​Basement 5 announces reissue of debut material ‘1965-1980’ and ‘In Dub’

British punk-dub innovators Basement 5 have announced the reissue of their 1980 album ‘1965-1980’ as well as the accompanying 12” ‘In Dub’.

Inspired by punk rage and dub-wise rhythms, Basement 5’s music explores themes of alienation, 70s inner-city existence and life as a second-generation immigrant. The band is helmed by Dennis Morris, a photographer who chronicled musicians like Bob Marley and the Sex Pistols.

As Morris says: “I never wanted to be a rock star, for me it was a progression of my art, a natural move. I had created images, band logos and I wanted to create a new sound, a new look – the band wore long johns, ski masks, cycling gloves, whilst lyrically it was based on my youth growing up in inner city London.”

The Basement 5 project was short lived, however, due to underlying tension that saw the band implode while on tour in Europe. The final incarnation lasted just 18 months, but they certainly left a legacy on the musical landscape.

Now, nearly three decades since the release of Basement 5’s debut album, ‘1965-1980’ and ‘In Dub’ will see a reissue on October 6. Purchase here