Electric Avenue Update: King Django and The Snails to Headline First Show!

Breaking news: The Hard Times unexpectedly had to withdraw from playing the debut Electric Avenue gig coming up this Saturday, August 4, 2012 at Characters NYC in midtown Manhattan, but the amazing King Django has graciously stepped in to perform! (Don't worry, we'll feature The Hard Times at a future Electric Avenue show in the fall or winter...)

For this gig, King Django will be backed by The Snails (from Philly who also are playing the own set of terrific ska/rocksteady/soul originals)--and DJ Duff and King Django will be spinning some great ska and reggay wax before and after each set. For a taste of things to come, check out the video of King Django with The Snails (playing some great KD cuts, like "Avenue A" and "Does He Love You?").




If you're in the NYC area, be sure to make this show!

The Story Behind "One In Ten" By UB40: A Reminder Of "A World That Doesn't Care"

It was almost exactly 31 years ago on July 30, 1981, that UB40 released one of their most memorable and iconic songs of all time -- the single "One In Ten." Set to a chugging reggae beat with a mournful sax riff, the song ranks with "Stand Down Margaret" by The Beat and "Shipbuilding" by Elvis Costello as among the best political protest songs of all time.



Though it never directly names her, "One In Ten" directly challenges Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative government's policies of the 1980s. At the time of the song’s release (and sadly much like 2012), Britons were enduring  great economic turmoil, a widening gap between the wealthy and the poor and racial riots that underscored the failure of England to integrate a growing Black British and Asian community.  As such, Thatcherism (like the current Con-Dem government) seemed to reflect a part of society that did not care for those suffering the most.

Thatcher summed up her personal and political view that there was "no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families." It was a shocking reversal of the idea of the welfare state and safety net for the neediest members of a society, but rather dog eat dog, and every man for himself.

"I think we've been through a period where too many people have been given to understand that if they have a problem, it's the government's job to cope with it. 'I have a problem, I'll get a grant.' 'I'm homeless, the government must house me.' They're casting their problem on society. And, you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families. And no government can do anything except through people, and people must look to themselves first. It's our duty to look after ourselves and then, also to look after our neighbour. People have got the entitlements too much in mind, without the obligations. There's no such thing as entitlement, unless someone has first met an obligation."

In pointed response, “One in Ten” succinctly voiced the pain of millions, as they struggled to survive Thatcherism, referring to those who were unemployed, starving, suicidal and homeless as a “statistical reminder of a world that doesn’t care.” The lyrics call out the “dole queue”, malnutrition ("malnutrition dulls my hair”), drug addiction (”I’m a housewife hooked on Valium”) and poverty (“beggar(s) on the corner”).  A line that has always had a particular impact on me is: “I’m the murderer and the victim”, suggesting that those who turned to crime and violence were doing so because of the rising need to survive and express their frustration at the growing poverty.

Margaret Thatcher's economic reforms made Britain wealthier at the expense of millions who lost their jobs, their homes and their livelihood. Thankfully, UB40 carried the torch for those that Thatcherism and the world were all too content to leave behind.

BAMcinématek Presents "Do the Reggae" Film Series Celebrating Jamaica’s Music & Independence: WIN FREE PASSES TO FILM SCREENING OF 1970 DOC "REGGAE"

I can think of no better way to mark the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence on Monday, August 6th, then by attending "Do The Reggae," a 14-film series screening at BAMcinématek in Brooklyn, New York, that is dedicated to the island nation's unique and widely influential musical tradition. The series takes it name after Toots and the Maytals’ eponymous song—the first to use the word “reggae.”

Focusing on vintage films from 1971 to 1983, the series opens Thursday, August 2nd with the Trenchtown-set "Rockers" (1978), Ted Bafaloukos’ Jamaican adaptation of "The Bicycle Thief." Also screening are "Land of Look Behind" by Alan Greenberg, three parts of the British series "Deep Roots Music", Jeremy Marre’s "Roots Rock Reggae", and possibly the earliest feature film on reggae, Horace Ové’s "Reggae."

Although Perry Henzell’s "The Harder They Come" (1972—Aug 3) is widely considered the first, iconic film about reggae, Bafaloukos’ "Rockers" (Aug 2), showing theatrically for the first time in New York in over a decade in a new hi-def restoration, is the original artifact of Rasta cinema. The film follows renowned Studio One drummer Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace playing himself in powerful portrait of surviving in a Kingston shanty town.

The classic pulp tale "The Harder They Come" features Jimmy Cliff as island outlaw Ivanhoe Martin. Before Bob Marley made it big stateside, Cliff took the midnight movie circuit by storm, introducing reggae to American audiences for the first time. The film not only made Cliff a star, but tells the story of reggae in a microcosm: the country boy going to Kingston to make it big,  as well as the push-and-pull of the Rasta spirituality and rude-boy swagger.

One of the most revelatory films in the entire series, and quite possibly the first feature ever made on reggae, is Horace Ové’s documentary on the genre, "Reggae," which has not shown in the U.S. in decades. The centerpiece of the film is a 1970 UK concert featuring Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, the Pioneers, John Holt, and others.  The fine people at BAMcinématek have provided me 2 free passes to the screening of "Reggae" on Saturday August 4th at 4:30 pm.   Go to the Marco On The Bass Facebook page to enter to win the 2 passes.

The entire film screenings schedule is below:

"Do the Reggae" Film Series at BAMcinématek

Thursday, Aug 2
4:30, 6:50*, 9:15pm: Rockers
*Followed by “Downtown Top Ranking in a BAMstyle” with Deadly Dragon Sound System featuring Ranking Joe in the BAMcafé

Friday, Aug 3
2, 6:50pm: Land of Look Behind
4:30, 9:15pm: The Harder They Come

Saturday, Aug 4
2pm: Buck and the Preacher
4:30pm: Reggae
6:50pm: Countryman
9:15pm: Babylon

Sunday, Aug 5
2pm: Deep Roots Music: “Revival” + “Ranking Sounds”
4:30pm: Deep Roots Music: “Black Ark” + Word, Sound and Power
6:50pm: Roots Rock Reggae
9:30pm: Heartland Reggae

Monday, Aug 6
7, 9:15pm: OnePeople

Snoop Dogg to Release Reggae Album as Snoop Lion - New Single "La La La" Now Out

Multiple media sources are reporting that rapper Snoop Dogg will be releasing a reggae album! The LP, titled "Reincarnated," will see release later this year on the Vice label, with the rapper adopting the reggae moniker Snoop Lion.

The first single, "La La La," is now available and features production work from from Diplo, who took Santogold on a reggae inspired musical trip on the "Top Ranking" mix tape a few years back.  In preparation, he's released a single, "La La La," which you can listen to below. Snoop and his backing band -- "the Jungle" -- will perform for the first time on Aug. 3 at Toronto's Caribana festival.

"La La La" has a great retro reggae feel with modern touches, that features tasty guitar and organ riffs and an actual singing vocal track from Snoop, which is slightly auto-tuned, but not annoyingly so.  Snoop borrows Bob Marley's "who feels it knows it" lyric line as the hook for the tune and is paired with a female backing vocalist who sings the "La, La, La" chorus with him to great effect. Its definitely worth a listen and I'm looking forward to hearing a whole album of Snoop Lion reggae tracks!

Electric Avenue Presents: The Hard Times and The Snails on 8/4/12 at Characters NYC

I'm excited to finally announce that my fellow New York City-based ska blogger Duff Guide To Ska (Steve Shafer) and I are teaming up to present monthly ska and reggae shows at Characters NYC, a midtown Manhattan Irish pub with a big back room ideally suited for live music.

We are calling our joint venture Electric Avenue after the powerful Eddy Grant song that name checks the main street that runs through the Brixton section of London (it was the first street in London to be wired with electric lights).  Ostensibly about the Brixton Riots of 1981, Electric Avenue is also where Caribbean and European cultures come together on market day.  It was this idea of the mixing of cultures that inspired us to try the same thing with the many different ska, reggae and rock steady bands playing music across the Northeastern U.S.

Electric Avenue is our attempt to have some fun, support the ska scene and most importantly, bring ska music back to Manhattan, where it was born with The Toasters, Beat Brigade and N.Y. Citizens in the early 80's.  Electric Avenue is a non-profit venture--all of the $7 cover at each show will be split equally between the bands.  We don't plan to take a cut, nor does the venue, so you can be assured that if you come out to see a show, the money you pay will directly support the band's playing that night.

Speaking of the bands, we are kicking off our first show on Saturday August 4th with two of the best purveyors of dirty reggae -- The Hard Times from Brooklyn and The Snails from Philadelphia.

The Hard Times - Fattie Fattie



The Snails - Live From The East Room



Our second show on September 15th will be one for fans of old school New York-styled 2-Tone with The Beat Brigade and my band Bigger Thomas.

Our third show on October 13th will feature Boston-based reggae band Destroy Babylon and a special guest.

We also plan to have guest DJs and selectors at each show spinning the best in ska and reggae.

We hope to see you at one of our upcoming shows!

JImmy Cliff's New Album "Rebirth" Released Today

The legendary Jimmy Cliff's full-length follow-up to last year’s Sacred Fire EP was released today! The entire album is available for streaming on Rolling Stone. The lead single, “One More”, is also available as a free download through Cliff’s website.

Produced by Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong,  Rebirth mixes 10 original vintage-sounding ska and reggae tracks with covers of The Clash’s “Guns of Brixton” and Rancid’s “Ruby Soho”.

Cliff has been a busy man this year and backed by Armstrong and the Engine Room, has performed at Coachella and sat in with both Paul Simon and the E Street Band.  Reviews of the album from the Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe and NPR have been mostly positive.

Check out Cliff performing "One More" and "World Upside Down" from "Rebirth" on "Later With Jools Holland" in the UK.

Bim Skala Bim Announce Annual Summer Tour Dates

Iconic American ska band Bim Skala Bim are reuniting for their annual set of summer shows across New England, including a stop at the Middle East in Boston. The line-up will include original members Jim Jones, Mark Ferranti, Vinny Nobile, Rick Barry, Jim Arhelger, and Dan Vitale. John Cameron, Jackie Starr and other special guests including Dana Colley, saxophonist with the band Morphine, will make appearances at most of the shows.

While the band has tended to play these summer reunion shows close to their old stomping grounds, the good news is that The Middle East Show will be webcast on WBCN online for anyone around the world who would like to listen.  The show kicks off live at 10 pm EST on Friday July 20th.

Tour Dates:
Wednesday July 18th at Newport Blues Cafe in Newport, RI
Thursday July 19th at Dover Brickhouse in Dover, NH
Friday July 20th at Middle East in Cambridge, MA w/ Allstonians and Void Union (Webcast on WBCN)
Saturday July 21st at Beachcomber in Wellfleet, MA
Sun July 22nd at The Beach House in Falmouth, MA.

I have three requests for the webcast show:  "I Took A Fall," "Solitary Confinement" and "Jah Laundromat."