FFA caught up with Barry Ashworth, DJ, Producer, all round good guy, renowned party animal, and founder and driving force behind the mighty Dub Pistols. He’d just arrived back in the UK from playing Austria’s Altitude Festival and here’s what he had to say as he dusted down his boots……

FFA - How was Altitude Festival?

It was some crazy comic bastards up a mountain – it was really awesome - really funny. There was a lot of comedy at Altitude; Howard Marks did a show out there – He’s a good mate and I’ve been hanging out with him the last few days….. I always enjoy myself wherever I am!   

FFA – we've heard that said Barry! ….So is there a difference between UK festivals and others around the world then?

There are no more crazy bastards than the English in a field …. Don’t get me wrong, there are fantastic festivals around the world…. But I’ve always championed the English festivals because they are crazy. They just know how to party – they always have done.

FFA - Is there a different audience reaction dependant on the country you play – or even say between the North and South of the UK?

It’s not just even the north & south of the UK…. There are differences in the north & south of London! (laughs).

FFA – so how do you adapt the set to account for that?

The job of a DJ is to mix things up & swap it around – even when we are performing live I’ll change our set whilst we are playing. We’ve got 5 albums worth of stuff so things can go one way or the other if you know what I mean. Different timing in different sets equals different things.

FFA - You work with lots of guest artists - both recording & live – do you build the music around them once they agree to guest or do you have a well formed idea already and then say artist X would be great for that?

I tend to have an idea of what I think would be really good for the artist and tend to knock a rough demo up and then we’ll either get them in the studio or wherever they are based in the world – then I’ll work it once I get it….. Some artists get really involved - say writing the lyrics with us - and some just do their own thing.

FFA - Hear you are working with Earl Sixteen for the new album – what’s the story there?

We’ve just recorded two two tracks for our new album – yes it was awesome – a very easy day…. I’ve known Earl for years – through his time with Dreadzone & Leftfield … I love the guy’s voice – he’s a really cool guy …. We’ve run in to each other at festivals and stuff over the years and always talked about it - so now we’ve just gone ahead and done it!….. I’ve been really lucky; I’ve worked with a lot of people I’ve wanted to and there is still a lot more I’d still love to work with.

FFA – apart from the original content and collaborations, you do some great covers of course – for instance ‘Peaches’ is a cracker live …. What do you think you add?

We initially approach it really straight – then we dismantle it - then re-build it…. We try to play them relatively straight and close to the original and then add our own twist, rhymes, and set up on it…. But the song structure is pretty much the same.

FFA - What have you planned for 2013 – you have the new album and stuff in the making?

We’ve a load of festivals planned and a new single out at the moment – it’s called Countermeasure – no it’s not Countermeasure you idiot (roars). It’s …er …. I’ve no idea half the time! (Laughs loudly). Glad to see you are totally on the case Barry - it’s too much Gluhwein mate, quipped FFA. …. You know it man! he chuckles. Then we’ve a new album out at the end of the year and a full European tour then as well.

FFA - we notice with Off The Tracks Festival that you played a set at both the spring and summer festivals last year - and now a DJ set in spring – you must like each other?

Yeah … it has a really great vibe and a great crowd … they’ve always had a really warm reaction to us y’know. I’m just delighted to be involved again. I’m hoping for a really good night with everybody. My set will hopefully be a nice way of saying thanks to everyone.

FFA - finally; a cheeky one – why should anyone go and see you live?

I don’t know!  He roars with laughter. You don’t really need to answer FFA interjects – anyone who’s been fortunate enough to see you live will know what a cracking, diverse, high energy, high intensity show you and the guys provide …. It’s the mixture of genres in the music that does it for us…..

Mix everything up – Never get pigeon holed – I think once you’re pigeonholed you’re ruined. Just keep doing what you like and hope people like it back. Just keep doing it!

What a great philosophy – and probably the secret of Mr Ashworth’s deserved success. Just keep doing it indeed.

You can hear Barry’s DJ set at Off The Tracks Spring 25th May 2013, and the awesome Dub Pistols band will rip up a festival near you throughout the year.

Pssssst…. We think the new single may be ‘Gunshot’ Barry :)

Read More HERE.

Article by Barrie Dimond