The UK's love affair with The Specials keeps right on rolling. The band's latest coup is a recent 6-page cover story in the NME that charts the history of 2-Tone, the band's reunion and their observations on the current music scene and a side-bar story on all the UK bands they have influenced (from Lily Allen to Massive Attack). Its definitely worth a read.
Now it's America's turn to fall in love with the band again. In case you haven't heard, the first show the band booked at Terminal 5 here in New York City on Wednesday April 21st sold out during the two day pre-sale. A second show was added for the night before (Tuesday April 20th) to satisfy the pent-up demand that has clearly been stoked by the the amazing live reviews the band has generated. If you missed out for tickets for the first show, then the ska gods are smiling. Move with post haste this Friday February 19th when tickets for the second show go on sale.
If you live in New York City or plan to attend one or both of the shows, I'm planning to host after-show parties at a bar in the Chelsea neighborhood. We will have good drinks, a DJ spinning ska, reggae and rocksteady, a crowd of ska lovers and hopefully a member or two from the band. More details and information to be posted in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, to feed your desire for all things Specials, below are fascinating interview segments with Terry Hall, John Bradbury and Lynval Golding posted by NME in conjunction with the cover story. They touch on their memories around a variety of topics old (appearing on Top Of The Pops for the first time, the 1980 tour of Japan, hitting #1 in the UK charts with 'Too Much Too Young') and new (their emotional reactions to the first reunion show in Newcastle). Have a look...
Finally, one more gift to really get the blood moving. Below is a rip of the audio of the band's live show from the Wolverhampton Civic Center last November that is featured in the new DVD released this week. Its likely that the 17 song set list may be similar to what the band plays at shows here in the U.S.. Download link below. ENJOY!
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