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Jenny Matthias
Who's That Girl? - Jenny Gives It Some on the Dance Brigade Debut
| On 17 September 2008 at London's 100 Club, a very exciting event is due to take place, for it is the live debut of a group of extremely talented musicians, who together back in the summer of last year formed a band called The Dance Brigade. The MIS caught up with singer/songwriter Jennie Matthias (former lead singer of 80's all-girl group The Bellestars) to talk about her career so far, her current collaboration with Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson and how she feels about the up and coming live debut of her latest project The Dance Brigade. Interview by Lee Buckley (Loobyloo) |
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Madness Central: Jennie, how are you feeling today and how excited are you about the gig in a couple of weeks' time?
Jenny Matthias: Today I am tired, I have had a long and sorrowful week due to one of my dearest friends passing away.
Re the gig I am more intrigued than excited but I guess closer to the day the excitement and adrenaline will most certainly kick in. I am also looking forward to seeing many people I haven't seen for a long time.
MC: Judging by the six tracks by The Dance Brigade that are currently up on your Myspace page, your musical style is very ska-based but there is a predominantly Latin flavour throughout as well. How do you decide which styles to use and blend together and what kind of music inspires you?
JM: The music we have chosen for the DANCE BRIGADE has actually come from a larger list of tunes and when we first started writing for TDB Latin tracks were also involved. We decided that the ones we chose would be more effective for the audience we were aspiring to and not to make it confusing we chose the ska element of what we were doing. Keith (Finch)'s backing tracks are predominately reggae or ska based and it so happened that when I chose the first batch of tracks I wrote those ones first although there is an amazing Latin track I also chose that features the wonderful Chico the track is called 'Smile'.
MC: Although The Dance Brigade is a coming together of various musicians, the two most well-known members are yourself and Madness's Lee Thompson. You've known each other since 1981, please tell us about how you first met and what made you decide to work together nearly 30 years later.
JM: Both Lee & I were on the same record label as Madness & The Bellestars years ago called Stiff Records! I also went out with his mate for 7 years Chris Foreman. A few years back Lee asked me to jump on stage with one of his other projects and I guess he must of remembered that when Keith mentioned that he was looking for someone to sing and possibly write with him on his tracks. I get on with Lee and it seemed an interesting thing to do at the time ...the rest is history.
MC: Looking at your previous collaborations, you've worked with both Pauline Black (The Selecter) and Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers) as The Ska Divas. These ladies are both 2-Tone legends and with the imminent 30th anniversary of 2-Tone approaching, I wondered what your opinion was on how this movement affected the music industry at the time - do you think it had a significant impact on the music scene as a whole?
JM: Like most movements throughout many a decade it would have had an impact for the people involved within that movement, and environment like the punks, Rock-a-Billy's, etc etc, to me this was Ska the second time around and it's appeal was that the lyrics, style and attitude spoke to the people.
MC: You've also worked with The Jam, Adrian Sherwood, Narada Micheal Walden, Randy Jackson, Lamont Dozier, Coti Mundi, Gary Clail, Pigface, Meg Lee Chin, Sounds From The Ground, Big 5, Skaville UK and Judge Dread to name but a few. Has there been anyone in particular that you really enjoyed working with and if not is there anyone you'd like to work with in the future?
JM: I have enjoyed working with them all but my favourite was when I got the chance to work with Randy Jackson, Preston Glass & Narada Micheal Walden in Miami, with a band called DANCE LIKE A MOTHER that was an eye opener in working with true professionals, we got to meet untold legends who played on our tracks and it was the most fabulous time...I also have to say that going on tour with THE CLASH was also amazing, great men and great times.
MC: The Bellestars were once described as the female version of Madness, there are numerous connections between you and the Nutty Boys. Not only did you support them on their 'Seven' tour of the UK during Oct/Nov 1981 but you shared the same record label on Stiff Records. This was at the peak of their popularity. What was touring with them at that time like, what did you get up to apart from becoming very close to guitarist Chris Foreman?
JM: We were only seen as the female version of Madness because people wanted to see us like that, The Bellestars were derived from the Bodysnatchers that could be one reason but we were on the same label and we were seven women but thats where it stopped. Touring with them was yet another memorable experience, they were loads of fun and it was easy for us all because we were both from the same area and on the same label...Chris is still a good friend and for the record will always have a place in my heart. He is also an outstanding Dad.
MC: During your career with The Bellestars apart from 'Sign Of The Times' you had the majority of your success with cover versions of songs such as 'The Clapping Song' and 'Iko Iko'. Who came up with the ideas for the songs that you covered?
JM: Well it was usually Dave Robinson from the record company, I brought 'Iko into the band because when I auditioned it was the only song I knew the whole way through and the girls liked it so it stuck...I hated doing covers but it was the thing at the time, having said that 'Iko' is currently being used in the Trinny and Susannah Littlewoods advert so we really can't complain.
MC: As well as writing songs, you are a published poet, is that something you've always done and do any of your poems turn into songs?
JM: I keep my poetry separate usually although there have been a couple I have poems I have turned into tunes. Poetry was the natural progression from song writing I guess.
MC: You apply your many talents to worthy causes such as the women's campaigns 'Strike 2000' and 'Praying For Asylum' as well as organising drug awareness programs for secondary schools and workshops for young offenders and ex-prisoners. These causes are obviously very close to your heart. Why is that?
JM:I have a passion for using my creative and artistic talents to assist with enhancing the plight of a good cause, the STRIKE 2000 project was for a women's organisation who's aims were to highlight the issue of rape survivors globally. The drug awareness projects were important to me as I have many friends who never made it through abuse of one kind or another, again I have created artistic projects using animated moralistic stories coupled with experience and knowledge I use them all as a tool in which to educate young people, I have picked up quite a few awards for this work.
MC: When you're not busy with all of the above what do you do to relax?
JM: I love to read and of course I never stop writing songs but a great new favourite hobby of mine is taking pictures of people, I just love it and carry my camera almost everywhere....beware everyone.....Jen's on the loose!
> MC: What is your opinion of today's music scene and who do you like to listen to?
JM: I love today's music scene although I did prefer the fun of the 70's, where you had David Bowie, Slade, Roxy Music, T Rex, Hendrix, etc etc all being outrageous and fabulously rock and Glam...there was also the Ska movement of that era and it was in those days I got into Judge Dread, Desmond Dekker etc. If it has a beat I like it and I particularly like original sounds. I listen to everything ... Ska, Heavy Rock, Blues, Rock-a-Billy, Soul, Northern Soul, Disco, I love it all.
MC: Over the past few years you've been performing live on a regular basis with the likes of The Big 5, The Ska Divas and Skaville UK. Do you enjoy the whole live experience?
JM: I have played with many more bands than this and not all of them SKA - I enjoy playing live but as the years roll on I am beginning to enjoy song writing more, people seem to like what I create and I am happy to be able to offer something worthwhile that speaks to people lyrically and melodically.....there's nothing better than doing a gig and watching the audience dance to your tunes whilst mouthing the words, I have been known to look at their mouth movements to help me on stage with not forgetting my lyrics ... ooh shit, now the secrets out!
MC: Speaking of live performances, how did your 2-song appearance at the Bermondsey Beat Festival go back in July?
JM: People seemed to like it from the response we got but I think they really liked 'Give It Some'. I think people were interested to see how me and Lee worked together also ... Lee of course was being his Mad self!!!
The Dance Brigade tickets are selling fast and if you haven't booked yet then do so soon as there will most certainly not be a chance on the night - for those with no credit card facility to buy online there is also the option of buying advance price tickets at the door but these must be booked so as they can be added to the advanced sales list to be paid on the door - the person to contact for this is Jenny Angus on 07919-377099 or alternatively by e-mail at jenny@the100club.co.uk and ask her to send you an e-mail confirming your booking.
LONDON 100 CLUB
WED 17TH SEPTEMBER
7:30PM - 11:00PM
The gig will also feature DJ Darren from Hit The Moon playing the very best in Trojan Ska plus a touch of Northern Soul, oh and if you are going, then please ensure you dress up in your best gear as the show is being filmed for a documentary with the footage being used for a future video.
Here is the link to book tickets online....
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/31470
The Dance Brigade on Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/thedancebrigade
September 2008
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