they are currently working on their own material out with the band; John Fratelli, Barry Fratelli and Mince Fratelli produced some sweet tracks when they were together.  I have seen the band live a few times once at T in the Park in 2008 when they did an awesome set on the main stage and a second time in the SECC.  Being a bit of a fan I managed to bag Jon Fratellis plectrum at the end of the gig. <3

The Fratellis have had two hit albums. The first being "Costello Music" released in 2006 which had massive hits like "Chelsea Dagger" and "Henrietta", Costello Music is one of my all time favourite albums.  The Second being "Here we Stand" with a hit single "Mistress Mable"

Going back to 2005 The Fratellis played their first gig in O'Henry's bar, just across the road from the infamous Horseshoe bar and later that year signed with Fallout Records.  After the release of Costello Music they were named "The Best New Band in Britain" by NME.

The stage presence of The Fratellis is phenomenal; the three down to earth guys are up for a laugh and a bit of on-stage banter.  Although there were many rumours about the bands "split" Jon Fratelli is adamant that the band have only taken a break to try out other styles of music, and will be back in the future which is definitely good news!

I shall leave you with a beast of a tune from the lads!

SECC...NO THANKS!

For all the amazing gig venues that Glasgow has to offer, I cannot abide the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, especially when real live musicians play in it.  Fair play to the likes of the Pussy Cat Dolls or Girls Aloud but when artists like The Fratellis play in the SECC rather than other gig venues like the 02 Academy it’s just madness.

The venue has no atmosphere what so ever it’s just like a big steel cube. 

Yesterday I worked at the Katy Perry gig and the excitement of the fans was just immediately diminished the moment they walked into the arena.  The SECC offers no way to capture the excitement, like the 02 where everyone is shoulder to shoulder enjoying the gig or King Tuts where it is jammed packed and the excitement builds up in a tiny space.  Instead with the SECC you end up in a seat miles away from the stage where the artists look like tiny matchsticks on the massive stage.

I know in the end it all comes down to money, and that is why some bands choose to go that route even if it may not capture their amazing sound and stage presence.

RANT OVER! J