Nick Welsh played his first professional gig in July 1977 at The Roxy Club in London with his band The Dead, sharing a bill with Cock Sparrer, Dead Fingers Talk, and DJ Don Letts. That same week, he appeared on the front cover of Melody Maker beneath the headline 'Teds Vs Punks!'
He began writing and recording as King Hammond in 1986 while he was the bassist in Bad Manners. King Hammond’s debut album, Revolution 70, was released in 1989 to great critical acclaim.
Nick left Bad Manners in 1991 to join The Selecter, producing six albums for the band and two for the offshoot, Selecter Acoustic. During his 15 years with the group, he and singer Pauline Black were also members of two supergroups: 3 Men & Black and The 2-Tone Collective. Nick also formed the ska-punk band Big 5 with Jennie Matthias and John Bradbury in 1992, releasing three albums over five years.
He has worked with and produced music for ska and reggae legends, including Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, Dave Barker, Rico Rodriguez, and Lee 'Scratch' Perry, with whom he won a Grammy Award for the 2002 Best Reggae Album, Jamaican ET.
In 2010, Nick resurrected his royal persona with the release of The King & I - the first new King Hammond music since 1992. The album was so well-received that it encouraged him to release more music. In the 15 years since, he has released over 250 new songs and taken the King Hammond live show across the world.
Nick will be sharing stories from nearly 50 years in the music business, interspersed with some of his classic tracks. He’ll be joined by Richard Wayler on percussion and backing vocals, who has performed on albums by Susan Cadogan, Judge Dread, Dave Barker, and The Selecter.
Doors 7pm / Music 8pm / Tickets £12 / £8 for members
All seating/tables are first-come, first-served.