Firehouse
Sydney’s ranking reggae crew always rock a dance. Their big bad selection of ska, rocksteady, reggae, dancehall and exclusive dubplate is delivered in deadly sound system style.
from top: Ras Curry, Mat Ottignon, L-Static, Ras Ronnie, Ras Curry & Sheriff Lindo on Firehouse sound
Firehouse selectors are L-STATIC, NARDO & ADRIAN :
The irrepressible L-STATIC is well known to international vinyl dealers such is his voracious appetite for music while in Sydney his singular approach to DJing and life in general leads many to conclude that he is in fact Mr Excitement. Static is a regular visitor to Jamaica where he has been known to hole up for 3 day ‘sessions’ in the Dynamic vaults at Bell Road.
Stalwart of Sydney’s sound, design and zine scene, NARDO‘s reputation as a purveyor of top drawer reggae selection burns bright.
The riddim maestro and former Greensleeves Records staffer ADRIAN is the musical anchor. From ska to early 80s and beyond – he plays deeper than deep selection.
As a clash sound FIREHOUSE first took on Chantdown from Melbourne in 2002 and more recently Jafa Mafia from New Zealand and the great Ricky Trooper. Over the past decade they have cut dubplate specials with the best of Jamaica’s artistes, and dropped the following mix tapes:
- Firehouse 2K5 Summer Jam
- Firehouse Roots & Culture sampler
- Firehouse Entertainment
- Firehouse Summer Jamz 07
- Firehouse Can’t Cool
- Firehouse In Session
In session FIREHOUSE have featured local artists like Sheriff Lindo, Ras Ronnie, Mat Ottignon, Jeff Dread and the Mighty Asterix (NZ) and supported international reggae stars like Burning Spear, the Gladiators, Earl 16, Lee Perry, Mad Professor, Luciano & Mikey General.
Their radio show Fire On The Wire broadcasts on Sydney’s 2SER 107.3FM every Wednesday 1.30-3pm and has a large internet audience worldwide. The program started out in 1996 on Radio East Sydney.
Their 2003 CD comp Mambo meets Firehouse inna Dancehall sold widely across Australia from record shops as well as Mambo and General Pants clothing stores. L.Static selected from the Greensleeves archive a 20 track album with tunes ranging from Jacob Miller at King Tubby’s to the dry and heavy sounds of the Roots Radics, Scientist, Yellowman and Johnny Osbourne, right up to the 90s and the time with Bounty, Shabba, Spragga and Ele. A lot of people with little previous connection with Jamaican music express enthusiasm for this release.
Sound tapes
Firehouse, Earthlinks – 01.03.2008 – early
Firehouse, Earthlinks – 01.03.2008 – part 2
Firehouse, Art Official, Ever Living Spirit – 12.01.2008 – part 1
Firehouse, Art Official, Ever Living Spirit – 12.01.2008 – part 2
Firehouse, Earthlinks – 05.10.2007
Firehouse vs Ricky Trooper – 26.02.2007
Firehouse vs Jafa Mafia – 13.01.2007 – Rounds 1 & 2
Firehouse vs Jafa Mafia – 13.01.2007 – Rounds 3 & 4, dub for dub
Firehouse vs Jafa Mafia – 17.02.2007 – Part 1
Firehouse vs Jafa Mafia – 17.02.2007 – Part 2
Firehouse vs Jafa Mafia – 17.02.2007 – Part 3
Firehouse story
Sista Itations put together this interview for ozreggae.com
