We’ve been hooking up and swaping clothes for beats with this guy since back in 2006 when he stared making a massive name for himself as a host and MC in both drum & bass and dubstep circles.
Regularly working alongside DJ Die, Skream, Benga, Redlight, Pinch and Kutz at their own request, as well as frequent sets at the UK’s top club nights including Fabric, Detonate, Bedlam and Run, Dread’s is now a household name, and if you’re throwing a party it’s more than likely he’s gunna be on your ‘to call’ list.
This week we caught up with the man himself after playing at the Redbull Culture Clash, held in Wembley Arena and featuring all the hottest names in music right now including the likes of Disclosure, Rudimental, Redlight, Ms Dynamite and Katy B but to name a few.
If you missed this one, don’t run home crying to your mum you can catch Dread at the dates below.
29 Nov O2 Academy – Glasgow
30th Nov Warehouse Project – Manchester
1st Dec O2 Academy – Bournemouth
6th Dec Subzero – Colchester
7th Dec Fabric – London
8th Dec Talk – Southend
14th Dec – Smack – Lemington Spa
21st Dec – Death of Planet Earth DOPE – Kent
31st Dec- Chibuku – Liverpool
31st – Warehouse Project – Manchester
31st – Urban Nerds – London
A big thank-you to Justin De Souza for providing the amazing photography for this article Check out more photos from the night over on www.freshtodeath.com link.
Posted on: December 4, 2012
After another weekly rummage through our wealth of golden oldies from back in the day and we stumbled across this little beauty from Fly53 HQ.
We probably don’t need to explain whose in this one as it’s more than likely you’ve seen Ilirjana Alushaj around. Often described as a, ‘one girl revolution,’ not only is she a regular fashion blogger, she also runs her own magazine, record label and still finds the time to be a member of three (yes three) different bands (and we thought we were busy).
Beautiful, tall, commanding and powerful this woman is a striking Australian-raised, Brooklyn-based creative powerhouse who boasts the most exotic name in indie music. And hurr she is Rocking Fly53 threads (we’re calling our mothers to tell them we’ve made it).
To top it all off, take a peek at who took the photo.
Posted on: November 27, 2012
When it comes to music theres not many brands out there that can rival our rich and extensive history of working with the most credible artists on the music scene (even if we do say so ourselves). Which is why, much like a proud father sharing photographs of his son we’re decided to share our Plethora of coolness with you, right here, every week.
This week, we didn’t have to look far to come across yet another exciting name we swapped clothes for free beats with back in the day. Recognise these faces?
Of course you do. LA born rock band – 30 Seconds to Mars aka Jared, Shannon, Tomo remain way up there on our list of favourite bands over the years and heres why.
Describing their vibe is a pretty hefty challenge purely because it’s so experimental and so diverse it almost needs a new category all of it’s own. Associated mostly with neo-prog, progressive metal and post-grunge, over the years the guys have also been known for including elements of emo, screamo, space rock and even synthrock into their music, earning them comparisons to the likes of Pink Floyd (who infamously influenced their work) and Tool (because of their use of philosophical lyrics in a variety of experimental music).
All round rockers, not only is their music utterly unique their really nice guys too which is always a bonus. Who wants to share a beer with a wanker right?
Posted on: November 22, 2012
We’re gearing up for the weekend and to celebrate we thought it was a timely opportunity to give you another tasty teaser of what’s to come in our sassy new Fanzine #13 – Ready to roll off the printing press and into your hands any day now. We hooked up with Dhani Harrison, son of The Beatles guitarist George and frontman of alternative rock band thenewno2, we probably don’t need to tell you we were more than a little bit excited about this meeting. Keep it locked for the full interview coming soon….
So, your Dad’s one of the founding members of one of the most influential bands ever. You start to make your own music… no pressure on the outcome, eh? Thankfully Dhani Harrison and thenewno2 are treading their own experimental path to the rock’n’roll hall of fame and have more in common with Radiohead than a certain band from Liverpool.
Easy going, laid back and grounded, in fact, the most rock’n’roll they get is being specific with a Pret A Manger (Other lunch options available) lunch order, which is kind of refreshing…we sat down over a sarni to dig out everything from what they’ve been up to recently to what it’s like being compared to your dad’s musical achievements…
“I met a band once and someone said to them ‘Oh you might recognise this guy, he’s got a famous last name’ and the American guy went ‘Oh, Harrison right? You’re Jeff Harrison’s son right?’ Larry King thought my Dad was George Hamilton. I try and avoid the George Hamilton thing where possible.”
Posted on: November 18, 2012
We’re been rifling through the deep dark depths of our computer and look what we found: Brummy Indie Rock Band formed in 2001, The Twang rocking our threads back in the day.
Made up of Phil Etheridge, Jon Watkins, Martin Saunders, Stu Hartland and Matty Clinton, these guys first hit our radar back in March of 2007 with their debut single, “Wide Awake’ shortly followed by the album, ‘Love It When I Feel Like This’ reaching #3 in the UK charts.
Their second album, ‘Jewellery Quarter,’ iconically named after the area of Birmingham in which the band had finally settled was released two years later, produced by Neil Claxton and written (pretty randomly) half on the Isle Anglesey where the band shut themselves away in a private cottage, and half in Granada, Spain.
This year saw the release of their third album 10:20 with a new guitarist and drummer (after he stole over £10,000 of studio equipment – smooth) and a bucket load of fresh material.
Posted on: November 15, 2012
With our newest FLY53 Fanzine about to roll off the printing press we decided it was about time to give you another little teaser of its tasty content. This week its none other than Alberta Cross. Currently celebrating the release of their long awaited second album ‘Songs of Patience’ we caught up with the guys and our mates Artrocker Magazine to fire some questions their way. The full interview will be printed in the zine, hitting our retailers soon.
‘There’s gotta be worse jobs,’ is pretty much what springs to mind as we settle in a sunny London square last wednesday lunchtime with uber chilled out Petter Ericson Stakee, vocalist and guitarist of the New York-based, Anglo Swedish band Alberta Cross.
It might’ve taken three years to get your second album out, but it seems that your fans haven’t forgotten about you.Perhaps ironically titled ‘Songs of Patience’ we’ve gotta give it to you your fans are certainly a loyal bunch….
“We worked on it for longer than we wanted to, there were certain things out of our control. We went through a few different producers, went through a lot of different songs, kind of like that clichéd difficult second album syndrome. We got there though. We took it back to New York with us, finished it off with our friend Claudius and recorded new songs with him, remixed stuff, essentially going back to our sound. More what we wanted to do, more organic I guess”
Posted on: November 9, 2012
This week we’ve had a little riffle through the deep dark depths of our computers and amongst plethora of others we found this little beauty from back in the day.
Canadian Electronic Music duo MSTRKRFT formed in 2005 by Jesse Keeler and Al-P have not only had massive success as a partnership but have also been commissioned to remix songs with everyone from Kylie Minogue to Bloc Party to Wolfmother to Katy Perry and thats the just tip of the iceberg, the entire list is astonishingly impressive.
Check them our reppin’ our threads over a pint, naturally.
Posted on: October 25, 2012
When it comes to new talent these guys have got it in bucket loads and have been gaining some serious attention of late. Over the past 12 months they’ve released 2 new singles, appeared on some seriously influential music blogs and kidnapped Pat Sharp and thats all on top of playing gigs up and down the country. How do they find the time?
This week they played right on our doorstep in London’s East end and not ones to miss a party, we headed over there to find out what all the fuss was about, hook the guys up with the finest of Fly53 threads and give them a good old fashioned grilling…oh boy were we in for a treat.
1. So, How are you guys – tell us what you’ve all been up to recently?
Ric: Good yeah, just munching on a reduced haddock sandwich.
Adam: This and that, that and this. Just gearing up to the release of our 2nd single “Ennui/Eighteen” on Dirty Bingo Records that’s out on the 22nd of October. Plugging to the max.
Jarve: Becoming a white van man, for realz …
Joe: Sleeping in the back of said white van for hours at a time.
2. Tell us your most outrageous tour story – Or is riding like a fugitive in the back of a transit (How we found Adam en route to London) as rough as it gets?
Ric: We may or may not have slept in a multi story car park.
Adam: Haha that was pretty grim, but it’s been worse. We’ve slept in car parks, locked ourselves out of cars, had fallouts over fried chicken. we’re pretty ghetto. Jarvis (our drummer) once didn’t have his hands on ten to two on the wheel. He’s mental.
Jarve: I reversed into a wall once … true story
3. Sum up your sound in 5 words for us?
Ric: Ice cream in a hoover.
Jarve: Shit sandwich (in your mouth?)
4. Who’s mum’s the fittest? – Has anyone gone there?
Ric: Almost definitely Joe’s but I’ve only ever gone there in my dreams.
Joe: Well I look a fair bit like my mum, so I’m gonna have to agree with Ric – I am one sexy mofo – Thanks mum.
Adam: I hope our mum’s don’t read this. If I say my opinion I won’t be allowed to go round Ric’s parents house for tea anymore.
5. If you had to choose between a night with Ellis Cooper (our girl crush) and a sold out gig in London which would you choose?
Adam: Ellis Cooper probably. We’re pretty fickle. Can we not sell out a London show and then spend the night with her?
Ric: Yeah we could just get her to come along.
Adam: Haha yeah then Ric can work his sleazy magic.
6. What would it take for you guys to perform on X Factor?
Adam: Every year I tell Ric to go on it. If I could sing well I’d be there in a flash, murdering all the classics like there’s no tomorrow.
Ric: Cheryl Cole…covered in mayonnaise.
Adam: She’s already on it isn’t she? Why aren’t you there singing Hallelujah?
Jarve: Death?
Joe: I’d audition for x factor if the que’s weren’t so long.
7. Top three songs you can’t get enough of right now?
Adam: Tame Impala – Elephant, Kindness – Anyone Can Fall in Love , Purity Ring – Fineshrine.
Ric: Peace – California Daze.
Jarve: Jeff Buckley – I Woke Up In A Strange Place, Deerhoof – L’amour Stories, Man Or Astroman? Psychology of A.I (Numbers Follow Answers), not exactly current, but I’ve been stuck in the past for a fair while now…
8. What gets you up in the morning the music, the money or the bitches?
Ric: An erection.
Adam: Disgusting. Crunchy Nut, then the bitches.
Jarve: The most insanely aggressive alarm in the world, Ric can testify, its seriously offensive.
Joe: Fire…. bar that nothing.
9. If you could have anyone in the world as a fifth member for the day who would it be any why?
Adam: Ellis Cooper for obvious reasons.
Ric: Any member of the Sugababes past or present to sing me lullabies and dish the dirt about the other members.
Jarve: Jeff Buckley, for obvious reasons.
Joe: Richard Branson so he’d take me up to space in return.
10. You’re invisible for a day – tell us what goes down?
Adam: Lots of girl’s pants. Honestly we’re not sex pests.
Jarve: I’m already invisible if you view me from the side…
Joe: I’d find out what KFC’s secret recipe and then spend the rest of my life ripping them off.
11. Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?
Adam: As you can tell we could do with some interview advice if anyone’s offering…
Ric: Don’t mention Jimmy Saville
Adam: We were actually advised not to do that in an interview we gave with the BBC last week.
12. Any Thanks to anyone?
Adam: Big love to Jai for making us look like sleaze balls.
An absolute pleasure to work with one thing is for sure a night out with this lot is not for the faint of heart. Tongue firmly in cheek, check out what they’re all about with the video to their new double A side Ennui/ Eighteen out today- 22nd of October.
Posted on: October 22, 2012
If we told you his real name we’d have to kill you, but the chaos he causes, now that we have to spread the word about. This bundle of trouble has been throwing interview questions at some of the biggest names in music for some time now, and oddly enough his unique style seems to get them talking.
As a massive fan of Fly53 we sent a few tee’s his way to see what naughty tricks he might get up to in our threads, and needless to say we didn’t have to wait long…
This week he hooked up with none other than Foreign Beggars to slip some Gin and Juice down their throats and sing some questions their way in the only way he knows how.
It’s definitely had us giggling away this week at work and is well worth a look, we’re hooked. Check it out, right here, right now.
