Tronic EP Review

Words by Amanda Ratcliffe

Local lads from one of Hamilton’s favorite bands, Knights of the DUB Table first started their journey at Wintec in 2007 whilst completing their Bachelor of Media Arts, Music Stream. Come 2008, the six-piece was complete and work had begun on bringing their unique sound to the people – all while sharing the common goal – “To honor and protect the late King Tubby’s way of life, and the way of the DUB (Dedication, Unity, Brotherhood)”.

Showing off their fresh tunes to a pumping crowd at the Mammoth Band Experiments in 2008, it was already apparent that it wouldn’t be long before the Knights would start turning heads and attracting attention from all over. And attract they did, gaining support slots for the likes of dDub, Katchafire, Cornerstone Roots and The Versionaries, along with performing at a string of successful dance parties and the ever popular Tribal Pride Music Festival.

2009 saw the act win the York Street Band Experiments along with the hearts of the well respected Tiki Taane and Charlie B of Optymus Gryme. Both of which have remixed versions of radio release, ‘Sing It To Me’, where the guys explain, “We’ve been stoked with how helpful Tiki and Charlie B have been aye. It’s awesome when people at the top of their fields are willing to help new acts. That’s what’s so good about NZ!”

And what’s so good about Knights of the DUB Table is that their latest release reflects that warmth and generosity making this disc a truly glorious listen. It’s a mix of reggae, dub, and drum ‘n bass smothered with an obvious love for not only the music they create, but for the entire process that goes into producing such a tight EP as ‘Tronic’.

If you like dDub and The Black Seeds, I have no doubt that you’ll be a fan of the first four tracks on this EP, titled ‘Sing It To Me’, ‘Small’, ‘Living Care Free’ and ‘Come Down’ – all of which have that distinct New Zealand flavor that is hard to resist.  Completely fresh and delightfully mastered, these original tunes are placed in perfect order to lead up to the five remixes that follow.

Tiki adds his touches first before dub-step duo, Aum get into ‘Come Down’, splashing around their infamous sci-fi sounds with precision. This is followed by Optimus Gryme’s ‘Bone Crusher Remix’ and Undertow’s ‘Low End Theory Remix’ of ‘Living Care Free’ – both of which reek with the same amount of care as the previous.  It becomes pretty apparent that the Knights have some amazing people supporting them – not only by the way of name, but also their nature.

‘Tronic’ is a debut EP so epic and tight that I’m left wondering how these guys can better themselves in the years to come. With huge plans on the horizon including further studio time to complete their debut album along with gaining sponsorship from Converse, I doubt that it will be long before finding out the answer. There’s no stopping these guys that seem to go from strength to strength, day to day.