Draft:Dubmerge

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Dubmerge was a long-running English reggae band formed in Herefordshire and Worcestershire [1] in late 1991. Playing at some of Europe’s biggest festivals [1], they had a unique blend of reggae, dub, ska, post-punk and later electronic dance music, all interwoven with samples.

Dubmerge
Guy Loughman photograph of Dubmerge on tour in Europe, early 90s.[edit]

Background information[edit]

Origin: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Genres: Dub, reggae, ska, post-punk, dance music.
Years active: 1991 - 201X
Labels: Bud Urge Records
Spin-offs: Last Tree Squad[2], Dubrovnik [3]
Spin off of: The Insect Brothers[4]
Past Members: Mark Loughman, Steve McArdle, Paul Knight, Patrick McArdle, Jez King, Cut La Vis, Kenny I, Marcus Campbell, Barney Bee, Ben, John Eager, Trevor Wilde, Dominic Kemp, Nigel Thomas

History[edit]

Dubmerge was formed by John Eager, Mark Loughman, Trevor Wilde, Dominic Kemp, Marcus Campbell and Nigel Thomas in late 1991 at Ralph’s Millstone Studios where they recorded their debut, ‘Dubverse’. [5] Later next year, Paul Knight replaced Nigel Thomas on drums and Kenny I joined the band for their second release ‘New Age Holiday Maker’, engineered by Matthew Devenish [5] (who also mixed their live sound.) Recordings from their tour in Europe, where they received an underground following, are on their 1993 cassette ‘Flat Out In Skunkland’. [6] The final release for this line up - joined by Ben in 1994 - was ‘Future Tense’. [5]

With a new line up - consisting of Mark Loughman, Marcus Campbell, Paul Knight and Kenny I, joined by new vocalist Steve McArdle and Barney Bee[5] - Dubmerge performed live at the 25th Glastonbury Festival on the Green Field, the less commercialised area. [7]

Around this time, the album, ‘Bud Urge’ also came out on cassette.

After receiving a grant from West Midland Arts, Dubmerge set up their own label, Bud Urge Records and released their first CD, ‘Wake up!’ in 1996. [7] Further releases include: ‘El Dente’ [5] on cassette and ‘Greed and Glamour’ [5] and ‘Check it’ [8] both on CD.

The most recent line up for the band was:

Paul Knight, Mark Loughman, Steve McArdle, Patrick McArdle, Jez King,

Cut La Vis and they teamed up with Zion train members, performing live with Molara (vocals) and Powerstepper (percussion). [1]

Members[edit]

Nigel Thomas - Drums (1991-1992) [5]

Dominic Kemp - Violin, Viola, Guitar (1991-1994) [5]

Trevor Wilde - Vocals (1991-1994) [5]

John Eager - Vocals, Samples (1991-1994) [5]

Marcus Campbell - Guitar (1991-1999) [5]

Mark Loughman - Bass Guitar (1991-201X [1])

Paul Knight - Drums (1992-201X [1])

Kenny I - Percussion (1992-?)

Ben - Trumpet (1994) [5]

Barney Bee - Keyboards, Turntables (1995 [5] -?)

Steve McArdle - Vocals (1995 [5] -201X [1])

Patrick McArdle - Keyboards [1]

Jez King - Guitar [1]

Cut La Vis - Percussion [1]

Discography[edit]

Dubverse (Self released, 1992) [5]

New Age Holiday Maker (Self released, 1992) [5]

Flat Out in Skunkland (Self released, 1993) [5]

Future Tense (Self released, 1994) [5]

Bud Urge (?)

El Dente (Bud Urge records, ?) [5]

Wake up! (Bud Urge records, 1996) [5]

Greed and Glamour (Bud Urge records, 1999) [5]

Check it (?) [8]

References[edit]