PREVIOUS NEWS, CHRONOLOGY

April 2004
Vinyl vinyl vinyl
The Dub Asylum remix ep is currently being pressed in the US and will be out next month. Yay! Got the test pressing back last month and it sounds awesome. Cover art will be some graffiti art pieces done by wicked local artist Daniel Tippett. Remixers on the ep are: Timmy Schumacher vs Substax, Rob Warner and Josh Webb, Audioslut, and Woodcut Productions (Matt Scott). More info soon, plus some sneak previews of the tracks.
Went and saw James Brown the other night, man he was fantastic. Okay, so the guy's in his 70's, but damn he is funky. Incredibly tight band too, two drummers, two bass players, two guitarists, 3 piece horn section, percussionist and 3 backing singers. Yes, it was a funky good time.

December 2003
Summer time, oh yeah
Just confirmed my first gig for 2004, February 28 at the Cuba Street Carnival in Wellington, playing at 1.30pm on the Bass Culture stage in Vivian St, with guest MC Word Perfect on the microphone. Yay!
The mastering for the Dub Asylum remix ep is done, so vinyl will also be forthcoming in the new year too. Also got a few other projects in the wind. Its all good, as they say. Take it easy, and I'l catch you in the new year.

November 2003
Tag team action
I sent out a brand new tune to the BNet radio stations late last month - its called Tag Team Act, by MC Word Perfect vs Dub Asylum. I discovered last week that it was number three on the National Alternative Charts. This week its at number one. CHOICE! Thanks to everyone out there who is digging this tune and voting for it. It's going to feature on my next album, due out middle of next year.
Loop Select 004 CD has just been released in the UK, which is also choice. My first international release!

October 2003
Mad Prof goes off
I spent the last two days in a nightclub listening to legendary UK reggae producer the Mad Professor discuss the art of remixing, with a remix he's doing for Salmonella Dub as an example. Now, its been wonderfully sunny in AK for the last two days, so spending it in a nightclub doesn't sound much like fun. 'Cept this club was Coast Bar, on top of an office block on Princes Wharf, with harbour views.
The Mad Prof also played a bunch of his own work, mixing and dubbing it live, including tunes from some recent as yet unreleased recordings with Sly n Robbie. Salmonella Dub's producer and Pitch Back dude Paddy Free (top bloke) also came along to talk about the recording process for the Dub, very interesting stuff. The remix was put together by Chris Macro of the Dubious Bros, who works as an engineer at Red Bull Studios and MaiFM's studio; he got all technical and explained how they made the original work with the new drum loop, and did a great job of it.
Its been really nice to have the luxury to spend two whole days thinking about music. Usually it gets jammed in at evenings and weekends.
The seminar was organised by Red Bull (thanks, folks), who bought the Prof over from Oz - he's doing a bunch of gigs there at present. None planned here this year, but some early next year.

Auckland's rugby team has had a good run recently, no doubt helped by running out onto the field to my song (see below). They've made the semifinals of the NPC championship, after beating Canterbury, and winning the Ranfurly Shield off them too. I've been along to a few games at Eden Park to watch them run out on to the field to 'R U Ready', and its a very amusing sight. Last time I went along, I was sitting two rows from the front by the players entrance, and the Auckland team came running out, then I turned around and noticed half a dozen agile young women from the Auckland Sky City Cheerleaders on the sideline, dancing one of their routines, to my song! Wish I'd had a video camera.

September 2003
Welli wake up!
I'm off to play in Wellington this Thursday, September 25, at the Massey Bar at Massey Uni's Welli campus. Taking MC Word Perfect along for some fun and hiphop hijinks. Probably drop a few new tunes as well.
Check out Public Address, I wrote a few lies about the BNet Awards do. Well, some of it was true.

August 2003
Go the Blues
Just heard that my song 'R U Ready?' off the 'She Dubs Me...' album is going to be used the Auckland rugby team every week during the coming NPC rugby season for their games. So, thousands of rugbyheads people will get to hear my music. Choice! Must go down to Eden Park and check it out soon, haven't been to a game in a while. Of course, Auckland won the national championship last year. Lets see how they go this year, aye? Here's an excerpt from the official press release...

Game Presenter Mark Mcleod: "I've always been a staunch NZ music supporter and this is a great opportunity to showcase our own music to the rugby masses"
"Already I've come across some gems in my search for music to play. It¹s
great to be able to play Pacifier alongside Nesian Mystic or Goodshirt and
Elemeno P."
The Auckland team will run out to a track by Dub Asylum called R U Ready.
"This track is just what I was looking for. Good beat, production and
lyrics that ask the simple question, R U Ready for what the next 80 mins
brings", McLeod continues.

Now, back to the music... been working on some tunes with hiphop MC Word Perfect, also written a few beats for his album.

July 2003
Mid winter blues
The videos for What the Funk and R U Ready screened at the Kodak Music Video Awards in Wellington on July 13, as part of the Wellington Fringe Film Festival.
If you feel like voting in the BNet Music Awards, how about casting a vote for Loop 004 Compilation, featuring Dub Asylum? Go on, you know you want to. Voting closes Friday September 5.
The remix ep is progressing well, also got a new video coming for the Timmy Schumacher vs Substax remix. More on that soon. Not much else to report. I've got a cold. Stink.

May 2003
Think global, listen local
If you live in Auckland make sure you head along to the Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) and 95bFM indie showcase at the Kings Arms on Friday May the 9th. Its part of New Zealand Music Month.
The wicked lineup includes Fang, SJD, Meterman, One Million Dollars, Autozamm, and DJs Stinky Jim and Dub Asylum.
Get there early (9pm) for the full smorgasbord. IMNZ represents NZ owned independent recording labels and distributors. There will also be giveaways of a double IMNZ sampler CD with heaps of excellent NZ independent stuff on it, (including Dub Asylum). Only $10 on the door.

There's also a new video hitting the airwaves this month (thanks NZ On Air), for the track What The Funk - Paddy Free remix, off my album She Dubs Me She Dubs Me Not. Features Sandy Mill on vocals.

And remember a few years back, when it was just a NZ Music 'Week'? Now it's a whole Month, officially. But of course, for the truly discerning folk out there, every month is NZ music month. Right?

April 2003
War - what is it good for?
Edwin Starr, singer and writer of that great protest song, passed away recently. He was 61.
In a world gone mad, what can you do? PM Helen Clark is right, this invasion sets a dangerous precedent. Trying to find intelligent commentary in the media has become the needle in the haystack scenario - so many pictures, so much spin. Russell Brown's Hard News weblog has been providing excellent reading; have a look.
Author Chad Taylor has a blog there too - just read his latest book Electric; its set in the power blackouts in Auckland in 98. Auckland Noir - its very cool.

Anyway, back to the music. The remix EP is progressing nicely, got local tech house DJ Rob Warner (my cousin!) and his mate Josh cooking up a futuristic house remix of What the Funk. Go cuz!
There's a wicked new video coming; it's going to be on tv next month, hopefully. Its for What the Funk (Paddy Free remix), and features Sandy Mill.

Independent Music New Zealand distributed a free double CD of artists on IMNZ affiliated labels at SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, via the New Zealand stand. Artists appearing on the CDs included SJD, Dub Asylum, P-Money, Pine, Damien Binder, Rubicon, Cloudboy, Lucid 3, Jacob and 8 Foot Sativa. Niceness.

And it was very sunny at both Vibes on a Summers Day and the Raglan Reggae Sunsplash - great gigs, wicked crowds, and so much great music! Mr Scruff dropped a set that was just mind blowing! I got to meet him before he played, gave him a copy of my cd. He thanked me for it very politely, and said he'd have a listen on the long flight home. Nice chap, wicked DJ.
NZ Music Month is coming up in May - hopefully some of the good stuff seeps thru the cracks, myself included!

January 2003
Fun in the sun (he said, hopefully...)
Check out Dub Asylum at Vibes On A Summers Day, February 6, at Western Springs (alongside Mr Scruff, Jazzanova, Masters At Work and more). Lotsa fine tunes, a few newies, and hey, its Bob Marley's birthday! See www.vibes.net.au/ for the low down.

I'm also playing at Soundsplash 2003: Raglan Reggae Festival, on Saturday February 8, at the Wainui Reserve in Raglan. Tickets from Real Groovy, Beat Merchants, Ticketek. See www.motherland.co.nz for more info.

December 2002
Going Loopy
Christchurch and Welli gigs went off, and the Dubwize crew mashed it up at Basement Galatos, bigtime! Thanks for coming out.

If you're stuck for an Xmas present, check out the latest compilation CD from Loop Recordings - 'Loop Select 004', featuring Che Fu, Salmonella Dub, 50Hz, Epsilon Blue, Fat Freddys Drop and Dub Asylum. Tasty. Buy it from SmokeCDs.com or from Real Groovy Records

Some plans for next year are starting to fall into place - got a remix EP under way, with mixes from Paddy Free and Timmy Schumacher vs Substax and a few more to come. Out early next year, on lovely vinyl.

Also been doing some recording with Sandy Mill while she's back in town from the UK. I'm shooting a video with her for What the Funk, which I'll combine with the footage I shot of the wicked graffiti at the Aotearoa Hiphop Summit. That should appear on your TV screen early next year.

November 2002
Out and about the place
Off to Wellington on Nov 22 to play with Pluto at Bar Bodega, should be fun. Then on December 7 I'm playing with Dubwize Sound System and Confucius (check their album, wicked Aotearoa dub styles) at Basement Galatos in Auckland. December 14 I'm off to Christchurch, playing with Welli's 50Hz, Ladi 6, and DJ Ruffian, at Hybrid. Got my first gig for 2003 booked, playing at the Raglan Reggae Sunsplash Eco Fest, February 8. Sweet!

There's a cool interview I did with Tearaway added to the Press page, and have a look at the Photos page - there's a neat pic of me outside Real Groovy in Auckland, with my fab window display.

I've been writing heaps of new tunes since the album came out, got six newies on the way, and will be dropping a few of them live at upcoming gigs. See you there!

October 2002
Mad Busy All Over
Bought the album yet? It's got a few more reviews (Real Groove, Metro, Rip It Up), go take a look. See, other people like it too, not just me!
Thanks to everyone who came down to the album launch and had a boogie; it felt good to give my album a proper sendoff out into the world.

I've added some fresh interviews (from NZ Herald and stuff.co.nz) to the Press page. Have a read, there's all sorts of nonsense in there. Most entertaining.
The single R U Ready is sitting at number 3 on Radio Actives Top 11 chart. Go the Welli folks! Cheers for your support.

I shot some footage for my next video at the graffiti art jam in Aotea Square at the Aotearoa Hiphop Summit last weekend, some wicked art styles going down. I'm playing at Real Groove Magazines 10th birthday party this week, and booking some gigs down South real soon.

September 2002
Yes its here!!!
The album hits the shops this week (Sept 23), just got a great review in the NZ Herald from Russell Baillie, who called it a 'striking debut', saying its 'quite a collection of seductive songs and sonic fun. Even better, you don't have to be a lunatic for all things dub to enjoy your stay at the asylum.' Niceness.
The single R U Ready is at number 5 on Radio Actives Top 11 chart. Yay!

There's an interview/review from NZoom.com, read it here.

SmokeCDs.com have the album on their site with a review and audio samples. Click here to buy it now. It's also available online from Real Groovy Records.

August 2002
R U Ready (Paddy Free remix) on the radio now!!!
Watch out for the video on tv from mid August, first screening Friday 16 August on Space (TV2, 10.30pm). Album set for release on September 23 2002 (see cover art above).
The album launch gig will be Thursday September 26 at Galatos Basement, Auckland, with guests DJ's Big Matt + The Chaplin (from Bassteppa) and Ruffian. Stay tuned!

May 2002
Dub Asylum, Bassteppa Sound System featuring DJ’s Big Matt and The Chaplin, with guest Duke Willis
Bar Bodega, Saturday May 4, from 9pm, $10.
Some of the leading lights of Auckland’s reggae posse head to the capital on Saturday May 4, for a multi-genre mashdown at Bar Bodega.
Dub Asylum (aka Peter McLennan) will serve up a mix of dub, hip hop and funky original tunes from the forthcoming album ‘She dubs me, she dubs me not’.
The Bassteppa Sound System make their debut in Wellington, delivering roots reggae, dancehall and good times to one and all. Previous shows from this crew have gone down a treat with crowds in Auckland and at the Raglan Reggae Sunsplash. Special guest will be local selector Duke Willis. The fun commences 9pm, Saturday May 4 at Bodega.

January 2002
Dub Asylum interviewed on National Radio's Musical Chairs programme.
"Saturday February 2nd, 1.30 Musical Chairs – Peter McLennan
Dub Asylum is a result of Peter McLennan’s passion for reggae and dub. With a new dub album on the way, a lineage including early 90's hell raisers, the Hallelujah Picassos and a kaleidoscopic collection of Hawaiian shirts, this session of Musical Chairs promises to be highly colourful" (from Radio New Zealand's website).

This interview was done with a lovely chap named Jason McCelland, when I was done in Wellington late last year, playing at Bar Bodega.
Next Dub Asylum show will be February 15 with the Black Seeds and Bassteppa Sound System a dj crew I am doing live mixing and samples for.

December 2001
Wow, Japan was so cool. I got a travel grant from Asia 2000 Foundation to go there for 2 weeks and write some magazine articles. So far I've had 2 published, one in Computerworld, and one in Real Groove, on record shopping in Tokyo. Still to come are a few more business articles, and some stories in Pulp and Pavement.
I also shot several rolls of Super 8 film for my next music video while I was there. Here's a brief travelogue thingy with photos.

Dub Asylum feature on a new ambient compilation Leading a Horse To Water - Gathering Ambience, compiled by The Gathering's Ambient Zone co-ordinator John Heighes. My track is called Dick Dale in Outer Space. Out now thru Monkey Records.
see reviews page for more guff.

October 2001
Just finishing off a music video for "You're so Sensible" - Willa O'Neill sings on it, and she's just come back from living in Vietnam, where she shot the video, in a local food market in Hanoi. I'm off to Japan for 2 weeks, doing some research for some magazine articles, and a bit of record shopping - there are over 300 record shops in Tokyo's Shibuya district alone!
Also got a remix of 'R U Ready' underway from Paddy Free of Pitch Black.

September 2001
Played in Wellington last weekend (Sept 1), with Trip to the Moon and Fat Freddys Drop, at Bar Bodega. Fun gig, but I played first, right after the All Blacks lost the rugby, so no-one in the bar was too merry.
But hey, I found a copy of Rockit by Herbie Hancock on 45!
I have hooked up with a new dj crew, the Bassteppa Sound System doing live mixing and samples and other mad sonic stuff (plus some djing). Debut show is September 27 at Wyndham Bowling Club, with DJ's Big Matt and The Chaplin, and guests Selecto and Ruffian. Check the Bassteppa site for more gigs.

June 2001
Hard at work finishing the album. Remixes underway from Audioslut, ICU and more. Must get it finished! Also working on the soundtrack for a short film called Dot Matrix, directed by Auckland filmmaker Reuben Pollock

May 2001
Had a fine time in Dunedin, bought some great op shop breaks! Archie Bunker, anyone? How about some Lee Dorsey?
Playing live this Saturday night, May 12, at K Rd Ballroom (Auckland) with The Merceneries, and Surrealistic, from 9pm. It's a benefit for Lightbox Art Gallery.
and... check out our Live to air for NZ Music Week on 95BFM, this Sunday, May 13, on The Downbeat show, with DJ Big Matt.

March 2001
The Dub Asylum album Killing me softly with his dub is scheduled for release early 2002, on Antenna Records. Also looking at some remixes too. Just finished a track with talented young actor Willa O'Neill, who has just moved to New York, and is shooting a video for the song there!
Next gig, looking like being in Dunedin, at Fuel Cafe, Friday May 4, with Audioslut.

January 2001
First gig this year - SPLORE! 2 days and nights of dance music, at Kariotahi Beach, an hour's drive south of Auckland. Dub Asylum wil be playing 8AM - 10AM Saturday 3 Feb, after DJ Big Matt. For more info check www.Splore.net

December 2000
Wow, I'm playing live at the Powerstation next Friday December 8, Antenna Records showcase featuring Voom, Pluto, Eye TV, Tadpole, Alloy and Dub Asylum. Nice big stage to run around on!

November 2000
Next live gig, Thursday Nov 23 at the Lost Angel Cafe, on K Rd, from 9pm. Special guests include DJ Big Matt from BFM's Downbeat reggae show. Check you there!

October 2000
studio bound....
Heavily into recording at the moment - I bought some new speakers for my studio recently. I was walking up the road, past my local shops, when I spied 2 speakers, sitting outside the flower shop. I wandered inside and asked if the speakers worked, and the people running the shop said yes, good speakers, and so, I bought them - for $10!!! They sound fantastic! Next gig - October 20, at University of Auckland end of semester gig, in the afternoon. Also working on a NZ On Air funded video for R U Ready.

August 2000
If Licks Could Kill is released mid June 2000, and was reviewed in the latest issue of Real Groove magazine, mentioning that "... ex Hallelujah Picasso man Peter McLennan's new vehicle, Dub Asylum, offer 'R U Ready' a bassline-led rhythm monster, suggesting good things to come."

Dub Asylum played live last Thursday, at the Lost Angel Cafe, K Rd, with guests MC Bobbylon, and DJ's Yardboy and The Chaplin. It went off, good crowd, dancing and good times a plenty! It will become a monthly residency for Dub Asylum, so keep your eyes peeled for more info
We're also playing Live To Air during NZ Music Week on 95BFM, on Friday morning, about 11am.

DUB ASYLUM ON COVER OF PAVEMENT?!?! Well, no, BUT if you turn to Page 50 of the latest issue of Pavement (August/Sept 2000), you'll see a charming wee article on Dub Asylum, with a moody photo of yours truly. And Pamela Anderson is on the cover, not me.

July 2000
DUB ASYLUM IN SPACE On Friday July 14, Dub Asylum will be playing live on TV2's late night show Space (okay, not in space, ON space, but it's pretty close!) Also playing will be Salmonella Dub and DJ Yardboy. Space is on from 10.30pm til midnight.

www.MP3.net.nz launched recently, check out the 3 Dub Asylum tracks available to preview or buy, if you so desire. 2 tracks are from the no longer available Dub Never Sleeps EP, and 1 track (Feel the funk and do it anyway) is brand spanking new!

May/June 2000
Our gig in Dunedin (May 13) was choice! Good crowd, who were up for anything we threw at them. Cheers to Baden and Tony of Satta Sound System, and Scott at Fuel Cafe. Niceness!

If Licks Could Kill is released mid June, and was reviewed in the latest issue of Real Groove magazine, mentioning that "... ex Hallelujah Picasso man Peter McLennan's new vehicle, Dub Asylum, offer 'R U Ready' a bassline-led rhythm monster, suggesting good things to come."

February 2000
Got a phone call recently from a chap from a UK based indie record label, visiting New Zealand; he'd heard our Dub Asylum ep and wants to license some tracks for UK release on a dub compilation.

December 1999.
Two shows, one at the Tattoo Convention held in the University of Auckland Student Union building (we got paid in tattoos, how cool is that?), and supporting Salmonella Dub, at Galatos St, which went off. The gig was sold out 2 days before, and it was totally packed when we came on. Rockin!

I went down to play 2 sets at The Gathering, one on Dec 31st in the afternoon (Ambient Zone), and the other at 9pm in the Dub/Hip Hop/Drum N Bass Zone. Played several new tracks, including a collaboration with Tom Ludvigson of Trip To The Moon/Alloy/Bluespeak. It was a nice way to end the year, apart from the constant rain and mud! Here's a travel diary all about it.
Also did a gig with my old band Hallelujah Picassos, which was pretty much rock mayhem.

Next up, we've got atrack on an Antenna Records compilation due out soon, and maybe a track on Kog Transmissions Dub compilation.

November 1999
A track selected by Loop Magazine for their free cd with their November issue - held over til next issue, cos they ran out of space to fit me in! Oh well...

October 1999
Played with The Nomad, Downtown Brown, MC Antsman at Galatos St, on The Nomad's album tour.

September 1999
Dub Never Sleeps Cd EP self released. CD Release party held at the Factory, Auckland, and sold lots of cd's at the door too, very satisfying.

Winter 1999
We hibernated, recorded, went to the movies, and slept lots.

May 1999
Dub Asylum play live to air on BFM from The Kings Arms, as part of NZ Music Week.

April/May 1999
New track 'Jump Along' featuring Bobbylon on vocals is playlisted on BFM, UFM, Most FM, Radio Massey, RDU (who also playlisted Dub Never Sleeps at the same time) and Radio One.
Jump Along appears on Radio Massey's Top Ten, and Radio One's Top 11.
Play at Gravity Bar with some tasty reggae DJ's. Nice music, dodgy venue.

February 1999
Dub Asylum perform at BFM's Summer Series concert in Albert Park, Auckland

December 1998
Dub Asylum worldwide live debut, at The Gathering, in Takaka, Nelson

August 1998
Debut track 'Dick Dale in Outer Space' playlisted on BFM, and features on Lava Magazine Volume One cd, free with the August issue of Lava. Also appears on BFM's Top Ten for several weeks.

Mid 1997 - early 1998
Start working up tunes for Dub Asylum, following my departure from Hallelujah Picassos - I did some other stuff before this, like make music videos and tv related work.