Fat Freddy's Drop at England's Secret Garden Party festival / Photo by Rachael Wright
The potent concoction of disco, rootsy dub, soul and electronic funk brewed by Fat Freddy’s Drop has won the Wellington soul collective a diehard international following, allowing the band to deliver its famed live show to European fans twice a year, performances that reach the ears of over 200,000 punters annually.
Freddy’s – made up Chris Faiumu, Dallas Tamaira, Iain Gordon, Joe Lindsay, Toby Laing, Tehimana Kerr and Scott Towers – first played a European run of shows in 2002, and they’ve come a long way from the splitter vans they’d originally pile into on their trans-Europe adventures. These days they crisscross the continent in relative style courtesy of a tour bus equipped with bunk beds and all mod cons. Nevertheless, life on board the bus is not without its challenges for the road-honed unit.
In mid-2014 Fat Freddy’s Drop headed back to Europe and the UK to play dates in London, Munich, Croatia, Switzerland and Amsterdam. Scott Towers aka Chopper Reeds, the band’s saxophonist, documented the trip and talked to the people they encountered – and the people who keep Freddy’s on the road – for Music 101.
Related Audio
Fat Freddy's Drop on their third album, Blackbird (2013)
Music Details
Artist: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Songs: The Nod, Pull The Catch, Big BW, The Raft, Pull The Catch, Wild Wind, The Camel
Composer: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Album: Dr Boondigga and the Big BW
Label: The Drop
Artist: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Songs: Troppo, Bones, Soldier
Composer: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Album: Blackbird (Deluxe Edition)
Label: The Drop
Artist: Mr. Fingers
Songs: Mystery Of Love (Dub)
Composer: L.Heard, D.Heard, R.Owens
Album: Mystery Of Love
Label: Alleviated Records
Artist: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Songs: Mother, Mother (Cosmodelica Remix)
Composer: Fat Freddy’s Drop, C.Murphy, A.Williamsfinger
Album: Limited 12”
Label: The Drop
Artist: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Songs: Never Movin (Afrikanz On Marz Remix)
Composer: Fat Freddy’s Drop, A.Beedle, D.Morris
Album: Limited 12”
Label: The Drop
Artist: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Songs: Blackbird (Trojan Soundsystem Remix)
Composer: Fat Freddy’s Drop, A.Dewhurst, E.Gateshead
Album: Unreleased
Label: The Drop
Artist: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Songs: Hope
Composer: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Album: Hope For A Generation
Label: Kartel Creative
Artist: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Songs: Roady (J-Sound Remix)
Composer: Fat Freddy’s Drop
Album: Unreleased
Label: The Drop
Artist: One Self
Songs: Bluebird
Composer: One Self
Album: Children Of Possibility
Label: Ninja Tune
Artist: Julien Dyne
Songs: The Jung And Fine
Composer: J.Dyne
Album: Pins And Digits
Label: BBE
