My good friends from Swagga have gone and inducted themselves to the same giddy heights as Baddiel and Skinner. Yep, they’ve released a World Cup song for England. It’s called The Victory Bus and it holds true to Swagga’s blend of ska and hip-hop beats.
Have a listen and enjoy!
I have it on good authority that as you are reading this, The Specials are booking dates for a major USA tour. This will seem to take place in or around springtime and summer in 2010. Details are sketchy at the moment, but as soon as we have more information about this exciting news, we will let you know right here!
Watch this space!
I am pleased to announce and recommend an event taking place in Brighton, UK from the 16th to the 20th of November 2009.
John Sims (aka Teflon) is exhibiting his artwork, memorabilia and other items of, shall I say, Ska curiosity at In My Room, 35 Gloucester Road, North Laine, Brighton.
Some months ago, my mates and I decided it would be a great idea to see the Specials in Margate, Kent, and make a weekend out of it. We weren’t disappointed… well at least I wasnt.
The Specials performed in Margate on the 7th of November and about 7 of us decided to book a room at a local hotel, sample the delights of Margate in late autumn and then make our way to the Winter Gardens for some headonistic ska delights. We arrived early afternoon and decided to set off into the centre of town to get a bit of lunch. Suffice to say that my experience of Margate on a blustery november afternoon is not as rosy as the locals would like me to report… or maybe not. Most of them are actually very critical of thieir little town… to me, it seemed like a dead end, both literally and figuratively, the average age must be 60+, the train station looked deserted and the only thing going for the town was the Wimpy and the Westcoast bar, where we settled in for pre-festivity drinks.
Walking into the Winter Gardens was truly like stepping back into time. The venue surely has seen better days, but it must have been pretty impressive in its heyday. As we walked in, I noticed precious few people up against the railings by the stage. A though flashed through my mind… should I have a go and plant myself there to essentilly get a front row seat? Well, It had to be done didnt it?
leaving my mates behind I placed myself firmly just to the left of centre stage, where a few blokes were already hanging out.
The first act was Pama International, who were very good. The have a new album coming out this month so keep an eye out for it. Here’s a link to their site… 
In all honesty, I prefer my ska with a touch more edge to it. Nothing wrong with Pama, but it was more rocksteady and reggae influenced. But thoroughly listenable.
Then, the wait for the main course… and we were all very hungry. Waves of chants were now streaming across the hall and the crowd surges begain to take hold… the temprature also started to rise and when the security guards took their positions I knew we wouldnt have to wait long.
And we werent disappointed. The show opened up similar to their other gigs. A slow version of Enjoy Yourself behing white muslin and then it suddely drops and the band launches into “Do The Dog”. Instantly, the temprature in the room soared and I found myself hanging on for dear life as the crowds behind me surged forward and then pulled back like a vicious undertow. forearms and hand and other bodies were intimately pressed against mine as Terry and the gang immediately segawayed into Dawning of a New Era. My feeble attempts to take photos were nearly scuppered when I almost dropped my camera into the crowd. But I am happy to report that I was able to get a few, if slightly out of focus, shots of the band.
The Set List - Ghost Town was there, but never performed!
The band played all of their classics as you would expect. Monkey Man, Stereotype, Stupid Marriage and Nite Club were my favourites.
As the night progressed, I also noticed other things which didnt particularly sit well with me.
Call me old fashioned, but when a band comes and performs for you, I thought it was only right to support
them, and not to jeer them and give them a hard time. Now, its no surprise that Terry Hall is an avid Manchester United supporter… well we all have our cross to bear don’t we? But having said that, no one likes to have it stuck in their face and mocked all night. There were a couple of blokes behind me who thought it would be a great idea to goad terry all night about that. “Man-U Sucks” was shouted out at every opportunity. Someone even took the time to chuck a small Man-U stress ball onto the stage, which Terry didnt take kindly to. I suspect something was written on the ball that really pissed him off because when they started Longshot Kick De Bucket, he literally kicked the microphone stand off the stage, and you can tell he was visibly annoyed.
An that wasnt all, the crowd was considerably more lairy and agressive then at other Specials gigs I have been to. I was fortunate to have been able to hold my position on the front railings, but it came at a price. the crowd surges resulted in some bruses on my forearms and ribs. But even some of my mates commented on the agressiveness of the crowd. It was certainly more of a hardcore crowd that evening.
Getting back to the gig. the ended with another version of enjoy yourself. Now, as I was able to take a picture of their set list, I knew they were going to perform Ghost Town and then You’re wondering now. To my surprise, they skipped Ghost Town all together. I suppose they too felt the crowd was a bit too abusive and just cut their losses.
The show ended and the lights came up. By this point I was drenched in sweat and god only knows what else. My feet ached, my arms and abdomen also hurt like hell from the thrashing I took at the front railings. My ears were ringing too, but it was still bliss!
I hooked up with my friends. unfortunately one of them lost their wallet in the show and couldnt find it. when I walked with him to the lost and found, we were truly alarmed at the number of people who also lost their wallets, mobile phones, and other that were placed in back pockets. I remember moving my wallet to one of my front pockets just before the gig started just in case. It appears I was right in doing so. One of the police officers told me that this is not a coincidence, and that a number of thugs in the crowd actively seek out wallets, pickpocket, take the cash, and drop the wallet, all within seconds and all out of view of anyone else. They must have hit some 20 people that evening. A real shame in my opinion. Sadly, the age of innocense is over, and people have to be vigilant all of the time.
Will this put me off of going to see The Specials again? Never. However, I probably wont need to do the front railings again. I dont think my ribs would be happy about that!
Madness are to headline this year’s Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, the organisers have announced.
The band, who had hits including House of Fun and Baggy Trousers in the 1980s, will bring in the year 2010 at the Concert in the Gardens.
It will be the band’s first gig in the capital for more than 15 years.
Tens of thousands of revellers flock to the city every year to see in the New Year with events like the famous street party, open air ceilidh and fireworks.
Madness performed at this year’s Glastonbury festival, and also had a show in London to celebrate 30 years in the music industry.
The band said: “We’ve heard it’s one of the world’s best New Year bashes so we are expecting mayhem – Edinburgh’s laid down the gauntlet, we’re there to take up the challenge.”
Pete Irvine, creative director of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, described the band as being “the perfect party band”.
He said: “We’re delighted that they’ve agreed to headline Edinburgh’s Hogmanay music and firework spectacular. We’re looking forward to a Mad Hogmanay.”
Councillor Steve Cardownie, the festival and events champion at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is envied across the world and this year, with Madness set to perform, there will be no better place to be to bring in the New Year.”
He added: “I remember their last tour here and Madness know that Edinburgh can celebrate with the best of them – they’ll have the city jumping to ska, so it’s definitely not to be missed.”
Tickets for the Concert in the Gardens, the Hogmanay street party and the ceilidh are on sale from Saturday 10 October.
After the concert on the 6th September was cancelled, there is precious little information as to the current condition of Prince Buster (real name Cecil Bustamente Campbell). As a result of this, the rumour mill is working full tilt.
Some say he never got out of Jamaica to do the gig. Others claim he had a stroke! And others are just not sure what has happened.
I personally have contact people I know to try to get some more information, but unfortunately I have drawn a blank. I have had a number of people ask me about this particular issue and so i am now hoping that others with more information will come forward and lay our worries and conerns to rest.
If someone reading this is close to Prince Buster, or might have additional news as to the reasons why the event was cancelled, we would like to hear from you. You can comment directly on this blog and we will post your comments with any news and info we find.
Gene
On a drizzly Friday night in a run down pub in North London, I had the pleasure of savoring a grass roots Ska masterclass.
Arriving at the Fiddler’s Elbow in Camden is, admittedly, an experience soon forgotten. On an inconspicuous street corner with the walls painted black and a fading plastic banner as their only identification, you would be forgiven if you happened to miss the entrance. I only noticed it through the small number of skinheads hanging outside smoking. Mike and I parked up the car, made our way inside and after a quick chat and an exchange of cash with the doorman, we were in.
It soon became clear this was a family affair. What I mean by this is sense of camaraderie and fellowship. It was as if nearly everybody there knew everyone else there. Nick Welsh was chatting behind the doorman and even welcomed me and Mike in, although I’ve never met the guy, Jennie Bellestar was flitting about the room and exchanging kisses and conversation with others.
A word about the venue itself is probably in order. Suffice it to say you wouldn’t want to take your mother there. But having said that, there were plenty of mothers actually in attendance, and their kids too. This only added to the safe and nurturing atmosphere. There were a group of what looked like old friends drinking and laughing at one table. A few skinheads and skingirls were in the back chatting politely and playing billiards. Even Mike bumped into someone he knew from his old Scooter club. In all, I say there were about 125 people in the room… so not a sellout crowd, but certainly enough to create a good racket when the first band stepped up.
That first band was Swagga (www.myspace.com/swaggauk). They describe themselves as a “fruity mix of hip-hop and Ska”, and
Ray Gudge & Dave Leak from Swagga
they didn’t let the side down. My experience of opening bands is more of a way to kill some time before the main act; you wish you could fan them away like a insistent fly, but not this bunch. The had a spring in their step and their clever blend of familiar sampling overlaid with crisp current lyrics kept the crowd alert and on their feet. Their music was a chirpy blend of Madness, the Specials with a splash of hip-hop rythym and Eminem styled rapping. Overall, a very agreeable experience and definately worth a listen. Notible mentions are “Name & Number”, “Rude boys” and “Plastic Gangster”, which has a witty sampling of “sex drugs and rock and roll” laced into the rythym.
After their session, we didnt have to wait long for the main event. Nick and the gang will occasionally bring in a guest female singer to support his vocals, and tonight he didnt disappoint. Jennie Bellestar(www.myspace.com/intelligentska), I believe, was the “special sauce”. Her energy on and off the stage only enhanced that “family of ska” feel of the night. Her shouting out to the bar to bring up some towels so they can dry off their sweat was memorable, as was he asking the crowd for dedications, which she duly read out to the crowd. Not to mention it was her birthday (Happy B-day Jennie!), which made it even more of a festive feel.
Skaville (www.myspace.com/skavilleuk) consists of Nick Welsh of The Selecter and Louis Alphonso of Bad Manners. Tonight we were gifted with Winston Marche on drums, also from The Selecter. They opened with “This Aint Downtown Ja”! and continued to groove the room for the next 70 minutes. It’s been years since I’ve seen a Steinberger headless bass guitar (Geddy Lee from Rush uses one of those) so I love the fact it had pride of place in Nick’s arms.
Nick and Jennie Working the Room!
I am going to be completely honest. I made a deliberate effort not to listen to any of Skaville UK’s music until tonight. What a delight it was to be able to listen and truly enjoy all of their efforts. You can tell they are very good performers, but the music stands out on its own. It’s effortlessly listenable. If you like the Ska rythym, then you will love “1973″, “Mad about the 80’s”, as well as some of their new gems like “devil beat”, which takes you back to those innocent prince buster times.
As we progressed through their hip swaying repotoire, my thoughts were about the venue, and the audience, and whether Nick and the rest of Skaville prefer these kinds of venues, over larger more commercialised events. Mike will be quick to proclaim that it is these sort of venues which make it more intimate and real. But surely everyone on that stage would be used to, and probably have, played to many thousands more people at one time. I wonder what they think. It was a question Mike and I would have liked to have aksed Nick. But, alas, they ended with a rousing cover of “this is Ska”! And then it was over. My question will have to wait until another time I guess.
When leaving the venue we bumped into Jennie and we wished her a happy birthday. The family feel was back again, with thank you’s and kisses from Jennie. She even introduced us to her nephew who was videoing the gig!
Our visit to Skaville UK was short lived, like brigadoon… it was all over too quickly for me. It left me wanting some more. Like dropping a penny in the Trevi Fountain, I think I will be back to visit Skaville UK again soon. I might even visit the estate agent next time!
Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts
Don’t miss out on Skaville UK. A band formed by the ex members of Bad Manners and The Selecter.
For a tenner at the door, you get your money’s worth with 4 different acts, incuding a opportunity to wish Jennie Bellestar a Happy Birthday!
Included in the lineup are Swagga and the Meow Meows.
Doors open at 8PM and it’s at the Fiddlers Elbow on Malden Road in North London.
You’ll also be able to pick up Skaville’s new CD, “Devil Beat” at the gig.
Me and Mike will be there to savor the tunes!
The wait is over!
The most comprehensive compendium on The Specials is here. Published by Cherry Red Records to neatly coincide
Book cover for "You're Wondering Now"
with the 30th anniversary tour. “You’re Wondering Now: ‘The Specials From Conception to Reunion’” by Paul Williams is a brilliant read and a real page turner from start to finish which will appeal to the newest of young fans to the hardened Rudy know-it-all.
It documents the story of Coventry’s finest with incredible accuracy and superb detail and brings the reader right up to date with how and why The Specials were and still are one of the most important British bands since the 60’s. It’s crammed full of fantastic info along the way too. From those heady constant touring days right up to the reunion tour of 2009. Author Paul Williams really has gone to town by leaving no stone unturned!
As well as The Specials story itself we also get a very detailed and up to date breakdown about what each member and associated member of both The Specials and Special AKA have been up to since leaving the band. The ongoing saga of a Dammersless reformed Specials is well documented too. Williams, obviously a fan has researched and approached this matter with a great deal of empathy and balance.
If this isn’t enough there is also the most comprehensive and accurate gig list probably ever compiled from 1977 onwards, a complete discography and an excellent rarities & bootlegs section, not to mention a load of black & white unseen before photos.
Trust me you will not be disappointed.
The book is priced at £14.99 and can be purchased through the Cherry Red Website Here
You can discuss this topic on the forum by clicking Here
I came across this litte vid of a Skingirl doing the “Skingirl Slide”, a dance type of early reggae/Ska music… If you’re wondering, the music is “Skinheads Don’t Fear” from the Hot Rod All Stars. You can purchase this song on the Skinhead Jamboree box set from Trojan Records. Enjoy!
By the way, I’m loving those Doc Martens!
G