New band better, former UB40 frontman says
Sunday, 01 February 2009
By ELLEN IRVINE - Sunday News

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4834836a1860.html

UB40 long-time lead singer Ali Campbell is promising Kiwi reggae fans his new band is even better than the legendary UK group he fronted for 28 years.

Ali Campbell and the Dep Band are headliners at Saturday's Raggamuffin festival in Rotorua.

"When I left UB40 this time last year, the thought of getting a new band together was terrifying. But it's actually been a breeze, I'm having a great time," Campbell, left, told Sunday News.

"It's a bit daunting, but it's fun. I'm having to go out there almost like we are starting afresh.

"I think it's more exciting than ever, because we are a new band and are fresh. I'm still trying to impress them, and they're still trying to impress me. You can feel the excitement."

Campbell split with UB40 who burst onto the music scene in the early 80s with such hits as King, Food for Thought and the No 1 Red Red Wine in acrimonious circumstances, the details of which are expected to be revealed in a British civil court case later this month. He and his new band are a late addition to the Raggamuffin line-up after Stephen Marley son of Jamaican great Bob Marley pulled out.

"We weren't sure that the Dep Band were going to be ready to do a full-on festival, but as it happens we are more than ready," Campbell said after shows in Perth and the Gold Coast.

"It's great. I'm enjoying it. It's a lot quicker and easier. We have had a lot less rehearsals than if we were with UB40. I think we sound better, and you can quote me on that.

"I think we sound more upbeat. There's more dub in the set, so I'm enjoying that."

But UB40 fans can rest assured Campbell will be performing some of the band's iconic songs, such as I Can't Help Falling In Love With You and The Way You Do The Things You Do, at Raggamuffin.

"Of course! I'd be bloody lynched if we didn't do that, wouldn't I?" Campbell laughed. "I don't do many UB40-penned songs but I do all the covers that made me famous."

Campbell isn't saying much about the February 16 court appearance.

"It wasn't ideal circumstances when I left UB40 and I'm still quite angry about it. I'm running on angry, it's spurring me on. When I left, I said, `You watch this, I'm going to get my new band and take it everywhere UB40's been', and I am," he said.

"There's not much to talk about really. Because after the tour, I'm going back to Britain and I've got a court case to sort things out."

The court case falls the day after another milestone Campbell's 50th birthday. The dad-of-eight plans to head to Dubai to "hopefully avoid any surprise parties that might be thrown for me".

Campbell hopes to be "reggaeing and rolling" for another decade or so yet.

"I don't see myself still doing it at 70, but who knows?"

At 49, Campbell admits he still enjoys smoking cannabis.

Asked about his well-documented battle with drugs, he said: "We all got into the excesses of the '80s because it was available the devil's dandruff (cocaine). I don't do that nonsense anymore, I grew out of that.

"(But) I don't see the harm in smoking a bit of weed. It's a human right."

Campbell is looking forward to Saturday as he loves New Zealand "very very dearly".

"I've been coming to New Zealand for 25 years. I love the Maori people, and I've got many friends there. It's always nice to come back to see my mates.

"It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful countries in the world."