Vex'd - Latest news and live dates
February 02, 2007
to book VEX'd please contact: paul [at] k7.com
Jamie and Roly met in London as teenagers – both regularly attendees of Full Cycle and Metalheadz. This interest waned as D&B moved into the new millennium, instead they find inspiration from early dubstep, 8-bar, sublow and grime records being played on the pirate stations at the time. Together they decided to explore their own reinterpretation of this sound and ‘Vex’d’ was born – cold, twisted alien music charged with sub bass and raw energy – bringing elements of heavy metal and neo-classical sound design to dubstep and grime arrangements.
Vex’d made a huge impression when they emerged with their first release ‘Pop Pop’ in 2004 – switching on heads to their unique sound from all sorts of musical directions. Respected heads included the late, great John Peel as well as key figures involved in dubstep and grime at the time (e.g. Kode 9, J Da Flex and The Plastician). The follow up release ‘Lion’ cemented their reputation as an awesome production duo, pushing forward with a rhythmically innovative, apocalyptic sound.
On hearing these releases Vex’d were approached by Planet Mu for an album deal, resulting in 2005’s landmark LP ‘Degenerate’ which has sold worldwide and turned many new ears on to a genuinely different and inspiring sound. While full releases have remained on Planet Mu since, they have also remixed and reworked a number of tracks for quality imprints refitting dubstep anthems, drum & bass – even classical music – into the Vex’d framework.
They have found their music supported on BBC Radio One by the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs and the influential Breezeblock show – where they have recorded a number of guest mix sessions including one for the now-legendary Dubstep Warz show, aired in January 2006. Since then, Vex’d have been all around the world gigging, playing large events and festivals such as Glade in the UK, across Europe, the USA tour – even reaching Israel. They play together in a live/DJ crossover format whereby Jamie mixes up a cutting-edge dubplate selection while Roly layers deeper and deeper levels of atmospherics and carefully crafted sound design through his lap top and portable mixing desk.
The two are currently working on their follow up album to Degenerate in between a typically hectic gig schedule. It promises to drop later this year on Planet Mu.
Upcoming dates:
Sat Feb 17 - UK, Manchester, Club Medicine @ Scubar
Fri March 2 - Austria, Graz @ Postgarage. www.postgarage.at
Sat March 3 - Croatia, Zagreb @ Mocvara
Fri March 9 - Germany, Leipzig - Distillery Club. www.distillery.de
Sat March 10 - Denmark, Copenhagen @ Stengade. www.stengade30.dk
Fri March 16 - Belgium, Brussels - venue: Recyclart www.recyclart.be
Fri March 23 - Netherlands, Utrecht @ Tivoli. www.tivoli.net
Sat March 24 - UK, Norfolk @ Bloc Weekender. www.blocweekend.com
Permalink | February 02, 2007