They've done storming gigs at the last two Greenbelts, lead singer Benji has given his Christian testimony on a Harry Secombe-presented TV programme and their single "Gorrit" was NME's Record Of The Week. Now their Sony distributed album seems set to take DUB WAR more unexpected places. Benji spoke to Andrew Long.

"Well, the record company said they wouldn't mind doing a couple of mixes, 'cos record companies like to milk everything you've got. So they gave us a list, there was the Beastie Boys, Prodigy, Jamiroquai, and we said, 'Right, we'll have the Beastie Boys for a start, the Brand New Heavies and three others.' And they were sent away but the only ones who could do it were Senser and Jamiroquai and for me I think they're pretty cool."

The second single "Gorrif" stuck closer to Dub War's punk sound and included a live version of "Respected". It achieved single of the week in NME and Kerrang and was also seen on ITV's "Chart Show". The debut album for Earache, 'Pain', was released in February and (hopefully) is reviewed elsewhere in this issue, so I won't ponder on it repetitiously. It was recorded in a studio called The Chapel and mixed in Liverpool, the producer was Brian New (The Cure, Pwei, Fresh Claim, Neneh Cherry). Benji was enthusiastic about Brian's input and told me that he almost became a fifth member of the band.

That's pretty much where Dub War are at the moment. Now let's take a few steps backwards and clear up an area of confusion. It would seem that because Cross Rhythms is a Christian music magazine, and because the earlier reviews of Dub War material were sizzling, that readers naturally assume them to be a Christian band, maybe even the new evangelical hope for British music.

I have to take some of the blame for that, as the reviewer. Some readers who bought 'Dub Warning' were offended by the literature sent out by Words Of Warning. Fair enough. The truth of the matter is that Benji is the only Christian member of the band and what makes them of interest to Cross Rhythms is the fact that he writes most of the lyrics, as well as the fact that they are an incredible band. Benji shares lyric writing with his brother and a co-writer, Stephen Draycott.

"Most of the lyrics are about unification of mankind," explained Benji. "Not everyone's gonna believe the gospel but I believe everyone can make a little change. I had a major change, I gave up the crap in my life and it made me more of a man. I don't care what anyone's got to say, it's made me a responsible human being whereas before it was just, 'What's happening? Where's the party?'

The singer's faith comes through quite plainly in quite a few of the songs. Take this slice from "Crack" for instance:- "Early '93 me. stop smokin' ganja/An' now me get my vibe from the highest power" or "Respected", which proclaims, "In the Almighty sight violence is wrong." The album contains a powerful track subtly titled "Spiritual Warfare". I asked Benji whether the fact that he was the only Christian in Dub War caused any tension in the band.
"Oh yeah, definitely. Sometimes Richie says, 'You ain't singing none of that God crap no more, I'm telling you now!' And if I'm on stage and I say, 'I'd just like to say God is alive,' he gets off stage and says, 'What'd you say that for man, they'll think we're a Christian band', but I think if anyone's gonna throw stones they're gonna be at me, but we can hold our own as much as the next band. We got what anyone else got and more, so there is tension there, a spiritual battle too."

Following the 'Dub Warning' Pick Of The Pile review one irate Cross Rhythms reader wrote to the magazine and the record label to complain that Benji had used the 'F-word' on the song "Psycho System". Following the complaint my wife and I sat and listened to the track over and over about 15 times. We couldn't find it. Benji is adamant that it's not there.

"I phoned the guy up and said, I'm the singer from Dub War and I want you to know I'm as much a Christian as the next man. I'm really upset that you thought I swore, I'll go through the lyrics word for word with you if you want. I never swore, I'm sorry about the propaganda my record company sent you but that's nothing to do with me, it's the way of the world. I'll put you on the guest list for the Manic's gig, it's the "Holy Bible" tour - how's that?"

Dub War are now embarking on a major tour to promote 'Pain'. Look out for them in your area soon. It's entirely possible that they will keep on getting bigger and bigger, they have a fresh and truly original sound and they're ready and willing to go for it 100 per cent. Keep on funkin' it boys.

Andrew Long writes a regular monthly music feature in European Christian Bookstore Journal and is a fabulously talented bass player with no band - open to offers.