CAPTAIN ACCIDENT will release his fourth studio album on 20 August 2021 via iTunes, Spotify, Deezer and all other major digital outlets and also on CD. BAD PRESS follows three previous albums – Pick Up the Microphone (2010) Slippin’ Up (2013) and Wake & Break (2016) – each of which earned attention and acclaim from national press and BBC Radio 1Xtra and cultivated legions of fans within the vibrant reggae, ska and festival scenes, drawn by an intelligent approach to songwriting and the heartfelt and captivating lyrics.
With that in mind, Desh Kapur All Music Magazines UK/Europe editor decided to have a catch up with the man himself so we can all get to know hime a little better, so if you are into sweet, soulful reggae with a blend of rocksteady and ska, read on!! because Captain Accident is your man.
FOR FANS OF BOB MARLEY, UB40, TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS
What is the story behind your name?
Captain Accident was actually a nickname given to me due to my clumsy nature. I have always had a lack of spatial awareness – forever bumping into things, breaking stuff and hurting myself in ways that could have easily been avoided if I were someone else! I actually quite liked the nickname so decided to carry it forward as my artist name 🙂
What first got you into music? Or who inspired you to make music?
I have always been around music, right from my earliest memories. My Dad was a singer and a songwriter in a few bands as I was growing up so I was naturally surrounded by creativity, music and musical people from a very early age. There was always music playing in the house when I was a kid and it was usually great music! My folks had a very eclectic music taste which I’m very thankful for. I guess it was when I was a young teenager that I decided to start making music, probably inspired by some of my musical icons at the time and also some friends who had begun playing gigs. I started my first band at 15 years old – a punk band.
How did you meet the musicians in your band?
All of the musicians currently in the band I met in the South Wales music scene. I was a vocalist in a great funk-soul band for a few years and really clicked with them musically and a couple of the guys from that band are now with me. Two members came from deceased ska-punk bands which I knew from my previous band’s era (one of whom was actually our tour driver in the very early days) and another of the guys joined from a Cardiff-based reggae band.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I would describe the music as rock-driven roots reggae and ska. I write heartfelt and emotional lyrics (sometimes political) over the backdrop of infectious reggae rhythms, heavy bass, bubbling keys and soaring twin guitars. Those twin guitar harmonies have become a huge part of the sound over the years, drawn from the influence of a lot of heavier rock bands I listened to when I was younger. I am also a huge fan of vocal harmonies and layers, so this has naturally become a big part of the sound. Some of my music has been described as ‘bittersweet’, using musically uplifting sounds contrasted with more serious lyrics and topics.
What is your creative process like?
The writing and recording process has always been something I’ve done alone at my home studio. I essentially record the songs and layers as I am writing so, by the time I’ve finished writing, the recording is complete. I have tried re-recording songs later on but I find it impossible to capture the emotion and feelings that were there at the time of first writing. Once the songs are written and recorded, I get together with the live band to work out how we’re gonna take it up a level, work on segue ideas, dynamics and layers to transform it all into a banging stage show!
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
Honestly, I would say we have already had the opportunity to do this. Touring with reggae icons Toots & the Maytals was exactly that. Toots Hibbert has been a lifelong musical hero of mine. Thinking of other artists, I would absolutely love to open up a show for UB40. Their early stuff has influenced my songwriting in such a big way.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I CANNOT WAIT to get back out there and catch up with you all once the world gets back to normal. It’s been a painful couple of years so it’s gonna be so nice when we can all party together again!
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can make a water drippy noise by flicking my cheek and moving my tongue forward. That’s pretty useless right?
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
I don’t have a shower at home, just a bath. I probably sing whatever earworm has made its way into my lugholes that day.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
Who knows? I’d probably be financially better off but a lot less happy.
Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Mainly in the UK but also a few tours in Europe. A lot of our favourite venues were on the 2017 and 2018 Toots & the Maytals tours. London Barbican Theatre was pretty special, Brighton Dome, Bournemouth O2 Academy and a lot of the big old buildings that have been turned into O2 venues. There are also some definite favourites from the circuits we usually play – London New Cross Inn, Derby Hairy Dog, Salisbury Winchester Gate and The Globe in Cardiff. A hometown Cardiff show is always special, even if so few and far between. As for upcoming shows … we have some great festivals coming up this summer and are currently planning a ‘Bad Press’ UK tour for later this year, including a well overdue hometown party!
What is your favourite song to perform?
One song that has always been a favourite to perform is ‘Stompin Thru Twilight’ from the ‘Slippin Up’ album. I absolutely love the dynamics and the journey of this song and we capture it with so much energy and feeling on stage. I really feel the vibes from the crowd on this one too. Of course, I also love some of the faster stuff – Restless Man’ and ‘Earn Your Stripes’ both from the ‘Wake & Break’ album – they’re always great live.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Toots Hibbert. His voice was just so powerful and soulful and he was such a great performer. I am also a huge fan of Damian Marley. He’s a great lyricist and I love everything he releases. The Campbell brothers and Brian Travers from UB40 – their ‘Signing Off’ album will probably always be my favourite album of all time. Away from the reggae world, I always admired Thin Lizzy, particularly the twin guitar work of Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Erm …
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Some things are better left unsaid …
What’s next for you?
Album number four ‘Bad Press’ is coming out in August, so much of the next year or so will be centred around that. There are a few singles and music videos in progress, and shows and tours are currently being planned for later in the year and early 2022. We have a few awesome festivals and dates this summer too but, as with all bands and artists right now, obviously the touring schedule has taken a battering due to Covid.
CAPTAIN ACCIDENT has also shared stages with many of the most recognisable names in reggae and ska including Suggs, who has been known to invite himself onstage in order to sing with the band, Neville Staple, The Skints, Less Than Jake, The Toasters, Aswad, The Skatalites and Fishbone.
CHECK OUT UPCOMING TOUR DATES HERE
AUGUST
Sun 01 LONDON Scoop @ City Hall (Free show)
Sat 07 OXFORDSHIRE Wilderness Festival
Thu 12 DERBY Hairy Dog (with The Maytals Band)
Fri 13 CAMBRIDGE Junction (with The Maytals Band)
Sat 14 SHREWSBURY Farmer Phil’s Music Festival
Thu 26 BRIGHTON Chalk (with The Maytals Band)
Fri 27 SALISBURY Winchester Gate
Sat 28 BIDEFORD Big Sheep (with The Maytals Band)
Mon 30 OXFORD O2 Academy (with The Maytals Band)
SEPTEMBER
Fri 03 BRISTOL Motion (with The Maytals Band)
Fri 17 NARBERTH Queens Hall
BAD PRESS track listing:
· Not the End of The World
· Best Shoes
· Playing Field
· Wings
· Miami Incoming
· Run Rabbits Run
· Ride My Own Path
· Puttin’ Up A Fight
· Darn N Stormy
· Wake Me Up
FOLLOW CAPTAIN ACCIDENT
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
