Anyone who thinks the Japanese reggae scene is an affectation need only spend a few minutes in the company of Dry & Heavy. Formed in 1991 by bassist Takeshi Akimoto and drummer Shigemoto Nanao, the band took their name from a Burning Spear album and tapped deep into the sound of 1970s Jamaican dub. Akimoto quit in 2001, announcing his departure from the stage at Fuji Rock Festival, but the group continued as a live act for most of the following decade, even playing as support band to Jamaican vocalist U-Roy. The last we heard of them was in 2008, so it came as a surprise to hear last year that Akimoto and Nanao were back together again, and making new music. A 12-inch of fresh material drops this month, and they're marking the release with an intimate party in the claustrophobic confines of Nakano's Heavy Sick Zero. Dry & Heavy will perform with leftfield rapper K-Bomb, supported by the wonderfully named Kleptomaniac and Skunk Heads, plus DJs including the ubiquitous Altz.
Note: Admission is limited to 150 people. Same-day tickets will go on sale at 6pm on April 16.