Exclusive Interview with Barry Ashworth

Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Barry Ashworth, shortly before his performance at Bash Upscale Late Nightclub on Thursday 17th January.

How would you describe the music you play as a DJ and how does it differ from the sound of the Dub Pistols?

The Dub Pistols music i make is song based around a reggae and hip hop style and geared towards the making of albums and though the music i play is still influenced by the same sounds my dj shows are more electronic bass driven, ranging from Ghetto funk though to breaks and drum and bass.

Which tracks would you suggest to people that are not yet familiar with your music?

Dub Pistols music covers many styles but i think if you wanted to understand it in a few tracks then i would suggest you listened to "Cyclone" taken from our first album "Point Blank", "Six million Ways to Live" Taken from our second album of the same name, "Gangsters" taken from our album "Speakers & Tweeters, "Back to Daylight" Taken from the album "Rum & Coke" and finally "Gunshot" Taken from our latest album "Worshipping the dollar "

In July 2012 the newest Dub Pistols album “Worshipping The Dollar” was released. What can you tell us about the album?

Worshipping The dollar has been our most critically acclaimed album and see us returning more to our club roots in that the tracks are more uptempo and the songs have a more social conscious message, i opted to use Drum & Bass for the first time as i found when we are playing live the tempo really gets the crowd jumping which is what the Dub Pistols are all about.

In recent years the Dub Pistols have evolved from a studio based duo into a live act. What is the reason for this transition?

When i started making Dub pistols records they where never meant to have longevity they where made for me to use as Dj weapons then we signed a million dollar deal with Geffen records in America to make an album and my approach to making an album i felt had to be different, i felt that if you are making an album it should be more of a journey and a story and so the transition began, the band thing was a gradual change as it started with myself djing and adding musicians to the line up slowly one by one starting with an MC and slowly building into the 7 piece band it is today which includes, drums, horn section, Guitars and keys.

What were your highlights of 2012?

2012 was the most amazing year to date for the Dub Pistols starting with us winning DJ Magazine best live act and being runner up in the AIM Music awards again for best live act which we lost out closely to the "The Prodigy" ( We were robbed ), we started the year playing live to 150,000 people in Poland which was broadcast to millions on national TV, we headlined many festivals and did shows all across the world the highlights being Bestival (winner of the best UK festival), Secret Garden Festival and too many others to mention, we also Headlined the world famous "Space club in Ibiza for the first time as well as releasing our latest album "Worshipping the dollar" which has been acclaimed as one of the top albums of the year on Amazon, DJ magazine and many others.

What are your plans for 2013?

2013 is already looking like it is gonna carry on where 2012 left of we have many festival dates booked already as well as tours around the world including, India , Sri Lanka, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Spain and beyond.. I'm also over half way through finishing our next album which is pencilled for release in September 2013, I have also written the title music for the new Rob Lowe move "Knife fight which is due for release in Febuary 2013

What was the best and the worst gig you ever played?

Best show I've ever played is a hard one as there have been so many great times but i think the one that stands out is Bestival this year it seemed like the whole festival had come to see our show and that day we were really on our game everything was perfect. The worst show i have ever played was in Croatia i got way too drunk and my performance was shambolic to say the least, the crowd were rightly not happy and boos and bottles rained down on us, i would like to take this chance to say sorry to the people of Croatia that had paid to come and see us play.

What was the funniest thing that ever occurred during any of your performances?

I was DJing at the famous "Gecko" Bar in Koh Samui one new years eve and jumping up and down on the stage when the stage gave way and i disappeared through it much to the amusement of the crowd I got back up and carried on but three days later a rusty nail that had gone into my leg popped out and i spent many days having to go back to hospital to have the infection cut out.

You travel a lot. What essential things do you need to have with you at all times?

Painkillers to deal with the constant hangovers

Are you adventurous if it comes to food? Do you try the local dishes of the countries you travel to, or do you usually eat what you know from home? Do you like Thai food?

Im not the most adventures person but Thai food is one of my most favourite foods in the world and my 2 favourite Thai restaurants are on Koh Chang which are called "Kata" and "Saffron on the Hill"

Together with the Dub Pistols you have played in Bangkok (Club Astra) on December 2006 and you have performed at Glow Nightclub in December 2009. Do you enjoy playing here in Bangkok?

I LOVE Thailand which is why i come back every year and loving playing in Bangkok because it means i get to hang out and play with my friends from the sound element crew who always play a rocking set and we get to have a great party.

What can Bangkok’s party people expect from your performance at Bash (Upscale Late Nightclub) on 17th January?

You can expect the full on Bass driven crowd jumping Dub Pistols experience, hedonism at its peak