They gave up their day jobs and found a nice career
By Chris Nixon
For the San Diego Union-Tribune
March 23, 2006
An urban legend surrounds veteran English reggae group UB40 regarding its name. The story goes that the band's members met in the unemployment line, in British parlance the “dole queue.” Thus, they named the band after the requisite form one fills out to apply for unemployment in the United Kingdom: the UB40 form.
While the paperwork is indeed called the UB40 form, the true story of the band's name provides insight into the reason behind the band's longevity.
“Obviously I've known (lead singer) Ali (Campbell) all his life. He's my kid brother,” explained Robin Campbell, who has been the band's guitarist since its inception in 1978. “Starting with when he was 12 years old, the kids he brought home after school are the same kids in the band. So it was kind of a social circle that became a band.”
But a true expression of the band's devotion to the art of reggae came in the form of giving up everything for the music. Said the elder Campbell: “I think a couple of us had jobs when we formed the band. Those people gave up their jobs and went on the dole to be in the band. We did it five days a week just like a job, we had to learn. We decided that if we were going to be in the band, we were going to have to give up our day jobs.”
And there you have the reason for the name.
The Campbell brothers – along with drummer James Brown, bassist Earl Falconer, percussionist Norman Hassan, sax player Brian Travers, keyboardist Michael Virtue and toastmaster-trumpeter Astro – used this devotion to reggae and dub music to earn fame and fortune.
The world first heard UB40 through its dub reggae remake of Neil Diamond's song “Red, Red Wine” on its classic collection of cover tunes on 1983's “Labour of Love.” Driven by the soulful vocals of Ali Campbell, hits followed on 1997's “Rat in the Kitchen” and subsequent cover albums (“Labour of Love II” in 1992 and “Labour of Love III” in 1999). But success draws detractors. Said Campbell, venting his frustration: “We're always battling idiots who call us a middle-of-the-road band and white reggae, which the black guys in the band find infuriating.”
The same devotion to reggae that catapulted the band into stardom would eventually wear UB40 down.
“We tour after we make an album,” clarified Campbell. “After we're finished and the interest has waned, we go back in and make another one. And then go back out on the road. That's how it's gone for the last 25 years really.”
To put it succinctly, UB40 burned out. When they rejoined after a break, the process of creating albums changed. The band owned its own studio, allowing members to come and go during the recording of records. Subsequently, the last two or three UB40 albums suffered, according to Campbell.
“We were making records by numbers really,” admitted Campbell. “We were doing it in shifts because we could go in when we felt like it. We were kind of composing without each other. We'd still end up with stuff we liked, but it was never quite a UB40 record.”
So the brothers Campbell and company went back to its roots to record 2006's “Who You Fighting For?” The record represents the much-bandied-about term “return to form,” as UB40 regrouped and started writing songs the same way it did back in 1978.
“Basically, we decided to get back into a room and play together as a band,” said Campbell, who takes the stage at downtown club 4th & B Tuesday. “It transformed us really. It reinvigorated us. When we started jamming again, everything changed and everyone had smiles on their faces. And we've got an album we're proud of again. I think it's the best thing we've done in donkey's years, I really do.”
The same devotion to reggae that catapulted the band into stardom would eventually wear UB40 down.
“We tour after we make an album,” clarified Campbell. “After we're finished and the interest has waned, we go back in and make another one. And then go back out on the road. That's how it's gone for the last 25 years really.”
To put it succinctly, UB40 burned out. When they rejoined after a break, the process of creating albums changed. The band owned its own studio, allowing members to come and go during the recording of records. Subsequently, the last two or three UB40 albums suffered, according to Campbell.
“We were making records by numbers really,” admitted Campbell. “We were doing it in shifts because we could go in when we felt like it. We were kind of composing without each other. We'd still end up with stuff we liked, but it was never quite a UB40 record.”
So the brothers Campbell and company went back to its roots to record 2006's “Who You Fighting For?” The record represents the much-bandied-about term “return to form,” as UB40 regrouped and started writing songs the same way it did back in 1978.
“Basically, we decided to get back into a room and play together as a band,” said Campbell, who takes the stage at downtown club 4th & B Tuesday. “It transformed us really. It reinvigorated us. When we started jamming again, everything changed and everyone had smiles on their faces. And we've got an album we're proud of again. I think it's the best thing we've done in donkey's years, I really do.”
Chris Nixon is a San Diego music writer.
