Dub Narcotic Sound System

Dub Narcotic Sound System
Origin	Olympia, Washington
Genres	Indie rock
Years active	1995–2003
Labels	K

Members	Calvin Johnson Chris Sutton Heather Dunn

Past members	Larry Butler Brian Weber Lois Maffeo Jeff Smith Jen Smith

Dub Narcotic Sound System (D.N.S.S.) is an Olympia, Washington based indie-funk musical group founded by Calvin Johnson, signed to K Records.

Origins

The band was named after Calvin Johnson's basement recording studio, Dub Narcotic.^[1] The band and its members were all based in Olympia, Washington when they were active in the band. Dub Narcotic Sound System has toured in the United States, Japan, Canada and Europe with bands such as Built to Spill, Fugazi, and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.^[2]

Critical reception

The Register-Guard described the band in 1999 as "An electronica and hip-hop tinged indie combo". The newspaper also criticised Johnson's vocals, citing them as "so low and gravelly, it can, at times, be unbearable".^[3] In relation to a 1996 concert at a roller skating rink with Lois Maffeo, they described the music as "dull to dance to, but skates can glide along to it fine".^[4]

The Michigan Daily described their album Degenerate Introduction as "an open, airy fusion of punk, funk, dub, indie rock and hip-hop with a lo-fi hue". However, the newspaper criticised Johnson's vocals, saying they were "polarizing and force[s] you to become annoyed as he drowns out the empty beats".^[5]

Discography

The following studio recordings by D.N.S.S. were released on K Records:

Industrial Breakdown (EP; 1995)
Ridin' Shotgun (EP; 1995)
Boot Party (1996)
Bone Dry (EP; 1997)
Out Of Your Mind (1998)
Sideways Soul: Dub Narcotic Sound System meets the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in a Dancehall Style (1999)
Handclappin' (EP; 2003)
Degenerate Introduction (2004)

References

^ Ankeny, Jason "Allmusic -Dub Narcotic Sound System"
^ K Records "K Records - "Dub Narcotic Sound System homepage" Archived April 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
^ Linn, Allison (12 Mar 1999). "Punk on an Olympian Scale". The Register-Guard. p. 7. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
^ Beebe, Elaine (25 Oct 1996). "Dub Narcotic Sound System featuring Lois: "Ship to Shore" EP". The Register-Guard. p. 6.
^ Wolsky, Alex (26 Jan 2004). "Dub Narcotic Sound System Degenerate Introduction". The Michigan Daily. pp. 8A.