By Henry Walsh
Australia’s sound system culture continues to flourish, with many crews dedicated to keeping the sounds of Jamaica alive through powerful hand-built sound systems.
One of these crews is the Inner West Reggae Disco Machine (IWRDM), who since 2013 have cemented themselves as one of the leading sound systems in the country.
The idea of the IWRDM was formed in 2010, a time where sound system culture in Australia was still in its infancy, after crew member Stevie Dub connected with DJs Gunjo and Rik Sonic who threw a reggae party at the Hive Bar in Erskineville.
Featuring two full-range speakers recently built by Stevie, the party was completely rammed; from that it was decided the crew would commit to building a full sound system.
“The sound system was born from a lot of passionate chats, mutual obsessions and a common desire to start a new reggae sound in Sydney,” said Stevie.
“I’d lived in the UK for a few years in my early twenties and attended Notting Hill Carnival which really opened my eyes to the DIY sound system culture of reggae.
“Gunjo, Rik and I were three reggae lovers who just wanted to be able to play and hear reggae music in the way it was meant to be heard. At that point in time there was no active reggae sound system in Sydney, so we decided to build one for ourselves.”
Full-range speakers built by Stevie in 2010 were used as the starting point for the complete system, two HOG scoops were then built to use as subs alongside the full-range speakers.
The crew then begun hosting multi-genre warehouse parties with whatever speakers were available, all spare time was put towards building more speakers to complete the full stack.
The goal of wanting to complete a four-scoop stack before the crew’s first reggae event was achieved and the very first dance with the full system was held on September 13, 2013, for the Sydney Fringe Festival at a pop-up event at Eliza’s Juke Joint in Newtown.
“A lot of current reggae sound systems take inspiration from the UK scene with sounds like Jah Shaka, Channel One, and Aba Shanti,” said Stevie.
“These were an influence for us, but we are also inspired by Jamaican sound systems like Volcano Hi Power and Jack Ruby sound system and crews like King Addies out of New York that would play dancehall, juggle riddims and have a host of MC’s pass through a session.”
IWRDM have been involved with a slew of events over the years, including Dayshift, Mode Festival, Secret Garden Festival, Subtropics Festival, Lost Paradise, Parramatta Lanes with Sister Nancy (JAM), Reclaim the Streets, City 2 Surf and Foreigndub’s Reggae Carnival Market Day.
The crew have also worked with MC’s including Kamaur-I, Phat Matt, Tess Morgan, Chatta Cat and of course Ibo Jah, who celebrated his 70th birthday in November.
“The sound system culture in Australia is constantly growing. It’s definitely beyond just a reggae scene here, with a lot of underground parties using DIY sound systems, especially in the bass, jungle and UKG scenes,” said Stevie.
“I’d say Naarm is the sound system capital of Australia, it would be hard to count the number of sound systems operating there, with new ones popping up all the time.
It’s a scene that really operates independently of the mainstream. When people are operating their own sound system and putting their own parties on, they can really curate a night.”
IWRDM have also collaborated with other sound system crews at events such as the Red Bull Music Academy Weekender, which featured Heartical Hi Powa (Vic), Earthshaker (SA) and K.B.I Soundsystem (WA).
Also Forward Ever, a dance in Naarm which featured Adrian’s Wall and IWRDM setting up their systems for a night of unity and vibes.
The crew were also apart of the Sound on Sound events held at Eveleigh Works and Carriageworks in 2023.
“The two Sound on Sound events we’ve been involved with have both been amazing! The first was at Eveleigh Works with El Gran Mono bringing their sound system up from Naarm to play alongside us,” said Stevie.
“The second at Carriageworks had us playing alongside Sydney’s Tuff Tone sound system, with a headline slot from Legal Shot (France) and Sister Nancy! (Jamaica).
“We’ve also done events with artists such as YT, DJ ShortKut, Soom T, JStar, Mad Professor, Monkey Marc, Deadly Dragon Sound, Jonny GoFigure, Spend Bond, Naram, Mungos HiFi, Eva Lazarus, Radikal Guru, Egoless, Iron Dubz, Von D and Gorgon Sound.”
The IWRDM crew have also been running dances in Canberra for a number of years. Held at The Old Canberra Inn, the events have proved a great success.
2024 also marks 11 years of IWRDM, with the crew hosting a BYO warehouse party to celebrate the special milestone.
“When we first started, we had no idea what we were in for. From an idea born in a dance, we never thought it would go on to give us so many great times and memories. I hope we’re here to celebrate our 22nd birthday!” said Stevie.
“We’ve never celebrated any of our birthdays before. Our 10th anniversary passed and we were all busy with other things at that time.
“When we realised our 11th birthday coincided with our MC Ibo Jah’s 70th birthday, we decided we had to celebrate!”
With Eora’s electronic music scene constantly growing the Inner West Reggae Disco Machine crew continue to play a pivotal role in making sure sound system culture continues to thrive, with the crew showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
“Shout out to a lot of people, JJ Roberts, who started the first Australian reggae sound system Soulmaker sound system in 1973,” said Stevie.
“Heartical Hi Powa (Vic), who really got the modern wave of sound system culture in Australia up and going.
“Grounded Sound, who were a big part of the DIY Sound System scene in Eora.
“Mike Who, an all-round Sydney legend who has been a big supporter of us since the beginning! He’s organised some of our favourite dances and has just always got exactly what we’re about.
“Lastly, ForeignDub, who have been a big supporter of us since the very beginning.
“Their Reggae Carnival Market Days are one of the biggest days on Eora’s reggae calendar, we’ve been involved with the Reggae Carnival providing the sound system since 2014.”
Featured image: The Inner West Reggae Disco Machine crew – Stevie Dub, Gunjo and Rik Sonic. Photo: IWRDM
