Old Dirty Brasstards: The Pioneers of Electro-Brass Fusion

Old Dirty Brasstards is a dynamic brass band and production collective from Manchester, UK, known for their high-energy fusion of live horns with electronic dance music. The group, formed in 2012, achieved mainstream recognition with their 2018 album Brass & Battery, which charted in the UK Top 40 and spawned several viral festival anthems.

Early career

Old Dirty Brasstards coalesced in the vibrant street music scene of Manchester in the early 2010s. The founding members, a mix of classically trained brass players and underground club producers, began by performing impromptu sets at warehouse parties and city festivals, quickly building a local reputation for their unpredictable and raucous shows.

Their first official release was the 2014 EP Hornographic, a self-released project that caught the attention of independent label BassFace Records. This early work established their signature sound: a bold mix of dubstep, drum & bass, and funk, all driven by powerful, melodic horn lines.

Breakthrough

The group's major breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of their debut studio album, Brass & Battery, on BassFace Records. The lead single, Skank & Disorderly, became a staple on BBC Radio 1Xtra and climbed to number 22 on the UK Dance Chart, leading to a sold-out national tour.

This success was solidified by their high-profile collaboration with drum & bass legend Roni Size on the track Copperplate in 2019. The album's commercial performance was strong, earning a Silver certification in the UK for over 60,000 copies sold across streaming and physical formats.

Key tracks

Skank & Disorderly — This breakthrough single defined their electro-brass sound for a national audience and became a festival favorite.

Copperplate (feat. Roni Size) — A landmark collaboration that bridged the gap between live brass bands and the established drum & bass scene.

Bass Trombone — A showcase for the group's instrumental prowess and complex production, often used as a closing track in their live sets.

Manchester Rain — A slower, more soulful track that demonstrated their musical range and connection to their city of origin.

The momentum from their debut led to a busy period of touring and high-profile remix work for artists like The Prodigy and Rudimental. Their sophomore album, 2021's Heavy Metal Horns, explored grittier, more rock-influenced territory and debuted at number 35 on the UK Albums Chart.

Fans of Old Dirty Brasstards' blend of live instrumentation and electronic punch should also explore Young Blood Brass Band for their innovative take on hip-hop and brass. The Haggis Horns offer a deeper dive into classic funk and soul with a modern British twist. For a more electronic-focused approach, check out the work of Too Many Zooz and their busking-born, high-energy beats.

The music of Old Dirty Brasstards maintains a strong presence on radio stations featured here, particularly on specialist electronic music shows, independent music radio stations, and online radio streams dedicated to new dance music. Their anthemic tracks are regularly featured in rotations that highlight cutting-edge fusion genres.

You can discover the powerful electro-brass fusion of Old Dirty Brasstards by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com, where their genre-defying tracks are a regular part of the curated playlist experience for fans of innovative dance music.