Jah Wobble, formerly of Public Image Ltd, asked the help of fellow post-punk musicians to record a song protesting Brexit, aptly named ‘A Very British Coup’. With Brexit confirmed after the election on 12 December 2019 and the UK leaving the European Union today (31st January 2020), Jah Wobble reunited with ex-bandmates Keith Levene (guitar) and Richard Dudanski (drums) to put out the song in 2019. Other collaborators were The Pop Group’s lead singer Mark Stewart, Killing Joke’s bassist Youth, and Andrew Weatherall, producer.
Video Premiere for Jah Wobble ‘A Very British Coup’
ft. The Pop Group’s own Mark Stewart, Youth, Richard Dudanski & Keith Levene, a ‘post-punk supergroup’
+ Interview w/ Mark Stewart
(via @PopMatters)US CD edition out now @80proofmedia
Read / Watch: https://t.co/rNfXXk5mIf pic.twitter.com/KlpXoOlWlP
— The Pop Group (@ThePopGroup) January 30, 2020
Originally the single was only available on vinyl, but as of today it is available digitally, on iTunes and Apple Music. The song has a running time of 6 minutes and 11 seconds and has lyrics such as “forbidden London, secret Britain” with the main hook being “if only you knew, a very British coup”. Stewart’s vocal is uniquely gripping, and can be heard echoing the lyrics in the background.
According to Stewart, the song has another title, an alternative, ‘Forbidden London’, which has a similar effect even if it’s not quite as obvious as the original name. The singer has said that the song doesn’t actually mention Brexit, but listeners can make their own deductions based on the context in which they are listening. Given the day of the digital release and the lyrics, it is to be assumed that, on some level, the song is about Brexit and the anger felt by many people across Britain.
‘A Very British Coup’ is a three track single from Jah Wobble’s album ‘Post Punk Apocalypse Dub’ which also features the named musicians, along with broadcaster and author Vivein Goldman as well as singer Hollie Cook. The other two tracks are a dogma instrumental dub mix and a special radio edit.
Mark Stewart has said that “there’s talk of gigs”, meaning that we may be hearing more from this newly formed group, and even get to watch them live. Jah Wobble is currently touring with his band, ‘The Invaders of the Heart'; he began on 16/01/2020 at The Cavern in Liverpool and will travel all over the UK, ending on 15/02 at Rescue Rooms in Nottingham. Tickets are available on his website.
Brexit was voted to happen in 2016 and marks the UK departing from the European Union after over 40 years. It has taken four years and many extensions to reach this point, when Britain will now enter a transition period and begin negotiations.
The musicians on this track and the album are all hugely talented; Levene and Dudanski have both continued to work on various projects, both in music and other avenues. Mark Stewart has released six solo albums, while Youth focused on producing, working on many albums for artists. Weatherall has produced for bands including Primal Scream and released his own solo album.
Watch the video below or buy the track on iTunes.
