A Brief History of Ska Two Tone Music

Punk was a musical movement undoubtedly critical, much-needed injection of vitality and attitude in the music scene British in the late 1970s. Although the music was exciting and visceral, the empowerment of social messages behind punk is too often lost in a mire of nihilism, negativity and anarchy. While The Clash took black influences in their music, not go so far as members of the black band. A man tried to rectify this situation. Inspired by stories of Motown and Stax, Jerry Dammers quietly building a band and a revolutionary music label which meets reggae, punk and soul into a pop wrapper. It was a deliberate attempt to promote the benefits of multicultural life in urban Britain. This band, initially called Coventry Automatics, became The Specials. The label is called 2 Tone.

The Summer of '79

It all began in the summer of 1979. Initially distributed by Rough Trade, with album covers printed by members of the band's first release, 2 tone would Gangsters (as The Special AKA), Coventry with a local band The Selecter provide instrumental side B. The 7 "single was quickly picked up by the Chrysalis label, which signed the Specials, and provide funding for the 2 Tone label. The second single to be released on the label the band would be in London, a little known by the name of Madness. Dammers offers nutty child a statement based on a demo tape. Determined to offer an alternative to the restrictive clauses and challenging traditional record labels, bands offering a clause allowing them to leave the label after just one. The madness took advantage of this clause, and the band was not expected to release more than their 7 "from" The Prince band. The later were described by Dammers as "a bunch of opportunists."

Public Success

Word spread quickly about this new addictive music that had an image and an attitude to go with the sound. In fact, the image label is as important as the music. Planned to the smallest detail and bandmate Dammers Horace Panter, graphics icon in black and white put together with designers from Chrysalis John Sims and David Storey. The image of dance cap on strong demand and tie, sunglasses, hat, pork pie and moccasins was known as Walt Jabsco, and is based on a photograph of Peter Tosh (of the Wailers). In addition to the documents themselves, Walt appear in numerous badges, posters and brochures in the years ahead.

In October, the three bands appearing on a tour of the UK, playing some of the strongest and legendary concerts the time. Again, the visual aspects of the concerts are important. For The Specials, the non-stop energy of Lynval Golding guitarist and singer Neville Staple would in marked contrast to the dry, sardonic performances of singer Terry Hall. At the end of the fifth year of launching the label (The Beat's version of "Tears of a Clown ") hit the Top 10, and in one week, the popular music Top Of The Pops featured the three bands. Dammers Vision 'had become a bone-successful public in good faith.

The other bands

Other bands and artists either on the label, or were associated with the musical movement that has created, are Bad Manners, The Bodysnatchers, Elvis Costello, Rico and The Beat. Madness and The Beat While each one only a single on the label, 2 Tone was responsible to launch the careers of the bands to the masses, which regards and Go-Feet Stiff respectively.

Fans

The fans were mostly of the class worker, but important racial and gender were important antecedents to the ethics of music. Fans often wait for hours, even camping overnight, to see their favorite bands on tour.

Like many social movements, the messages of peace and unity were misinterpreted – and the style of misappropriation – by a small minority, but on edge. The far-right groups confused the appearance of skinheads as supporting their views obscene, bands and sometimes violent crowds in front. Even Terry Hall was upset: "We do not like violence in our lives, we have made clear from the beginning. We offer music as an alternative to fighting. "Madness faced similar scenes in some of his concerts, and again have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with this element of the crowd.

Living in a Ghost Town

Margaret Thatcher's brutal economic crop begins to reach the nation strong, in particular the major industrial centers Midlands, where two tones had its origins. Coventry unemployment rate of 20% successful, and the summer of 1981 saw large-scale riots in Brixton and Toxteth. It was in this environment that the UK one of its most unusual single Number One, The Ghost Town Special. A dark and evocative journey through the recession hit the streets of England urban captured the public imagination in a way that few songs that sooner or later. The song has been the subject of No Doubt, The Prodigy, The Aggrolites and Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly, besides being sampled from the Gorillaz song "Slow Country".

The end of an era

Two tone was, by definition, a high energy form of music, and exhaustion was inevitable. In the 1980s continued, the music and culture began to move away from the subtle reflection and the blatant materialism of the New Romantic movement. The wear of constant places are taking a toll on special programs. Without The Specials, no 2-Tone. "We were young, overworked and did not know how to say no, "says Terry Hall." If you have seven kids on a bus drinking all the time, they get one other nerves. "Alcohol and drugs has contributed to deteriorating relations between the band members, in particular, Dammers and Byers, who were drinkers. Dammers final fling "was the 1984 single" Free Nelson Mandela ", which became part of a larger global movement to ensure political protester release captivity. While the label's appetite for new releases began attenuation, the music had secured a role in the hearts of people around the UK and beyond.

The Re-union deals

Inspired by seeing the emotional "Smile" tour of the great Brian Wilson, and the Pixies reformed, Terry Hall began thinking about a meeting. Driven by the fan and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, conversations with other The band started in 2007. A well-received date at Bestival in 2008 was followed by a series of dates in 2009. Tickets for the concert sold out in less than an hour.

The concerts were notable for the diversity of their audience, as well as the incredible energy of the band, which mediates the actions set age to shame with a series of explosive performances. "They're good songs," says Hall. "No matter what year, month, or the place it is. It's about being comfortable and feel relevant. While we think that's enough. "

Meanwhile, Bad Manners have continued to tour within and outside its glory days from the eighties. Madness go from strength to strength, bringing in 1992 by two massive gigs in Finsbury Park (nicknamed "Madstock") and, more recently, to launch its ninth studio album, freedom of Norton Folgate.

With The Specials, Madness, The Beat and Bad Manners on tour throughout 2010 in an atmosphere of rising unemployment, social unrest and recession upheavel general, it is clear that this music is as important now as it ever was, with bands such as improved maintenance of the two tone ska burning bright flame.

About the Author

Chris Moffatt is the keyboard player of the UK’s top ska tribute band, The Refinements.

Playing weddings, scooter clubs, parties and pubs across the UK, the band are known to be one of the most authentic bands covering music of the two tone period.

http://www.therefinements.com

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