tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13586295746544601282012-02-16T11:52:18.396-08:00Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.comBlogger1031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-55557742354708065382011-12-17T22:09:00.000-08:002011-12-17T22:09:54.329-08:00

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Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-82202146217926464502011-10-29T12:48:00.000-07:002011-10-29T12:48:05.243-07:00

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Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-26981023152907143022011-10-16T05:51:00.000-07:002011-10-16T05:51:25.925-07:00

New York fashion designer Doo-Ri Chung was on top of the world after Michelle Obama chose to wear one of her creations to Thursday night's state dinner with the South Korean president and his wife. "I am just thrilled," the still-giddy Chung said Friday after a morning of accepting congratulations from around the country. The First Lady looked radiant as she stepped out in the stunning

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-75939818265581760962008-10-25T06:22:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.870-08:00

Old and new fans of 2-Tone have spoken longingly of BBC Arena television documentary titled "Rudies Come Back Or The Rise And Rise Of 2-Tone" that aired during the height of 2 Tone. Arena is a British television documentary series, made and broadcast by the BBC. It has run since the October 1, 1975, and over five hundred episodes have been made.The Arena program is an engaging and humorous

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-82567574739541593032008-10-25T04:52:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.870-08:00

As fans await word on when the reunited version of The Specials (minus Jerry Dammers) will perform again, there was excitement about a UK tour this December featuring Neville Staple's band along with Roddy Radiation's Skabilly Rebels and then Pauline Black of The Selecter. The hope was that these shows would satisfy demand for more shows by The Specials while they work out their next move.

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-5806810929468216982008-10-24T14:34:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.871-08:00

I wrote about The Beat covering Laurel Aitken's song "Pussy Price" early in their career. A slightly re-worked version of the song (minus the naughty song content) became "Ranking Full Stop". The only known recorded version of their take on Aitken's song is from the band's appearance on Rockpalast which is a German music television show that broadcasts live on German television station

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-56003952610988107972008-10-19T04:12:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.871-08:00

Fans of The Beat are always on the lookout for anything remotely new that they can add to the somewhat finite universe of recorded material that is available from the band. With only three albums and very few non-album tracks, its been, slim pickings for anything new. I recently discovered a track I had never heard before (and I'm an obsessive fan).Back in 1981 the band released their eighth

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-89098555481695522702008-10-18T06:17:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.871-08:00

The Potato 5 were, god bless them, one of the very few ska bands doing the rounds on the live UK and European circuit of the late 80's at a time when ska was no longer flavor of the month, and long after the demise of 2-Tone. In hindsight, the band did help to pave the way for the 3rd wave of Ska that began to emerge towards the mid 1990's in both the U.S. and around the world . They were well

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-19764362139530370592008-10-17T16:47:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.871-08:00

Rhoda Dakar began her career as lead vocalist with The Bodysnatchers. Their first single, "Do Rocksteady", b/w "Ruder Than You," written by Rhoda and Gaz "Rockin Blues" Mayall, took them into the UK pop charts (#22 in 1980) and onto Top of the Pops. The Bodysnatchers only released one more single "Easy Life" b/w "Too Experienced" and contributed a live version of "Easy Life" for the the "Dance

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-62180440847863700582008-10-16T10:20:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.871-08:00

While we continue to wait patiently for the new Madness album "The Liberty of Norton Folgate" let me introduce you to The Dance Brigade, a new ska musical project featuring the combined talents of Madness sax player Lee "Kix" Thompson and Jennie Mathias who was the lead vocalist of The Belle Stars (formed by ex-members of The Bodysnatchers).Their ska-based music is a hybrid of styles mixed in

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-51146315987334603842008-10-13T12:00:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.872-08:00

I've been listening to The Selecter a lot recently. In particular their second album "Celebrate The Bullet" which eerily seems to be a commentary on current events here in the U.S. Interestingly, the history of The Selecter is a who's who of Coventry musicians who went on to start The Specials, The Selecter and many other 2-Tone era bands and small record labels which I have tried to write about

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-29313661202061054102008-10-11T21:25:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.872-08:00

Basement 5 were arguably the first black punk reggae band who are described by many artists who followed them as "hugely influential" and "groundbreaking". Mixing rock elements with reggae and dub they were one of the bands that broke down barriers and paved the way for black kids to play rock music. Starting out in London in 1978, the band were an innovative and highly original post-punk group

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-61906985008354958882008-10-11T05:17:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.872-08:00

The November 2008 issue of Mojo Magazine includes a story titled "Partial AKA" that features a reaction quote from Jerry Dammers about The Specials reunion show that went ahead without him at Bestival in September. Amazingly, Jerry was at the show and watched the performance (I believe he was booked to do a DJ gig at the festival). Still, it is curious that he decided to watch rather than play.

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-23081961593889889122008-10-10T17:21:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.872-08:00

I recently posted about The Ammonites and their role as one of the only pure 2-Tone styled ska bands to emerge from the vibrant late 70's/early 80's music scene in Brighton that was centered around venues like The Vault and The Alhambra. The Ammonites were a six-piece who were influenced by the sound of Trojan rocksteady. When they started their set was comprised of all cover songs including

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-307218211885983592008-10-09T12:26:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.872-08:00

On March 23, 1989 London's world famous Astoria played host to one of the biggest Ska festivals ever staged. The cream of late 80's contemporary British Ska were assembled alongside several veterans of the scene. Much more than a mere revival this was a celebration of the legacy of UK ska and reggae from the 60's through the early 80's.The show was hosted by the legendary Judge Dread who also

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-42766800639898297962008-10-08T18:10:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.873-08:00

I've needed to take some time off from the blog to attend to work, family and band. I plan to begin posting in earnest again shortly and have some great exclusive interviews for your reading pleasure.In the meantime I need to ask for reader feedback. When I launched this blog my vision was to combine my love of ska and reggae with my own personal insights and relationships to make it a full

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-78359417707128380702008-09-29T12:09:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.873-08:00

One of the best things about 2-Tone was the way that it showed respect to the first wave of ska and reggae artists who helped to popularize the music in the UK. In fact, many of the original artists moved from Jamaica to the UK in order to enjoy the benefits of their growing popularity. One of those artists was Laurel Aitken AKA The Godfather of Ska.Aitken moved to London in 1960 and recorded

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-16849078079878754882008-09-26T12:05:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.873-08:00

In 1981, following in the footsteps of Specials drummer John Bradbury's Race Records, vocalist Neville Staple's and his then girlfriend Stella (from The Bodysnatchers) launched Shack Records. Their first signing was ska/reggae band 21 Guns and the single included the songs "Ambition Rock" b/w "21 Guns". The songs were also produced by Neville, and peaking at #46 on the UK Charts after 3 weeks.The

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-90700174555205503162008-09-26T08:10:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.873-08:00

Seven years before the world ever heard of The Specials, The Selecter or Madness, Judge Dread had put his first ska and reggae hit into the UK charts. Although often dismissed as a novelty act, Judge Dread was actually a groundbreaking artist. Not only did he put more reggae records onto the U.K. chart than anyone else, he was also the first white artist to actually have a reggae hit in Jamaica (

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-74892798275351697962008-09-25T10:51:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.873-08:00

As we all wait patiently for news on the release of the new Madness album "The Liberty of Norton Folgate" here is news every self-respecting nutty boy and rude boy will appreciate. Now, not only can you listen to your favorite Madness songs you can dress the part while doing so.Let me introduce you to the fine gentlemen at Ace Face Clothing Company. These chaps have brought back the classic tonic

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-90722896761970644472008-09-24T10:37:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.873-08:00

Horace Ove deserves credit for the leading role he has taken in promoting the growth and popularity of reggae music as it travelled from the West Indies to the UK and then became a cultural phenomenon. Ove was born in Trinidad and emigrated to the UK to attend film school in the early 1960's. His 1971 documentary, "Reggae", was the first in depth film on reggae music to ever be produced. Filmed

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-43863834820109706662008-09-22T04:47:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.874-08:00

The Pyramids were formed in the mid-sixties by six young British-based musicians. The band were also known at various stages of their career as The Bees, The Pyramids, Seven Letters and Zubaba. In the mold of The Equals, they began their career as a straight "pop" group, consisting of founders Frank Pitter, Michael Thomas, Josh Roberts, Ray Knight, Monty Naismith and vocalist Roy Ellis and were

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-77472803488439909072008-09-21T11:27:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.874-08:00

In many ways drummer John Bradbury was the glue that held 2-Tone together. It was his relationships with many Coventry-based musicians, both pre and post-2-Tone, that added to its history. He had a hand in helping to start both The Selecter and The Specials and he stuck with Jerry Dammers upon the break-up of the band to play drums for The Special AKA. He was also the leader and founder of the "

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-43621708169139802432008-09-18T12:18:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.874-08:00

There is another band reunion in the works that will probably not rival the interest and attention that The Specials have generated, but it is one that is just as worthy. I'm speaking of The Bureau who have reformed to play shows and have recorded a new album, their first in more than 25 years. And like The Specials they have a great story to tell though with a northern soul soundtrack rather

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-44952267830676470352008-09-18T10:46:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.874-08:00

The life of a horn player in the world of modern music is an interesting one. I can't think of many contemporary pop bands that feature a single horn player, let alone a horn section anymore. Personally, I've always played in a band that has featured a horn section. I can't imagine life without them, both on and off the stage.During the boom in ska, reggae, soul and pop music in the UK in the

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-14136853142233969942008-09-17T15:06:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.874-08:00

As 2-Tone Records and to a lesser extent Go-Feet Records (The Beats personal imprint) showed, it was independent labels that were driving the ska scene in the UK. However we would be remiss to overlook the incredible impact of Stiff Records had on UK music and culture.When new wave hit in the '70s, independent labels like Stiff Records became a grass-roots alternative to the music establishment.

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-6220353446934620542008-09-15T10:13:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.875-08:00

While 1979 was when 2-Tone exploded on the UK music scene, that summer also saw the resurrection of another musical tribe: The Mods. The 2-Tone and Mod movements had many similarities. While 2-Tone looked to the rude boys of Jamaica and the early ska, rocksteady and reggae for inspiration, the mods of the late 70's worshipped The Who and The Jam. The release of the movie "Quadrophenia" in the

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-39720767236149654162008-09-12T16:01:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.875-08:00

Brighton has always been a source of some of the best bands and music in the UK. During the late 70's and early 80's in particular, Attrix Records was both a record store and a record label that sought to capture and record the bands that made up the local scene at the time. The label was best known for a series of compilation LP's (Vaultage 78, Vaultage 79 and Vaultage 80), made up of local

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-46826059790779916122008-09-10T18:21:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.875-08:00

A counterpoint to the explosion of punk and ska in the UK in the late 70's was the emergence of Lovers Rock. Short lived UK reggae girl trio 15-16-17, so named after their ages at the time, cut a sweet sounding 'lovers rock' album called "Magic Touch" in 1978 under the watchful production eye of Dennis Brown. Brown relocated to London from Jamaica and while there he linked up with Castro Brown (

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-74227614114747781122008-09-10T07:46:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.875-08:00

The UK seems to be chock full of young singer/songwriters who are writing great songs that combine ska and indie rock. The newest kid on the block is Nick Harrison and his entry "Oi Rude Boy". The song is written as a tribute to the 2-Tone ska sound of the late 70s early and 80s and it's fans who continue to support the movement today. The song is well-developed, heavily ska-influenced pop,

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-19819789523022558902008-09-08T09:18:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.875-08:00

Buster Bloodvessel (Doug Trendle) celebrated his 50th birthday on September 6th. The ska legend, famous for his bald head, big belly and one of the largest tongues in the music business plans a 50-city UK tour to celebrate his birthday. He's quoted in the Manchester Evening News as saying, ""Most people only have the one party when they turn 50, but me? I've decided to go for 20 parties in

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-7797600034708302682008-09-08T07:52:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.876-08:00

Following up on news of The Specials first show in 27 years, below are live videos of the set they performed at Bestival on Saturday Septmber 6, 2008.Taking the stage at 5.30 pm, the band played a greatest hits set, including 'A Message To You, Rudy' and 'Too Much Too Young', as well as their cover of Toots And The Maytals' 1969 hit 'Monkey Man'.Frontman Terry Hall announced in April 2008 that

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-65457880595632048912008-09-07T08:04:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.876-08:00

Word out of the UK is that "Terry Hall & Friends" (essentially The Specials without Jerry Dammers) played a bouncy and rapturously received greatest hits set at Bestival on the Isle Of Wight yesterday. I've included pictures from the show which were taken by Mike Cornwell the admin of The Specials.com community pages who attended the show.The other side of this story that is still developing and

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-66464117062771747532008-09-06T15:04:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.876-08:00

Well the rumor is true! The Specials (billed as Terry Hall & Friends and minus Jerry Dammers) were the surprise act today at Bestival on the Isle of Wight.According to a post made by Roddy Radiation on his Web site, it's looking like six of the original members will be reforming and they will be touring using their own names because Dammers owns The Specials name. Jerry may take part at the last

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-42471300647143135122008-09-06T07:04:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.876-08:00

GUGUG is a Scottish fellow named Gus who has become a YouTube sensation. With just his ukulele, a plastic melodica and other instruments (kick drum, bass) he is a one man, overdub machine who has recorded some brilliant versions of ska classics by The Skatalites as well as covers of 60' pop, country and Ramones songs.Here are just a few of his ska songs:Man In The StreetPhoenix CityGuns Of

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-75956350463578625102008-09-05T14:56:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.876-08:00

One of my bandmates has suggested that we cover this ska song "Jesus Is A Friend Of Mine" by Sonseed that he found on YouTube. I don't know that we will but I felt compelled to share it here. While cloying, cliched and annoying its also very catchy and finds a way to worm inside your brain. I can't stop humming the melody and singing the chorus.I found a bit more information about Sonseed here if

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-21404841153288708332008-09-04T11:32:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.876-08:00

Clubs define a scene and they can take on mythic status. Here in New York, CBGB's (RIP) was host to thousands and thousands of bands but will forever be known as the place that launched The Ramones, The New York Dolls and Talking Heads. Personally, my youth is forever linked with City Gardens in Trenton, NJ. Its where I saw my first ska and punk shows and where my band made its first mark 20

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-52714447175181513642008-09-04T08:14:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.877-08:00

During the Fall of 1980, the UK pop charts were about as diverse as they have ever been. The Top 25 alone included the likes of The Police, Madness, Bad Manners, Bob Marley & The Wailers and a little known UK reggae band called Black Slate who had caught the ear of the nation with their hyper catchy one hit wonder song "Amigo". The song cracked the Top 10 and reached its peak at Number 9. The

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-30971874677500137812008-09-03T11:00:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.877-08:00

Headline were a 2-Tone era, 6-piece ska band signed to Virgin Records who released one single "Don't Knock The Baldhead/Highway Hassle" and an album in 1980. The band were a UK media darling for a very short time and were known for their wild stage entrances. Here is a description of the band from a support slot they played with The Stranglers in July of 1980:Suited and booted, Headline come on

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-18133180588527171212008-09-03T07:20:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.877-08:00

Rumors are circulating that The Specials may perform at this year's Bestival. According to information posted on the VentnorBlog, the band are favorites to fill the 'Surprise Act' slot on the main stage on Saturday September 6th. Terry Hall, who appeared at last year's Bestival alongside Lynval Golding, told BBC Radio earlier this year that the band would be reforming for a festival in

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-26790235096551206712008-08-31T18:51:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.877-08:00

I have previously highlighted the ways UK punk and reggae bands came together under one umbrella in the late 70's. In many ways, the partnership of roots reggae band Misty In Roots and punk rockers The Ruts best exemplified this cultural collaboration brought together by the Rock Against Racism movement. Rock Against Racism (RAR) was a campaign set up in the UK by Red Saunders, Roger Huddle and

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-35545991516988516292008-08-30T08:40:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.877-08:00

The Swinging Cats were a Coventry-based band that formed at the end of 1979 during the height of 2-Tone mania. The band originally came to prominence by winning a Battle of the Bands competition at Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry. The band played a mixture of ska and calypso originals as well as a number of covers of Sandy Shaw songs. Word has it that Jerry Dammers dated the band's original

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-71817463603435968102008-08-29T10:08:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.878-08:00

While we all wait patiently for the new Madness album "The Liberty of Norton Folgate" to be released I thought I would take a trip back in time to when Suggs embarked on a solo recording career. His album "The Lone Ranger" was released in 1995 during a high point for ska in both the US and the UK. After Madness reunited for Madstock in 1992 and 1994, Suggs went to work on his first solo album

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-42122087187501969532008-08-29T07:05:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.878-08:00

I posted about the live show Terry Hall, Lynval Golding and members of the Dead 60's played at the 100 Club in June. I was finally able to find board recordings and video of the 5 song performance courtesy of Judge Fredd which are posted below. The songs sound surprisingly good and the guys in the Dead 60's have clearly studied the Specials and Fun Boy 3 back catalog. If The Specials reunion

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-24061439997489896382008-08-26T17:58:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.878-08:00

While The Untouchables from Los Angeles are widely credited with being the first U.S. ska band, there were other important bands from around the U.S that emerged in the early and mid-80's: New York had The Toasters, Boston had Bim Skala Bim, Detroit had Gangster Fun and Chicago had Heavy Manners.Heavy Manners come closest in look and sound to an American ska version of The Selecter highlighted by

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-64309603317720647732008-08-24T14:24:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.878-08:00

Shortly after The Specials split, band members splintered into several new groups and 2-Tone took on a totally new direction from its old ska roots. The label began releasing more soul/funk singles by new one-off signings like The Higsons, The Swinging Cats and The Apollonaires who released singles. As the mid-80's approached, The Special AKA which at the time consisted only of original members

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-18682724424696808282008-08-24T12:54:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.878-08:00

Although "Ranking Full Stop" by The Beat is credited as an original track, it's obvious that the band were quite generous with their interpretation of the Laurel Aitken rude reggae classic, "Pussy Price" which is Aitken's lament about the rising price for "women of the night".Take a listen to the video track below and you can clearly hear the similarities in the music of the two songs (the bass

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-71906097685339175702008-08-24T05:59:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.878-08:00

A quick post for a Sunday. Below is video of another hard to find track by The Bodysnatchers titled "Ghost of the Vox Continental" that was recorded for a John Peel session in 1980. Enjoy.

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-22224372118822859042008-08-22T10:28:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.879-08:00

The first big concert I ever saw was The Police and The Go-Go's at Madison Square Garden in New York City on my 17th birthday. That show and other Police shows I saw (a legendary show at the old RFK Stadium in Philadelphia which also included R.E.M, Madness and Joan Jett) made me a fan of their hybrid reggae/rock. In many ways The Police were a gateway band for me to explore more authentic reggae

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-16589703164985536242008-08-22T06:56:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.879-08:00

Here is a bit of news bound to brighten the day of fans of The Specials and Sir Horace Gentleman. Word has it that he has released a limited edition 7" vinyl 45 (only 300 copies available) on his own Sir Horace label. It's a true collectors piece for fans of The Specials, ska & reggae alike.As bass player of The Specials Sir Horace Gentleman aka Horace Panter provided the backbone for one of the

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-54758044372252703732008-08-20T10:30:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.879-08:00

The one member of The Specials who has always intrigued me the most is guitarist Roddy Radiation. He brought a punk rock and rock-a-billy look and sound to the band that perfectly complimented Lynval Golding's straight up reggae and ska rhythm guitar playing. Roddy also wrote "Concrete Jungle" and "Rat Race" which remain two of my favorite songs by the band.I discovered an interview that Pauline

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-27512737725956066972008-08-19T15:28:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.879-08:00

Sorry but I had to post this even though it falls into the category of annoying videos that people post about their kids and pets doing stupid things. In the "is this really news" comes a story from The Telegraph in the UK about Finley, a singing dog who lives in a bed and breakfast. His tastes are unexpectedly specific - he refuses to sing along to anything other than the hits of UB40.According

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-6038674861087542132008-08-18T16:53:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.879-08:00

I have to confess that after much initial hope and excitement about a Specials reunion, I've come to believe it won't happen. Word is that Terry, Lynval, Brad, Horace and Roddy are on board but that Jerry and Terry remain at odds. Further complicating matters is that Neville has said that if Jerry isn't part of the reunion then he's out. We may see a tour with 5 of the 7, but it won't be what we

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-74303132686935704532008-08-17T17:06:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.880-08:00

I'm a huge fan of The Beat's second album. The simmering rhythms of the Beat’s first album that had help to define the 2-Tone sound had slowed and settled into a reggae and dub pulse by the time of 1981’s "Wha’appen". The band was experimenting with new sounds and had embraced the burgeoning reggae soundtrack they heard all over the UK. Indeed, reggae singer Cedric Myton of the Congos lent his

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-71972120397043066892008-08-17T16:53:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.880-08:00

Matumbi was formed in London in 1970 and from the very beginning they embodied the essence of the emerging UK reggae scene. The man behind Matumbi was Dennis Bovell who, in his many projects, established British reggae as a viable force independent from its Jamaican cousin. Recording in various lineups as Matumbi, African Brothers or African Stone as well as backing many successful solo acts -

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-22368655074407327682008-08-15T09:28:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.880-08:00

If I could have learned to play another instrument it would have been the trombone (Marco On The Trombone has a nice ring to it..). My love of ska, reggae, salsa and soul music has a lot to do with the fact that these musical genres make horns and horn line melodies such an integral part of the overall sound.As I became a student of ska and reggae music, I was invariably drawn back to learn more

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-50121940260253427112008-08-14T20:25:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.880-08:00

The Special AKA Live! was a live 5-track EP released by The Specials in January 1980 as the third single by the band. The EP featured "Too Much Too Young" (originally recorded on the album Specials) and "Guns of Navarone" recorded live in London and "Skinhead Symphony" - a medley of "Long Shot Kick De Bucket", "The Liquidator" and "Skinhead Moonstomp" - which was recorded at Tiffany's in

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-59708420110259687862008-08-12T11:17:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.880-08:00

The break-up of the original version of The Beat in 1983 seemed like a great loss at the time. The band was close to breaking big in the U.S. and had they stayed together probably could have approached The Police in terms of popularity, Instead various members went their separate ways and the musical world ended up with General Public and the Fine Young Cannibals. Often overlooked in the divorce

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-89249332303440384182008-08-11T18:16:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.881-08:00

I discovered a few rare tracks by The Bodysnatchers including "What's This" that the band recorded during a John Peel session in 1980 as well as the original version of "The Boiler" performed by the band live at a show in Folkestone and later recorded by Rhoda with The Special AKA for the "In The Studio" album.Below are two videos for "What's This". First, the John Peel session version followed

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-86458452500204039342008-08-09T22:07:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.881-08:00

Capital Letters were one of the main players in the distinctive homegrown British roots reggae scene that emerged in the late 70's and were the first group to be signed to the Greensleeves label. Along with groups like Matumbi, Aswad, Black Roots and Steel Pulse, Capital Letters managed to break down many of the prejudices that reggae music could only be made in Jamaica, when authentic roots

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-26537390025817523752008-08-09T16:48:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.881-08:00

A quick post for this weekend. Tonight (Saturday August 9th) on the Music Club program on BBC 2, Paul Sexton traces the history of 2 Tone records and the band at its center -- The Specials. This radio piece features new interviews from The Specials, Madness, The Beat and The Selecter. Sexton speaks to Pete Waterman, Don Letts and Garry Bushell to follow the highs and lows of the label and its

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-73385467157091613502008-08-06T10:03:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.881-08:00

There is a book that was published in 1987 called Cut & Mix (I'll post more on this at a later date). In it, author Dick Hebdige charts the trans-Atlantic/cross-cultural Caribbean/UK exchange that sparked the 2-Tone ska revival. If Hebdige were to update his book to cover the last 20+ years of ska around the world, he’d be obliged to add at least one chapter on ska in the Latin world and Mexico

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-35977184049140587812008-08-04T12:34:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.881-08:00

I may have assumed incorrectly that most fans of 2-Tone either own a copy of Dance Craze or had a chance to see the movie when it was released in 1981. I was lucky enough to see it at college in the late 1980's. As a result I have not bothered to post about it or share a download. However I stand corrected as I've noticed comments from several visitors lamenting the fact that they have never

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-85250797435135118372008-08-03T18:48:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.881-08:00

Chances are that if you live in Holland or anywhere on the European Continent, you are very familiar with Mr Mark Foggo and his band The Skasters. Here in the U.S. his contribution to ska music over the last 25 years has gone overlooked and unnoticed, but I would like to change that. In fact his second LP "State Of Mind" from 1984 has been on constant rotation on my iPod. Above all Foggo is a ska

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-50728737672112590852008-08-02T11:26:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.882-08:00

Here is a quick post for the many UB40 fans who have been visiting lately. I find that I'm drawn more and more to their early material and this bootleg (known as H20) from 1980 captures them playing all of the songs from their first LP "Signing Off" along with the non-album tracks "Madam Medusa" and "Strange Fruit".This live show was part of a BBC College concert tour that was recorded live at

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-46652885442656038832008-07-30T18:15:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.882-08:00

The Untouchables (The UT's) were the first U.S. ska band and Josh Harris, who joined the band after their founding in LA in the early 80's was an important creative force in the success the band enjoyed prior to and after their signing to Stiff Records. Harris who came to the band after stints in both The Fabulous Titans and The Shakers, who were both likely the first U.S. reggae bands, wrote

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-62265868381063896912008-07-28T18:18:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.882-08:00

In my never ending quest to highlight unsung ska bands from the late 1970's and 1980's 2-Tone era I recently discovered The Piranhas. The quintet who hailed from Brighton were signed by Sire Records as their entry into the ska sweepstakes. The songs have a charming, idiosyncratic quality, and feature offbeat lyrics in uniquely neurotic numbers like "Getting Beaten Up," "I Don't Want My Body" and

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-64206506565526608992008-07-28T08:17:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.882-08:00

Hipper elements of the UK press are hyping a new band from Manchester called Kid British. While the UK media and the UK music media in particular are known for their hyperbole, it seems like the consensus on Kid British is unanimous. They will be the next big thing out of the UK and they play ska. They're a multiracial outfit designed to reflect a multiracial city, a four-piece, with three extra

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-3474013845760000402008-07-27T18:27:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.882-08:00

Living in New York City I am accustomed to seeing musicians performing on subway stations and train platforms. Its part and parcel of the whole underground experience here. Some of the musicians are good and in rare cases I've been moved to drop some money in a hat or to buy a CD. However, I doubt any of the New York City street performers or "buskers" as our friends across the pond call them,

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-50089782808718090972008-07-26T17:40:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.883-08:00

Just trying to keep up with all the appearances that various members of The Specials are making this summer is becoming a full-time job. One longer term collaboration that I have been meaning to post about is Terry Hall and The Dub Pistols. The band who clearly have a 2-Tone jones, mix-up hip-hop, dub, techno, ska and punk and create a futuristic skank that suggests where The Clash and The

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-32643454445328987452008-07-26T16:34:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.883-08:00

Based solely on the number of people visiting this blog to download the Amy Winehouse "Ska EP" I would like to believe there is great interest in her continuing embrace of ska, 2-Tone and The Specials in particular. Everywhere she performs these days she seems to play a song or two by The Specials.Winehouse was invited to perform at the 46664 Concert in London in late June in London to honor

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-47839124399908646512008-07-25T11:39:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.883-08:00

So a post about my band's road trip down to Knoxville, TN for Ska Weekend 2008. We headed out with our Megalith Records label mates and partners in crime Hub City Stompers (who include ex-members of Inspecter 7) for a few shows on the way down . We dubbed the tour "The Hey Brother Can You Spare Some Gas Money Tour" and with gas prices at $4.00 - $4.25 wherever we went it ended up costing us a

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-66283499978621007942008-07-23T16:03:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.883-08:00

OK. I'm starting to believe there will not be a Specials reunion in 2008. Based solely on Jerry Dammers introduction of Neville Staple and his crack band during their live performance on July 7th at the Mean Fiddler in London as part of a Marxism Festival. The show also featured a DJ set by Jerry and a performance by Linton Kwesi Johnson. It sounds like there is still some real animosity between

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-37303058706624570962008-07-22T08:59:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.883-08:00

While I was walking around Ska Weekend at the World's Fair Park in Knoxville, Tennessee this past weekend, I was reminded of the US Festival which took place in San Bernadino, California in 1982 and 1983. The US Festival (US pronounced like the pronoun, not as initials) were two early 1980s music and culture festivals sponsored by Steve Wozniak of Apple, Inc. and broadcast live on cable

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-57842334671777591672008-07-21T10:40:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.884-08:00

As members of The Specials debate if they are re-forming or not, an invite-only gig billed as Terry Hall and Friends took place on June 25th at London's 100 Club. The show was part of the ongoing promotions that Fred Perry does as part of the company's Subculture events (tickets for these events are generally only available via a competition on the Fred Perry Subculture site.)According to a

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-36575526645268805972008-07-16T20:00:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.884-08:00

I'll be away for a few days so there won't be any posts until next week. My band Bigger Thomas has been invited to play Ska Weekend in Knoxville, TN this weekend. We are hitting the road with our friends and label mates Hub City Stompers tomorrow and have shows booked in Baltimore at Fletcher's tomorrow night, The Black Cat Burrito in Boone, NC and then Ska Weekend at the World's Fair Park in

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-78922019379198740602008-07-16T19:46:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.884-08:00

If you are looking for a more detailed history of 2-Tone and The Specials then get your hands on a copy of Wheels Out of Gear: 2 Tone, The Specials and a World in Flame written by Dave Thompson.The book is a vivid portrait of Margaret Thatcher's Britain at the turn of the decade, when the National Front and the Anti Nazi League regularly fought in the streets, suspects where regularly injured in

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-87251834141136665572008-07-16T18:46:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.884-08:00

2-Tone Britain was a documentary that aired on Channel 4 in the UK in 2004 that is not commercially available. It tells the story of the movement which centred around Coventry and the 2-Tone record label. As the label's founders, The Specials are naturally given most of the limelight, but attention is also paid to Madness (the documentary features a nice big chunk with Suggs, and even a short bit

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-539754595505001502008-07-16T09:12:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.884-08:00

Eddy Grant is one of the most overlooked artists ever. While most Americans fondly remember his Top 10 hit "Electric Avenue" on heavy rotation on MTV in the early 80's or the soundtrack song "Romancing The Stone" he wrote for the same B movie, his career has run the gamut and he remains a draw outside the U.S., particularly in the UK where he lived for a period of time when he played in the The

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-71724848132190011622008-07-11T12:08:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.884-08:00

Unfortunately for fans of The Beat (The English Beat in the U.S.), Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger are not on speaking terms at the moment. In fact, based on a prior agreement they have split the world between them. Wakeling's version of the band perform and tour across the U.S., while Roger's version (featuring original band member Everett Morton on drums) have the U.K. and Europe and never the

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-88458978056509638492008-07-10T09:08:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.885-08:00

Whether you're new to Ska or a seasoned fan of the Specials, this 3 CD set of 46 songs will be a welcome addition. Unlike so many "out of the vaults" boxed sets we're seeing nowadays, these CDs are not full of stuff that would have been better left forgotten.The Specials were a band of two halves. The 'classic' Specials were one of the most exciting bands to emerge in the post-punk period. Then

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-43325183397975053462008-07-09T08:46:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.885-08:00

The first time I heard "You're Not The Law" by The Dead 60's, I thought I was listening to an outtake from The Specials first album. Though the group's name could be seen as a statement about wanting to blaze new ground from the music of the 60s, the band certainly wrote songs and adopted a sound on their first album that sought to keep the sound of 70's Coventry, Birmingham and London very much

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-34749762020955882682008-07-07T11:58:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.885-08:00

Yes. Its' true. The Specials actually all appeared live on stage together for the first time since 1981. No it wasn't a show. It was their induction into the Mojo Magazine Hall of Fame. The awards ceremony was held in mid-June in London and as you can see from the picture above and the video below all of the members (minus Neville who was apparently stuck on a train) were on hand to accept the

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-82913839673986876042008-07-07T11:22:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.885-08:00

Its no secret that Amy Winehouse has a thing for ska. She has covered The Specials live (most recently at the Glastonbury Festival last weekend where she urged them to re-form live from the stage) and has had members of the band join her on stage. Now her 2-Tone love is coming completely out of the closet. In a recent issue of Rolling Stone magazine she mentioned that her next album may include a

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-42502272920664309792008-07-06T05:18:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.885-08:00

I distinctly remember the first time I heard (or rather saw Steel Pulse). My college had a free movie night every Friday in the student center. This was before the advent of personal computers and long before VCR's were affordable enough for students to have their own in their dorm rooms. The Student Council was showing "Urgh A Music War." The movie was an amazing compilation of the best of

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-83278456164586605962008-07-05T13:40:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.886-08:00

Though its obvious that 2-Tone took much of its inspiration from Jamaican music and culture, it was a two way street of respect and influence as Jamaican artists of the late 70's were inspired by Punk and Ska energy and its counterculture anti-establishment stance.You don't need to look any further than Bob Marley and his reggae anthem "Punky Reggae Party" to see the link between UK ska and punk

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-56282163992744023882008-07-02T16:53:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.886-08:00

If you hadn't heard the news, Madness are primed to release their first new studio album titled "The Liberty of Norton Folgate" in nearly 10 years. Rumor has it the album may be coming out any time between July and September. The band showcased much of the new album live at London's Hackney Empire late last week with shows 6/24, 6/25 and 6/26. Apparently you can buy USB Wristbands with the live

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-43338508868215374432008-07-02T15:06:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.886-08:00

According to a number of media reports coming out of the UK including stories in today's NME and Mirror Newspaper, UB40 claim that 'Ali Campbell tried to shaft us.' If you have been following the ongoing saga, long-time singer Ali left the band earlier this year. He says it was because of poor management. They say he wanted to pursue a solo career.Apparently Ali has recently announced his

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-39524131722292136122008-06-29T07:42:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.886-08:00

One of the benefits of 2-Tone was the attention it drew to the founders and originators of ska, reggae and rocksteady. Some like Rico Rodrigues and Saxa of The Beat joined and performed with the bands themselves. Others like Desmond Dekker, suddenly found they were back in fashion as the 2-Tone movement gave new energy and interest from a whole new audience. Dekker, who had electrified the music

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-53931616977150053632008-06-28T11:23:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.886-08:00

King were always a guilty New Wave pop pleasure for me. I happened to be going to school in England (Essex University) at the time they were popular in the mid-80's and I suppose they were a uniquely British pop creation and sensation. An amalgam of new wave haircuts, day glow colored suits and spray painted Doc Martens, they were the pop music equivalent of a Jackson Pollack painting come to

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-20030500449616605472008-06-27T18:21:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.886-08:00

Most 2-Tone fans have seen "Dance Craze" the great 1980 concert film by Joe Massot chronicling the ska explosion in Britain. It features live footage of Bad Manners, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, Madness, The Specials and The Selecter. How many of you have seen "Take It Or Leave It?"I think its fair to call it the ska version of "A Hard Day's Night" starring the seven members of Madness as

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-13079672040904669212008-06-25T19:03:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.887-08:00

Now this is a real find for all you hardcore 2-Tone fans out there. Here is a live recording of The Bodysnatchers from a show they played in Folkestone in August of 1980 where they headlined and were supported by Arthur Kay & The Originals (more about them in a future post).What's so great about this recording is the chance to finally hear the band perform songs that were never recorded. The

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-92192494040973063982008-06-25T16:34:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.887-08:00

While 2-Tone was a label it has also been used to describe a sound. There were a number of bands on the periphery of 2-Tone in the UK who contributed to the larger scene and sound and who deserved a larger audience and a closer listen than they received. One of those bands was The Ska-Dows.Tony Sibthorpe formed The Ska-Dows in 1978 right before 2-Tone broke big in the UK and their first recording

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-77586483514492731252008-06-24T18:13:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.887-08:00

In my band, we are lucky to have a real North London-born and bred, Tottenham Hotspur supporting, baked beans on toast MC named Roy Radics. He's added a whole new element to our songs and our live performances. The greatest thing about playing with Roy is his passion and energy and his encyclopedic knowledge about every UK MC and reggae band. There are very few songs or performers he has not

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-3367449183787535882008-06-23T10:33:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.887-08:00

Last week officially marked the end of UB40 as we have known them for 30 years and the start of a new era for the band. The band officially released the 17 track version of "Twentyfourseven" featuring additional songs with new singers beyond the 1o track giveaway that was available from The Daily Mail in the UK in May. To celebrate this new beginning, the band has followed the lead of others (

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-11918733657817701432008-06-19T17:32:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.887-08:00

Late last year I was up very late after bottle feeding duty with my son. As I was channel surfing, I had the good luck to stumble across the movie This Is England . It was available on demand so I paid Time Warner Cable their $10 and settled in for the show. I was mesmerized. I was blown away. It was one of the best movies I saw in 2007. Apparently I was in good company as the film and its

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-36581900756666070602008-06-18T08:33:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.888-08:00

Phil Esquire (AKA: Checkerboard Phil) is a New York City ska icon. There is no denying that along with a number of key bands, he has been responsible for keeping the ska flame burning in the Big Apple since the mid 1990's courtesy of his long-running and entirely entertaining Manhattan Neighborhood Network cable access TV show "The Checkerboard Kids" which he describes as " A ska influenced

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-55397890788718408822008-06-17T12:47:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.888-08:00

In my ongoing quest to keep up to date with recent interviews with members of The Specials (I've recently posted interviews with Lynval Golding, Neville Staples and Jerry Dammers) as they prepare for their historic reunion later this year, here is a very engaging four part interview with Terry Hall conducted by Ian Svenonius host of the sometimes brilliant original online music show Soft Focus

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-48187781571116606772008-06-15T07:14:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.888-08:00

As we wait to see if Jerry Dammers does or does not join in the planned Specials reunion (the band has been rehearsing in the UK the last week) here is an interesting recent video interview with him in his own words that touches on the writing of Ghost Town and his own memories of playing in the the band. Here's to hoping Jerry lets bygones be bygones and gets onboard with his bandmates. The

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1358629574654460128.post-6984876308730221742008-06-13T15:55:00.000-07:002011-12-19T22:36:21.888-08:00

In the great tradition of ska and reggae, musicians often play parts from old songs they like. Dancehall reggae is infamous for versioning a bass line or rhythm and then recycling to create something new. For example the bass lines of the fabulous Heptones were certainly the most used bass lines in reggae.A certain pop chanteuse known for affinity to ska did the same in one her biggest hits.

Princess Eva Angelicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755338281152853271noreply@blogger.com0