Basement 5

Basement 5 were a reggae punk fusion band from London founded in 1978. Their first vocalist was Winston Fergus, then Don Letts, and finally, in 1979 Dennis Morris - a photographer working at Island Records. The drums were played by Richard Dudanski, who had played in the bands 101ers, Bank of Dresden, Tymon Dogg & The Fools, The Raincoats and Public Image Ltd.. One of their early performances was a support for Public Image Ltd.'s London debut. Their songs reflected the political situation of the time in Great Britain in the era of Margaret Thatcher: youth unemployment, strikes, racism and the poverty of the working class.

They briefly toured Portugal and signed to Island records, recording a Peel Session on April 21, 1980, aired on April 28 and their debut, self-produced single, "Silicon Chip," on May 26. Following this, they recorded their debut album, "1965-1980," with legendary producer Martin Hannett, releasing it on August 11.

Hannett, in an interview with legendary Dutch music magazine Oor in 1981, said, "You have to play it very loud to enjoy it fully. It was the most difficult production, I must say, the heaviest. It was eighteen degrees in the shade, the end of August. As I recall it has been the most physical album that I've ever done. Made me feel like I'd been carrying bricks around. Heavy work. Putting the bass lines in the right place. But it was good."

The sessions also yielded dub reggae versions of several of the main tracks, released on October 31 as "In Dub." "Last White Christmas" was released in time for Christmas (December 1), as a 12" and 7" (the latter in Christmas wrapping paper with a silver sticker of the band logo). The band broke up shortly thereafter.

Main members

• Dennis Morris - vocals
• J.R. - guitar
• Leo 'E-Zee Kill' Williams - bass
• Richard Dudanski - drums

Former members

• Winston Fergus - vocals
• Don Letts - vocals
• Charley Charles - drums
• Tony, aka "T" - drums

Discography

• Silicon Chip/Chip Butty 10" (1980), Island 10WIP 6614
• Silicon Chip/Chip Butty 7" (1980), Island WIP 6614
• 1965-1980, LP (1980), Island ILPS 9641
• In Dub, Mini-LP (1980), Island IPR 2038
• Last White Christmas/Paranoia Claustrophobia (Part 2) 12" (1980), Island 12WIP6654
• Last White Christmas/Traffic: Dub 7" (1980), Island WIP 6654
• 1965-1980/Basement 5 In Dub CD (1992), IMCD 145

Basement 5 Official Site