African Head Charge Members, Gear & Sound

psychedelic dub ensemble

Genre

Space rock Dub Industrial Jungle experimental dub nyahbinghi

Members

Select a African Head Charge band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Jah Wobble

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Public Image Ltd Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart Jah Wobble, The Edge & Holger Czukay The Damage Manual Sacred System Divination Radioaxiom

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Adrian Sherwood

Roles:

Music Producer

Groups:

Singers & Players Fats Comet Tackhead Strange Parcels Fats Comet and the Big Sound Playgroup Forehead Bros Barmy Army London Underground The Missing Brazilians The Enemy Within

Needs more gear

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George Oban

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Aswad Crucial Dub Syndicate New Age Steppers Playgroup

No gear added

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Bruce Smith

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Guided by Voices Public Image Ltd The Pop Group Singers & Players The Slits New Age Steppers Rip Rig + Panic Float Up CP Playgroup Love Inc.

No gear added

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Nick Plytas

Roles:

Composer

Groups:

Crucial Tom Robinson Band

No gear added

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Sonny Akpan

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Burnell Anderson
No gear added

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Eskimo Fox

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Skip McDonald

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer

Groups:

Tackhead Sugarhill Gang Band Wood, Brass & Steel Strange Parcels Barmy Army The Fat Comet Crew Brand New Funk The Static Seekers

No gear added

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Perry Melius

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Selecter

No gear added

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Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah

Roles:

Singer Drummer

No gear added

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Wayne Nunes

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

No gear added

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Crucial Tony

Roles:

Guitarist

No gear added

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About

African Head Charge is an influential dub-reggae ensemble originating from London in 1981. Co-founded by the renowned underground producer Adrian Sherwood and master percussionist Bonjo Iyabhinghi Noah, the group has become a staple in the experimental dub scene. Known for fusing primal African rhythms with psychedelic dub, roots reggae, and electronic elements, African Head Charge has achieved a cult status with their innovative sound. The ensemble's rotating lineup includes an eclectic mix of world-class musicians who contribute to their dynamic live performances, featuring instruments such as djembes, guitars, drums, and keys, alongside electronic sampling.

How to Sound Like African Head Charge

The sound of African Head Charge is a rich tapestry of deep, pulsating bass lines and tribal percussion, creating a hypnotic blend that is both rhythmic and atmospheric. Their music is characterized by a psychedelic, immersive quality, achieved through a combination of traditional drumming techniques and modern electronic effects. The Fender Precision Bass is a staple in their sonic arsenal, delivering the deep, resonant bass tones that underpin their tracks. Effects such as the Lovetone Meatball filter pedal contribute to the swirling, spacey textures that define their sound. This unique fusion of organic and electronic elements results in an intoxicating soundscape that is at once primal and futuristic, appealing to fans of dub, reggae, and experimental music alike.

Discography

My Life In A Hole In The Ground

1981

Environmental Studies

1983

Drastic Season

1983

Off The Beaten Track

1985

Songs Of Praise

1990

Pride And Joy - Live

1991

Pride And Joy (Live)

1991

In Pursuit of Shashamane Land

1993

Akwaaba

1995

Shrunken Head

2003

Vision Of A Psychedelic Africa

2005

In Charge - Live in Japan

2005

Voodoo Of The Godsent

2011

Return Of The Crocodile

2016

Churchical Chant Of The Iyabinghi

2020

A Trip To Bolgatanga

2023

Get the African Head Charge Sound

Want to sound like African Head Charge? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.