Dubstep was deconstructed before it was constructed. It happened in Sydney, Australia in 1985, on The Horse He’s Sick, aka Ian Andrews’, ‘Projectile Fascination.’ The track’s clanging percussion is carried on bursts of bass throb and a groove so jagged it mimics the peaks and troughs of a heart monitor. Another artist from the 80s, Misteek, were on a similar path. Not as internet friendly, Google relentlessly autocorrects their name to Mis-Teeq and fires back ‘All I Want’. Misteek’s ‘Bump Beat’ is mangled siren synths over an incessant kick. Mid-way through a clump of low-frequency drops with such density it starts to wobble your ears. It originally appeared on a compilation called We Know Time, released by a label called Jim Tapes (in “198?” according to YouTube). Searching for it…
