Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart

Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart

Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart is a UK group associated with dub, experimental rock and post-punk, and active from 1983 to the present. The project is founded by John Wardle, who is also known as Jah Wobble, and is sometimes abbreviated to Invaders of the Heart. It is based in London and develops from Wobble’s background as a bass player in Public Image Ltd.

Formation and style

The group forms in 1983 around Wardle’s work after his time in Public Image Ltd. Its sound is rooted in dub production, using echo and extreme equalisation, while also drawing on worldbeat elements. The music often incorporates North African and Asian influences, including tabla percussion and Arabic vocals and rhythms. Wardle is also described as one of the early pioneers of what later becomes known as Asian Underground.

Collaborations and members

Invaders of the Heart works with a wide range of artists over the years. Contributors and collaborators include Holger Czukay and Jaki Liebezeit of Can, including on the track How Much Are They?, as well as The Edge, Bill Laswell, Brian Eno, Pharaoh Sanders, Natacha Atlas, Nicky Skopelitis and Trilok Gurtu. The group’s listed members include Justin Adams, Mark Ferda, David Harrow, Jah Wobble and John Reynolds.

Associated artist

John Wardle performs and records under the name Jah Wobble, and his work with Invaders of the Heart sits alongside his earlier role in Public Image Ltd. The project is identified with his name and long-term collaborations rather than a fixed, single-line-up band format.