From what I can gather, Skye Sweetnam is Canada's slightly punk version of Britney Spears with a twist. Though she served as the singing voice for Barbie in The Barbie Diaries and she recorded a song in simlish for the release of The Sims 2: Pets, she has also worked with Operation Ivy and Rancid front man Tim Armstrong and recorded one of the best ska songs of the last 5 years, the nearly perfect "Into Action."
The song was written by Armstrong for Sweetnam's album "Sound Soldier", but was also re-recorded by Armstrong and Sweetnam with Southern California ska and reggae stalwarts The Aggrolites, and it appeared on Armstrong's solo LP " A Poet's Life" which is his love letter to 2-Tone ska. The song was one of the most requested songs ever at Los Angeles radio station KROQ-FM. Armstrong's love of 2-Tone has been clear for some time and has influenced many of the songs he has recorded with Rancid (have a listen to Time Bomb or Roots Radical). He also sang guest vocals for the song "Fearful" on The Specials Mk2 LP "Guilty Till Proved Innocent".
Now Sweetnam has versioned the song with her own lyrics (the two versions share a chorus) and released it, along with a very watchable video. I think Gwen Stefani may finally have some competition in the rude girl department. Here is Skye Sweetnam's version of the "Into Action" (I really dig the Emma Peel vibe to the video!):
Just so you are up to speed, here is Tim Armstrong's original version with Skye doing backing vocals and The Aggrolites backing it all up. I love the whole 2-Tone vibe to this one:
While every music scene has the bands that put the city on the map, there are also the important and indispensable members of the media who serve to chronicle and help promote the scene and keep its fans informed. The Beatles arrival in New York City was heralded and covered by one Murray The K. Later, the Los Angeles KROQ DJ and Rock scene maker Rodney Biggehneimer was the man every musician passing through on tour wanted and needed to speak to. Coventry and 2-Tone also has such a person and his name is Pete Chambers.
Pete is an unabashed fan of 2-Tone and a booster for Coventry. A lifelong resident of the city, his passion for 2-Tone and his connections with its musicians has helped him to keep its legacy alive while establishing perosnal and professional relationships with members of the bands. This dual role of journalist/fan has allowed him to support and publicize the music as a member of the media and author, while providing the perspective of a fan who loves the bands and music and wants other fans to love it just as much.
Pete is a very busy man these days. Between writing a regular music column for the Coventry Evening Telegraph and hosting a BBC radio show he has also authored a number of rock music books. Of particular interest are his two books about the history of 2-Tone. The first, "The 2-Tone Trail" looks at the places and the faces that helped to shape 2-Tone. Full of rarely seen photographs and very interesting tidbit's of info, the book features a 20 location tour around Coventry, and each one is brought to life by quotes from the likes of Jerry, Horace, Roddy, Lynval, Neville, Pauline, Roger Lomas, Neol Davies who also contributes the foreword. He just launched the follow-up titled, "2-Tone 2 - Dispatches From The 2-Tone City 30 Years On". The new book includes news stories, rare and unseen photographs, and the views of some of 2-Tone's key players.
I was lucky enough to interview Pete the same day The Specials announced their first UK tour dates since 1981. Pete shared his thoughts on The Specials reunion, his favorite 2-Tone song and band (you might be surprised who that is) and the future for ska music in Coventry. Enjoy the interview.
Can you tell me about your introduction to music and ska music in particular? Like so many others, my lasting memory of the discovery of music, has to be The Beatles. The old Dancette in the corner, blaring out sounds that seemed to make sense, probably the only time in our lives when my whole family shared anything near a musical taste I suppose. I’m a bit of a cultural tourist, so happily I have been influenced by all types of music. I love ska and reggae of course, but I also love many other types of music. Though Ska and reggae music came into my life around the 70’s. I was a proud suede head, spending my paper-round money on Tighten Up compilation albums. I recall that this was the music our particular youth culture was supposed to be into. I never got that, I wasn’t getting off on it cus I was supposed to, this was bloomin great music, simple as. I recall hearing Here I am baby, by Al Brown & Skin Flesh and Bones for the first time, and been blown away totally. That made me want to explore the genre even more, I adore roots reggae, especially The Mighty Diamonds and U-Roy, stuff like that.
What was it like growing up in Coventry? Did you experience the 2-Tone explosion firsthand? I suppose I should talk of ghost towns and concrete jungles. The truth is I had a pretty average upbringing, in an average city. I always talk about the Ghost Town dichotomy, we were branded a ghost town at our most creative period, 2-Tone was amazing for Coventry. Every local artist in the 80’s wanted to be the cities next ‘pop stars’. The legacy it has created is now well and truly seated in Cov’s urban history. No other artists from the city has ever done that. As a music fan it was a wonderful place to live in the 80’s, it was happening right on a doorstep. For once we weren’t your average city. We were Cov, and at last we had something to be proud of. Happy days.
You seem to be very well connected with members of The Specials and The Selecter. How did you meet them? Through my music journalism mainly, anyone who knows me, will see me not just as a writer, but a fan too. I don’t really care about the bullshit of the industry, just the music. I try never to cross anyone, I just write about the music, I think they respect that. I know Lynval does, as he has told me many times. Horace has been a family friend for years, I DJ’d and took the photos at his wedding. Horace, Roddy, Neville, Neol, Gaps, Lynval, Aitch, Roger Lomas among others, are always there for me in all my cockeyed ideas and schemes god bless them. (Lynval Golding with a copy of Pete's new book).
You were the only member of the media invited to secret rehearsals for The Specials first reunion show at Bestival in September. What was that like? Its hard for those of us who never saw the band live to fathom how significant their reunion is isn't it? I know we all love a good sound bite, but I was literally looking away, then back at the stage, convincing myself I was seeing those six guys back together. When the session began and they started playing I admit there was a tear in my eye. It was that important to me, and to be allowed to witness this piece of history. Most people will never know just how hard it was for this reunion to happen. It was a nightmare at times, and so often I thought that it would never happen. So to see this was a glorious result of an almost impossible journey. I was so humbled to be allowed in that room with such giants of music.
What is your take on Jerry Dammers? Do you think he will decide to tour with the band next spring and help mark the 30th anniversary? Here we go, in-band politics, lets put this in perspective, No Jerry Dammers, no 2-Tone, we wouldn’t even be doing this interview if it wasn’t for him. I would dearly love to see all seven guys on stage next year, do I think it will happen, not a chance.
What is your favorite 2-Tone song and why? Gangsters has to be up there, where it all began Ghost Town perfect song where it all ended, It Doesn’t Make It Alright is genius though. On My Radio had incredible energy, although not strictly 2-Tone we had Celebrate The Bullet, a forgotten gem, I adore it. Sorry can’t narrow it down to one.
The Specials or The Selecter? Which one and why? (Sort of like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones) I always say that, as much as I adore the Specials, I felt that the Selecter were nearer the ethos of what 2-Tone was all about. Neol and Pauline were a dynamic that worked far better than many realised. Her ‘in yer face’ interpretations of Neol's often stark lyrics, was a match made in 2-Tone heaven. I saw them sing together recently, and it was like someone had switched a light on. They just got up there and made magic, it was easy to see the spark. The Selecter, now that would be another great reunion for sure. (Neol Davies with Pete's new book in front of Coventry's Horizon Studios where The Specials and The Selecter LPs were recorded).
Coventry and 2-Tone are forever linked in the same way that Detroit and Motown and Seattle and Grunge are here in the U.S.. When one talks of a 2-Tone sound everyone knows what that means. What is it about Coventry that it has been the birthplace of so much great music and bands? I put it down to the big bang factor, we are a great fusion city. The automotive industry in Coventry saw the influx of people settling in Coventry from the Caribbean . They bought with them their culture and music, it was understandable music fusion would occur. It would eventually influence people like Jerry Dammers. By 1980 many bands in Coventry were playing the Coventry Sound, basically a four four beat, with a huge punk/new age angle to it. There were a few hit bands that came from the city, but others like Gods Toys, Urge and The Reluctant Stereotypes that were just as good, but never really made it.
You are quite a multimedia fellow with a newspaper column, a BBC radio show and a number of books to your name. How did you get where you are now? Not certain where I am exactly; but I love what I do, my jobs my hobby and vice versa, I’m living the dream. I suppose I did it by knowing and being passionate about my subject, it’s amazing when you write a book and suddenly you become an expert. My first book Godiva Rocks really opened doors, and that led to full-page column in the Coventry Telegraph and a regular guest spot on BBC radio. Now when TV want a talking head that knows Coventry music they wheel me out. I’m loving it!
Tell me about your two 2-Tone specific books. Where can readers get a copy if they are interested? My new book is 2-Tone-2- Dispatches From The 2-Tone City 30 Years On. Basically a compendium of lots of 2-Tone stories, articles and rare or unseen photos with an update of my first 2-Tone book thrown in for good measure. It’s getting some great reviews I’m happy to say. Lynval Golding was kind enough to do the foreword. The best place to get it is on E-Bay, just search 2-Tone-2. I’ll even sign it for you. (The picture below is from Pete's book launch party for 2-Tone 2 this past October including Neol Davies, Horace Panter, Roddy Radiation and Roger Lomas among others)
What is your take on the ska scene in the UK at the moment? What do you make of Pama International, The Ripps, The Enemy? Do you think another revival is in the works? I love Pama, an exciting band, The Ripps are a shining example of what Coventry can produce. They are for me the natural legacy of 2-Tone, a superbly talented trio. The Enemy are a Coventry band, but don’t play ska or reggae. They have however put Coventry back on the music map. With the reunion of the Specials I think there’s going to be considerable interest in the genre, as for a ska revival, well has it ever gone away, I would say not? Many thanks been great to do this, respect.
Here is a recent TV clip about Pete's new book "2-Tone 2" that features an interview with Pete and Neol Davies of The Selecter:
Here is footage of Special Brew (a 2-Tone tribute band) along with Ray King, Horace Panter and Neol Davies performing at the launch party for Pete's new book back in October of this year:
You can buy a copy of Pete's new book on Ebay here
It's really happening! To celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2009, The Specials have announced an 8-date UK tour for next April and May.
The tickets go on sale December 11th and will be priced at £32.50 in advance except London which will be £35. They are expected to sell out quickly. The dates are below. For more information visit: http://www.gigsandtours.com/
Here is a story from today's NME about the tour annoucment which includes an interview with Terry Hall. It appears that Jerry is not part of the tour but that the door remains open for him to join.
The Specials Live in 2009
22 April NEWCASTLE, Academy 23 April SHEFFIELD, Academy 25 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 26 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 28 April GLASGOW, Academy 3 May MANCHESTER, Apollo 6 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 7 May LONDON, Brixton Academy
Here is the press release that was distributed today by the band:
ISSUED TODAY BY THE SPECIALS MANAGEMENT TEAM THE SPECIALS
"...We are proud to announce that 2009 will see the live return of Coventry’s finest, The Specials. One of the most important bands in the history of popular music and recognised as one of the greatest live bands the world has ever seen have been the subject of continuous rumours and demands for their reformation since their split in 1981.
It would be impossible to overstate the importance of The Specials to the UK music scene. Despite a brief career, the Coventry band lit up the late 70’s like a comet, their melding of punk and ska creating the 2-tone sound that is still today is held up as an influence by bands across the world. Now, thirty years since the release of their debut single, ‘Gangsters’, The Specials will take to the road for a UK tour starting in April.
Over two studio albums, The Specials scored eight top ten singles, including two number ones for the ‘Too Much Too Young’ live EP and the era defining ‘Ghost Town’, two Top 5 albums and spawned a retrospective list of compilation and live albums from official releases to much sought after bootlegs. The band were rightly regarded as the starting point of the ska scene that swept the UK through 1978 and, in many ways, were emblematic of their times, their songs dealing with the confusion of a country in industrial decline whilst struggling to come to terms with multi-culturalism and a new creed which became known as Thatcherism. Their re-emergence into a Britain teetering on the edge of recession and still plagued by the same divisions and problems that they so memorably highlighted in ‘Ghost Town’ could not seem more apt, the songs from ‘The Specials’ and ‘More Specials’ seeming as relevant today as they did 30 years ago.
So you've seen Dance Craze the movie but have you read Dance Craze the magazine? Unless you lived in the UK in 1981 or are a 2-Tone memorabilia fanatic and own a copy, chances are that many of you have not seen this 32-page gem. And it only cost 40p when it was on the newsstand!
According to the 2-Tone Info web site, this magazine was one of two magazines published to accompany the film. Of the 2 magazines which were issued to coincide with the release of Dance Craze this one is by far the most informative. Written by then Sounds journalist, Garry Bushell, it offers an insight to each of the bands featured in film, along with a brief history of ska and a positive write up on skinheads.
Although he recalls an early encounter of The Specials, who were supporting The Clash at the time, the author admits he wasn’t initially that impressed with the embryonic fusion of punk and reggae. This was soon to change as Bushell was one of the first journalists to pick up on the 2 Tone phenomenon and it is obvious from reading the magazine that he was also a huge fan of both the label and its achievements. A great section on Bad Manners sees Buster recall how his overactive bowels put an end to his famous white boiler suit and how Chris Foreman from Madness once challenged the fat man to a Big Mac eating contest. Also included in the magazine are discographies (which were up to date at the time of publishing) of each of the featured bands plus press ads for the likes of ‘More Specials’ and The Congos album ‘Heart of the Congos’, released on The Beat’s Go-Feet Records.
I distinctly remember the South African divestment protests and sit-ins that rocked my college campus in the late 1980's. As news that our University (along with many other universities and corporations) had money invested in the apartheid regime in South Africa, students demanded that the administration immediately divest. As protesters staged a sit-in in-front of the student center, effectively closing it for a time, the song "Free Nelson Mandela" by The Special A.K.A. played regularly over a sound system that had been brought in.
As an impressionable young ska fanatic, I was deeply affected by the song and it moulded my world outlook and personal politics. I also remember thinking that the song might finally bring the band the recognition they needed to help mount a comeback and that I might finally get to see them perform live in the U.S. (despite the fact that they had effectively dissolved after the release of their album "In The Studio"). Nevertheless, I played the song constantly and it was a staple of the many mix tapes I made for friends at the time. The lyrics were simple and direct and told Mandela's story powerfully. It was sung with grace and determination by Stan Campbell who had been recruited by Jerry Dammers to replace Terry Hall. Indeed, looking back on the impact of the song, Dammers commented that "Maybe Terry Hall wouldn’t have been as convincing as Stan Campbell singing "Free Nelson Mandela" anyway." As much as I love Terry, I have to agree with Jerry.
Campbell joined The Special A.K.A in 1983 with a hope to make it rich and famous, but his plans were thwarted by endless time locked in the recording studio with Dammers and then the lack of commercial success for the resulting singles. In fact, he left the group right after the recording of "Nelson Mandela" and the release of the video for the song and had to be co-erced into rejoining briefly for a live appearance on Top Of The Pops in 1984. Following that one TV appearance, Campbell left for good, skipping out on a live appearance on Channel 4's "The Tube"where he was replaced on short notice by Elvis Costello who sang instead. Here is video of Campbell's performance with the band on Top Of The Pops in April 1984:
Campbell then had a try at solo work after signing a deal with WEA in 1986. The self titled album was recorded at UB40's DEP Studio in Birmingham with local musicians and included originals and covers of various musical styles - reggae, jazz, soul, blues. Campbell's debut came out right about the same time as the first release from another pop/soul artist by the name of Terence Trent D'Arby, but unlike D'Arby's debut, Campbell's album never built up much momentum and quickly faded. And that's a shame because the songs still stand up, after twenty years. Campbell's renditions of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", "Crawfish" and "Strange Fruit" are memorable and his smooth, smoky vocal delivery ranks with among the best soul singers of all time. While garnering some good reviews - his versions of Elvis Presley's "Crawfish" has been said to be better than the King's - the album and its singles failed to chart and Campbell disappeared from the musical scene.
Here is a video of Campbell's 'Years Go By':
Unfortunately Campbell's story takes a very sad and tragic turn. According to news accounts from Coventry papers and information I've gathered from a variety of web sites, its been reported that Campbell's mental health began to take a turn for the worse following the failure of his solo record and while in London, he was involved in a number of sexual harassment cases. He later returned to Coventry where his mental health deteriorated and its been reported there were times that he was homeless. In 2002, he was arrested for his involvement in a sex crime against a young woman, and was convicted of the charge. Campbell has been sectioned indefinitely under the UK Mental Health act to a psychiatric hospital to serve his sentence. The sad irony is that Campbell sang the song that helped to free Nelson Mandela but is now imprisoned himself. The Special AKA song "Bright Lights" proved to be prophetic for Campbell with its warning about the seduction of fleeting fame and the hard reality of what can happen.
Following fast on the heels of the incredibly popular Amy Winehouse Ska EP from earlier this year comes yet another UK chanteuse eager to show her affinity for The Specials and 2-Tone. Rumour has it that Lily Allen has also released a fan club edition ska 7".
The A side is reportedly Lily's version of "Gangsters" recorded live with Terry Hall and Lynval Golding at Glastonbury 2007 while the B side is rumoured to be her studio version of "Blank Expression". The single will apparently be available with two different covers and rumored to be limited to 750 copies. I haven't been able to find the single on line yet. If you want to buy a legitimate copy you can visit Jump Up Records who are selling it via Pay Pal.
Otherwise, take a look at the videos below that feature the two songs on the single. The first is a live version of "Blank Expression" featuring Lynval Golding from a show in 2007:
Here is Allen performing "Gangsters" with Lynval and Terry Hall at Glastonbury in 2007:
Allen will release her sophomore album, "It’s Not Me, It’s You" in February 2009. It will reportedly mark her move away from ska to electro/pop sounds. However, the fan club single would suggest Lily still has a soft place in her heart for ska and for The Specials.
While many casual fans of 2-Tone know about the glory days of the label and of The Specials at their peak, the other story about the label and the band in decline is just as fascinating and the material recorded for the band's final swansong, "In The Studio" remains and overlooked gem with several stand-out tracks.
With the departure of more than half of the group in 1981 to form Fun Boy Three, Jerry Dammers, Horace Panter and John Bradbury, were left with the dilemma of how to keep the spirit of The Specials alive. After a short trip to Germany to back Rico Rodriguez, the three remaining Specials returned to the UK to sort matters out. Because of legal red tape, they could no longer use the name The Specials, so they reverted to the old Special A.K.A. moniker.
The first project was to record a single with Rhoda Dakar, 'The Boiler', which Jerry had first attempted early in 1981. The song was an old Bodysnatchers number, a harrowing tale of rape, and despite a great production, it was never going to feature on too many radio play lists. The single was released in January 1982, and credited to Rhoda With The Special A.K.A. Horace didn't actually play on the record, his place being filled by ex- Bodysnatcher Nicky Summer, and a new guitarist, John Shipley of The Swinging Cats was also present.
The record got a lot of attention, if not airplay, due to the sensitive subject matter, and eventually reached a very credible No.35 on the chart. A follow up single 'Female Chauvinist Pig' was planned but never emerged. Instead the next single to feature the band was 'Jungle Music', by Rico And The Special A.K.A. A catchy number that despite some good airplay failed to chart. Jerry, Brad and Horace also contributed to Rico's second album for 2-Tone, 'Jama', released in May '82.
Dammers tried to rebuild by signing two new bands, first The Apollonaires, and then The Higsons. Both bands had leanings toward jazz funk rather than ska, and it came as no surprise when the 4 singles that the bands issued all failed to chart. A new look Special A.K.A. soon appeared. Dammers had recruited vocalist Stan Campbell, and a friend of Rhoda's Egidio Newton, to provide vocals, and Gary McManus joined shortly after to replace Horace on bass, who had decided to call it a day.
The band released a new single 'War Crimes' in a flurry of publicity, but like 'The Boiler' previously, the subject of the song prevented it from getting the airplay it deserved. 'War Crimes' became the first single by The Specials not to gain any chart placing. Dammers however, was happy to sacrifice commercial success to get his message across.
The next move was to take the band into the studio to record a new album. It was a long hard process, and the first that the public got to hear of their labours was 8 months later, in August 1983, when the single 'Racist Friend/Bright Lights' was released. The single found Roddy Radiation making a guest appearance on guitar, and took the band to the lower reaches of the chart, with a No.60 chart placing. (Roddy later revealed that he did not actually play the lead guitar solo that features prominently on "Racist Friend", instead it was lifted from a demo of the song he had played on earlier. He never actually set foot in the studio, having had a falling out with Dammers.)
The inspiration for 'Racist Friend' came from Jerry's observation that the more famous he got, the more friends he accumulated. He found he was seeing less and less of his family and real friends, and spending more time with the hangers on. One day he took out his address book, and as a starting point to decide who to get rid of, he scribbled out the name of anyone with racist tendencies.
The other side of the single, 'Bright Lights' summed up Stan Campbell's attitude to the band perfectly. The lyric goes along the lines of moving to London and joining a band, with the naive belief that "the streets really must be paved with gold". Campbell joined the Special A.K.A. expecting immediate fame and fortune, after all he was working with the guy who started 2-Tone. When this success was not forthcoming, Campbell became very irritable, threatening to quit on an almost daily basis.
To make the recording of the album even more stressful, some members of the band lived in Coventry, while some still lived in London. Just getting the group together was a nightmare. Rhoda also has unhappy memories of the recording: "My memories are of going home in tears after singing one line of a lyric over and over for about five hours. I went home sobbing in a cab most nights." With the recording costs beginning to rise at an alarming rate, Chrysalis tried to recoup some of the cash by issuing the compilation album 'This Are Two Tone'.
The next thing to emerge from the studio was the classic 'Free Nelson Mandela' single in March 1984. The recording, produced by Elvis Costello, also featured Lynval Golding, now a free agent after the Fun Boy 3 split, and Ranking Roger and Dave Wakeling, formerly of The Beat. The single brought the plight of the ANC member to the attention of many for the first time. If 'Ghost Town' was Dammers greatest commercial success, 'Free Nelson Mandela' was his greatest artistic achievement, although he rarely gets the credit for it he deserves. The record shot to No.9 on the chart, and Jerry was soon busy organising the Artists Against Apartheid' concert on Clapham Common. The Special A.K.A. did not appear on the bill, possibly because Stan Campbell had finally quit the band shortly before the release of the new single.
After two long, hard years in the making, the Special A.K.A.s 'In The Studio' album was finally unveiled in August 1984. It had very little new material as half of the tracks were already available as singles, and another, 'What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend', was released in September. 'What I Like Most...' actually featured Jerry on lead vocals, and the video was a classic, with Dammers playing the part of an alien who comes to Earth and takes an instant attraction to another guy's girl in a bar. The single, which struggled to No.51, was to be the last from the 'original' Specials camp. 'In The Studio' proved a financial disaster for Chrysalis, and the last that anyone saw of the Special A.K.A. was on Channel 4's Play At Home series, where the band made a video for each of the tracks from the album.
Here are videos for the songs "Nelson Mandela", "Racist Friend", "Housebound", "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend", "Alcohol", "The Lonely Crowd" and "Break Down The Door":
Band members: Caron Wheeler - backing vocals Stan Campbell - vocals Rhoda Dakar - vocals John Shipley - guitar Jerry Dammers - keyboards, organ, piano, vocals Gary McManus - bass John Bradbury - drums Claudia Fontaine - backing vocals Dick Cuthell - flugelhorn Nigel Reeve - saxophone Egidio Newton - vocals, percussion
Here is the track listing and the download link is below:
1. Bright Lights (4.11) 2. The Lonely Crowd (3.52) 3. What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend (4.50) 4. Housebound (4.11) 5. Night On The Tiles (3.04) 6. Nelson Mandela (4.07) 7. War Crimes (6.13) 8. Racist Friend (3.49) 9. Alcohol (5.01) 10. Break Down The Door (3.33)
Thanks to Andy Clayden of The Ska, Rocksteady & Reggae web site from which much of the background and history of The Special AKA for this post was derived.
