News

Thursday 04 December 08 [18:17:37]

New uploads, and a massive DUB part 2 event....

DUB part2

Don't forget that if you loved DUB @ PST in July, get ready for DUB part2 - bigger and better, with DJs and vocalists drafted from across the UK including:

DADDY FREDDY / BONGO CHILLI / DJ RUBBISH / RANKING ROGER DUB SOUNDSYSTEM / HEALA / JAM JAH SOUND / WHOMANITY / OLBI IYAH

over two rooms! Room One will be playing Dancehall, Jungle, Dubstep and Reggae, while room 2 will be STRICTLY ROOTS.

You can get advance tickets from Jibbering Records, or from the Ticket Sellers Online.

Directions:

(map)

Step it In A Dub Style

In preparation of the massive DUB part2 @ PST next Saturday, Bongo Damo's new mixtape has been uploaded: Step it in a Dub Style.

Finally bringing the DUB back into the dubstep, Bongo Damo takes you on a journey through the latest tuffest reggae dubstep tunes, venturing into the vaults of "real" dub along the way, and blessing the digitally driven delight with real live percussion...

You can listen to a 128kbps MP3 in the Jam Jah Mixtape section

or order a CD from the shop.. or directly at any of the Friendly Fire Gigs.

Last Updated 04-12-08 [18:20:55] by robin

Thursday 27 November 08 [13:36:31]

New live recording - Murray Man Backed by the Friendly Fire Band

Live @ The Hare and Hounds, 21st November 2008

Part 1: NATURAL MYSTIC opening the show for Murray Man

[play now]

Part 2: MURRAY MAN live backed by the Friendly Fire Band

[play now]

- WATCH PICTURES OF THE EVENT BY LOUISE WATTS

- LISTEN TO MORE LIVE RECORDINGS

Last Updated 04-12-08 [17:53:58] by robin

Tuesday 11 November 08 [15:23:51]

Next Friendly Fire Session - Murray Man live

Next Friendly Fire Sessions, Brum's only regular live reggae session will be on the 21st November 2008 ft Murray Man live backed by the Friendly Fire Band.

Also on the bill, Friendly Fire's own Pablo Rider and Lionart, as well as dj support from Double H (Ranking Roger Sound) and Jam Jah Sound crew.

Check out www.myspace.com/murrayman83

9pm - 2am - £5 advance from Jibbering (Moseley) or online: the ticket sellers

Tickets on the Door are £7

Last Updated 11-11-08 [15:24:35] by robin

Sunday 02 November 08 [18:48:10]

Friendly Fire Download Shop on I Think Music

Moving with the times, Friendly Fire download shop has just been established on I Think Music.

Although it has only got a limited amount of stock on it, there will be enough download exclusive tracks available soon. You can also check out our friends' releases...

Last Updated 02-11-08 [18:53:47] by robin

Sunday 02 November 08 [17:58:03]

NEW Jam Jah mixtape - Pre-Roots Yard Mix

Jam Jah have just added the Pre-Roots Yard mixtape to the website. The mix was produced by Bongo Damo and Robin Don, as they were warming up for the festival season - as a result, this mix contains a smudge of Dubstep and a lick of Jungle, alongside Jam Jah classics...

For those who didn't get a chance to get hold of a copy, you can now order it from the shop or listen to it online.

Last Updated 02-11-08 [18:04:26] by robin

Wednesday 29 October 08 [13:41:04]

New Recordings: JUGGLA + PABLO RIDER backed by the FF Band

Thanks to everyone who came to support the Friendly Fire Band and had the chance of seeing Juggla on top form (and on the vodka) alongside resident Pablo Rider. It was a great show, as you can hear on the recording... If anyone has any good pictures please send em to us!

Friendly Fire Sessions, Oct 2008 [play now]

You can also listen to other live recordings in the LIVE AUDIO section

Last Updated 29-10-08 [13:57:31] by robin

Tuesday 30 September 08 [17:30:23]

Ambush in the Night -Friendly Fire Massive on the Rhubarb Radio

AMBUSH IN THE NIGHT on Rhubarb Radio.

Friendly Fire is proud to present a new online radio show: AMBUSH IN THE NIGHT featuring DJs Robin and Bongo Damo of Jam Jah fame, every Thursday Night from 10pm to 12am GMT (That's England time..) on Rhubarb Radio, a new online community radio based in the Custard Factory in Digbeth.

The show concentrates on all types of reggae from across time and continents, with exclusive pre-release music as well as rare collector's oldies, with guest appearances from Friendly Fire MCs..

AMBUSH IN THE NIGHT is also recorded so is available to listen on demand.

To log on and listen, or just find out more, go to www.rhubarbradio.com

Last Updated 30-09-08 [17:36:59] by robin

Monday 28 July 08 [13:48:53]

PAMA INTL @ Friendly Fire Sessions Gallery

New Gallery Pictures uploaded, of Pama Intl live @ The Friendly Fire Sessions, Hare and Hounds, 18th JUly 2008, courtesy of Sean Flowerdue.

click here....

Thanks to everyone who came down and made it a great night.

Next Friendly Fire Session on the 15th August: Jam Jah meet Silver Dollar.

EVENTS..

Last Updated 28-07-08 [13:48:53] by robin

Friday 25 July 08 [18:26:06]

SHOP UPDATES - NEW RELEASES

NEW RELEASES ADDED TO THE SHOP TODAY:

FRIENDLY FIRE MUSIC - Chunky Riddim Digital Release

Finally available ON DIGITAL!

MURRAY MAN / LIQUID WICKED 12" (Mellow Vibes)

2 wicked tunes produced by french crew LIQUID WICKED and Murray Man on Vocals

FRIENDLY RASTA VOL3 12" (White label)

4 Hip Hop/Reggae/Soul Mashups

FRIENDLY RASTA CD

12 tracks of the Friendly Rasta Trilogy

(VOL1+VOL2+VOL3)

Last Updated 25-07-08 [18:30:40] by robin

Monday 30 June 08 [19:11:12]

NEW TRACK - Daddy Freddy

Daddy Freddy has been working with Friendly FIre over the last couple of months, and is about to release a new 7" on the Friendly Fire label, which includes "Upfront" on the Murder Riddim, and "Extravaganza" on the Chunky Riddim.

Mixes are being finalized for "Sexy Body Gal," produced by Friendly Fire for Freddy's new album, Hardcore, announced for October. Sexy Body Gal also features Emperor, Bongo Chilli and YT.

You can listen to a sneak preview of "Extravaganza", Daddy Freddy's cut to the Chunky Riddim by clicking here:

(play now)

Last Updated 30-06-08 [19:11:51] by robin

Wednesday 25 June 08 [13:15:51]

Jam Jah Mondays - Summer Style!

Jam Jah Mondays, the weekly reggae linkup at the Bull's Head in Moseley has gone into summer mode. The rooftop terrace has been refurbed with nuff plants tables and chairs and... the Barbecue.

Every sunny day has been blessed with some nice char grilled food - jerk chicken, haloumi kebabs, etc... The music policy is still a discerning, strictly vinyl selection of reggae music from across the spectrum - with frequent appearances of mic controllers Pablo Rider and Lionart.

WATCH NEW VIDEO...

Last Updated 26-06-08 [00:16:08] by robin

Wednesday 14 May 08 [12:35:03]

Daddy Freddy - This Friday 16th May

This Friday 16th May 2008

Friendly Fire Sessions present DADDY FREDDY live PA on the JAM JAH SOUND with support from LIONART and PABLO RIDER.

@ Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham - 9pm - 2am

Afterparty

Full Jam Jah Family @ PST aka the new Unit

71, Lombard Street, Digbeth

2am - Morning - £2

MORE INFO..

Last Updated 14-05-08 [12:35:03] by robin

Saturday 05 April 08 [19:44:38]

New - UK DUBPLATE SERVICE

Friendly Fire is proud to announce a new venture - the UK Dubplate Service

Born out of the observation that although there is a multitude of Jamaican dubplate links, there seems to be none for the artists of the growing UK scene, this new service will allow Sound Systems to order easily dubplates and specials from the UKs leading artists, whether it be Dancehall, Roots, or Lovers.

The dubs will be delivered either via internet or post, and we can arrange cuts onto vinyl if necessary.

To kick off in style, we are proud to announce that the first DUBPLATE SESSION will be with the legendary DADDY FREDDY, who broke the guiness record of the fastest chatter 4 times. He is also the founder of raggamuffin Hip-Hop, and a wicked entertainer.

This will take place on Monday 7th April 2008, so get your orders in quick!

To order contact : robin@friendlyfiremusic.com

For details on the growing list of other artists available, click here.

Last Updated 05-04-08 [21:27:57] by guest

Friday 14 March 08 [20:56:51]

Chunky Riddim - Riddim of the Week on ReggaeFrance.com

The new Chunky Riddim has reached Europe and was elected "Riddim of the Week" on the Regga e France website in France, on wednesday 12/03/08!

Check the review HERE

In the meantime, we are working hard towards the next releases - Tha Usual Suspec's EP is near completion, and the new "Step Forward Riddim" is on it's way, and will be posted soon in the riddims section. Stay tuned.

Wednesday 09 January 08

NEW RELEASE: CHUNKY 12"

We are proud to announce that the Chunky 12" is now available from good record shops, or from direct from here

This is the first official release on the Friendly Fire Label (FFM001), and comprises of 3 vocal cuts and a version of the chunky riddim. This is an "urban" reggae-dancehall instrumental with a distinctive UK sound - a grimey bassline, and a compulsively nodabble beat, blessed with the conscious voices of Ras Tweed, Tha Usual Suspec Paradox, and Pablo Rider who all bring their own touch.

Ras Tweed reminds us to be humble with his sing jay style on "I Am", Pablo gives a message of hope and perseverance in "Jah Will Provide" in his anecdotal DJ style, and finally Tha Usual Suspec raps about rip-off producers in the business.

/chunky_release_sheet.pdf chunky_release_sheet.pdf [342.08 KB]

Tracklist:

CHUNKY 12" - (FFM001)

Side 1:

Ras Tweed - I Am That I am (click to listen)

PAblo Rider - Jah Will Provide (click to listen)

Side 2:

Tha Usual Suspec - Promises, Promises... (click to listen)

Friendly Fire - Chunky Riddim (click to listen)

Click Here to ORDER VINYL FROM THE SHOP

Free Ringtones:

/Ras_Tweed_RINGTONE.mp3 Ras_Tweed - I am tone.mp3 [337.31 KB]
/Jah_Will_Provide_Ringtone.mp3 Pablo Rider - Jah_Will_Provide_Ringtone.mp3 [338.53 KB]

/Promises_Ringtone.mp3 Tha Usual Susec - Promises_Ringtone.mp3 [348.30 KB]

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM JIBBERING RECORDS, Birmingham

Last Updated 14-03-08 [21:02:56] by robin

Friday 08 February 08 [11:43:44]

Ras Tweed - CHUNKY BIG UP

Last Updated 08-02-08 [11:43:44] by robin

Tuesday 25 December 07 [17:58:17]

Friendly Fire Xmas Mashup

Thanks to all those who came down and rammed out the Hare and Hounds on the 21st December and made it a great night. All five artists gave a wicked performance. Mr. Cantankerous did his first gig with the live band and handled it good, while Messenger Douglas blessed us with his silky voice. A special big up goes to Lionart, who is getting hotter every time, Tha Usual Suspec who always gives a vibrant personal touch, and Pablo Rider - cool and deadly as always...

Many thanks go out to the lovely and very talented Kate Beatty, who shot some beautiful pictures that you can check out here.

Don't forget to check out her website: www.kate-beatty.com

....and please email us any pictures or videos you may have...

Last Updated 25-12-07 [18:08:11] by robin

Friday 23 November 07 [20:36:10]

Friendly Fire on Last.FM

Just sorted a new Last.FM page for Friendly Fire, where you can listen, comment etc... It's an online music community radio player, and you can share music with peers and discover more music that you like. CHECK IT OUT!

Last Updated 23-11-07 [20:36:10] by robin

Thursday 15 November 07 [13:00:43]

Friendly Fire band at The Bullring

Friendly Fire played a great set for Birmingham's Bullring shoppers, at Gigbeth 2007 on the Ecorhythm stage bus, which was parked right outside St Martin's church. This was a rare chance for random people to be exposed to roots , and hopefully the Fire will burn hotter in their hearts for it.

Pablo Rider and Tha Usual Suspec performed an inspiring set, with songs like False Images criticising consumerism in its own home, in front of what claims to be one of the biggest shopping centre in Europe, and Pablo's Miss di Bus which went down a treat.

Finally the gig ended up being extremely well attended, with nuff crowd participation, including Jamani, Tha Usual Suspec's nephew, who came on stage and buss some backing vocals, and some breakdancers who pulled some impromptu b-boy moves in front of the stage to the reggae grooves.

After an hour and a half and three encores, the promoter finally let the band come off the stage and the area in front of the Bullring cleared up - the ground was still smoking.

Last Updated 15-11-07 [13:02:14] by robin

Monday 15 October 07 [19:06:20]

New tracks by Tha Usual Suspec

New demo tracks by Tha Usual Suspec backed by the Friendly Fire band have been uploaded - click here to listen.

- False Images

- Promises Promises

- Take a Walk

Don't forget to leave a comment and tell us what you think...

Last Updated 21-10-07 [15:14:12] by robin

Tuesday 18 September 07 [15:14:30]

Friendly Fire Sessions, season 2

The Friendly Fire Sessions are back. 21/09/07: The bEAT live.

Every 3rd Friday of the month, Friendly Fire presents the only regular live reggae event in Birmingham, featuring established and up and coming bands from around the UK, supported by the Jam Jah Sound and crew, at the new Hare and Hounds, King's Heath.

For the launch night, Friday 21st September, we are proud to announce the bEAT live. As well as being the leaders of the 2 Tone movement, the bEAT is one of the bands that helped making reggae and ska multicultural and multicolour, leading the way for people like the Jam Jah. This is a rare chance to see the legendary band in their hometown and in a small intimate venue.

DESPITE MALICIOUS RUMOURS GOING AROUND, THIS EVENT IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING THIS WEEK END!

@ The Hare and Hounds,

King's Heath High Street,

Birmingham B14 7JZ

doors open 8pm - £10.00 on the door.

as there are no advance tickets, please come early to avoid disappointment - this will be a sell out event.

AFTER PARTY @ The Unit, Balsall Heath

After the show, come and join RANKING ROGER DUB SYSTEM and JAM JAH SOUND for an exclusive afterparty @ the Unit, Balsall Heath, playing roots music until the morning.

@The Unit,

7 dennis road,

Balsal Heath, B12

doors open 1am - £5 on the door

Last Updated 18-09-07 [15:14:30] by robin

Monday 23 July 07 [14:56:02]

Shambala Festival

Friendly Fire Music will be representing heavily at this year's Shambala Festival..

We are very proud to be taking part in this year's Shambala Festival taking place on the 24th, 25th and 26th August 2007.

Shambala is undoubtedly one of the best independent festivals in the country, rejecting all forms of sponsorship and bringing to you the best program to hope for.. The reggae lineup alone sounds amazing, and we have heard rumours of shows by some of Jam Jah's most played artists..

The Location is kept secret until you get your tickets which are available from Jibbering Records

Friday 24th August, Main Stage:

The Mighty Jam Jah Sound featuring guest MCs from the friendly Fire Crew

Sunday, 26th August, Dome Tent, 6.30

Friendly Fire Live Band ft. Pablo Rider, Tha Usual Suspec Paradox, Lionart and surprise guests...

See you there!