Curtly Ambrose - the tallest bass player in the world

Christine Davey in Antigua

May 11, 2003

Imagine you're an international cricketer. You've finished a distinguished career and must contemplate the meaning of life outside the realms of the playing field. Not only do you need to earn a living, but there's that little word 'fulfilment' creeping around in the back of your subconscious. For some, it's a seemingly smooth transition into commentary, coaching or administration. For others, however, it's a case of striding down the road less travelled.

Take Curtly Ambrose and Richie Richardson as examples. Not content with opening a new life chapter, these two favourite sons of Antigua have gone one better. They've scripted a new songsheet. Yep, the Windies ex-quick and ex-skipper have done what most of us only dream about. They've moved out of the garage, replaced air guitars with the real thing, got their mates together and formed a band. And here's the clincher. They're not half bad.

They're known as "New Dread and the Baldhead". While the name may be a mouthful, this seven-piece outfit is slick, rocking the house with a mix of reggae, covers and some sing-along-able originals. It's not all about gimmickry. While the Ambrose/Richardson combination may draw in the punters, it's the good musicianship that keeps them dancing the night away. That's not to say, however, that the boys are underestimating the power of marketing.

While the cricket's been in town, the band's been talking the PR talk more effectively than Britney Spears on the MTV Awards red carpet. "The creation of the New Dread and the Baldhead was borne out of a common desire to continue to be pioneers in the music industry," touts the press release. "The Dreads will continue to create a brand name for themselves, one associated with a dynamite sound and quality performances, whilst spreading their wings locally, throughout the region and beyond."

Obviously no one's bothered to inform these lads about the dangers of believing one's own publicity. By day three of the Test match, they'd already played gigs in five different venues and weren't showing any signs of packing away the fold-back speakers. Where Ambrose, Richardson and Co. are concerned, there's no point in hiding musical lights under bushels. Who could blame them? Here in Antigua they've got a captive audience.

"I came to see Richie and Curtly," said Peter from Portsmouth as he waited for the band to play at the intriguingly named Spliff Bar in St. Johns. "I've heard they're pretty good. Plus when they're not busy I'll get the boys to sign their CD." He did. As the band took a break between sets, Peter was waiting, CD and pen in hand. "Excellent," he said, after showing the signatures to his mates. "Good music and some autographs. Life is interesting."

On Friday night the marketing machine rolled on to the Royal Antiguan Resort, where the Dreads launched their new single. Entitled "Back In Yur Face", it's a cutesy love song with a boppy tune that would make Kylie proud. Local filmmakers Mitzi and Howard Allen shot the accompanying video, local DJ Robin provided the pre-show banter (complete with jokes about sticky wickets) and for three hours the band members strutted their stuff in front of a jam-packed house.

There were competitions, speeches, giveaways and rum promotions. There was dancing, conga lines and a segment set aside for requests. There was momentary disappointment for the Australians in attendance when the Dreads admitted no knowledge of the words to Cold Chisel's "Ke San", but otherwise, a good night was had by all. "I wasn't going to miss this," said Clive from Sydney. "Look at the big fella. Curtly's got to be the world's tallest bass player."

Zara from Melbourne was more interested in the irony of the situation. "Here we are in Antigua watching Curtly and Richie sing a very strange version of Hotel California," she laughed. "Apparently they've changed it to Hotel Sensomania. It's hilarious. I feel like I've landed in a parallel universe and I'm not at all sure how to get out. Probably best to just stay here." Meanwhile, Clive was busy scouting the room for celebrities. "I've spotted Mark Waugh and Clive Lloyd," he said, grabbing a note pad and pen. "They're never going to believe this at home."

As the party ended and the Dreads finally packed up the fold-back speakers, the general consensus was positive. "I'll love to see them again," said Clive. "I've managed to dance more than I have in a long time." Zara agreed. "You forget that Curtly and Richie are in the band," she said. "I can't wait for the world tour." It may be a while before we see the New Dreads and the Baldhead playing at Wembley Stadium, but even musical pioneers have to start somewhere.

Christine Davey is a freelance writer based in Melbourne, Victoria.

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Players/Umpires

Curtly Ambrose

Richie Richardson

Series/Tournaments

Australia tour of West Indies

Teams

Australia

West Indies