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Big Audio Dynamite (later known as '''Big Audio Dynamite II''' and '''Big Audio''', and often abbreviated '''BAD''') was a British musical group formed in 1984 by the ex-guitarist and singer of The Clash , Mick Jones . The group was noted for its effective mixture of varied musical styles, incorporating elements of punk rock, dance music, hip-hop, reggae, and funk into a unique sound. BAD's one constant throughout frequent shifts in membership and musical direction was the distinct vocal style of Mick Jones. BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE (1984 - 1990) :Lineup:
The group's initial incarnation, founded by Jones and film director Letts (maker of '' The Punk Rock Movie '', various Clash music videos, and later the Clash documentary '' Westway To The World ''), debuted with the 1985 release ''This Is Big Audio Dynamite''. Curiously, the album's cover shows the group as a four-piece (minus Donovan); the full group is pictured on the back cover. 1986's ''No. 10, Upping St.'' reunited Jones for one album with former Clash-mate Joe Strummer , who was a co-producer of the album and co-writer of a number of its songs. BAD supported U2 on their 1987 world tour, then followed with 1988's ''Tighten Up, Vol. '88'' and 1989's ''Megatop Phoenix''. In 1990, the original lineup wrote and recorded the song "Free" for the soundtrack to the movie Flashback. This would be the final song written with the original lineup, as the band would dissolve shortly after. Later in 1990, Mick Jones would debut Big Audio Dynamite II and release the UK only album 'Kool-Aid'. Dan Donovan would remain in BAD II for one song, a re-working of the final BAD track "Free" renamed "Kickin' In". BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE II (1991-1993) :Lineup:
For 1991's '' The Globe '', only Jones remained from the previous assemblage, and the band was now called Big Audio Dynamite II. This new line-up, featuring two guitarists, was more "Clash-like" and, possibly as a result, often played heavier, more Alternative Rock -influenced music. ''The Globe'' produced the band's most commercially successful single, " Rush " which hit #1 on the US modern rock charts. "Innocent Child" and "The Globe" were also released as successful singles. BAD supported U2 on their ZooTV tour and released the live ep "On The Road Live '92". BIG AUDIO (1994) :Lineup:
The band later recruited keyboardist Andre Shapps (co-producer of ''The Globe'') and Michael "DJ Zonka" Custance as DJ and vocalist. Both appeared on the band's 1994 album '' Higher Power '', which was released under the shortened name "Big Audio," which fans often called them. The album wasn't as well-received as ''The Globe'' or previous BAD albums; there was a joke going around amongst fans about the removal of "Dynamite" from the band's name (they claimed the group had "lost their ka-boom"). After signing with Gary Kurfirst 's Radioactive Records in 1995, the band released its least successful album, '' F-Punk '', which (despite the same personnel as ''Higher Power'') was credited to Big Audio Dynamite. POST-1995 :Lineup:
BAD found its proposed next album, '' Entering A New Ride '', in limbo - the record company apparently refused to release it. Spotlighted in this new line-up was vocalist Ranking Roger ( The Beat , General Public ). In 1998, the band launched a new web site, primarily as a means to distribute songs from the ''Entering a New Ride'' album to the group's fans. As Of 2005 , Jones is working on a project with Tony James (ex-member of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik ) called Carbon/Silicon . In early 2007, the highly anticipated BAD II live dvd was released after numerous delays. This is the first BAD related release in years and hopefully will renew interest in the group and pave the way for more releases waiting in the BAD vaults. DISCOGRAPHY Albums Chart singles TRIVIA
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