Strictly 138
c. 2006–2009 · Wellington, New Zealand
Strictly 138 was the Wellington crew that brought dubstep events to New Zealand, starting in 2006. I was a founding member, producing and playing as Kaps alongside P-Vans, Steppa D, Flex and MC M.Tekka, and later Thief and Excelle, with Frosty Boy from Auckland.
I promoted and organised many local and international gigs, including Skream in Auckland, Digital Mystikz’ Mala in Wellington, Loefah, Coki and Kode9.
Digital Mystikz, March 2007
Strictly 138 and Radio Active 89FM presented New Zealand’s first dubstep international: Mala of Digital Mystikz, at Sandwiches in Wellington on 23 March 2007, with DJ Mu from Fat Freddy’s Drop and the Strictly 138 crew (Kaps, Steppa D, P-Vans, Flex and M.Tekka) in support. Mala played Galatos in Auckland the next night.
Ghost Dubs, 2007–2008
From May 2007 we ran Ghost Dubs, a Wellington night focused on the underground roots of dubstep: dark garage, dub, 2-step and jungle, with fresh New Zealand dubplates alongside the UK tunes, first at Tupelo and then at the Attic Lounge, Subnine, Sandwiches and the Garden Club. We also played Ghost Dubs specials on Radio Active 89FM.
In June 2008 Ghost Dubs took over Subnine’s sound system, with Frosty Boy up from Auckland, and me just back from Osaka with a batch of new productions. Later that year Ghost Dubs brought over Zed Bias (September, at Sandwiches) and Plastician (December, at the Garden Club).
RSD and Kode9, 2009
In March 2009 Strictly 138 brought Bristol’s Rob Smith (RSD, of Smith and Mighty) to Sandwiches. Then Kode9, who runs the Hyperdub label, played the Garden Club in Wellington on 2 July 2009: one of the most anticipated gigs in the short history of New Zealand dubstep. The crew warmed up: Kaps, P-Vans, Thief, Steppa D and Excelle. By 1am the room was full, in front of a stack of eight 21-inch subwoofers.
Reunion, 2024
In April 2024, Thief, P-Vans and Steppa D played a one-off Strictly 138 reunion with Section 9 at Valhalla in Wellington, celebrating nearly 20 years of sound system culture.
