Name: Andy Clayden
Born: 21st August 1968, Dartford, Kent, England

Music & Me:
I got into Jah music after the 2-Tone explosion of 1979. For those outside of the UK (or too young to remember!), the 2-tone movement was a mixture of Jamaican Ska with a New Wave attitude, and was so popular that the black & white checks virtually replaced the Union Jack between 1979 and early '81. Bands such as The Specials, The Selecter and Madness covered some old Jamaican classics such as 'Too Hot' and 'Carry Go Bring Come'.

2-Tone quickly became one of the two most important things in my life (the other was football). I soon became obsessive with collecting every release by every 2-Tone band, I had to have the lot, 7"s, 12"s, albums, picture discs, magazines etc. I was one of those thousands of kids who walked around with dozens of badges and patches over their harrington jacket. Fred Perry's, stay-press, Doc Martens and loafers all present and correct.

My first single was Madness' version of 'One Step Beyond' in late 1979.

Madness were always the No.1 band for me, although after their break up, I listened a lot more to the Specials than anyone else. Madness made music that was easy to understand and enjoy whatever age you were, whereas some of the Specials stuff didn't have much meaning to me until I grew up, and learnt more about life. I remember vividly learning of the Specials break up, it was a complete shock. How could they do this so soon after 'Ghost Town'? Of course I now fully understand that the split was for the best (as far as the band members were concerned anyway.)

The Selecter fell by the way side, and so it was now just Madness and good old Bad Manners keeping the blue beat spirit alive. Manners albums were alway dodgy affairs, although many a good time was had enjoying their singles. Madness matured, and didn't have quite the same air of excitment about them (not a fault of the band, just the changing times ).

I still listen reguarly to my 2-Tone collection, and have also found time to fit in some of the new wave of ska bands, such as The Hotknives, Intensified (from Kent) and Dr. Ring Ding. I'm one of the few who actually liked Suggs' solo output for what it was (except that dodgy Chelsea single), and have also picked up some of the new releases by the Selecter (whoever they are these days).

This 2-Tone movement got some unfair criticism from certain purists, but it brought artists such as Prince Buster and Rico Rodriguez back to the public eye, as well as gaining them a new audience. To cash in on the latest dance craze Island Records re-issued some classic ska tracks on albums such as Intensified and Club Ska '67, these albums along with Prince Buster's 'Fabulous Greatest Hits' were my first taste of Jamaican music. Once my ears become accustomed to the different sound I was hooked.

I invested in more and more of these records, experiencing the entire evolution of modern Jamaican music in a matter of months-from ska to reggae. The first time the Marley name found it's way into my collection was on the Club Ska 67 album-it featured 'Pied Piper' by Rita. Soon after I picked up copies of some of Bob's Island singles and various albums ranging from 'Exodus' to dubious Lee Perry packages.

I now had an incurable case of 'Reggaemylitis'. I began investing in Jamaican imports and discovered a whole new culture through the book Reggae International. Dub Vendor Record Shop in Clapham Junction kept me supplied with new records (after a nasty experience with Daddy Kool's "mail order department") and I searched out various second hand dealers through the music papers.

Trading & Me:
At 29 years of age, I came late to tape trading! I had previously found a mail order dealer offering Japanese "imports" on a certain TDK label. I invested in the 'One Day Of Bob Marley' CD, a recording of Bob's last show in Pittsburgh and a couple of others, which appeared to be legitimate releases. This illusion was strengthened by my knowledge that Rita Marley was releasing material in Japan, and that some discs carried a Rita Marley Music logo.

When I found out they were illegal, I stopped buying them and decided to contact some of the traders listed in Distant Drums. The only reply came from Jason Crew. I had some shows on CD he didn't have and that started the ball rolling. I couldn't have wished to make a better 'first contact'. We're still trading today, and I consider him a good friend.

I soon started trades with James Wilson, with whom I developed another solid friendship with (more of which later), and Toby Gohn, Julian Schmidt, Manwel Tabone and Gael Doyen were also very good to me.

After a couple of years steadily building up my collection with regular trades, I was forced to slow down on trading, and spent all my spare time doing almost nothing but filling B&P's. This lasted for 2 years, and was hard work. The only reward was that I was helping newer collectors discover more about Bob and the Wailers music, which was enough to keep me motivated.

Unfortunately, while most of the new collectors were genuinely grateful for my assistance, I've experienced a few rude and unappreciative people. Nowadays I hardly do B&P's simply because my time is so short. I would like to help more than I currently do, but I've done my part and I belive if half of the people I have helped take their turn, then there should be plenty of options for other new collectors.

THE INTERNET
I connected to the internet in 1999 and contacted James Wilson after seeing his name on the Live Marley site. James became another strong ally, and when he launched his Marley website later that year, I was very honoured to be one of the first contributors.

The 'net opened up a whole new world. I had scribbled various articles for fanzines in the past, and was delighted to assist James with articles for his site. In a moment of boredom one Sunday, I actually decided to design a website myself. I learned just enough about HTML in a couple of hours to put it all together, and the Django site was born.

I only made the site because I had nothing else to do, and never intended to actually upload it on the world wide web, but it dawned on me that I wanted to write about more than just the Wailers as I was doing on James' site, so I decided to put it up. Initially I didn't have a Bob/Wailers section, because I didn't want to invade James' territory. However I wanted a site that covered all faces of ska nad reggae, and so Wailers pages were a must.

The site immediately got good feedback, and even managed to receive a glowing review in an issue of Record Collector, and although it was hard work, the good friends I made through it's existence made it worthwhile. If that wasn't enough I've even had contact from stars such as Norma Fraser, Alpheus, the late (and sorely missed) Carl Ayton, Carl Smyth of Madness and Neville Staple of the Specials.

MY FAVOURITE MUSIC
My favourite studio tracks change all the time but always at the top of the list are, One Drop (especially the scat version), Johnny Was, So Jah Seh, I Know A Place, Smile Jamaica (Perry Version), Redemption Song and I Know. From the early days I love Hooligan, Freedom Time and Jailhouse. Album-wise I love them all!

Other Wailers Music
: I love Bunny's Blackheart Man and Rock 'n' Groove albums, Peter's Wanted, Equal Rights and Legalise It albums and Ziggy Marley/Melody Makers first 2 Jamaican albums, Play The Game Right and Hey World. I'm a great supporter of Aston Barrett's productions, and love to hear any sessions that the Wailers have played on.

Other Artists/Music:
I love ALL Jamaican music from pre-ska R&B to the latest dancehall stuff, although I favour revival music, original ska, early reggae and early `80s dancehall. My top artists include Prince Buster, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, Bob Andy, Slim Smith, Brigadier Jerry, Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin and Beres Hammond.

I also have a love for the late great Prince Lincoln Thompson, quality roots music without the usual cliches (check out his Marley tribute Hail Shanty on the Want More riddim). Away from reggae I still listen to the old 2-Tone stuff, a bit of the Beatles and Elvis Costello.

Bob Marley's music has made an indelible impact on my life. He dosen't ram his message down your throat - Bob makes you WANT to listen. I can listen to a poor grade concert tape and still feel the man's magical presence, to never have the chance of seeing him perform live is a great regret.