Jay Jay

Well it all started with seeing T.REX in 1971 at the Capitol in Cardiff. Then, in ’76 I left school, saw Bob Marley perform (still one of the best gigs ever), Punk n Reggae mashup followed, used to go 3 or 4 gigs a week, saw every Punk band goin’. My teenage years were spent in various bands in SWANSEA, mainly NEXT STEP with Linz, Animal and Chris. Became a bit of an ’Activist’, organized gigs, worked on a little community paper called ALARM. Went on a big Anti-Nazi march ’78, ending at Victoria Park seeing The Clash, Sham 69 etc. Became a mammy for the first time in ’81. Went to Greenham Common in ’82;attended the 1st European Hip Hop convention in Amsterdam ’83, introduced to Afrikka Bambatta, Man Parish et all mixed up with Euro disco, fab!!!! Original, ’Electro Funk-punk Mamma,’ dats me. Had enuff of harassment which was part of being an individual in a provincial town back in the day.....So, in 1984 moved to Brixton and became part of the Brixton/Welsh community [later to become the PENDRAGON sound system posse.] There, I rediscovered REGGAE, inna Digital stylee, ’Squat parties’, ’shebeens and Pirate Radio!’ Also as one of the early contributors to the Anarchist paper CLASS WAR, (due to me early links with ALARM) had a good network of friends and family round me. Which is how me and my daughter survived single parenthood. ’86 found us sharing a big squatted house in Stockwell with, amongst others Jimmy Cauty, where some of the best ever parties kick started what became The KLF (Eeek pardon da namedrop.) Then it was about Aceeeeid House music all night long, during which time I became a mammy for the 2nd time in ’88, ooopps!!! The 2nd Summer of love innit? Went on a few more adventures, but by now, hitting 30, t’was time to go ’Back 2 School.’ Studied TV and Video production ’91-’93. Leading on to Film and Video BA. ’94-’96, became a mammy for the 3rd and final time ’97. After a disastrous move to Brighton (horrible town), finally settled back in South London (home at last), and now my youngest is 10, I’m able to find time to work on my own projects AT LAST. This year is my 50th, can’t believe I’ve reached that far. Good excuse for a BIG partttay!!!!! I’m currently working on a documentary with a friend of mine and have recently returned from filming in Cuba, so all is good, watch this space....... Bigups to all that read this far. xxxxxx