Operation Sound System was officially established in 1996, although the roots of my passion for reggae, dub, and roots music extend much further back. In the early 1990s, I played drums in the reggae band Sasquash, as well as in the ska and punk reggae group Funzig. My journey into music began at the age of 11 when I started collecting vinyl, purchasing anything reggae-related that caught my attention on the radio, including tracks by The Specials, Madness, Eddy Grant, Musical Youth, and, of course, Bob Marley. This exploration naturally led me to the influential works of King Tubby and Lee Scratch Perry, which brought me immense joy. I relished the opportunity to share the feelings that this music evoked in me, playing it for anyone willing to listen.

In the early days, Operation Sound System performed at free outdoor events and house parties, wherever we could set up our equipment. Through hard work and dedication, OSS earned a reputation for delivering uplifting vibes, a powerful sound, and thoughtful selections. This reputation opened doors to significant performances, including at Band on the Wall in Manchester, Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield, and the now-legendary dances at Tony’s New Empress Ballroom in Blackburn. These memorable events regularly attracted 300-400 attendees, with notable artists gracing the stage. It was during these occasions that OSS honed its distinctive sound and performance style.

Despite the eventual disbandment of Sasquash and changes in crew members, the dances continued until the Ballroom was sold, which halted our events and left OSS searching for a new home. However, by 1998 and 1999, OSS began to gain national attention following a series of high-profile sound meetings. It became clear that “the roaring lion sound, outta Blackburn” (later dubbed “the Northwest heavyweight”) was emerging as a formidable presence in the scene. Over the following years, we were fortunate to perform at various dances and sound meetings across the UK, from Plymouth to Glasgow.

In 2004, we released our first vinyl, “Rally Round,” featuring Daddy Teacha, which received widespread acclaim and quickly became one of the best-selling UK roots records of the year, further elevating our profile both domestically and internationally. Regular performances at venues such as Sub Dub in Leeds and Dub Central in Sheffield allowed us to continue our growth and tour the UK. In 2006, we released our next 12" EP, “Righteousness,” featuring the emerging roots singer Jah Mikes, which was also well-received.

After 11 years on the road, I undertook the challenging task of rebuilding the original sound system, requiring new boxes and a new pre-amp—a demanding and costly endeavor. Nonetheless, I managed to secure the necessary funds and proudly unveiled the 'new' sound in March 2007, which created a significant impact. Since that moment, we have continued to thrive, never faltering despite competition. In 2009, we participated in the Jah Works Roots and Culture Unification Dub Cup, where Operation Sound System was narrowly eliminated after a close musical battle with the eventual winner, King Earthquake. Since then, we have engaged in hundreds of sessions.

Our recent vinyl releases with artists such as Alexia, Don-fe, Prince Jamo, Daddy Teacha, and Ricky Grant have garnered positive acclaim and reviews globally. Operation Sound System continues to perform at dances throughout the UK and Europe. Notably, 2016 marks the 20th anniversary of Operation Sound System and will see the release of our first LP.

Discography: - OSSR10-001 – “Rally Round” - Daddy Teacha – 2004 - OSSR12-001 – “Righteousness” – Jah Mikes – 2006 - OSSR10-002 – “An Eye for an Eye” – Alexia - 2012 - OSSR10-003 – “Chant a Psalm” – Prince Jamo – 2013 - OSSR10-004 – “Jah Soldier” – Daddy Teacha – 2014 - OSSR10-005 – “Mount Zion Step” - Ricky Grant – 2014 - OSSRLP-001 – “Vocal & Dub Showcase” – Daddy Teacha & Operation Sound System – 2015 - OSSR10-006 – “Dictator” – Charlie Chaplin / Razzle / Sasquash – 2016