We've never received a "prototype instrument" before - but there's a first time for everything.
We ordered a dub siren back in October of last year because we saw one on a board that had a joystick control for the oscillator, as well as a built in delay. Also, it had an etched top and other slick as shit stuff. Anyways, fast forward to February, it hasn't arrived. We realize that ordering anything from Italy is a crapshoot because of their notorious postal system (famous for trashing packages or losing anything of value) but we really didn't think we were getting it because there were so many delays in the manufacturing of the product. After numerous shady statements, we finally started causing a stink and was finally offered a refund. Nice that they offered, and gave it.
So we ordered one from RigSmith, which arrived 10 days after purchase. That's an ace transaction. This one's a little simpler than the one we tried to order from Italy, but it sounds great, and will be a great addition to the arsenal. We could've built one for half the price, but when there's great builders out there, why not support them in their craft?
Now you may be wondering what is a noise/punk act going to do with a dub siren? Well, lots. In addition to it being a great oscillator, but we're doing a "Watching (Dub)" 7" as well. How else would a dub record work if we didn't actually use the same sort of stuff that dub artists use? Anyways, we'll try and fuck up a song that we love (Watching) by making it more creepy and dropped on it's head. If you don't know what a dub siren does, well here's an example in the video below. Also look into the works of King Tubby, Scientist and Lee "Scratch" Perry.
Why make a dub version of a punk song? Well, there's a long lasting connection between reggae and punk going back to the beginning where Don Letts was spinning reggae in between punk sets at the Roundhouse because there wasn't enough punk records. There's hundreds of bands since 1976 who have been directly influence by punk and reggae (or reggae's predecessor ska). Plus Imants Krumins was a personal friend of the members of this band, and a huge influence on this sort of project, and he loved dub and reggae, so it's a bit of a nod to our dear friend who passed away a couple years ago now.
The second is that the "Watchful" tape is recorded and will be Skull Servant NE/SE's debut.This will probably be out soon, looks like the end of April, we're just finishing up the art for the cover and insert. Two compositions (don't know if we can call them songs per se), each running about 9 minutes, taking up an entire side of a tape. Think of it as a companion to the Watching 7" EP. Should be duplicated later this month and as soon as the covers are printed, we'll be good to go.
