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Subatomic Sound System is an American record label and collective of musicians founded in 1999 by Emch and Noah Shachtman producers, DJs, and visual artists from a variety of backgrounds and traditions. In late 2008, Subatomic Sound System garnered attention for a limited edition vinyl 12" featuring their collaboration with Vienna's Dubblestandart and dub inventor Lee "Scratch" Perry. These were Perry's first songs in the dubstep genre, one of the first recorded examples of a connection between the popular UK-based electronic genre that emerged in the early 2000's and the Jamaican dub from the 1970's.
Subatomic Sound System | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres | Dub Hip hop Dancehall Drum and bass Downtempo Experimental music |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Subatomic Sound, Modus Vivendi Music, Nomadic Wax, Bastard Jazz |
| Members |
|
| Past members | Victor Rice Nemiss |
| Website | http://www.subatomicsound.com |
Beginning in 2008, Subatomic Sound System started hosting weekly radio shows on 91.5 FM, Radio New York, and webcasts on Brooklyn Radio. In 2011, Subatomic Sound System began performing as Lee "Scratch" Perry's backing band with a hybrid of electronics and live instruments. In 2013, they performed together at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and afterward became Perry's exclusive touring band in North America. In 2017, Subatomic Sound System released their first full-length album with Perry entitled Super Ape Returns to Conquer which debuted No. 5 on the Billboard reggae chart and No. 2 on iTunes US reggae album chart and reached No. 1 on the North American College and Community Radio Chart (NACC) World music chart.
Performance History
In the fall of 2001, Subatomic Sound System won the Red Bull Vinyl Lab competition in New York City using an early incarnation of Native Instruments Traktor DJ software on a laptop at a time when laptops were not commonly used in musical performances. When judges discovered software had been used to create the mix CD, it sparked controversy amongst the judges. In the end, judges conceded that there were no valid grounds for disqualifying Subatomic Sound System for using DJ software rather than traditional vinyl and turntables, so they upheld their victory in the competition.[1]
In 2007, Subatomic Sound System increased touring throughout North America and Europe. The group performed in a variety of configurations from a live band of ten, to an electronic trio, to DJs as styles like dubstep increased in popularity and the interest in new dub oriented music emanating from New York City increased (largely the result of successful releases from NYC artists such as Dr. Israel, Ticklah, Easy Star All-Stars, Dub Gabriel, Bill Laswell, Matisyahu, and others).
On July 19, 2009, Subatomic Sound System performed at Summerstage in Central Park, New York City, along with Lee "Scratch" Perry & Dubblestandart (with a cameo from Ari Up) and Alpha Blondy. The lineup for this event drew the largest Summerstage crowd of the season, confirming organizers' expectations. Given the multicultural and cross generational audiences who turn out in Central Park, organizers had hoped this billing would draw on the connection between modern incarnations of dub based music such as dubstep and the dub and roots reggae styles from over 30 years prior, originated by Perry in Jamaica that influenced artists like Blondy to extend that sound in Africa. Those styles then influenced groups like Dubblestandart and Subatomic Sound System in Europe and the US to meld that sound with other contemporary electronic based genres.[2]
In 2012, Perry, with Subatomic Sound System as his band and opening act, went on tour across the US from May 16 through May 26. In September, they performed together again at Dub Champions Festival in New York City, Music Hall of Williamsburg.
In 2013, Perry and Subatomic Sound System were touring the West Coast and Southwest USA including two shows at the Coachella Arts & Music Festival, April 12 & 19, performing music ranging from the roots reggae off Perry's Super Ape album to dubstep and bass music riddims by Subatomic Sound System.
Radio Shows
Beginning in 2008, Subatomic Sound System started Subatomic Sound Radio, hosting weekly radio shows on 91.5FM, Radio New York and Brooklyn Radio webcasts. The Radio New York show is part of a nightly program called Mo'Glo sponsored by Seattle-based public radio station KEXP.[3]
Discography
Albums, EPs, digital singles
- Rockin’ Like a Champion Mykal Rose, Subatomic Sound System, & Hollie Cook (2024, Dubshot & Controlled Substance Sound Labs | digital & vinyl )
- Babylon Soon Fall Subatomic Sound System & Screechy Dan (2020, Subatomic Sound | SS038 | digital )
- Revolution 2 Freedom Subatomic Sound System & Junior Dread (2020, Subatomic Sound | SS037 | digital )
- Champion Sound Subatomic Sound System & Screechy Dan (2020, Subatomic Sound | SS037 | digital )
- Shaolin Dub Subatomic Sound System (2019, Subatomic Sound | SS036 | digital )
- Super Ape Returns To Conquer Lee "Scratch" Perry & Subatomic Sound System (featuring Screechy Dan, Jahdan Blakkamoore, & Ari Up) (2017, Subatomic Sound | SS033 | digital, CD, vinyl via Echo Beach )
- NYC-2-Africa-2-Brasil (featuring Anthony B,Jahdan Blakkamoore, Bajah, & Nomadic Wax) remixes by Victor Rice, Maga Bo, Buguinha Dub (2016, Subatomic Sound | SS030A | digital)
- NYC-2-Africa (featuring Anthony B,Jahdan Blakkamoore, Bajah, & Nomadic Wax) (2010, Subatomic Sound | SS016 | digital)
- Blackboard Jungle Vol.2 Respect My Shit (featuring Dubblestandart, Lee Scratch Perry, Jahdan Blakkamoore) (2009, Subatomic Sound | SS011 | digital)
- Blackboard Jungle Vol.1 Respect the Foundation (featuring Dubblestandart, Lee Scratch Perry, Jahdan Blakkamoore) (2009, Subatomic Sound / | SS010 | digital)
- Heat Brings Heat (featuring Pete Miser) (2008, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi | SS007 | digital)
- Crucial Times (2008, Subatomic Sound/ Modus Vivendi | SS006 | digital)
- On All Frequencies (Instrumentals & Mixtape) (2008, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi | SS00 | digital)
- On All Frequencies (Instrumentals) (2008, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi | SS005 | digital)
- On All Frequencies (featuring King Django)(2007, Subatomic Sound / Modus Vivendi / Nomadic Wax | MVM009 | CD, digital)
- Lost Hits Vol. 1: Dancehall versus Hip Hop (featuring Pete Miser and King Django) (2005, Subatomic Sound / | SS004 | digital)
- No Bloodshed (Vocal Mix) (Nov. 3, 2023, Subatomic Sound / Don Husky | digital)
Vinyl
- Black Ark Vampires/Dub Lee "Scratch" Perry & Subatomic Sound System 7" 45rpm (2014, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS020)
- Dem Can't Stop We From Talk (Dubiterian remix)/NYC-2-Africa riddim (Dubiterian remix) Anthony B, Subatomic Sound System & Nomadic Wax 7" 45rpm (2014, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS028)
- Jah is Coming/Dubbing on the Moon Subatomic Sound System & Thomas Blondet 7" 45rpm (2014, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS027)
- Dem Can't Stop We From Talk/NYC-2-Africa riddim Anthony B meets Subatomic Sound System & Nomadic Wax 7" 45rpm (2011, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS024)
- Dem Can't Stop We From Talk/Kingston Riot riddim Anthony B meets Dubblestandart 7" 45rpm (2011, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS023)
- Vampires & Informers Elephant Man 12" 33rpm (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS018)
- Hello, Hello, Hell is Very Low b/w Bed Athletes featuring Lee "Scratch" Perry and Ari Up of The Slits 7" 45rpm (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat#SS014) [#1 on Ernie B reggae vinyl chart]
- Chrome Optimism Dubblestandart meets Lee "Scratch" Perry and David Lynch | 12" vinyl, 33rpm (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS012)
- Blackboard Jungle featuring Lee "Scratch" Perry, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Dubblestandart 12" 33rpm (2009, Subatomic Sound | cat#SS009)
- Iron Devil featuring Lee "Scratch" Perry and Dubblestandart 12" 33rpm (2008, Subatomic Sound | cat#SS008)
- Our Father, Our King 7" 45rpm (2008, Bastard Jazz Recordings | cat#BJ7003)
Remixes
- Wickedness Dub Boostive (2023, Stoopid Records | digital) included melodica dub Wickedness (Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Green Brain Lee Scratch Perry, Yaadcore, & Green Lion Crew (2023, Ineffable Records | digital) included 2 versions Green Brain (Subatomic Sound System remix) & Green Brain (Subatomic Sound System dub)
- Amor e Revolucao Maga Bo, Dandara Manoela (2022, Kaxambu Records | digital & Vinyl 12") included Amor e Revolucao (Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Hulusi Piper Street Sound & General Pecos (2022, Piper Street | digital & Vinyl 10") included 3 versions Hulusi (Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Q Street Super Hi Fi (2012, Electric Cowbell | digital ) included Q Street (Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Dangerous See-I (2011, Collision | digital ) included vocal and dub mixes Dangerous (Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Happy & Deep Dark Dub Dubmatix (2011, Fort Knox Recordings | digital ) included Happy & Deep Dark Dub (Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Amsterdam Marlon Asher & Leah Rosier (2011, Dubbhism | digital) included remix Amsterdam (Subatomic Sound System mix)
- Vampires & Informers Elephant Man (2011, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS019 | digital) included remixes Vampires & Informers (Subatomic Sound System Bloodstep mix), Vampires & Informers (Subatomic Sound System bloodsucker's dub)
- Modern Dayz Slavery The Bant Singh Project featuring Delhi Sultanate (2011, Word Sound Power | digital) included remix Modern Dayz Slavery (Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Vampires & Informers Elephant Man (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS018 | vinyl) included remixes Vampires & Informers (Subatomic Sound System Bloodstep mix)
- Chrome Optimism Dubblestandart meets Lee "Scratch" Perry and David Lynch (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS015 | digital) included remixes Chrome Optimism (Subatomic Sound System remix), Chrome Optimism (Ming vs. Subatomic Sound System remix), & Chrome Optimism (April White vs. Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Chrome Optimism Dubblestandart meets Lee "Scratch" Perry and David Lynch (2010, Subatomic Sound | cat# SS012 | 12" vinyl, 33rpm) included remixes Chrome Optimism (Subatomic Sound System remix) & Deadly Funny (Subatomic Sound System dub)
- Luv 'n Liv Dub Gabriel w/U-Roy (2010, Destroy All Concepts | cat# DAC009 | digital) included remixes Luv 'n Liv (Ming vs. Subatomic Sound System remix)
- Dubstep EP Dubblestandart (2009, Collision/Select Cuts/ Echo Beach| | digital) included remixes: "Iron Devil (Subatomic Sound System remix)" "Blackboard Jungle (Subatomic Sound System remix)"
- Return From Planet Dub Dubblestandart, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Ari Up (2009, Collision/Select Cuts/ Echo Beach| CCT3019-2 | Double CD, digital) included remixes: "Blackboard Jungle (Subatomic Sound System remix)" Extensive liner notes by writer David Katz
- Remixed Eyesight Project (2008, Modus Vivendi Music | MVM007 | digital) included remixes: "On Chrome (Subatomic Sound System remix)"
Compilations
- SUBcontinentalBASS (2011, High Chai | digital) included song "NYC-2-India" a new version on NYC-2-Africa riddim with vocals by Delhi Sultanate. Hit No. 1 on Beatport reggae chart.
- The Sound of Rhythm & Culture (2010, Rhythm & Culture | CD, digital) included songs: "Dub Steppa" by Thomas Blondet & Subatomic Sound System
- BKLYN: Heavy Sound from the County of Kings (2009, Bastard Jazz Recordings | CD, digital) included songs: "Our Father, Our King"
- Nickodemus & Mariano present Turntables on the Hudson 10 Year Anniversary (2009, Wonderwheel | Double CD, digital) included songs: "Our Father, Our King"
- Northern Faction 4 (2009, Balanced Records | CD, digital) included songs: "Walking On The Moon" a dub version of the Police song based on the music from "Our Father, Our King"
- Modus Vivendi Music Vol. 2 (2008, Modus Vivendi Music | MVM008 | CD, digital) included songs: "Ghetto Champion", "Our Father, Our King (Golden remix)"
Mixes
- Code Orange Relaxation Techniques Subatomic Sound System (2002, Subatomic Sound | CD)
Unreleased and forthcoming works
- "Revolution" Ari Up and The Slits (cover version of the famous Dennis Brown song)| Subatomic Sound System dub mix | (2008, unreleased)
- "21st Century Life" Sam Sparro | Island Records | Subatomic Sound System dub mix for U.S. single release | (2009, unreleased)
- "Black and Gold (song)" Sam Sparro | Island Records |Subatomic Sound System remix of 2009 Grammy nominated song for U.S. single release | (2008, unreleased)
Television and film
- Californication (TV series) | 2012: Season 5 ep 111 | Showtime | features the song "The Chronicles" by Subatomic Sound System
- CSI:Miami | By The Book episode aired Oct. 30, 2011 | CBS | The Halloween episode features the remix of "Vampires & Informers" by Elephant Man on Subatomic Sound label.
- Vans Triple Crown of Surfing | North Shore Underground - Hank Gaskell | Fuel TV & Vans Triple Crown Surfing website | "Ghetto Champion" and several Subatomic Sound System songs this and other 2010 highlight segments
- Dog The Bounty Hunter | The Big Wipeout | A&E Network | Subatomic Sound System song "Ghetto Champion" was the featured song on this episode
- Dog The Bounty Hunter | Smackdown of Baby Lyssa | A&E Network | Subatomic Sound System song "Criminal" was the featured song on this episode
- Dog The Bounty Hunter | Crime Don't Pay | A&E Network | Subatomic Sound System song "Doin' It" was the featured song on this episode
References
- ^ "Native Instruments article on Red Bull Vinyl Lab competition". Native-instruments.com. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "City Parks Foundation - SummerStage". Cityparksfoundation.org. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
- ^ "Subatomic Sound System". Bastard Jazz. Retrieved 2024-11-18.