Since the departure of MC Tiki and the release of their latest long-player Heal Me last September, New Zealand’s trail-blazing live crossover act Salmonella Dub continues to defy categorization, and rock dancefloors from massive festivals to intimate clubs. Since their first release in 1994, the group have demonstrated the dexterity and finesse to pen and deliver memorable dub, dancehall, rock and reggae tunes, not to mention explorations fo remixes and audio-visual offerings. I caught up with Andrew from the band for a little q&a before an intimate show in Adelaide.

Reviews of your current release Heal Me have acknowledged your consistent form and faithfullness to your musical roots… do you feel you found your groove early in your career?

Certainly in our live shows we have always been confident. Our recording process has matured some what. Largely helped by finishing our studios on our property in Kaikoura and also last years departure of Tiki to pursue his solo career has consolidated the band and our writing process.

Where do you feel Heal Me is taking you artistically? What departures are visible or audible from your former work? It seems as though vocal harmonies are featuring quite prominently…

Heal Me takes us back to our roots. With the departure of Tiki we have dropped rhyming element he added to our vocals. Because we slowed down our touring schedule we were able to develop our vocal ideas and harmonies further then in the past.

When you’re writing tracks, do they tend to come from individual authors within the band, or are they generally jammed out?

Everything we do is jammed out. We hate the front man singer song writer mentality. Everyone has even say in contributing their parts. This the (first) key to our longevity.

MC Tiki’s presence in the band will no doubt be missed by many of your fans… what’s the band’s current approach to vocal tracks and vocalists in production and performance?

Dave has always contributed the vocal hooks for Sal dub. Prior to Tiki’s on stage involvement Pete and I contributed more vocals. This is what we have gone back to. Obviously part of our more recent audience will miss Tiki but we are finding there is a huge old skool audience coming back.

Do you have any slated collaborations or remixes lined up for 2008?

Our big project for the first half of this year is a tour with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

The dub, dancehall, reggae scene is definitely a niche market in our country… how do Australian audiences tend to receive your work, and where have you found the warmest receptions outside of New Zealand?

We aren’t really a dub dancehall or reggae band. Bands like Shihad have branded us more rock than themselves. We find the Australian audiences are huge. We have the ability to cross both the dance and rock genres and audiences seem to love it. Our last tour to Oz was our 28th tour in 10 years and we sold out 3 shows back to back.
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What music finds its way into the van stereo when you’re on the road?*

Of late… Motorhead, DJ Marky, Digital, Theivery Corp, Birthday Party, The Ruts.

When the band gets home from touring, do you tend to spend time apart, working and relaxing independently, or is it more like a nuclear family?

We all have families and part time day jobs so when at home we can be normal people. This to is (another) key to our longevity.

Your music generally has a great sense of space about it, is that a reflection of your home environment in NZ? What other forces affect the themes and moods of your work?

(There’s) definately a sub-conscious influence from our landscapes. The Southern Alps, the lakes, rivers and sea are always on the mind. They are big, un-populated and hence very spacious. The politics of globalization and the effects of the greedy man are a conscious worry.

What part of the world that you haven’t played yet would you most like to, and why?

South America… Love the Inca history.

Lastly, how far into your extensive back catalog will you be reaching with your current wave of shows?

We go back as far as Dub Tomfoolery, a bit of Drunken Monkey…

Salmonella Dub will light up Fowlers Live on Saturday, January 5th. Support acts include The Levitators, Supermarket (both live) and some fine local djs on a drum n bass and dubstep tip. Doors open at 9pm, and will be available at the door.