Back in September 1995, The Herbaliser, a sample-based beatmaking duo (Ollie Teeba & Jake Wherry), released their debut LP, ‘Remedies’, on UK label Ninja Tune. Ollie, a hip hop head and obsessive break hunter and Jake, a lover of all things funky, would dig for samples in diverse crates and had a particular taste for old movie soundtracks, which would become a particular characteristic of their production sound. In no time, they established themselves, as one of the main features of the expanding Ninja Tune crew.

The following year, as they were recording their second full length release, ‘Blow Your Headphones’, they expanded their performances to include an 8 piece live band. The live show toured internationally, to great reception from audiences and would become a regular feature at a multitude of electronic, dance, dub and jazz festivals worldwide for the next 2 decades or so. Subsequently, The Herbaliser releases, which, prior to 3rd LP ’Very Mercenary’, were almost entirely made from samples, would begin to incorporate more of the band’s talents, to bring the sound of the studio recordings and the onstage performances closer together.

In 2020, the creative partnership that this all began with, came to an end.

In 2021 Jake Wherry solely declared The Herbaliser finished, with a very simple statement across the internet that read “The Herbaliser played their last official show in 2021. Thanks for your support over the years.”

Now, in 2024, The Herbaliser Band have reformed with original members Ralph Lamb (trumpet/flugelhorn), Andrew Ross (tenor/baritone sax-flute), Micah Moody (drums), Patrick Dawes (percussion) with James Morton (Alto Sax), Oliver Parfitt (keyboards), Conor Cotterill (bass) & of course DJ Ollie Teeba on the turntables. With extensive tour dates lined up, The Herbaliser Band will be showcasing their most iconic and well- known material, from the 10 years recording with Ninja Tune (1995- 2005).

The current show featuring tracks from Remedies, Blow Your Headphones, Very Mercenary, Something Wicked & Take London.

In late 2024 The Herbaliser Band took to the studio to record all the tracks the band have been playing live to be used for various radio and press requests the band had received. The studio results were so good that all band members have agreed to release these recordings via LP, CD, Cassette and Download in June 2025. A special 'launch' show will take place on June 3rd 2025 at London's legandary Jazz Cafe and a whole host of shows to celebrate the release are being lined up for late 2025 across the UK and Europe.

Please Note: Jake Wherry will not be appearing with The Herbaliser Band in 2025 and beyond.
 

Surreal Madrid are back.

Originally active from 1998–2002, Surreal Madrid emerged at the tail end of the 90s big-beat explosion, when genre lines were blurred and live electronic bands were loud, loose and fearless. The project began when Colin Owens (aka Chef) spent time in the studio with producers Steve Osborne and Paul Oakenfold, clocked an Akai sampler in action, and promptly went home to Liverpool to buy one himself.

One sampler, a drum machine and a top-floor flat on Rodney Street later, Surreal Madrid were born — much to the annoyance of the doctor whose surgery sat directly underneath. A handwritten note through the door read simply:

“Please… No More Boom Boom.”

The phrase stuck. It became the title of the band’s first (and so far only) album.

By 1998, Surreal Madrid had evolved into a full-throttle live three-piece, after manager and Liverpool promoter Marc Jones passed an early cassette to Bentley Rhythm Ace, who invited the band out on tour with them and Les Rhythm Digitale. The line-up sorted Chef with DJ Morf, Mark Davis (aka The Ginger Prince) on drums and Dave White (aka DJ Lucky Strike) on turntables — a collision of live drums, samples, synths and scratch DJ energy.

“We bought some chef outfits, got a drum kit, some turntables, a couple of synths, grabbed the sampler — and away we went.”

Riding the success of “Girls Of The Nite” — a Radio 1 favourite and cross-genre club hit thanks to heavyweight remixes — Surreal Madrid became a fixture on the UK and European festival circuit. Reading & Leeds, Benicàssim, T In The Park and beyond cemented their reputation as electro, big and bouncy, rocking good-time merchants. Additional firepower came from Ben Owens (aka DJ B Side), and shows with Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, Dub Pistols, Lionrock, Malcolm McLaren, All Seeing I, Freddy Fresh and many more followed. The album No More Boom Boom, produced by Colin Owens and Anthony Chapman (Collapsed Lung / DJ Scissorkicks), was released on Fused & Bruised Records.

Press said: 

“The missing link between Acid House and Sonic Youth” — NME

“They say never die with too much fun in the bank — Surreal Madrid are already well overdrawn” — Melody Maker

Then came the legendary ending.

After a brutal drive home from a Polish festival — involving lost shoes, a broken-down van, a driver who quit in Germany, and total exhaustion — a Nord Synth was accidentally left on a wall in London. The band drove back to Liverpool before realising. The synth was never recovered, and Surreal Madrid quietly dissolved.

A year later, Psychic TV told a story in Q Magazine about finding a Nord Synth on a wall in London — and taking it as a sign to make more music.

Maybe it was always meant that way.

FAST FORWARD: 2026
In 2025, a conversation with James at Shiine On changed everything:

“Surreal Madrid were always a staple in our house — d’you want to play Shiine On in March 2026?”

Old hard drives were searched. The classics resurfaced. New tracks were written.

Surreal Madrid return in 2026 with:
• Chef
• DJ B Side
• The Ginger Prince
• Ken Box
• Louis “Party” Duarte

Same spirit. Same energy. Louder lessons learned.

FOR FANS OF
Funky Beats • Electro • Acid House • Rock ’n’ Roll • Electronic Chaos

There’s nothing like the depth and detail and sonic impact of a good vinyl record” says the SOUL 45 djs, Mark James and Disgo Dan, and they should know having championed the 7” format in Southampton and across the south over the last 10 years, bringing classic sounds to the forefront and putting vinyl back in the spotlight.

With a large collection of records between them, their diverse sets have taken them to spin at clubs in New York, Los Angeles and allowed them to play alongside some big international artists including Roy Ayres, Trojan Sound System, Soul II Soul , Trevor Nelson, Hot 8 Brass band, Charli 2na, Public Service Broadcasting, Norman Jay, Eddie Piller, Craig Charles, Don Letts and DJ Format to name just a few.

Their mission has always remained the same – paying tribute to forgotten and rediscovered Soul, funk Reggae and disco as well as stone cold classics you know and love . It’s an intimate dance party, driven by the warmth and richness of the 45 r.p.m. record – a complete custom-tailored night of music that doesn’t sound like anything else in the city.