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.
Strike It
Dub War Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
yeah! you know what time it be (be) (be)
STRIKE!! STRIKE!! STRIKE!!
Cause we acome
An wee no ramp An wee no skin up wee teet
Top of the mosh
Apon the hard core ragga tip
That's how we dweet
Mix it up and then we roll it neet
An we a come an a look dan we
Cos we a give dem the most style
And we strike when the iron is hot
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot (ahh yeaah)
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot (that type o' noise)
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot
I never knew the base it would be thumping
I never knew that the groove would be pumping
For years you got away with it fool
Watch the man and don't watch the tool
Twice a rough and we're coming back again
Peace and justice that's we defend
but don't want no ethic cleansing
me pump up me fat check
we know the white boy, i know the red boy, i know yellow one
the black boy too
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot (yeah, yeee)
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot (chaa)
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot (that type o' noise)
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot (yeah, yee)
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot
ohhhhh
way a ohh ohhhhh
We keep you moving, rocking, jumping and groving
Yes the moffin ragid
Some do it all the time
Blend it up and then were feeling fine
Unuh dat weh we want de music we love
Reggea music, punk music, hip hop music
Man you can not refose it
Mix it up and den we call it one
Just live we should livee
While were under the sun
strikeit - while the iron is hot
we gotta strikewhile the iron is hot (arr, yeah)
strike it - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot
strike it - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot (yeah, arrr)
strike it - while the iron is hot
we gotta strike while the iron is hot
woooo hooo hooo haaa haa ha
wake up and feed the baby
strike it !!
The lyrics of Dub War's song Strike It is about the importance of taking action at the right moment. The phrase "strike while the iron is hot" is commonly used to mean that one should take advantage of a favorable opportunity while it lasts. The song emphasizes the importance of not only recognizing these opportunities but also being prepared to take action when they present themselves. The band blends various music genres such as reggae, punk, and hip-hop music to create an upbeat, energetic tune that encourages listeners to keep moving and grooving.
The lyrics begin by describing fearless dance moves and the fact that it's time to start striking, emphasizing that the band is on top of the mosh pit and feeling great. The song goes on to explain that the band is mixing several music styles and giving the audience what they want - the most stylish music. The chorus celebrates taking advantage of opportunities when they arise by singing "strike while the iron is hot" repeatedly. The lyrics further discuss that they don't tolerate injustice and ethnic cleansing, and instead stand for peace and justice. The song ends by listing various music genres and encourages people to live their lives to the fullest while under the sun.
Line by Line Meaning
funkin' without a fear
We are having fun without worry or doubts
yeah! you know what time it be (be) (be)
We are confident, and you know it. We know what we are doing.
STRIKE!! STRIKE!! STRIKE!!
Let's get to business! We need to take action now.
Cause we a come
We are coming, be ready for us
An wee no ramp An wee no skin up wee teet
We do not mess around or show off, our focus is on the music
Top of the mosh
We are the best at the game
And we feelin' sweet
We feel great, confident, and happy
Apon the hard core ragga tip
We are experienced in music and are performing at our best
That's how we dweet
This is how we perform on stage and entertain our audience
Mix it up and then we roll it neet
We combine different music styles to get the best results, and we deliver it smoothly
An we a come an a look dan we
We are coming, and we are here to stay
Cos we a give dem the most style
We stand out and deliver a unique music style
And we strike when the iron is hot
We take opportunities when they arise to make the most of them for our music career
I never knew the base it would be thumping
I had no idea that the bass would be so prominent and powerful
I never knew that the groove would be pumping
I did not expect the music to be so upbeat and lively
For years you got away with it fool
You have been getting away with something for years, thinking that you are clever but in reality, you are foolish
Watch the man and don't watch the tool
Pay attention to the person doing something and not the instrument used to do it
Twice a rough and we're coming back again
We are rough and tough, and we always come back for more
Peace and justice that's we defend
We stand for justice and peace through our music
but don't want no ethic cleansing
We are against ethnic or cultural genocide
me pump up me fat check
I am making a lot of money, and I am excited about it
we know the white boy, i know the red boy, i know yellow one, the black boy too
We know people from all races and cultures, and we all enjoy our music together
We keep you moving, rocking, jumping and groving
We keep the audience engaged and dancing during our performance
Yes the moffin ragid
Our music style is a mix of different genres
Some do it all the time
Some people listen to music all the time
Blend it up and then were feeling fine
We mix different genres of music and enjoy how it sounds
Unuh dat weh we want de music we love
We play the music we love, and that is what the audience wants
Reggea music, punk music, hip hop music
We play different music genres to appeal to everyone
Man you can not refose it
Nobody can resist our music
Mix it up and den we call it one
We create a new unique style by mixing different genres of music
Just live we should livee
We should enjoy our lives and live to the fullest
While were under the sun
We should live and enjoy our lives as long as we live
woooo hooo hooo haaa haa ha
Background vocals to the music
wake up and feed the baby
A call to action to wake up and take care of responsibilities
Contributed by Camden J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
asher locketz
Bought this disc back during my formative years and it still asserts a stranglehold over my being til this day. Heard 'Strike It' on a promo comp and was completely enamored. Dub War are seriously underrated. The news that they have reformed causes me to bristle with elation. Their mixture of Thrash, Hardcore, Ragga, Jazz, Dancehall and Funk remains explosive and iconoclastic to this day
Antivist
Just discovered this band, so badass, love it.
Stuart Carswell
Saw them a few times...world class live act
ELMIR Zeynalov
@Stuart Carswell ириииииииииииии ии тритон ирррр ириииииииииииии ии ВЧ
turntableterrorist
they used to play this song at a metal night i used to frequent when i first started going out in the early 2000s. I never got the name, but was quite surprised when i finally made the connection when I later bought this album years later. top tune!
oceannomads
saw them a few times mid 90's, great live, awesome energy
Space Oddity
Am I jealous much absolutely lol
CarterTheUnstoppableFaxMachine
Benji rules!!
I love how there were no rules in the 90s, just an eclectic mash up of different styles
Mystic_Apollo
Just seen skindred in cardiff and really tempted to get tickets to this bands reunion in a few months for Bristol 2021. Benji really is a fucking charm of my home city
CyrilTheSquirrel
I am 99% sure I had this on a cassette. Think it was on a magazine, a demo or something - still remember it! Thank you for this! Spiritual warfare I think was the other song.