Every year, the third Monday of January is dubbed “Blue Monday”. The theory goes that this is the time of year when we're all cold, broke and riddled with guilt that our New Year's resolutions to get fit, drink less alcohol, and be a better human being have fallen by the wayside. This year, DUB PISTOLS have teamed up with Canadians DUBMATIX and dub producer GAUDI and have recorded a cover and dub version of New Order’s iconic “Blue Monday” with proceeds going to Tonic Music For Mental Health, which, along with Terry Hall (The Specials) and Kevin Cummings (Acclaimed Music Photographer) Barry Ashworth is a patron.
“It’s no secret that I myself have lived a life of excess in every possible way. I’ve experienced the highs of success and adrenaline that comes from performing live, but I’ve also experienced the darker side that comes with it. The addiction, the depression, anxiety, exhaustion and other mental health issues that go hand in hand with the lifestyle.
Feelings that can be brought on by the highs and the lows, the touring, the late nights, and the lifestyle. The industry can be volatile and competitive, with no financial security, leaving the people working in it vulnerable to developing mental health issues.
After the tragedy of losing Keith Flint in 2019, and during the pandemic – the isolation and not knowing what the future holds – it really hit home to me that so many people in the music industry have no support. I just want to do whatever I can to help and to do so with the thing I understand best – music. Music means so much to so many people, so when I heard about Tonic and the work they do helping people with recovery through music, I just had to get involved. Music is a fantastic way to help lift people’s spirits and give them something to focus on when times are hard.
The Tonic Rider is a new programme to promote good mental health in the music industry, providing mental health support both remotely and at venues. With the music industry on its knees and many people have lost their livelihoods, it is needed now more than ever.” - Barry Ashworth.
In 2020, Barry Ashworth & Tonic decided it was time to make a change and release a new programme, ‘Tonic Rider’ raising suicide and mental health awareness within the music industry.
With this in mind, ‘Barry’s Flying Circus’ was created where Barry, Bez (Happy Mondays) and his team of wing walkers, took to the skies strapped to a Bi-Plane to raise money for the Tonic Rider.
With the fundraising from Barry’s Flying circus and virtual raffles including items such as The Specials memorabilia, SuperSizeArt prints and an exclusive Gorillaz tour jacket, a total of nearly £40,000 has been raised to launch the Tonic Rider programme.
The single will also be released as a limited edition 7” with the DUBMATIX version on side A and a special dub mix by GAUDI on the B-side.
GAUDI has also produced a new "Stepper mix" which will be available on all the digital platforms, stay tuned!
“If my fundraising for Tonic can help save just one life, it will have been worth every second I have invested.” Barry Ashworth
About Tonic
Tonic Music for Mental Health is a charity based on the south coast of England who raises mental health awareness, challenge stigma and promotes mental wellbeing through music and the arts. Tonic was founded in 2012 as a direct response to the lack of creative support for people experiencing mental health difficulties. It was founded upon the belief that participation in music and the arts can aid you in your recovery from mental illness.From its early beginnings promoting mental health awareness, they now champion mental health action. By providing opportunities for people to participate in music and the arts, they directly support them on their journeys of recovery. Tonic Rider The Tonic Rider programme provides mental health guides, training and support:
• Mental health guides are being written by a team of mental health professionals in consultation with contacts in the music industry. They will cover topics such as anxiety, depression and the pressures of the music industry.
• Training will include Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Suicide Prevention training, provided free to grassroots venues - MHFA training provides the skills needed to recognise and support someone experiencing mental health difficulties.
• Support will include Tonic stands at events, videos, blogs, podcasts, a virtual peer support group, and email support provided by mental health professionals. All of these services will be free.
Many people working in the music industry suffer from mental health issues. They can be brought on by the highs and the lows, the touring, the late nights, and the lifestyle. The industry can be volatile and competitive, with no financial security. This leaves people vulnerable to developing mental health issues. The Tonic Rider aims to address this by providing music industry-specific mental health support. Tonic fundraiser Bez from Happy Mondays said: ‘Everyone going through life suffers highs and lows, and when you’re at one of those low points, it’s good to know that there’s a bit of support out there for you.’
Adam Ficek, Babyshambles drummer, will be using his experience to help deliver the Tonic Rider: ‘I look forward to using my own experiences as a musician and psychotherapist to develop a much-needed resource for everyone in the music industry.’
The Tonic Rider is being piloted at the 100 Club in London and the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth, before being rolled out to green rooms, festivals and Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) members across the UK. The aim is to include the Tonic Rider on all rider lists and wall posters. Barry Ashworth, Tonic patron and Dub Pistols frontman, whose fundraising helped launch the Tonic Rider, said: ‘With the music industry on its knees and many people having lost their livelihoods, it is needed now more than ever.’
You can donate here https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/tonicrider
For further information on Dub Pistols please contact Emma Van Duyts at Public City on +447949554666 or
(18.01.2021, 11:16)(11:16)
DJ Ras Oz
Linked - Bless
(18.01.2021, 07:26)(07:26)
Guest
@dj Ras Oz, I've sent you a message on Facebook. Check your spam maybe :)
(18.01.2021, 07:19)(07:19)
DJ Ras Oz
Drop off the 5
(18.01.2021, 07:16)(07:16)
DJ Ras Oz
5.Myki Tuff & The Friendly Fire Band - I Will Survive
(18.01.2021, 07:16)(07:16)
DJ Ras Oz
Yeah, peeps laughing with this inna these serious times!
(18.01.2021, 07:15)(07:15)
Guest
Love this song! So funny :)
(18.01.2021, 07:13)(07:13)
Guest
Thank you DJ Ras Oz!!
(18.01.2021, 07:11)(07:11)
DJ Ras Oz
Done - Thanks - Wow
(18.01.2021, 07:05)(07:05)
Guest
Thank you!! Like Rebel Vibe on Facebook please :)
(18.01.2021, 07:01)(07:01)
DJ Ras Oz
Have a great week - One & all
(18.01.2021, 07:00)(07:00)
LuvBunny/Fyre4Lyfe Entertainment
yesssssssssss......FYRE4LYFE to the worrrlllddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(17.01.2021, 21:13)(21:13)
LuvBunny/Fyre4Lyfe Entertainment
RNC to the World!!
(17.01.2021, 21:05)(21:05)
LuvBunny/Fyre4Lyfe Entertainment
Maximum Respect DJ Apples
(17.01.2021, 21:05)(21:05)
LuvBunny/Fyre4Lyfe Entertainment
Blessings RZH Family
(17.01.2021, 21:05)(21:05)
DJ Shark3Y
bigg up everybody
(16.01.2021, 17:19)(17:19)
Guest
Rebel Vibe on Facebook Facebook.com/rebelvibereggaeband
(11.01.2021, 09:17)(09:17)
JBird ????
JBird RnC dea!!
(10.01.2021, 21:22)(21:22)
JBird ????
Boom!!
(10.01.2021, 21:21)(21:21)
Dj Apples
Greetings all n all
(10.01.2021, 19:30)(19:30)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE Entertainment
Blessings
(09.01.2021, 09:45)(09:45)
Dj Apples
Greetings all n all
(09.01.2021, 08:06)(08:06)
DJ Shark3Y
enjoy the Bass Plannet Top 77
(02.01.2021, 18:35)(18:35)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE Entertainment
Determination are the keys for the ignition
(02.01.2021, 10:58)(10:58)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE Entertainment
Go for your dreamzz
(02.01.2021, 10:57)(10:57)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE Entertainment
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
(02.01.2021, 10:57)(10:57)
Guest
Play rammalow song STILL.. bless
(02.01.2021, 10:51)(10:51)
Alicia love your music rammalow sweet vibes
Alicia love your music rammalow sweet vibes
(02.01.2021, 10:51)(10:51)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE Entertainment
Blessings Rammalow....nice music❤️
(02.01.2021, 10:49)(10:49)
Rammalow here in the place
Rammalow here in the place
(02.01.2021, 10:47)(10:47)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE Entertainment
Nice .. Rammalow
(02.01.2021, 10:36)(10:36)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE
My song this Cocoa Tea..
(02.01.2021, 09:39)(09:39)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
(02.01.2021, 09:38)(09:38)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE
Buju❤️❤️❤️
(02.01.2021, 09:32)(09:32)
Guest
Tune
(02.01.2021, 09:14)(09:14)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE
No Weapons shall prosper ❤️❤️
(02.01.2021, 08:32)(08:32)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE
❤️❤️❤️❤️ yes he will!!!!
(02.01.2021, 08:31)(08:31)
LuvBunny/FYRE4LYFE
Blessed Sabbath Royal Zionhighness family❤️
(02.01.2021, 08:04)(08:04)
Dj Apples
Greeting all n all
(02.01.2021, 07:50)(07:50)
Guest
Happy New year All the DJs & selectahs
(31.12.2020, 18:18)(18:18)
DJ JBird
Look forward every week to this !!!! What's the Deal.! BLESSUP DJ APPLES!!
