Tag Archives: ska

The Undertones / The Neville Staple Band – The Ritz, Manchester

Posted on May 17, 2019 by

An early start caught me out, my train arriving after seven, The Neville Staple Band already in charge by the time I’d made it from nearby Oxford Road station. And to channel ska inspiration Prince Buster and fellow 1979 breakthroughs … Continue reading →

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A Message from our Rude Boy – the Neville Staple interview

Posted on March 28, 2019 by

It will be 40 years in May since debut Special AKA single ‘Gangsters’ thrilled a nation, the first single on 2 Tone Records a fine example of all that followed from that ground-breaking independent label. Before 1979 was out, a … Continue reading →

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One Man’s Madness (I call it gladness) – the Lee Thompson interview

Posted on June 28, 2018 by

Lee Thompson was at home when I called, ‘sort of just inside 12 o’clock on the M25,’ where he’s been based around 30 years now. Born in St Pancras, NW1 in 1957, this esteemed saxophonist/songwriter’s postcode is EN5 rather than that … Continue reading →

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Skankin’ and rockin’ to a Skabilly beat – the Roddy ‘Radiation’ Byers interview

Posted on January 11, 2018 by

While no one could reasonably argue against the notion that Jerry Dammers was the architect and conceptual mastermind behind The Specials and the 2 Tone movement, his bandmates Roddy ‘Radiation’ Byers and Lynval Golding played a big part in establishing … Continue reading →

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Stepping back into Daylight – the Pauline Black interview

Posted on October 5, 2017 by

You need only take a couple of listens to the new album by influential ska favourites The Selecter to be convinced this is not a band content to sit back on past endeavours. What’s more, vocalist Pauline Black doesn’t do … Continue reading →

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Return of the Magnificent Maytals – the Toots Hibbert interview

Posted on July 16, 2016 by

I’m not quite sure where Frederick Hibbert, better known as ‘Toots’, is when I get through, but I’m guessing it’s Jamaica’s own back of beyond, with the phone reception poor. It doesn’t help that he’s en route between engagements, nor that … Continue reading →

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