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Tribute Heaven |
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More Specials Review |
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By Paul Towler |
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What better
triumph could any tribute band strive to achieve than to gain mutual
respect from the very band to whom they are paying tribute. West
country based tribute act 'More Specials' have done just that. Not
only have ex-members of the original Specials been seen at their
gigs with approving smiles, they've even joined their tribute
counterparts on the very same stage on several occasions!
The original Specials spearheaded the popular 'Two Tone' scene of
the early 80's, a re-hash of Jamaican ska fuelled by punk attitude
and satirical social comment. The band's jovial tunes contrasted by
bleak lyrics struck a chord with the political climate of the time,
neatly portraying the suffocating despair of life in Thatcher's
Britain. How reassuring it is then, that two decades later, the
band's classics such as 'Nite Klub' 'Too Much Too Young' and 'Rat
Race' should appeal to a whole new generation, thanks largely to
authentic tribute act More Specials.
Formed in 1999, More Specials were put together by Swindon based
reggae producer Erin Bardwell. The nine piece ensemble have always
paid close attention to detail, presenting their shows with
painstaking accuracy, calling on a wide base of musicians from
Reading, Swindon and Midsomer Norton.
In Bristol, More Specials have attracted enough following to pack
out venues such as The Fleece with relative ease. On a national
footing, the band have enjoyed regular appearances at scooter
rallies and mod weekenders all over Britain, most notably the Kelso
Scooter Rally in Scotland, an event attracting over 1,000 revelers.
Meanwhile, both Roddy Radiation and Nevil Staple (from the original
Specials) have joined the More Specials on stage in Coventry, home
of the legendary Two Tone record label.
Sadly, More Specials disbanded in 2005. However, the ex-members got
together for a one-off reunion show for summer 2007 at one of their
favourite venues, The Wunderbar in Midsomer Norton. For those of you
who haven't visited the much celebrated Wunderbar in North Somerset,
I suggest you check it out. Running since 1994, the tiny yet buzzing
cellar bar offers a subterranean haven for the bohemian and the
bizarre, and has over the years, billed many breaking acts on their
way to the top.
With a stage barely able to accommodate the band's nine members, the
event saw the intimate venue packed to spilling point, with many
latecomers resigned to spending the duration of the gig crammed in
the stairwells! An enthusiastic audience of all ages is a reminder
of just how timeless Two Tone era ska music has grown to become.
If More Specials can be good enough to earn the respect of their
mentors, then it's reassuring to know that twenty years on, those
who missed out on the real thing can still witness something rather
extraordinary. Skatastic!
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