THE DEADSTOCK 33S -BIOGRAPHY

THE DEADSTOCK 33’S
‘A kind of rural backwater psychedelia’ is how the Deadstock 33 describe themselves. From the restless and productive mind of Justin Robertson, it’s as good an entry point as any to a world both bewitching and new.
A year in the making, Deadstock 33’s debut album takes a real breadth of sounds and influences weaving them together into a live sound that sees  Justin heading off into uncharted sonic waters.
 Justin Robertson is no stranger to live music having played tours and festival with his band Lionrock and pop art renegades Thee Earls. With Deadstock 33 however he’s turned  the club elements that he’s best known for into a dynamic sound steeped in a stranger, timeless vibe - like Arthur Russell producing the fractured fragility of third album Big Star.
Over ten tracks the result is a record of hopped-up murder ballads with a slightly Balearic feel that crosses swords with slow motion grooves that forge a link between the acid of both San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury and Chicago’s Trax.
“I’ve met a lot of people over the years touring with bands,” explains Justin. “And I’ve been making music long enough to put aside any notion of genre or fashion. The Deadstock 33’s has been in my head for a long time but only ever in the abstract until now. Working on this album has transformed the way I write and given me the opportunity to head off into jaunty Balearic pop as well some darker musical spaces. I’m really pleased with whats been achieved so far.”
Lyrically the Deadstock 33’s explores a similarly unique territory. From tales of the to MPs frolicking on Hampstead Heath,to a church going couple who spend  their sunday’s despatching parishioners in the woods, it’s the dark stuff make no mistake,but There are also chinks of light in the dark; with life affirming psychedelic pop and good time acid disco stirred into the blend.  What unites all the songs however is an urge to get under the skin of society and shine a flashlight on what is found, turning the evidence back into a remarkable musical document that mirrors our weird wide world.

JUSTIN ROBERTSON

The term legend is often banded about far too easily, but in this case it is entirely accurate! Justin Robertson is a producer and dj, who brings with him a rich history as one of the creators of the Electronic Music scene, as well as a restless need to push forward and innovate, making him one of the most relevant dj’s around.

Justin Robertson’s tastes have always been catholic though in 2012 you would be hard pushed to find a musician working successfully in areas as diverse as dancehall, house and art pop. Justin is a true modernist: he excels as a DJ of international repute; is a creator of bespoke acid house; a remixer for the likes of Justice,Erol Alkan and Boysnoize, 2 Bears,Steve Mason, The Japanese Popstars,The Mystery Jets, Radio 4, Bjork,The Whip ,Cherry Ghost and Felix Da Housecat ,has co-written an album with studio boffin Gez Dewar under the name Thee Earls,and most recently is enjoying great success and a new generation of admirers with his latest moniker The Deadstock 33s  .

The Deasdtock 33s provide a perfect marriage of psychedelic disco, proto house ,intriguing songs and fresh production all with a visceral live feel.The Deadstock 33s have certainly added a refreshing new dimension to the dancefloor, with acclaimed remixes for Justice, 2 Bears,Erol Alkan, Boysnoize, Stopmakingme, The Mystery Jets, Shadowdancer, Steve Mason and many more! , The Deadstock 33s are getting plays from the worlds top cutting edge Djs and have released several critically acclaimed records for the likes of Bang Gang , Remute, Paper and Fatboy Slim’s Southern Fried, With a new album in the bag they are truly in the accent!  The Deadstock’s also find time to collaborate with hot new talent Stopmakingme, they have released on  Southern Fried , Tiger sushi and Gomma , with plenty more to come!

Justin’s lineage through music has taken many twists and turns. He began as a DJ in Manchester and his early 90s clubs - Spice and Most Excellent - were hugely influential and cornerstones of the burgeoning dance movement. The Chemical Brothers, then students in the city, cited him as their mentor. His Rebellious Jukebox club - also in Manchester - pre-empted the Heavenly Social and the mid 90s trend for mish-mashing musical styles. In the 90s Justin generally operated under various nom de stages, the most renowned being Lionrock with whom he scored several Top 40s hits - ‘Rudeboy Rock’ and ‘Packet Of Peace’ among them - and appeared on Top Of The Pops in a dashing purple suit opting for gramophones over Technics. Songs were plucked from the albums Instinct For Detection and City Delirious for the films Go and City Of Industry and Lionrock shared the stage with acts as diverse as Death In Vegas, The Chemical Brothers and the Cocteau Twins.

It wasn’t until 2001 that Justin stepped out under his own name releasing house and techno like ‘Have Mercy’ for the Bugged Out imprint. In 2001 he recorded his most critically acclaimed project to date Justin Robertson presents Revtone which brought primitive house and new wave disco into the digital age. Originally on Nuphonic the best tracks came out through Bugged Out, with ‘Love Movement’ - remixed by Ulrich Schnauss who cited Justin’s early work as an influence - being placed second best single of 2003 by Jockey Slut magazine. Contemporaries Black Strobe, Chicken Lips and Kiki also remixed Revtone tracks.

For someone with such diverse tastes it should have come as no surprise to anyone when Justin began recording and singing with a guitar. He has been writing songs since his school days and played electric guitar in Lionrock. 2004’s ‘Twisted and Torn’ (released on Slut Smalls) reflected his love for singer songwriters like Gram Parsons ,Neil Young and Nick Drake. In the same year he also wrote a song with Tim Burgess and Rob Playford called ‘Yes It Is’. It became one of the most requested songs on Sean Rowley’s BBC London show and came out on Justin’s Blister Ballads 7” label in the fall of 2006.Justin continues his successful song-writing carrier with songs on Norman Cooks new album . As a man as reknowned for his reggae collection as his electronica Justin was an obvious choice for Wall of Sound’s Two Culture Clash album project. He recorded in Jamaica in 2005 at the legendary Gee Jam studios with the lovers rock of ‘Save Me’ - featuring guitarist Ernest Ranglin and Nadine Sutherland - the beautiful result.

As a DJ Justin can play anything from psychedelic disco to a mix of techno and electronic house .He is a regular at  clubs such as The Magazine club in Lille,The Loft in Barcelona, Pacha in Buenos Aires, Bugged Out parties across the the globe,Roxy in Prague, Chibuku in Liverpool, Fabric in London, and at various clubs all over Europe and the rest of the world. He also plays more eclectic sets featuring his love of reggae, northern soul and pop at nights like Sunday Best.
Justin will continue to wear several hats, metaphorical as well as some stylish real ones!