Saturday, May 09, 2009

Sailing The Seas Of Ska

8 out of 10 Specials' fans said they'd have preferred Jerry Dammers to be present, but it didn't stop the ska revival-revivalists from packing them in for five nights at the Brixton Academy. For some of the audience it was nostalgic, for others it was about having a great night out. Quality music provides the smokescreen that blocks out the treacherous stormy politics of internal band relationships. Much has been speculated regarding Dammers' absence from this particular reunion, and Kent's finest wrote "...Dammers sensibly doesn't want anything to do with it" and went on to write that this was "chicken-in-a-basket circuit" entertainment. That's a very fair description and one that I agree with. Dammers did turn up for two pre-tour get-together-see-how-things-go rehearsals which tells us he wanted to be part of it - as long as Captain Jerry had total control to steer his own vessel, that is. Sure, he was the founder and driving force behind 2-Tone and the band, but his authoritarian nature conflicted with a social democratic stance that fuelled the band's political idealism which, on this occasion, led to Dammers being out-voted by the other members. Any chance of a reconciliation between the organist and the rest of the band was hindered when Roddy Radiation's personal attacks towards their former band leader were published on his own forum. It seems that Radiation relished slagging Dammers off in public with any chance he got, an urge which should've been nipped in the bud at the start. A case of Roddy putting the "rude" into "rude boy" perhaps? According to one report, Dammers allegedly wanted to do a couple of London shows and a one-off 30th anniversary gig at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, perhaps not a lucrative proposition as a multi-date tour could be (it wasn't always about the money with Jerry), but it was potentially disastrous for the fans. A country-wide tour conveniently enables a nation of ska enthusiasts to be able to attend different, suitable dates in more intimate venues. Five nights at the Brixton Academy? There's no excuse for Dammers not to be there, he lives in the same area. Not to worry, when it comes to reproducing the live keyboard sound, they can simply get someone else in. Being expendable and finding yourself out of a job hurts, more so if it's the result of mutinous behaviour. Any more takers for the "chicken-in-a-basket" merry-go-round? Count me in but not because of Lily Allen's or Simon Jordan's involvement. Regular readers of this blog are well aware that I've written reviews for similar gigs. A Feargal-less Undertones knocking out "Teenage Kicks" to its middle-aged fans, a Hugh-less Stranglers firing "Tank" and "Nuclear Device" in Shepherd's Bush not to mention the many times I've seen The Damned. How those bleedin' comedy punx have the gall to play "New Rose" and "Neat Neat Neat" on stage without Brian James and Rat Scabies is beyond me. You could argue that they've had two singers (not including Gary Holton) if you compare Vanian's early vocal style to his faux Elvis crooner voice, the latter being far removed from the vibe of '76. Tut-tut. It's sacrilege. Well, is it? Not really, it's evolution, baby! Is the existence of such bands more justified if they release new material once in a blue moon like The Stones do? A big ass horn section complete with pretty female backing singers onstage will never replace Brian Jones (yes alright, I know he's dead, but you know what I'm getting at). Yet thousands will turn up to see Jagger posture all over a stadium's floorboards and love it, while others will stay at home to avoid any embarrassment. Most people who attend such gigs mainly do so to hear the old songs - it's not the same, but no one should expect it to be after 30+ years. On the other hand, one could also argue that if original line-ups aren't important to us we might as well go and see tribute bands, ticket prices are cheaper too. Anyone for AB/CD? You have a choice between a tribute Bon Scott or a tribute Brian Johnson...aren't we forgetting Dave Evans? No, I'm just being pedantic. So, to last night in south London. Was it the same without Dammers? I can only compare it musically with live film and video footage of the band in their heyday and to be honest, it didn't make any difference. The keyboard player that stood in danced about in the same manner, played all the right notes and even the "skating rink" keyboard sound on "Do Nothing" was there. Electro-mechanical organs aren't as emotionally responsive as other instruments - you press down on a key and a sine wave is emitted so it's a lot easier to copy someone's individual playing style. Back in the day, The Specials' energy came from the drums and bass and nothing's changed 27 years down the line. Terry Hall had a brief moan about Lockets being crap but his voice stood up the whole night and Lynval's rhythm playing was bang on. The only problem I had was with Roddy Radiation's guitar sound which was bathed in too much echo allowing the notes to get lost. In fact, Roddy's playing got lost during "Longshot Kick De Bucket", he just couldn't keep up to speed. Highlights of the night were a haunting "Man From C & A", "Friday Night, Saturday Morning" and an amazing "Too Much, Too Young", the opening drum roll of the latter sending the entire audience into a dancing frenzy. It was the biggest party in Brixton. After the gig, the venue lights came on and that's when I saw all the fat, middle-aged skins mopping their brows with their Fred Perry polo shirts which were already drenched in sweat to begin with. All of us were absolutely fucked from so much dancing but we all made our way home with silly, idiotic grins on our faces, the knowing type of grin that's displayed when you've had a fantastic time and you know you're alive. Scores on the doors for last night's entertainment? It has to be 6 out of 7, much better than watching them on Later With Jools which means I'll be boarding the good ship ska next week for another cruise to Nostalgialand. More chicken-in-a-basket band reviews coming soon including Faith No More, Anvil, Magazine and Cliff Richard and The Shadows (without Jet Harris). You think I'm joking, don't you?

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

chazza said: §:-0. . You dont have to. . .you can give your 'shadows' ticket away. Then endure the painful thought/worry till then. . .you poor, poor thing. . .Dad wouldnt want you to suffer needlessly LOL xxx

Istvanski said...

The Shadows are cool. Cliff, however, is not...unless you happen to be Ryk from The Young Ones.

savannah said...

the specials *sigh* think i might ska my way around housecleaning today, sugar! thank you! xoxox

savannah said...

@chazza...hey, sugar! *waving* xoxo

Anonymous said...

Chazza said:

Cliff Richards Em! ! MARMITE. . to many. Banned off some radio stations for life. (fear of rating figures).

Yet sell out Concerts every time. . . Funny that. (Been trying to get tickets for my Mum and Dad for years. Took getting tickets in my stride, failed every time. Now a ticket for my Dad).

Lessons could be learned from Cliffs whole 'Serenity' to life. His 'being himself' rather than the recognition/valadation (search) of being 'COOL'. Passionate for his 'own taste' in music like many of us. Rather than being like a sheep.

Many 'Artists today' un fortunately are more bothered about, than concentrating on their own tallent 'they believe in'.

POWER TO BEING SATISFIED WITH ONES SELF. . .Than being 'COOL' (follow the bear. . .and have one on me. . .not the sheep).

Appreciating what you are (blessed with) and changing what you dont like about yourself. . .makes you §:-) xxx

Anonymous said...

p.s Hi Sav. . .know the feelin' hun. . Know the feeling. Lol xxx be over later.

rockmother said...

Arse arse and arse again - I knew I would regret not going (been regretting it all week) and serves me right for being such a pedantic purist! Fantasticly well written review Isters - if you don't mind I'm going to link to it on Twitter. x

Col said...

I like Ska, and you're the only other person that I know who does, but I don't enjoy this band. To me it's 'cod ska' You dig? I'm a Skatalites kind of guy.

Geoff said...

I'm glad Jools didn't turn up. But was Jupitus there, vibrating the venue?

Joanne Casey said...

Maybe Dammers wanted them to play some of his lounge music and that's what kept him out of the reunion.

Did you see them on Jools Holland a while back? They said Dammers didn't want a part of it, but Jools said he's rang him earlier that day and he said he wasn't invited.

Terry Hall was a moody looking bastard as usual I'm sure :-)

Furtheron said...

On Jools H Terry looked like he'd rather be anywhere else but on stage but hey that was all part of it wasn't it.

Purple without Blackmore? Yes without Anderson? They've all done it at some point...

I don't mind ska on occasion to me The Specials and Madness were really about it for me as it wasn't my scene, I did think though the Specials made some classic singles - maybe some youngsters will see them and see what real music is about.

Mondo said...

With you all the Isv -

I've seen The Damned, The Stranglers and a fistful of bands that weren't the original era lineup - but as long as the essence and intent is still there - so what?. In fact only today I booked tickets for a Motorhead/The Damned and Girlschool show and am buzzed up for it even though none of the bands will be classic period line-up.

Funnily enough - you never hear anyone making the same purist claims about The Beatles, even though Pete Best got the boot after several years hard graft.

Although perhaps From The Jam are perhaps pushing it too far though.

Momentary Madness said...

It's the right time for the Specials no doubt.
I would have loved it any which way.

Anonymous said...

chazza said:

Mome/Mad. . .totally agree hun.

Im due to see and experience tomorrow night with 'The Isti'. Loved The Specials in my youth, too young however to be allowed to go to Gigs unfortunately. §:.-(

Im going for the hell of it, no reviews sway me either way in life. . .(My tendency to ignore general opinion. . .trust my own) §;-0hya !!

Howesy said...

Off topic: I found out what that tune was!!!! go to ...bignotes..

rockmother said...

Damned/Motorhead - will be going (do you want me to get extra tkts?) and am already negotiating a possible appearance on next ftb if I can persuade Nigel G who is not a Damned fan!

Romeo Morningwood said...

Awesome review..one step beyond actually..sounds bloody fantastic.

I was well pleased when Ska arrived across the Pond and it was promoted ferociously at many of the well intentioned get-togethers in my recroom..which almost always devolved to spinning Stairway to Heaven on 45rpm around 3ish when everyone who had any hope of getting laid had left and those who could no longer function were trapped with me.

Live music is a different world..I really liked Bloc Party last week. AC/DC Aerosmith and ZZ Top are coming this summer but...I dunno..I saw ZZ Top in 72 and it was one of the best concerts ever..I hate to spoil it.

The Mistress said...

I have Barry Manilow's Copacabana on an endless loop in my head and nothing else can enter.

I am doomed as doomed can be.

Help me.

Anonymous said...

chazza said:. . try the 'birdy song' or do you know. .'shud up ye' face'. . .x

rockmother said...

or Seven Seas by The Goombay Dance Band!! Noooooo.

Anonymous said...

chazza said: Helppp! got in from 'the specials' gig tonight. . .'THE DOGS BOLLOCKS ALL THE WAY. . .' have their tunes running through my mind now w w w, aching feet, sore throat and very light headed. 0ff to bed thoroughly exhausted. .xxx

Istvanski said...

Thank you for your comments, peeps. We went last night for another instalment of dance craziness and it was skatastic. One thing I forgot to mention in the review was the fact that Roddy sung "Concrete Jungle" while Terry went out for a fag. Not good. My cats could've done a better job.

Savvy - How did the housework go? Do you complete it faster if you're listening to the uptempo numbers? xox

Chazza - I was referring to the music, I don't give a stuff about Cliff's "serene" life. You could argue that he sells out arena venues to a load of sheep.

RoMo - I'm confident that we haven't heard the last of The Specials. They're earning a good living doing this, I just hope they don't end up doing the Butlin's circuit. Keep it like Madness, an odd gig here and there so we can all have a chance to enjoy a good day out. If you fancy seeing them in their hometown this Friday go here, or if you're quick you may be lucky and get tickets for their re-scheduled Brixton Academy show on the 16th May.
Re: MotorDamnedSchool - Not for me, but thanks for asking. Places like Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush prove awkward for me to get home to late at night and I'll only go there as a last resort.

Col - "You Dig?"...You dig?!? Have the folks of Hounslow adopted a new beatnik dialect? If it wasn't for these 'cod ska' bands us folks from the younger generation would not have heard of The Skatalites, Symarip, Dave and Ansell Collins, etc. The Specials, Beat, Madness et al had their uses, you know.

Geoff - Phil had a heart attack shortly after this. This post has has a lot of animal references to it - chicken, cod, jupitus...

Joanne - The only loungey song they did was "Stereotype", not the best from their lounge repertoire. "International Jet Set" would've been better.
Dammers and the rest of them are reluctant to reveal the full scale of their differences to the media, there's more to this feud than meets the eye but I believe that a full reunion is possible at some time. Terry Hall has been a miserable sod for so long he cannot physically smile even if he wanted to. Fact.

Furtheron - Yes, the youngsters who saw them live have expressed that these gigs have been superb. The oldies can still cut it on stage which makes me feel happy and victorious.

Planet Mondo - At least they called themselves "From The Jam", fair enough. What was pushing it was the recent Dead Kennedys reunion without Jello Biafra, I mean...come on, what were they thinking? Never the less, people still came to see them. The mind boggles.

MoMad - Yes, it's like '79 all over again, isn't it? Shit Labour government going into Tory transition, horrible financial shenanigans everywhere. Nothing really changes.

Howesy - Well done, sir! Now hop it!

Moot - Cheers, Donn. I've heard good things about Bloc Party and I'll be seeing ZZ Top this summer. I will ofcourse be doing a bit of reportage on their beards.

MJ - Manilow, eh? I suggest a dose of Rockmother and Dick Headley as they are the biggest Manilow experts in the blogosphere and they'll know how to ween you off hooter-music.

rockmother said...

Rubbish! You can get to Wimblydon from Hammersmith. Wimbledon's vaaaaaguely near you isn't it? Is it because tyhe combination of The Damned and Motorhead sounds a nit gimmicky. If I get free tickets I will check back with you!

rockmother said...

oh dear - I think I type too fast! Nit = bit - oops.

Anonymous said...

fuzz-fuzz, bang-bang, wallop

Anonymous said...

Clink-clink, fizz-fizz, slurp and relax
;-)
X

Anonymous said...

Itz-zy - bit-zy lets keep bizy, keeps you happy and healthy. ;-)