Bedlam Ago Go

The raw and uncompromising sound of Leeds, England-based Bedlam Ago Go arose from the frustration of living in two inner city housing developments. Leigh Kenny (b. Kent, England; vocals), Phil Naylor (electronics), John Ludman (bass) and Twill (guitar) came together in the mid-90s from disparate musical backgrounds. Kenny and Naylor had worked with different sound systems, while Twill was a veteran of several local punk bands. After signing to the Sony S2 label, they wrote and rehearsed material for their debut album in the four-track studio they had bought with their advance. The band’s chaotic fusion of punk, dub and hip-hop was melded into shape by Prodigy collaborator Neil McLellan. Kenny’s lyrics on tracks such as the singles ‘Flat 29’, ‘Season No. 5’ and ‘Asylum’ were frank and disturbing snapshots of modern urban culture, dealing with the attendant subject matter of violence, unemployment, drugs, paranoia and mental illness. Following the release of the album Kenny left to form a new unit LSK, who made their debut in 2000 with Mosaic. The album featured vocal assistance from Kenny’s sister Rhianna, who shortly afterwards launched her own solo career.