Doctors of Dub "tartarsaurus"

It goes "him-an-a-dem-an-a-dem-an-a-him-an-a-us-an-a-dem-an-a-war"....not a lot has changed in a decade...
Doctors of Dub started life in 1991 as an 11-piece collective, based in London, UK, with a shared interest in reggae, jazz & world sounds. Over a period of 6 - 7 years, before the band finally shrunk and mutated into a studio-based unit called Species, we toured extensively in the UK giving rave-received live performances at festivals, clubs and arts centres from Penzance to Cupar.
Whilst the band was principally a live unit our recorded material was interesting and innovative along broadly dub-reggae lines. Only a handful of DoD recordings exist - a 12" ep 'Themanawar', 6-track k7 and the CD ep 'Tartarsaurus' from which this track was taken. We also recorded a session in 1995 for Andy Kershaw's Radio 1 programme.
Here is a very rare video of Doctors of Dub featuring our trademark strange stage attire (since quite widely copied by other bands) and some of the characters who used to people the stage - not least the legendary Tartarsaurus. The re-mix of one our most popular live tracks, around which this video is based, was performed by Andy Montgomery, a stalwart of the trendsetting On-U Sound crew, and, I hope you'll agree, there are some awesome dub moments. The other two tracks on the ep were re-mixed by Tom 'Another Fine Day' Green and Manchester's hard-hitting Yam-Yam team.
In concert the band eschewed rock-star pyrotechnics, opting instead for low-key ultra-violet lighting and face/body painting coupled with vibrant day-glo stage gear. Audiences loved this approach, although various lighting engineers across the country have been known to throw a sulk at us.
The video, made at the height of the bands popularity in 1996/7, was crafted on what we'd see today as very primitive tools. For me this gives the video a kind of timeless charm which might appeal to today's generation of dubsters. Enjoy, let me know what you think.
Dave Atkin February 2007

Doctors of Dub personnel (original line-up):
Bass guitar: Vernon Munday
Rhythm & lead guitar, vocal on 'Tartarsaurus': John Warner
Rhythm guitar: Dom Williams
Keyboards & violin: 'Trouser' Dave Thompson
Keyboards: Oli Hutton
Lead vocals: Oli Johnson
Percussion/visuals: Russell Roberts
Trumpet: Ian Wright
Alto & soprano sax: Paul Micah
Alto sax, flute, backing vox: Chrissy Quayle
Drums: Dave Atkin
Sound man was Ricky Dear.
Video was made by Geoff Sarbutt, cameras by Lois Darlington, Varsha & Geoff S.
Video recording ©1997

Category:

Music

Tags:

• dub
• reggae
• dance

[DaveATKIN]

Me Again

Now signed in as me and not as my son.

Dunk, if you (or anyone reading this) are missing any Doctors tunes I can supply on mp3. No charge. I don't currently have the first album (which includes 'Sideways') but all others are here, including our 1995 Radio 1 Kershaw session. I know I'm not supposed to put my email address here but imagine my first name was atkin, second name gene, with a little full stop somewhere in-between. Just add the brit telecom and you'll be somewhere near.

Dave

[DaveATKIN]

It is with deep and profound sadness that I have to announce the death this week of Dave Thompson, polymath, keyboardist, violinist and former Doctor of Dub.

On Tuesday 15th September 2009 David passed away at his home near Betchat, French Pyrenees, following a seizure and brain haemorrhage, just six weeks after having received a diagnosis of brain cancer.

I know this will come as a terrible shock to anyone who knew the gregarious and charming 'Trouser' Dave.

[DaveATKIN]

(continued)

The many musicians David played and created with, his many friends across Europe and beyond whom he met and befriended on his frequent travels, all will remember this singular person with warmth and more than the odd tear.

Goodbye Dave, 46 is a cruelly young age for you to leave us, your memory will live on in a million happy recollections.

Please get in touch, pass on your memories and post a comment in Dave's memory on this page.

Thanks

Dave Atkin

19th September 2009

[shiratama55]

yes i know he was a great musician and the one who thought me to swear 'fuck a duck'!

[DaveATKIN]

I'm intrigued, Shiratama55, do tell more...

[Samzc68]

@DaveATKIN

Doesn't seem to be close enough - all variations have bounced back !

From "Desperately Seeking Doctors of Dub"

[JumpyTurd]

Hi Dunk

Thanks for the words. I am working on a new video to celebrate Tartarsaurus' 10000th viewing, which will happen soonish. Unfortunately it won't be like the Tartarsaurus video but will probably consist of band photos on & off stage with some live footage cut in. Not certain which track yet but most likely the re-mix by Tom Green of Rad Hed Skank, a Whirl-Y-Gig favourite.

Trouser's loss was a sad one, but at least it brought most of the band back together for a weekend to remember him.

D

[jaob07]

how about some more of the doctors tunes, sideways would be apt in this political climate?!?

[jaob07]

i remember being in backstreet studios with the doctors (dom williams), rehearsing for a gig at the worlds end,finsbury, Trousers was always a gent. god rest you, the best medicine was a script of the doctors. Dunk snape.xx

[gergothebutler]

FILLLTTHHY

[mifster1]

really sad to hear 'Trouser' Dave is no longer with us, have really fond memories of sitting round his kitchen table in Hackney listening to stories from people all over europe and the offer of an escape to France xx

[hbg99x]

Wow;love the atmospherics of this trak; sad to be so late to the game...given that the creative force of the group has passed. RIP, homey.