The original Big Audio Dynamite is back! The groundbreaking rock-hiphop-reggae outfit formed by Mick Jones in the wake of The Clash will reunite after twenty five years for a series of international live dates, spearheaded by an appearance at the Coachella Arts and Music Festival on 16th April and full UK tour in March/April.
Credited with popularising sampling techniques and combining rock guitars with world beat, B.A.D has influenced everyone from Beastie Boys to Chemical Brothers and Gorillaz, with whom Jones recently finished a world tour alongside ex-Clash bassist Paul Simonon. B.A.D was at ground zero of the rock/hiphop revolution, releasing their first twelve-inch single ‘The Bottom Line’(remixed by Rick Rubin) on Def Jam Records. Subsequent hit singles included ‘E=MC2’, ‘Medicine Show’, ‘V-Thirteen’ and ‘C’mon Every Beatbox’.
The original group dispersed in 1988. A completely new line-up, known as B.A.D II, had success with singles ‘Rush’ and ‘The Globe’ before disbanding. Jones returned in 2005 with Carbon/Silicon and has produced a number of records, including The Libertines’ debut ‘Up The Bracket’. Co-songwriter and sample master Don Letts continued to direct films and videos, including ‘Dancehall Queen’ and The Clash documentary ‘Westway to the World’, for which he won a Grammy Award in 2003. Drummer Greg Roberts and bassist Leo ‘E-Zee-Kill’ Williams have released seven albums with Dreadzone, while keyboardist Dan Donovan continues to write and remix, working with Mark Moore among many others.
For Jones, this reunion represents unfinished business; carrying on the creative spirit of the Clash, whose frontman Joe Strummer co-wrote and produced B.A.D’s second album ‘No. 10 Upping Street’, which celebrates it's 25th Anniversary this year.
See them live
