HEARTICAL HIFI OUTERNATIONAL:
Derek M aka Stryka D: - Operator, Selector & Host
Boover Banton- Mic.
Cassawarrior: - Selection and Mic.
All our guest DJs, artists and friends who help with the soundsystem.
Tune into Break The Chain formally known as Heartical which can be heard every Friday from 11am-1pm on PBSFM 106.7
Influences
Most things dubwise, Rootical Reggae old and new, Studio one, King Tubbys, Bunny Lee, Augustus Pablo Jammys, scientist, channel one, Jah Shaka, Manasseh, Entebbe, Boomshakalaka, Abi shai, Revelation, Aba Shanti I, Jah Tubbys, Iration Steppas, Donn Letts, The Clash, Bad Brains, John Peel, Curtis Mayfield, Junior Soul,........ and the soundsystems that keep the faith.
SOUNDSYSTEM CULTURE:
‘Soundsystem’ is the traditional medium through which reggae, dub and dancehall is presented. The term refers to not only the machine itself with its speaker stacks and equipment, but also to the crew where each member plays a role. Often the sound system is custom built, giving each individual ‘sound’ its own unique character. The concept dates back to the late 1950’s in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, from where it was brought to the UK and other countries by Caribbean migrants. Communities developed around their local soundsystems and each had its own loyal following rather like a football club. The dances were crucial in lifting the spirits of the Caribbean exiles, helping them to forget their hardships - something that reggae and soundsystem culture now does worldwide, regardless of nationality. As music constantly evolves, the soundsystem is the foundation that resonates through many sub genres of modern progressive music we know today.
Sounds Like
DUB CLUB MELBOURNE PRESENTS BASEMENT SESSIONS:
Basement Sessions is a monthly event with a difference, being Melbourne’s only regular club night 100% dedicated to dubwise and rootical reggae. Hosted by Heartical HiFi, Basement Sessions focuses on soundsystem culture rather than DJ sets or live bands.
Held at the Night Owl Bar- an old underground bank vault in the city now converted into a music venue, the dance usually happens every third Friday of the month, where people from all backgrounds enjoy great music with a positive vibe. Basement Sessions is absolutely essential for all lovers of dub, reggae and serious bass.
Heartical HiFi Outernational
The project started in 2002 when Derek M began to draw up the plans for what was to be Victoria’s first ever custom built dub/reggae soundsystem. It was self funded on a shoestring budget taking many years to build until it was finally ready for play in 2006.
Consisting of custom built audio equipment, a number of speaker boxes and amps, Heartical HiFi boasts the ability to deliver the music like no other. At the heart of the system a special type of pre-amp is used, built by the UK’s legendary soundman Jah Tubbys. This enables the sound system to be played live, and by using extended EQ control, echo, reverb and special effects Heartical HiFi is given its original and unique character. Since its first unveiling, the set has now doubled in size, placing it in the premier league of ultra heavyweight soundsystems.
Heartical HiFi Outernational’s live shows feature the full sound crew in action with Derek aka Stryka D at the controls, DJ Cassawarrior and MC Boover Banton. Delivering the music in fine style, they play only high grade quality selections in conscious reggae and dub music. From vintage classics to latest releases and exclusive dubplate specials, all are forwarded with the anticipation of the mightiest bass line drop! And where their mission is to promote Dub and Reggae music, Heartical HiFi also actively supports the dubstep, DnB and Jungle scenes down under.
The Heartical HiFi crew: Stryka D, Cassawarrior, Boover Banton.
Derek M aka Stryka D grew up in Liverpool Uk and became interested in the music through discovering a pirate radio station called Toxteth Community Radio that played mostly Soul, RnB, Jazz and Reggae during the mid to late 80’s. A friend introduced him to veteran reggae singer Roy Cousins (The royals) who ran a record shop called Cousins Cove in Picton Rd at the time. It was visits to this shop that helped nurture his growing appreciation of reggae music, and after attending London’s Notting Hill Carnival, and experiencing Jah Shaka sessions in Finsbury Park, Derek was enlightened to the soundsystem culture of black Britain and would travel near and far to hear the music. A decade later he took up DJing at the Zanzibar Club in Seel Street, Liverpool. In 2001 Derek migrated to Australia and continues to be based in Melbourne where he has played numerous gigs under the name DJ Uptight at many of Melbourne’s top music venues. He has been billed alongside various international artists including Dub Syndicate with Lloyd Parks, Lee Scratch Perry, Mad Professor, Sly
And Robbie, Mykal Rose, Big Youth, Third World, Iration Steppas, Lucky Dube, Luciano, Mikey General, Horace Andy and Bushman to name a few. In 2002 he began to build the Heartical HiFi sound in which today he devotes much of his energy. In 2004 Derek became involved with community radio where he presents Break The Chain formally the Heartical Show on PBS106.7FM.
Boover Banton caught the sound system bug at the early age of 10 years old. Skipping his Friday night boys brigade meetings to attend the legendary Canterbury Sessions in Birmingham UK where in 1972 Quaker City Soundsystem used to host the dance. These where the days when sound system style toasting was emerging with the likes of U Roy and I Roy. Two years later Boover and his family moved to London. A good friend of the family was rock steady singer Roy Shirley who owned Third World records shop in Stoke Newington and the young Boover Banton could be heard toasting to the
riddims being played in the shop. Determined to make his name on the sound system circuit he would occasionally touch the mic for Warrior HiFi. Another two years passed and the family moved to Cardiff and this is where Boover’s reputation as a toaster grew momentum and would see him travelling to Bristol, Gloucester and Manchester with his own sound Lion Heart. Later Boover returned to London and made his way up the MC league busting the mic for Intrepid Rebel before gracing the stage with Gemi Magic one of the UK’s biggest sounds at the time. Nowadays Boover Banton lives in Melbourne where he chats on the mic with Heartical HiFi Outernational.
Cassawarrior grew up in Gisborne on the east coast of the north island in New Zealand and made his move to Melbourne in 2001 to pursue his musical interests. In 2006 he became with Heartical HiFi as a box man, soon later he was given the opportunity to select on the sound and was then given his name Cassawarior in all due respect for his Maori background where music runs deep in the blood. A composer and musician in his own right he is in demand within the local music scene, and his latest venture sees him locking down the bass grooves for Ethio jazz group The Black Jesus Experience.
Heartical HiFi's Basement Sessions happen every third Friday of the month at The Night Owl Bar. See upcoming show listings for details.
OUR NEXT SESSION:-
19/06/09 AT NIGHT OWL MELBOURNE.
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To book the Heartical Hi fi set or DJ bookings Contact. 0423979396
Heartical Hi-Fi Outernational's Friend Space (Top 39)
The first DUBKEY album MANWEL T MEETS MIND'S EYE DUB AT THE TEMPLE OF DUB has just been released: it is available as a free download here - http://dubkey.com/dubkey001.html
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