Yet this uncanny combination of styles has made Alabama 3’s career, and has seen their net of success cast far and wide, from sound-tracking Tony Soprano to headlining festivals around the world.
The London-based group have taken their unmistakable sound on the road – culminating in this end-of-tour show at The Forum – in support of soon-to-be-released album Shoplifting 4 Jesus, which has taken its inspiration from a peculiar compendium of corners.
“It’s the sound of middle England’s worst nightmare, a celebration of all that is dynamic in club culture, and a finger on the pulse of those on the wrong side of the tracks,” frontman Larry Love says of the record. Taking its cues, in part, from the “symphony of sirens” that rocked the capital in August as riots broke out from Tottenham to Croydon, Shoplifting 4 Jesus also has a biblical theme running through it which has seen the unlikely team of actor Ray Winstone, crime writer Martina Cole and Happy Mondays’ maracas-waver and pill-taker Bez reading out select passages from the Lord’s good book.
Their homecoming slot promises to see the band back on stage with a full-force focus, and Alabama 3 aficionados will be glad to hear that their biting wit and penchant for provocation, refreshingly, are showing no signs of diminishing.
FRI, Dec 2 | Doors at 7pm | £18-£20
The Forum, 9-17 Highgate Rd, NW5 1JY
ticketmaster.co.uk
Tube: Kentish Town
