Police sirens and feral youths: this is Alabama 3's London.
Alabama 3 were founded in 1995 in Brixton. Their name nods to victims of injustice - such as the Birmingham 6, the Guildford 4 and the Alabama 2 - a legal case in the American deep south in which two black men were hanged for allegedly raping a white woman.
Their music straddles rock and blues, country and gospel and also electronic dance music. It's high energy, rebellious and raucous, with a dirty rock n roll soul. The band are hosting a super special New Year's Eve edition of Outlaw at Jamm, Brixton.
Where did you guys grow up?
Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. We’re not from Alabama and there aren’t three of us either.
Favourite London haunts from back in the day?
Bradys Bar, Brixton. We had some great gigs in this place and an amazing place to hang out and with the broadest range of people you could imagine. Hendrix and many other artists jammed here over the years back when it was the Railway Hotel. Unfortunately shut about 12 years ago for local lavish redevelopment but as usual with this sort of crap, it didn’t go ahead and a Brixton institution was lost.
And now?
Jamm, Brixton. It’s where we record, play, where our friends are, the music is right up our street (totally varied but always quality) and it is just real with no bullshit topping!
If you could go back to a club for one night only, where and when would it be?
Shoom 1988. To have been involved with this club would have been something else. Not just the music, people or drugs (which are in themselves appealing enough to), but to be creating a movement, an ideal, and without really even knowing it. To have shit the life out of the scum government that were in place at the time due to the movement that followed would have been brilliant.
When you're away, what do you miss about London?
Feral youths. We don’t miss much as we love going to other places around the UK and the world. However, coming home to London is such an amazing experience every single time. There is no other city like it.
How would you spend a chilled Sunday afternoon in town these days?
We’re not really a group of people that tend to chill out a great deal and especially not on a Sunday in London as there is far too many after hours shenanigans going on. If we are not in one of our local haunts, you will probably find us trying not to chill out in a dubstep squat in Peckham.
Name something that's better about London now than when you were growing up?
The police sirens! Almost find ourselves dancing in the street every time they go past (and that’s a lot in Brixton!)
And something that was better back then?
Pie and Mash shops. Now they are mostly chain restaurants or even pubs churning out the same expensive frozen crap, rather than Granny’s Steak and Kidney Pie recipe that’s been passed through generations and cooked up in a tiny local café to feed the locals for a couple of quid.
Favourite London venue to play at?
HMV Forum and Jamm. The Forum we have played many times and it has an amazing history of artists passing through that we are proud to be placed alongside. The sound and environment work well for us all and we know our fans love to come and see us at the venue. As for Jamm, it’s our home. We put on our Outlaw night there, record our music in the recording studio above the club and the intimacy of playing there, both acoustically and our full live set is such an amazing buzz for us. It also have the vibe where we can just step off stage after a gig and just get stuck into the party with everyone else.
London's best ever record shop?
Record and Tape Exchange, Notting Hill.
Favourite place to eat?
Francos Pizza, Brixton Market. Amazing toppings, size, base and value. The buzz of the market just finishes it off. We know we are in London when tucking into a Pizza at Francos.
Favourite walk/journey?
Route 666. So we’re told. We did it some years ago and although we have some memorabilia and photo’s to prove it, there isn’t a great deal in the memory bank….which also probably highlights what an amazing trip it was!
If you could have a party in any building in London, club or not, where would it be and why?
St. Paul's Cathedral. Jesus is a raver. Just imagine it, and everyone is invited – except everyone who works in the financial area around it!
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
Abolish Capitalism.
To read My London: Plump DJs click here.
You can see Alabama 3 this New Year's Eve at Jamm Brixton.
For tickets click here.
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