'Official Chemical' is the third release from the seminal 'Six Million Ways to Live' album - the latest soundscape by West London's very own punk dub purveyors The Dub Pistols.
The album unleashes a musical manifesto where punk rock ethics collide seamlessly with sentiments of hip-hop, dub and ska with collaborators such as reggae legend and Massive Attack collaborator Horace Andy, ex-Specials hero Terry Hall, Cali Agent rapper Planet Asia and New York crew Sight Beyond Light.
'Official Chemical' packs a hefty punch as an anthemic NY - LON collaboration of sounds as New York rapper T.K Lawrence waxes lyrical with West London urban poet Barry Ashworth over a feast of fat beats, a funky bassline and slick as it comes production produced by Ashworth and Dub brother Jason O'Bryan. The no compromise attitude is inspired and reflected in the chorus which invites aspirational Pistols to 'be what you want, be what you like' - a sentiment echoed throughout the whole album.
The video which accompanies this monster track takes their no holds barred philosophy to another level as Director Alex De Krackov (Kids, Dead Men Walking, Meet The Parents) creates a slick anti establishment heist with a Reservoir Dogs meets Lock Stock attitude. The sharp cinematography coupled with the power of the track ensures a bad ass Dub Pistols package - not to be missed.
The 'Official Chemical' single comes with five edits - the radio edit which is kicking it across the airwaves, with XFM really driving this forward. DJ Touche, the original Wiseguy adds his own funky electro beats flavour with a vocal and instrumental mix and Barry Ashworth in his Dogtown Clash incarnation whips up a dark and edgey beats extravaganza. The final edit comes courtesy of Boutros, discovered through an XFM remix competition the new kid on the block takes it in a new ambient direction, slowing the beats down for a cool tempo representation of this highly versatile track.
The Dub Pistols are currently touring this album - highlights so far being main stage appearances at the Clapham Common Festival - Common Ground and a headline slot at Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank's new Bestival Festival in the Isle of Wight. A U.S road tour for the Bullrun - the new Gumball Rally which ensured the stateside fans got a piece of the action. Currently the single is getting huge support on Radio 1, XFM and all regional with the video working it's magic on MTV.
