01Profile
A Junior Bill Photo
Junior Bill
Musicians — Cardiff
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Junior Bill. Cardiff.
Describe your style in three words?
Streetwise ska-tinged.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Haven't got a best gig ever. I'll say Baxter Dury recently in Bristol. I thought he was brilliant. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I'd go back in time and support Os Mutantes in Brasil in 1968. We'd probably get shot but it'd be worth it.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
A big part of the Skinhead, Mod, Rudeboy and Punk subcultures has been the musical connection between the U.K. and Jamaica which undoubtedly changed the world. Not just in terms of the direct legacy of Two Tone around the world and in the U.K. but how reggae has become assimilated into world popular culture through music. The British subcultures played a part in this.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Aristotle, so I could play him some Die Antwoord.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Tamesis Dock, London. It was a boat which sailed the Thames as we played (with The Severed Limb).
Your greatest hero or heroine in music?
I have many favourite musicians. Although I don't think of them as "heroes" really. I'll say Ray Davies for now.
Ska-punk band, Junior Bill recently recorded a live video for their latest track 'The Buteown Rats' in the long disused Wenvoe railway tunnel in their native city Cardiff. Junior Bill's latest EP is a collection of four songs that draw upon Cardiff's local myths and history, setting them to instantly graspable elements for reggae, ska and punk.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
I play everything I like on repeat. I think my first single was 'Breathe' by Sean Paul and Blu Cantrell. I would have definitely played it on repeat.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' - The Smiths. In fact, I was probably happier than most teenagers but Morrissey's lyrics were still relatable.
One record you would keep forever?
I have a 1958 pressing of 'Tom Hark' by Elias & His Zig Zag Jive Flutes which I will never let go.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
The lyrics to 'Bewlay Brothers' by David Bowie.
A song you wished you had written?
'The Bewlay Brothers' by David Bowie... but I just said that so I'll say 'Beyond Belief' by Elvis Costello.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Offence' by Little Simz.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Oooh... thought of a suitably uncool one that I heard someone playing in the open mic in the pub I work in the other day: 'Everybody's Changing' by Keane. As I was serving drinks I was inventing an argument in defence of the song against cool hipsters who say Keane are naff... which they are... but that song is nice and has a pretty melody so there.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Spotlight' by Baloji.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Come Down With Me' by Eat The Evidence.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Okonkolo - 'Wolenche Por Chango'
Hush Mozey - 'A Place for Them'
Laundrette - 'Shop Song'
Stanlaey - 'Ode to Ovid'
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Junior Bill. Cardiff.
Describe your style in three words?
Streetwise ska-tinged.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Haven't got a best gig ever. I'll say Baxter Dury recently in Bristol. I thought he was brilliant. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I'd go back in time and support Os Mutantes in Brasil in 1968. We'd probably get shot but it'd be worth it.
Which Subcultures have influenced you?
A big part of the Skinhead, Mod, Rudeboy and Punk subcultures has been the musical connection between the U.K. and Jamaica which undoubtedly changed the world. Not just in terms of the direct legacy of Two Tone around the world and in the U.K. but how reggae has become assimilated into world popular culture through music. The British subcultures played a part in this.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Aristotle, so I could play him some Die Antwoord.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Tamesis Dock, London. It was a boat which sailed the Thames as we played (with The Severed Limb).
Your greatest hero or heroine in music?
I have many favourite musicians. Although I don't think of them as "heroes" really. I'll say Ray Davies for now.
Ska-punk band, Junior Bill recently recorded a live video for their latest track 'The Buteown Rats' in the long disused Wenvoe railway tunnel in their native city Cardiff. Junior Bill's latest EP is a collection of four songs that draw upon Cardiff's local myths and history, setting them to instantly graspable elements for reggae, ska and punk.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
I play everything I like on repeat. I think my first single was 'Breathe' by Sean Paul and Blu Cantrell. I would have definitely played it on repeat.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now' - The Smiths. In fact, I was probably happier than most teenagers but Morrissey's lyrics were still relatable.
One record you would keep forever?
I have a 1958 pressing of 'Tom Hark' by Elias & His Zig Zag Jive Flutes which I will never let go.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
The lyrics to 'Bewlay Brothers' by David Bowie.
A song you wished you had written?
'The Bewlay Brothers' by David Bowie... but I just said that so I'll say 'Beyond Belief' by Elvis Costello.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Offence' by Little Simz.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Oooh... thought of a suitably uncool one that I heard someone playing in the open mic in the pub I work in the other day: 'Everybody's Changing' by Keane. As I was serving drinks I was inventing an argument in defence of the song against cool hipsters who say Keane are naff... which they are... but that song is nice and has a pretty melody so there.
The song to get you straight on the dance floor?
'Spotlight' by Baloji.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'Come Down With Me' by Eat The Evidence.
Any new bands you are into at the moment?
Okonkolo - 'Wolenche Por Chango'
Hush Mozey - 'A Place for Them'
Laundrette - 'Shop Song'
Stanlaey - 'Ode to Ovid'
Junior Bill - The Butetown Rats (Live in Wenvoe Tunnel)
Junior Bill - There's A Wolf In Grangetown (Official Video)