Over Proof  

Overproof Sound System Biography

The Overproof Soundsystem started its life in 1998 as a monthly reggae night called Overproof held at the Medicine Bar in Birmingham, England. The night was started by Different Drummer's Richard Wittingham (Rockers Hi Fi), Adam Regan (Leftfoot) and Birmingham's dub duo G.Corp.

Since the seventies, reggae music in Birmingham had become ghettoized, pushed out of city venues into illegal parties and split into genres. With violence on the increase it was only the brave that would get to hear it. The Overproof night was not only a way for those involved to escape the recording studio and party, but a way of bringing reggae back to the masses. This was not a bashment or revives night. Not to be tied down to one genre, the music policy was anything reggae or reggae influenced. From old school '60s cuts to modern dub and remixes. With its atmosphere of peace and good vibes and a reputation for a happy mixed crowd, the night soon grew often bringing together 1500 regulars for what have now become legendery parties.

From the start, the microphone and DJing duties were shared by Ras-T-Weed (Rockers Hi Fi) and Juggla (Creation Sound). Over time percussion was added in the form of The Mighty Magoo (Substance). In 1999 a European promoter attended the club and so impressed with the good spirit and almost tribal quality of the party he invited Overproof over to Europe, thus giving birth to the "Overproof Sound System". Having taken on three summers of festivals, 22 date tours and playing alongside most of their reggae heroes, it was time to record their own music project. At the start of 2002 the now legendary "Watch What You Put Inna" EP was recorded and despite distribution problems the track went on to be, and still is a club anthem around the world.

With this as inspiration in the early part of 2003 Overproof forced a break from touring and encamped in the Elephant House the celebrated headquarters of Birmingham's Dub miesters G.Corp. Under the production eye of G.Corp, Overproof's first album "Nothing To Prove" was written and recorded. The album reflects the true spirit of both the original club night and the sound system's live presence. Musical styles swing joyfully from the studio one-ish "Get With It" through the blissful roots of "The Plea" to the cheeky dance hall anthem "Long Time". Kenijah Boothe, son of reggae legend Ken Boothe, who started his musical career as "Roland Xerox" with his 1987 release of "Mirror Lover" takes on guest vocals on the soul stirring ‘The Messenger’. Roland spent a few years perfecting his craft as an MC on the soundsystem known as Daddy Negus. The '90s transported Xerox to Jamaica as a recording artiste and it was here he met up with Luciano "The Cabbala Man". Luciano did not see Xerox as a copier but as a deliverer and using Roland's family name, christened him "Messenger Douglas". Back in the U.K. The Messenger was introduced by a mutal friend to the Elephant House. Within minutes he was recording tracks Messenger Douglas for G. Corp's forthcoming "Dub Plates from the Elephanthouse Vol. 3". Things clicked and under his own steam Douglas made his way to Germany to join the Overproof tour. From that night on there has not been a show without him. Now truly part of the Overproof family he has made his presence felt on the new Overproof recordings.

Not ones for loafing around the rest of the crew have been hard at it. Ras T-Weed has found time to tour with Richard Dorfmeister's Tosca project and made appearnces both recorded and live with the Al Hacka Soundsystem and Nuremburg's Boozoo Bajou. T-Weed has also released his own single ‘Fire Pon Gun’ on Murry Man's "Mellow Vibes" label. He is now putting together his own solo project. Juggla has also been out and about touring with the mighty "Noise Shaper" and contributing the majority of the tracks to thier new "Ruff Out There" LP. Messenger Douglas has released the first 10" on his own "Alphamix" label, two killer tunes "Share" and "Ting like dat". The Overproof Soundsystem has added another new member in the Form of Conrad Kelly. Conrad has spent years playing drums and percussion with the likes of Steel Pulse, Freddy McGregor, I Jahman Levi and many reggae greats. His percussion and vocals adds a whole other Dimension to the new Overproof shows.

The Elephanthouse has been running red hot with the new Overproof LP. Nearly finished, it already includes s few real gems. There's a nod to the German massive with a cover of Kraftwork's "The Model", a hip-hop anthem in the form of "Youth Culture" and a few other real surprises... Watch this space...

The sound system has been touring constantly now since 1999 and has become a solid core of six people Ras-T-Weed (Rockers Hi Fi), Juggla, Mighty Magoo, G.Corp's Stallion and Jah Grizzly (G.Corp), Messenger and Conrad Kelly. Ras-T-Weed is currently touring with Tosca and doing a solo project and won't be on this Australian tour.