Dub never goes away and Leeds’ IRATION STEPPAS are proudly
flying the flag. Sandman is still vibrating...

It is an indecently early hour on a Sunday morning, yet the pulsating vibes of the dub sound continues through the darkness. Sound system culture has hit the nation’s music scene like a thunderbolt in recent times, thanks largely to a Leeds based outfit. Iration Steppas have undoubtedly established themselves as one of the world’s leading dubwise sound systems and it seems that the new generation (and some of the old) are rallying around Steppas’ new style of the idiosyncratic, spiritually uplifting sound that is their new breed of dub. A style of music that is taking the ingredients of classic roots reggae music, blending it with the driving beats of 1980’s dub, and producing a rock solid, raw new sound that has everybody talking!

Playing “dubz in a year 3000 style”, Steppas have achieved world renowned acceptance as the future of dub music, earning the respect of many stars of the dub scene- with a sound that is nothing less than full throttle.

Despite their success, Iration Steppas, lead by dynamic duo Mark Iration and Dennis Rootical, have never forgotten their roots, and thanks to them Leeds can be regarded as a leading city in the dubwise movement, and most certainly party central. Main man Mark Iration took time out of his hectic schedule to talk to me, in the basement of associated Tribe Records, about how Iration began, as well as to introduce us to, for those who don’t know, his music.

“Dub music is music stripped down, to its bare essentials. It’s all about the rhythm, it’s raw, you know. You start with the basicelements that make good dub music, a good bass line and a driving drum beat, and then mix it up”.

Iration Steppas’ history can be traced back to the late 1980’s when a younger Mark formed his first sound system, Ital Rockers.

“Iration were formed through Ital Rockers, which was just something I put together to play at friends parties and weddings, that sort of thing. It started off with me just playing dub plates (covers), and people seemed to like it”.

Perhaps an indication of the unique nature and great success of the Iration sound is even from this early stage, Mark’s music was generating a public demand for more, a trend that has stayed very much with Iration as they have developed. It is fair to say that credit needs to be given to friends’ encouragement, but once the ball was rolling, he never looked back.

As Mark describes, the origins of his music stem from the late 1970’s and 1980’s dub culture, “I used to sneak into clubs in London to get a taste of the party atmosphere. It was amazing. Subdub is an attempt to bring that party atmosphere into today”.

It’s something that has undoubtedly been achieved. It was at this time that Mark found his immediate inspiration and influences in the form of the infamous Jah Shaka, with his intense spiritual focus, as well as the mighty Jah Tubbys with their pulsating beats and hooligan style Djing.

“I used to follow them round the country” he says.

This mix of styles formed the platform for a new style of dub and in 1990 Iration Steppas were born, still spinning mostly dub plates, but, with the encouragement of friends, Mark began to build his own sound, as he writes on the Iration Steppas website “I started to make music, building up our own tracks and making them more diverse, making it more universal, keeping it to the roots and the core of the dub music I love”.

The last element of the Steppas sound was found in 1993 when, in the vibrant surroundings of London’s House of Roots, Mark Iration met established dub artist Dennis Rootical, their two tastes in music were similar, and there and then a collaboration was formed that completed the Steppas jigsaw and, before long, the two produced the innovative debut Steppas album, “Original Dub DAT”.
This album signified Iration Steppas taking dub music to the next level. A production of a unique sound, both hard-hitting and spiritual.

For me, as a dub fan, what makes Steppas different from the rest, is that rhythm; awesomely powerful and relentlessly driving, that is best described in the name; “Steppas”... solid as a rock... continuous... like a march. A sound that stirs human emotions, that’s easy to dance to, that is the key. And Steppas certainly know how to play it. Iration, it seems, have a clear philosophy, its miles better if it’s LOUD, I mean REALLY LOUD.

“The thing about Iration sound is that it takes dub and reggae music and makes it a front room thing. I realised if it’s played right it could move from being a back room sound, where people would go, relax, listen and enjoy the music, and make it front room, centre stage spectacle. It’s all about creating the right atmosphere, the right vibe, that is what Iration’s sound does,” grinned Mark.

As Steppas population grew, more and more attention was given to this new style. Steppas were becoming known, successful, and new support meant a new home was required. Credit for that lies primarily with DJ Simon Scott, established on the underground Jungle scene, who had started with Iration at the Think Tank in Leeds.

“I knew Mark from the reggae scene and we decided to join forces”.

And it was Scott who helped find new refuge at the Leeds West Indian Centre.

It was the perfect venue, right set up, right sound, right atmosphere. It is from 1998 that the Subdub of today was born, and Simon should be applauded for his part in creating a night that is definitely one of a kind.

A spiritual home for the peace and love vibes of the music, Subdub represents more than just raw fun. It brings together people from all creeds, colours and religions and unites them under one common love, the love of a good time. As one Steppas lyric states, “Love it is the key to eternity, Black and White, Asian and Chinese.”

It has gained a reputation for being the loudest place in town, an attraction for the new dub followers.

“We created an old school night, I’d seen what had happened in the eighties and seen how things worked and we wanted to bring that party vibe back. We were filling a hole”.

Subdub’s truly astounding atmosphere started to attract all manner of artists: Jah Tubbys and Jah Shaka, Mark’s early mentors, have both played there as well as other famous dubwise names such as Johnny Clarke, The Disciples and Mad Professor. It was official, Subdub was the place to be.

And Steppas were in demand all round the globe, seeing them play in America, Holland, Japan, Norway, Serbia and Italy amongst others. Playing at the Glastonbury festival in 1999, they found a fan in the late John Peel. Rocketing to success with hits such as Scud Missile and High Rise Vibrations, Steppas have supported truly great acts such as Burning Spear and Scientist.

However, Subdub remains their home, dishing out a monthly dose of powerful, throbbing dub beats, there is no place like it. It’s crowning moment coming in November 2003 when the legendary Lee “Scratch” Perry graced it with his presence.

“That was a hugely successful gig and one that was very important in promoting our sound. It’s truly a great honour when someone like him offers to play with you” said Mark.

Since then the Subdub night has had a further surge of popularity when, perhaps, many people discovered its greatest asset, the BASS. A giant of the sound system world there are few louder than Iration, trust me, it beats your heart for you!

Then, finally, in the spring of 2004, Iration Steppas released their debut album on the respected Dubheadz label, “Dubz from the Higher Regionz”, an album that blends a quintessential mix of roots dub with Steppas own sound. Here, we see Iration put yet more emotion behind their music that sees them create a hugely successful new vibe that can only be described as wicked, evil in fact, whilst also continuing their classic Steppas vibrations with hits such as Locks and Rejection remix. This is an essential for all dub fans. As if that wasn’t enough, they continue with their successful side projects such as the more trip-hoppy sound of Kitachi, as well as Mark’s production with LSK (signed to Sony).

Successful though they are, Iration have never forgotten where they come from, and the continuation of the Subdub nights has seen them host more recently, the inspirational sounds of artists such as Nucleus Roots, Zion Train, Smith & Mighty, Channel One and most recently Dreadzone.

“These days all acts can be picked and chosen so you’re always sure of a wicked night. It’s the only place for Dub and Jungle”.

Iration Steppas, have recently been on tour in France, though they mark their return on Friday 10th December as Subdub returns with what is bound to be a thunderous sound system clash with the almighty Aba- Shanti-I sound system. A sound that is nothing short of addictive. Ladies and gentlemen, this will be mind-expanding… JAH RASTAFARI!!!

www.irationsteppas.co.uk