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Iration Steppas.
Mark Iration laughs a lot, but then he has every reason to be happy. Much as hip-hop was 15 years ago, dub is on the periphery of popular music, appreciated by a small number of hardcore fans, but its star is on the rise. The music that Iration Steppas create in the studio and play in their sets is a different beast to the dub that originated in the dancehalls of Kingston: "It's an English thing, really, a UK thing. Because, you see, in Jamaica you don't get UK dub, it's mostly faster and ragga style... Dubwise is a UK thing, but right now, we've made it internationally so it's all over the world now."
With a regular club night, a new album out and constant touring, both in Europe and further abroad, Iration Steppas are certainly doing their best to get the sound out, and are constantly trying to convert new followers. "I actually ask people in the dance, I say to 'em, 'who is the first timers? Put your hands up, don't be shy!' and you wouldn't believe it, there's at least 20% of new faces coming to dances. And that to me is excellent. I just love it. And the same thing is happening down your way. When we come out to Australia, there'll be a lot of people that wouldn't have really heard dub properly will be coming to these dances, and I hope I can give them some vibes." Judging by the fact that he's been deejaying for almost 20 years, there shouldn't be too much to worry about there.
Starting off with a small sound system constructed from speakerboxes taken from bedroom sets called Ital Rockers Hi-Fi, Mark eventually got the money together to start Iration Steppas in 1990. "It was like a posse of us, a crew, and we were all supposed to put money into this kitty to start a sound system in the late 80's." When money was not forthcoming from his partners, Mark and a buddy, Sam Mason (who passed away a few years back), went it on their own. "I used to borrow boxes from certain sound systems in the area at first, and then, when I could afford to get me own stuff, then it all fell into place. It took a lot of years to build up to standard, but obviously I was dedicated to my works and the dedication, really and truly, has got me to where I am now, playing all over the world."
In 1993, Mark was looking for dub plates for his system and talking about music by another DJ, Dennis Rootical, when Dennis overheard him and after chatting for a while, they collaborated on a few efforts, Kilimanjaro and Reminiscence, to immediate acclaim. The rest, as they say, is history, and they've been playing together ever since. On this tour, they will be joined by the Jah Trinity Sound System, one that Mark knows well: "In the early 90's, I used to do some shows with them guys in Leeds, when they was actually living in England. They have a good system." If you're wondering why Adelaide managed to secure the third spot on this tour, rather than Brisbane, you might be interested to know that Milton Naphtali, one half of the duo, has made his home in Adelaide, so there's sure to be a good turn out fro the hometown hero.
As for the show, and what to expect from the two systems in the soundclash, Mark doesn't want to give away too many clues, saying that "it depends what kind of vibrations the other sound system is coming off with. You give off your vibrations, they give their vibrations, and it just flows." They call their sound "dub inna year 3000 style," and it's an apt name, because this music is the future.
Alexis Buxton-Collins
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Iration Steppas play at Traffic on Sun 20 June, supported by MPK, Noddy, Dunks, Muskrat, G-Swift and DJ Rah.
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