by Lloyd Lugsden
Reggae/Punk icon, Don Letts, is best known for his work with The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite but is also a DJ, Radio 6 Music presenter, film maker, writer and much more. He’s coming to the Pad on Friday 21st October and his mission for the evening? ‘To play for the crowd – party Reggae for party people’. Expect nothing less when he takes to the decks…
We grabbed an exclusive interview before the big evening:
Bedford Clanger: Been to Bedford before?
Don Letts: To be honest I don’t know between touring the U.K with B.A.D and DJ gigs up
and down the land I can’t remember!
and down the land I can’t remember!
BC: Fave place in London?
DL: That’d have to be my home in West London – with my wife the kids and a
garden I’m good to go.
DL: That’d have to be my home in West London – with my wife the kids and a
garden I’m good to go.
BC: What do you think connects punk with reggae?
DL: Attitude – we were like minded rebels.
DL: Attitude – we were like minded rebels.
BC: Where do you get your hats?
DL: A Rastaman on Portobello Rd – been sorting me for years and does a lovely
bespoke line.
DL: A Rastaman on Portobello Rd – been sorting me for years and does a lovely
bespoke line.
BC: First record you bought?
DL: Marvin Gaye’s album ‘What’s Going On?’
DL: Marvin Gaye’s album ‘What’s Going On?’
BC: Recommend a book?
DL: I’m a big Anne Rice fan so I’d recommend her vampire chronicles – I’ve read
’em all.
DL: I’m a big Anne Rice fan so I’d recommend her vampire chronicles – I’ve read
’em all.
BC: Music video(s) you’re most proud of?
DL: That’s hard since I’ve made about 350 but Musical Youth’s Pass The Dutchie
would be up there as would The Clash’s London Calling and Rockin the Casbah.
would be up there as would The Clash’s London Calling and Rockin the Casbah.
BC: Most chaotic music video shoot?
DL: London Calling nearly never happened – it was my first shoot on location and
I had to battle the tide of the Thames, pouring rain and a freezing winter
night.
DL: London Calling nearly never happened – it was my first shoot on location and
I had to battle the tide of the Thames, pouring rain and a freezing winter
night.
BC: What’s your involvement with Rotten Hill Gang? (Dickensian hip hop band)
DL: Local talent and friends with a B.A.D connection
DL: Local talent and friends with a B.A.D connection
BC: Recommend me us a good bit of dub
DL: Keith Hudson’s ‘Pick a Dub and Joe Gibbs & The Professionals ‘African Dub
Chapter 3’
DL: Keith Hudson’s ‘Pick a Dub and Joe Gibbs & The Professionals ‘African Dub
Chapter 3’
Don Letts DJ set plus Too Tall, Rhino Selekta and Andy Chesham
Friday 21st October, doors: 10:30pm – 3am
Tickets £8 advance / before midnight, available from Seetickets.com, Boutique Planet and Marios Hair Design Kempston.
