Lee “Scratch” Perry & Mad Professor

Lee “Scratch” Perry & Mad Professor

The Truth As It Happens!! Aotearoa 2005

Why do you call yourself ‘Scratch’? "All things have to start from scratch! So check it out - who am I? If you don't start from scratch, you're in trouble."

Lee Scratch Perry, Black Ark studio graffiti.

Elemental reggae revolutionary Lee Scratch Perry is on a mission in September to blow people’s minds with a four city Aotearoa tour under the mixing supervision of UK dub wizard Mad Professor.

Following sell out concerts to our shores in both 1999 and 2002, this is the third and final Aotearoa concert tour by Mr. Rainford Hugh ‘Scratch’ ‘Pipecock Jaxxson’ ‘The Upsetter’ ‘Super Ape’ Perry.

The much respected and revered Jamaican producer, recording artist, performance artist and shaman will be dropping old skool sounds and classic cuts dug up from his infamous Black Ark period, which ended in 1983 with him burning down the Jamaican studio.

"I woke up that morning with turmoil in my heart and went to the studio. I love kids' rubber balls. I had one favorite, from America, on the mixing desk. Someone had taken it when I got to the studio, so I destroyed the studio and burnt it down. Over. I felt I had stood up for what I believe in. No one could rip me off anymore” he later said about the drastic action.

Throughout his vast and important life the archetypal court jester who masks his might in madness, has massively influenced reggae, dub, hip-hop, electronica and beyond. His magical musical career spans almost five decades, instructing and collaborating with the likes of Coxsone Dodd, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Bob Marley to The Clash, Zodiac Mindwarp and Adrian Sherwood.

During 1980s the extra-terrestrial dub organiser hooked up with the Mad Professor and inspired a new legion of fans as he embarked on a series of bubbling live shows, TV appearances and released original and classic albums. His peers and (ex) musicians tend to observe the happenings with awe, amazement and envy. "How does he do it?" is a typical question. The fact that the almost 70 year old gentleman with the multi-coloured hair and punkish attire can out sell and completely upstage most other reggae artists is something most folks can't come to terms with. Of all his protégés, only Bob Marley has eclipsed the profile of Pipecock Jackson.

On stage, Scratch conjures fire and water, "People who are coming to my shows are the few who have been chosen to be healed - spiritually, physically, and mentally. They must get it in their heads that I, E.T., will be at the controls, in charge of all the human brain cells. E.T. will pick them all up when the show starts and take them into the sky, and after the show has finished E.T. will land them back on the Earth."

LEE “SCRATCH” PERRY & MAD PROFESSOR >> THE TRUTH AS IT HAPPENS!! AOTEAROA 2005

Friday 16th Sept
Dunedin
Sammys
Doors Open - 9pm
Ticket Outlets - Modaks, Arc Cafe and Sammys

Saturday 17th Sept
Christchurch
The Civic
Doors Open – 9pm
Ticket Outlets – Cosmic Corner, Hunters & Collectors

Sunday 18th Sept
Auckland
Studio
Doors Open - 7pm
Ticket Outlets – Ticketek & Real Groovy

Tuesday 20th Sept
Wellington
Wellington Town Hall
Doors Open – 8pm
Ticket Outlets – Ticketek & Real Groovy

All shows licensed R18
Tickets on sale for all shows NOW!

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