The New Specialized 7″ Series Featuring Music From Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger & 2-Tone Stars Is Here!

The Specialized 2 - Beat Teenage Cancer 7" series is now available! The brainchild of Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and admin of The Specials fan website, the limited edition 7" series (in conjunction with Jump Up Records) is a follow-up to the recently released double CD collection Specialized 2 Beat Teenage Cancer which features 44 unique and diverse covers of The Beat's entire song catalog. Sales of the compilation and proceeds from 7"series are all slated for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) in the U.K.

The Specialized project, was conceived by Williams in September 2011 after he watched a TV program about young people with cancer in the UK. At that point, The Specials had just played a prestigious gig at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of the TCT charity. This inspired Williams to come up with the idea of an album of cover versions of songs by The Specials recorded by modern day artists. Thus was born "Specialized- A Modern take on Specials Classics."

The 7" series has the full support of members of The Beat. Both Dave Wakeling (listen to an interview Wakeling did with the BBC about the project) and Ranking Roger have contributed singles in the series --Wakeling has re-recorded "Mirror In The Bathroom" and Ranking Roger appears with Hunt Emerson's band The Spritely Allstars (Emerson is the designer of the Beat girl logo) on the track "Two Swords (Majestic Mix)." They have been joined by other 2-Tone era stars including Neol Davies of The Selecter, Lee Thompson of Madness and Rhoda Dakar of The Bodysnatchers who have also contributed songs. The 7" series also includes my band Bigger Thomas who have contributed our version of "Sole Salvation" on the B-side of the re-recording of "Mirror In The Bathroom.



The entire Specialized 7" series includes:

#1: The English Beat “Mirror In The Bathroom” (new Dave Wakeling version!) b/w Bigger Thomas “Sole Salvation” 7″ (Red Vinyl)
#2: The Spritely All Stars featuring/Ranking Roger “Two Swords” (Majestic Mix) b/w Stiff Joints “Ackee 123″ 7″
#3: The Values featuring/Neol Davies “All Out To Get You” / Lee Thompson “Madness (Acoustically Speaking) b/w Nick Welsh featuring BJ Cole “Save It For Later” / Rhoda Dakar “Too Nice To Talk To”

U.S. residents can order the singles from Jump Up Records and U.K./Europe residents can order through Specialized.

The Next Electric Avenue Show: King Django, Rude Boy George and The Royal Swindle on Saturday, December 7, 2013

The final Electric Avenue show of 2013 will kick off next Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Characters NYC in the heart of midtown Manhattan with a headlining set by the one and only ska legend King Django, the 80's new wave meets ska, reggae and rocksteady of Rude Boy George and the 60's R&B ska of The Royal Swindle.  Selector Steve and The Fat Albert Soundsystem will spin an awesome mix of ska and New Wave! And its only $10 to get in! Doors are at 8 pm and the cover is a super low $10!

Check out videos of each band below including King Django performing "Anywhere I Roam",  Rude Boy George performing a Goth reggae version of "Love My Way" by Squeeze and The Royal Swindle performing "I Don't Need No Doctor."







Electric Avenue is a partnership between myself and my fellow New York City ska blogging pal Steve Shafer (Duff Guide To Ska who also happens to be a member of Rude Boy George). We have teamed up to present monthly ska and reggae shows at Characters NYC, a midtown Manhattan Irish pub (243 West 54th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue in Manhattan) with a big back room ideally suited for live music.

Since last fall, we've been undertaking this labor of love--doing it for free (the bands split 100% of the cover, nobody else takes a cut)--to support ska bands and their fans, and have some fun in the process. Electric Avenue shows already have featured some of the best acts on the Northeastern U.S. ska scene, including Chris Murray (Los Angeles), The Ladrones (Brooklyn/New Jersey), King Django (NJ), The Snails (Philadelphia), The Frightnrs (Brooklyn), Destroy Babylon (Massachusetts), Bigger Thomas (NY/NJ), Beat Brigade (NY), Doomsday! (NY), Los Skarronerros (Brooklyn), The Pandemics (Long Island), The Scofflaws (Long Island), The Bullbuckers (Wilmington, DE), The Reggay Lords (Brooklyn), The Copacetics (Providence, RI) and The Rudie Crew (NY) and The Royal Swindle (New Haven, CT). This summer we were blessed to have Roddy Radiation and Lynval Golding of The Specials perform a solo show for us.

The Facebook Electric Avenue event page can be found here. And take a moment to "like" the Electric Avenue FB page, so you keep up on our shows.

Thanksgiving Reflections On UB40

While visiting home for Thanksgiving this week, my mother handed me a box of old family photos to sort through.  As I was flipping through the pictures, I suddenly and unexpectedly came across this autographed A&M Records promo/press photo of UB40 from the early 1980's that I had completely forgotten about.  It seemed appropriate, given I considered the picture a prized possession and the band honorary family members during a very formative period of my life. I listened to their first 4 albums (Signing Off, Present Arms, UB44 and Labor Of Love) constantly and absorbed an education in British reggae music and concepts of social justice in songs like Tyler, Burden Of Shame, Present Arms, One In Ten, I Won't Close My Eyes and The Earth Dies Screaming that molded me in very important ways. I distinctly remember scrawling the lyrics to Madam Medusa on a desk in my University library as a small form of political protest during the South African Divestment protests of the mid-80's.

In light of the band's current situation, I wanted to share my personal story of meeting members of UB40 at an A&M Records press event for college DJ's  in NYC in 1984 or 1985 where I was given the press photo. Astro, Jim Brown, Robin Campbell and Norman Hassan greeted the 15 or so people in attendance, previewed their new album "Geoffrey Morgan," and then autographed press photos for everyone in the room.  Being in close proximity to the band and hearing new tracks like If It Happens Again and As Always You Were Wrong Again was energizing, and I remember feeling more excited than I ever had about any thing in my life up to that point.

After leaving the press event, I saw Astro and Robin Campbell outside the A&M Records offices.  They were admiring Rolex watches that were displayed in a high end jewelry store. As I debated approaching them to tell them how much I loved their music, Astro caught a glimpse of me, and recognizing me from the event, waved me over and asked which watch I thought he should buy! I pointed at one without thinking and he laughed saying I had good taste!  He then asked me my name and said he would put me on the guest list for the show at The Beacon Theatre later that night.  I couldn't believe it.  True to his word, my name was on the guest list. Its a day I will never forget.

And so, despite the band's current ups and downs and its latest trials and tribulations, I want to give thanks for UB40.   Fantastic music and a small act of kindness many years ago had such an important impact of me as a young man.

UB40 Vocalist Astro Reunites With Ali Campbell

Days after announcing his split from UB40, vocalist Astro (Terence Wilson) has announced he will join the band's former lead vocalist Ali Campbell and keyboardist Mickey Virtue for a live show next Friday, December 6th at London's indigO2. Campbell and Virtue left UB40 in 2008.  Its unclear if this is a one-off show or if Astro plans to join Campbell and Virtue's version of UB40 on a full-time basis. Astro stated that his departure was due in part to unhappiness with band management and the new country-flavored album "Getting Over The Storm."

According to a report in Complete Music Update, Astro stated: “It’s going to be great working with Ali again after all this time. We started on a mission to promote reggae music and that mission is still ongoing. Onwards and upwards!” Campbell added: “We originally formed UB40 to promote reggae. It was never about promoting individual band members – it’s about the music and the fans. Nothing else matters. Welcome home Astro!”

UB40 drummer Jim Brown posted comments on the band's message board which provide more insight on the move. According to Brown:  "The band had a meeting with astro a couple of weeks ago because we had heard a few rumours that he had been in contact with Ali. Astro completely denied that he had seen Ali, he also gave us his word that he was totally committed to the bands up coming gigs. We also gave him extra money because he was having financial problems. He took the money and we haven't seen him since."

UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers also posted about the move on the band's message board:  "The 1st time I heard astro was unhappy was on the radio the day he left…he was 100% behind the project before that, he did loads of interviews enthusing about the album, he didn't contribute anything to it BUT then he was never a prolific writer and never wrote any music…his interview shocked the shit out of us….Anyway...y'gotta laugh…"  Travers added: "...what Jimmy didn't tell you was it was all the money we had available, leaving ourselves skint!"

New York Loves Brandt Abner Ska/Reggae Benefit Show on 11/25/13 at B.B. King's in N.Y.C.

New York ska musician, vocalist, and songwriter Brandt Abner tragically passed away from thymic cancer on September 13, 2013 at age 43. In response (and in celebration of Brandt's life and music), the NYC ska scene is holding a massive benefit ska show with 100% of the proceeds going to support Brandt's family (his wife, whom he met while they were in high school, and his nine year-old daughter).  The show will feature reunions of key 80's and 90's NYC ska bands including Skinnerbox, Skadanks and Beat Brigade as well as performances by current NYC ska bands Mephiskapheles, Pilfers, Dub Is A Weapon, Bigger Thomas and The Rudie Crew.

Abner was a founding member of Skinnerbox and also worked with Jeff Baker/King Django for the Version City compilation and the Roots and Culture album, and played keys on some of the tracks for The Toasters' This Gun for Hire album. He was also the keyboardist for Japanese alt/rock band Cibo Matto who are performing.

Here is video of Abner performing "Promise" during the Subborn Records 20th Anniversary Party at the Knitting Factory Brooklyn in May 2012:



An established musician in his own right, here is Abner performing a beautiful version of his won song "Honestly."



The New York Loves Brandt! benefit show will take place at B.B. King's on 42nd Street in Manhattan tomorrow, Monday, November 25, 2013, starting at 5:30 pm and going all night long. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 16 and under (advance adult tickets may be purchased here adn tickets are also available at the door).

This is going to be an extraordinary night of ska and reggae music--all of it in support of a worthy cause--so don't miss it if you are in the New York City area!

Set times for the show below:

5:45 PM
Cannabis Cup Band featuring Ras Droppa, Marcia Davis, Andrew McIntyre and friends and introducing -Sasha Abner- w/ special guest Jeremy Manasia

7:30 PM
Cibo Matto

7:50 PM
Dub Is A Weapon

8:10 PM
Beat Brigade

8:30 PM
Rudie Crew with special guest Rev Sinister (Inspecter 7) and Roger Apollon (Bigger Thomas)

8:55 PM
Bigger Thomas

9:20 PM
Skadanks featuring Rocker T, Jamalski, Yami Bolo and surprise guests!

9:50 PM
Skinnerbox

10:15 PM
Funkface

10:40 PM
Netherlands w Timo Ellis

11:00 PM
Abner's Oeuvre featuring Malcolm Gold, James Yarish, Jon McCain & Cavass

11:30 PM
Mephiskapheles

11:50 PM
Pilfers w/ Clark Gayton

The Beat vs Fun Boy Three!

I came across this fantastic photo of Dave Wakeling of The Beat and Terry Hall of Fun Boy Three battling for a loose soccer ball, while The Beat's guitarist Andy Cox looks on in front of what appears to be a large stadium crowd.  So just how did these 2-Tone alumni end up on a football pitch?

According to Wakeling, the photo was taken in 1982 at a charity five-a-side match held at West Bromich Albion's grounds The Hawthorne's near Birmingham, that featured popular bands from the Birmingham and Coventry area along with a few professional players. Wakeling added, "I just managed to pop the ball over Terry's desperate moccasin for one of my three stunning goals. The Beat are wearing West Brom away strip which includes a yellow and green striped shirt with green shorts." 

Hall is a well-known Manchester United fanatic (listen to the Fun Boy Three's "Were Having All The Fun" where Hall croons "I live in a flat, I like Manchester United..") while Wakeling is a noted Aston Villa supporter and Cox (who went on to form the Fine Young Cannibals) is a long-time West Bromwich Albion fan. Read an interview with Hall that appeared in the Manchester United fan magazine Red News and then read a story about how Hall nearly caused a riot in Leeds in 2009 when he taunted the crowd about his favorite team. Then check out Wakeling being interviewed about his favorite club:

UB40 Vocalist Astro Announces Split From Current Line-Up Ahead Of U.K. Tour

The trials and tribulations of UB40 continue.  Astro, the iconic frontman, toaster and sometime trumpet player released a statement today through a PR agency announcing his departure from the troubled band.

Astro (whose real name is Terence Wilson) broke the news to his bandmates earlier today, taking them by surprise. The group's best-known singer Ali Campbell left in 2008 along with keyboard player Mickey Virtue. Four of the remaining members including Astro were declared bankrupt two years ago. Astro alluded to the band's most recent album "Getting Over The Storm" as one of the deciding factors in his decision. The album which features reggae versions of well known country songs, has divided the band's fans. Listen to an interview Astro did with a local Birmingham radio station yesterday when he broke the news publicly. Apparently he let his bandmates know fifteen minutes before this interview:

listen to ‘ASTRO LEAVES UB40’ on Audioboo

Read the full statement below:

“After a well-documented turbulent few years I feel that it is time to draw a line in the sand and move on. Since Ali and Micky departed, the band has been like a rudderless ship with no clear direction, no action plan, we’ve merely muddled our way through on a wing and a prayer. There has been a serious lack of communication between the band and management.

“I want to play what our fans, who have been very vocal, want to hear, which is vibrant, fresh reggae music with passion. My heart just isn’t in the new album ‘Getting Over The Storm,’ where my contribution has been reduced to a backing vocalist which, as our fans know, is not my role in the group. I’m a front man, a lead vocalist.

“While it maybe true that there is a long relationship with reggae musicians and country music, that doesn’t mean that that’s what I want to play, far from it and it’s definitely not something I wish to be part of, subjecting our fans to what I consider to be substandard.

“I have been loyal to my brothers to the detriment of my own family. Now it is time for me to do the right thing by them and myself and bow out while I still have a chance to salvage something of my career.

“I may have lost all that I’ve worked for, for the past 30+ years but I cannot bear to see what we are offering to our loyal fans who have stood by us through thick and thin. I believe they deserve better than this and I am sorry but I cannot and will not lose my integrity as a respected reggae musician. Therefore I have no alternative but to part company with the band.

“I know it may seem sudden to all who know me but my mind is made up and will not change. I think it’s clear that I’ve had enough of being depressed, as I’m sure other members are, but the difference is I’m not prepared to continue to be miserable at home and work. So it’s with a heavy heart I say goodbye. It was (mostly) fun while it lasted.”

UB40 responded to the latest departure by saying Astro had let down fans by walking out on his upcoming touring commitments. In a statement the group said: "UB40 are shocked and saddened by not only Astro's decision to quit the band, but also his refusal to honour his touring commitments. We have several tours booked in the coming months, including our biggest UK tour for three years, and he has not only let us down but also our fans.  While we are naturally disappointed that Astro will not be with us at these shows, UB40 will continue and are looking forward to a positive 2014."

Rumors that Astro will be joining Ali Campbell and Mickey Virtue in Ali's band have already started with Campbell stating "Interesting" on his Facebook page with regard to the announcement.

The band's drummer Jim Brown has responded to Astro's departure with a number of posts on the UB40 fan forum, stating:

"Astro tried to hold the band to ransom. He told us we had to pay him more, or he would walk. Just like Ali did. And the bands response was the same. We don't respond we'll to being blackmailed. It's a shame, but what can we do ? No band member is more important than another. Problem is, when going gets tough, you can't predict how people will react. Some get stronger, others fall apart. People show their true selves when they are under stress. I'm very proud that the band are strong enough to respond the way they did to astro's blackmail. Trying to hold us to ransom is a mistake, as Ali and astro have discovered. In UB40 everyone is equal. This talk of "management" is just a red herring. After Ali left we changed management, but the band still makes all the decisions. It has nothing to do with managers, or musical direction. It's all about money. Trying to blackmail the band in to paying him more than anyone else was a mistake on astro's part. We regret that this has happened, but nothing has really changed. We've toured without astro several times in the past and the shows were still great. Life goes on."

Here's a reminder of the good old days. This song changed my life and remains a personal favorite and features an extended toast from Astro. Long live UB40...

Jamaica World Music Festival in November 1982 features The Clash, The English Beat, Squeeze, Joe Jackson, Peter Tosh, B-52's, Black Uhuru and more!

Thirty plus years ago this month, the Jamaica World Music Festival kicked off what could arguably be called one of the most diverse and engaging line-up of ska, reggae, new wave and rock band and artists from the 70's and 80's to ever grace the stage together including The Clash, The English Beat, Joe Jackson, B-52's Squeeze, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Toots & The Maytals along with the Grateful Dead, the Beach Boys, Rick James and many others.

Held at the Bob Marley Performing Center in Montego Bay (which according to those who attended was nothing more than an immense gravel parking lot with a stage at one end) over the Thanksgiving weekend of 1982, the festival was a commercial success that drew thousands of American reggae, rock and new wave fans, who travelled down to the tourist spot with peak audiences hitting nearly 50,000 for performances by Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight.

Despite the financial success, the festival never became the annual event it was hoped it would be, but luckily, most of the performances has become available online.  I've done my best to collect all of the ska, reggae and new wave performances, along with anecdotes on several of the performers. Hat tip to Dubwise Garage for posting all the sets.

The Clash were one of key festival draws and made a selection from their songs that contained their most specific Jamaican influences.  The band played on the second night of the festival and due to poor planning on the sets the bill ran into the wee hours of the night with the band hitting the stage around 4 am local time.  According to The Ballad of Joe Strummer by Chris Salewicz, the band's manager Bernie Rhodes said the band would pull out unless they were immediately given $200,000. The late start seemed to have muted the audience somewhat as Strummer implores the crowd to get with it on a number occasions with Strummer quipping "In these colder climes we have to play faster" and "If you don't like us I've got the Grateful Dead waiting in the wings and I'm going to bring them on. So you'd better shape up--now!"

Unfortunately, when Squeeze played the World Music Festival in Montego Bay on November 27, 1982,  the end was near for the band. Their album, Sweets From A Stanger, released earlier that year, was not well received and considered a disappointing follow up to 1981’s East Side Story. Even the popularity of the single Black Coffee in Bed couldn’t save the album or the group. The negative reaction to the record, coupled with the stress of touring and tensions between band members led to the breakup of the band in 1983, though Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford would continue to work together. Their performance at the festival is one of their last shows before the band came to an end, at least until they reformed in 1985!

The English Beat

Peter Tosh



Joe Jackson

B-52's

Toots & The Maytals

Yellowman

Black Uhuru

The Next Electric Avenue Show: Chris Murray, The Ladrones and Rude Boy George on Saturday, November 16, 2013

The next Electric Avenue show will kick off on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at Characters NYC in the heart of midtown Manhattan with a rare east-coast, headlining set by international ska troubadour Chris Murray, New York-based ska/punk/Latin upstarts The Ladrones and Rude Boy George, which is a new musical project that I am part featuring members of my band Bigger Thomas, The Toasters and Across The Aisle, that performs ska, reggae and rocksteady versions of 80's new wave songs. Doors are at 9 pm and the cover is a super low $10!

Chris Murray is a unique force in today's music scene. Born in Toronto, he earned a strong reputation as a dynamic performer and gifted songwriter as leader of influential Canadian ska group King Apparatus. Upon the band's breakup, he relocated to Los Angeles, emerging as a solo artist with The 4-Track Adventures Of Venice Shoreline Chris, recorded in various locations on a portable 4-track cassette recorder. Entering LA's ultra-purist rock steady scene armed only with an acoustic guitar, Chris has become a leading figure in the world's foremost authentic Jamaican music community. As host of Bluebeat Lounge (2003-2009), a popular weekly concert series focusing on reggae and ska, Chris promoted more than 350 shows over seven years at Hollywood's Knitting Factory.  His musical journeys have taken him throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, the UK, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.

Check out videos of each band below including Chris Murray performing "Ex-Darling," The Ladrones performing "Nada Pasa" and Rude Boy George performing a soulful rocksteady version of "Tempted" by Squeeze.








Electric Avenue is a partnership between myself and my fellow New York City ska blogging pal Steve Shafer (Duff Guide To Ska who also happens to be a member of Rude Boy George). We have teamed up to present monthly ska and reggae shows at Characters NYC, a midtown Manhattan Irish pub (243 West 54th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue in Manhattan) with a big back room ideally suited for live music.

Since last fall, we've been undertaking this labor of love--doing it for free (the bands split 100% of the cover, nobody else takes a cut)--to support ska bands and their fans, and have some fun in the process. Electric Avenue shows already have featured some of the best acts on the Northeastern U.S. ska scene, including King Django (NJ), The Snails (Philadelphia), The Frightnrs (Brooklyn), Destroy Babylon (Massachusetts), Bigger Thomas (NY/NJ), Beat Brigade (NY), Doomsday! (NY), Los Skarronerros (Brooklyn), The Pandemics (Long Island), The Scofflaws (Long Island), The Bullbuckers (Wilmington, DE), The Reggay Lords (Brooklyn), The Copacetics (Providence, RI) and The Rudie Crew (NY) and The Royal Swindle (New Haven, CT). This summer we were blessed to have Roddy Radiation and Lynval Golding of The Specials perform a solo show for us.

The Facebook Electric Avenue event page can be found here. And take a moment to "like" the Electric Avenue FB page, so you keep up on our shows.