1) Raggae metal … Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two groups sharing the name Dub War:
1) Raggae metal band from the UK;
2) 2-step UK garage / dubstep duo.
1) Formed in 1993, Dub War were a rock antidote to the Britpop hegemony.
Diminutive, livewire frontman Benji Webbe joined three established Newport musicians, and released a couple of 12" singles and a now sought-after mini album with local hardcore label Words Of Warning. The Dub Warning mini album was released in 1994, then, following a rapid rise in their profile, re-released with extra tracks as Words Of DubWarning later in the year.
Explosive live performances, always prefaced by Webbe winding a huge air raid siren, propelled their public profile upwards and while the indie press concentrated on the likes of Sleeper, Menswear and Echobelly, Dub War carved out a niche for themselves with discerning and open-minded rock fans.
Extreme music label Earache decided that Dub War were perfect for their roster and by 1995 they'd inked the deal. Pain was released in the same year, and featured two tracks that became over time rock club floor-filling staples. Gorrit took Faith No More and made it even more intense and twisted, while Strike It was a huge shout-along with an infectious rap metal refrain.
Dub War were never the types to tread water, so after the Pain album cycle, they experimented more with their sounds and influences, trying to avoid being pigeonholed in any one bracket. The new material was softer, more subtle, and without some of the bombast of their previous material. It was challenging - and of course that has knock-on effects when an audience expects a certain sound.
The singles Enemy Maker and Cry Dignity weren't a million miles from their previous hit singles, but their impact was minimal. The release of Wrong Side Of Beautiful in late 1996 saw their live reputation unchanged but their chart action lessened. They released the Soundclash EP, which showcased their dance influences the same year.
1997 saw the last singles from their second album proper released, then in 1998 they began to lay the foundations for their current work. Webbe stepped out on his own with his 1999 sideproject Mass Mental? (featuring Robert Trujillo of Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves and Metallica) as well as two guest appearances with ex-Sepultura man Max Cavalera's new outfit Soulfly.
In 1999 the band split, with Webbe, Rose and Ford reforming as Skindred, and Glover joining The Jones. Following the release of their debut album, Babylon, in late 2002 Ginge and Jeff left Skindred, citing their record label's constant lack of support for the band as their source of frustration, especially after their decade of hard work and still having to work day jobs. Skindred now continues with an all new line-up, whilst the rest of Dub War, namely Jeff, Ginge and Richie regrouped as Raw Bud (released as Raw Bud Vs Roni Size on their debut single, Rise Up). In 2010, Earache released The Dub, The War & The Ugly, a CD & DVD compilation package that included unreleased demos for the band's never-released third album, along with rare tracks, a DVD of an entire live concert as well as a documentary and all of the group's music videos.
2) UK garage/dubstep group consisting of Benny Ill and B. Fuller. They released the cult Murderous Style/Generation 12" on Tempa in 2001.
Pain
Dub War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dem all fire gunshot
Police in adem uniform
They fire shots back
innocent bystanders
bite the bullet once again
with laws full of discrepancy
it's only us to blame
yet stick a gun into my mouth
an then you calmly shout
this worlds at peace
I shaully doubt
I see no equal rights or justice only
Pain
Dats running in your vain
man made pain
an it's only us to blame
oh well
The activists there on a mental rampage
The song Pain by Dub War is a hard-hitting criticism of the society's incapability of finding solutions to the violence that plagues its people. The first verse is a commentary on how gang violence and police brutality intersect, causing innocent bystanders to suffer as they become collateral damage. Despite the violence, the authorities seem to make no effort to change the corrupt system, leading to the perception that the citizens are the only ones responsible for it. The song then turns to address the issue of people wanting to solve the problems but failing, as they perpetuate the cycle of violence by using force to prove their point.
The second verse brings focus to the idea of a peaceful world being nothing but an illusion due to the systemic inequalities and lack of justice. The lyrics "I see no equal rights or justice only Pain" portray the feelings of helplessness and anguish towards the oppression people face every day. The phrase "man-made pain" indicates that suffering is not a natural occurrence, but rather a result of human action, reinforcing the theme of responsibility. The last line of the verse that goes "The activists there on a mental rampage" essentially states that the people standing up for their rights and the protesters are the only ones who seem to have figured out that something needs to change.
Overall, Pain by Dub War is a powerful commentary about society's inability to find solutions to the problems that cause widespread suffering. The song highlights the cyclical nature of violence, where neither the authorities nor the citizens can find a way to stop it. It is a plea for peace and justice, and a reminder that it is only when people take responsibility for their actions that they can bring about change.
Line by Line Meaning
Gangsters on the corner
People who engage in criminal activities are lurking around the street corner.
Dem all fire gunshot
They shoot guns uncontrollably.
Police in adem uniform
Uniformed policemen are present.
They fire shots back
They fight back by shooting as well.
Innocent bystanders
People who are not a part of the conflict.
Bite the bullet once again
They are hurt or killed, yet again.
With laws full of discrepancy
The laws are inconsistent or unfair.
It's only us to blame
We, as a society, are responsible.
You say you want to work it out
The other party claims to want to resolve the issue.
Yet stick a gun into my mouth
But then they hold a gun to my head.
An then you calmly shout
They yell with a sense of control.
This worlds at peace
They claim that the world is at peace.
I shaully doubt
But I disagree and cannot believe it.
I see no equal rights or justice only
I witness the absence of impartial treatment or fairness.
Pain
Agony, suffering, and distress.
Dats running in your vain
It's coursing through your veins and affecting your thoughts and actions.
Man made pain
We are the ones who created this distress.
An it's only us to blame
We are the ones to be held accountable.
Oh well
Unfortunately.
The activists there on a mental rampage
The proponents of movements for change are emotionally distraught.
Contributed by Brody R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BigSpecialK23
listening to this whole album ..wow im blown away ..this shit is just tight as hell///lovin the vibe ,lovin the feel...I hope this band gets popular...Good fuckin music right here ..lovin it
Baz lhs
They got new album coming out on earache Westgate under fire
Secular Spectator
LOL they did this album is from 1995, great to see people still finding it :)
Sławiański Barbarzyńca
Dub War, Dog Eat Dog, Downset, Biohazard, (Hed) PE, Sick of It All, and many more... best time of my live! Best Fest...
Antonio Iorio
One of my favourite. Top