Salmonella Dub - History

History

Formed in 1992 in Christchurch NZ, Salmonella Dub have rightfully been called the pioneers and originators of a unique Pacific style of dub/drum ‘n’ bass/reggae/hip hop and groove-based rock. Acts such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Shapeshifter, Cornerstone Roots, Kora, and Trinity Roots as well as the new wave of Australian acts like Budspells, Rastawookie, King Tide, Red Eyes, and the likes, can all thank Salmonella Dub for paving the way to opening Australian ears to an alternative to a music scene that was largely house influenced dance music or straight guitar rock.

The group worked for some time with MC Tiki Taane, who embarked on a solo career in 2007 after developing a profile with the band. Other guest or collaborative artists have included Paddy Free who produced the most recent album release Freak Controller and performed with the band; and guests Whirimako Black, Hirini Melbourne, Richard Nunns and MC Mana. The band has also collaborated with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Hamish McKietch.

Recent touring entourage includes: Peter Wood, Anthony Smith, Jason Young (audio), Steve Jarden (lighting); guest performers Paul Buchanan (the Mighty Asterix).

In February 2008, Salmonella Dub and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra collaborated for the Feel The Seasons Change tour of New Zealand with shows performed in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Nelson. The Feel The Seasons Change project combined Salmonella Dub’s contemporary music and production values with elements of te reo Maori, the ancient arts of taonga puoro (traditional Maori instruments) and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's classical music tradition.

"United by background images of our geography and history, the omnipresent birdsong of Richard Nunns on traditional Maori instruments, and the outstanding vocals of jazz-blues singer Whirimako Black, the collaboration was certainly intriguing if for its sheer scale. Between songs, conductor Hamish McKeich was careful not to trip over his players, squeezed on to two-thirds of the stage; Salmonella Dub looked oddly well-behaved and vulnerable standing next to them."

At the New Zealand Radio Awards in 2009 Radio New Zealand became the first non commercial radio to win the Supreme Award including Best Technical Production, Studio or Outside Broadcast Recording with Feel the Seasons Change – Live with the NZSO.