The Specials To Reform?

[Bazza]

Seems that 2008 may see the return of The Specials.
Although it remains to be seen if Jerry Dammers will be involved or not.

Specials guitarist Roddy Radiation (aka Roddy Byers) answers a few questions about the reunion on his forum.

http://skabilly.proboards80.com/index.cgi?board=q&action=display&thread=1200751688&page=1

[Gitfiddle Jim]

A reform would be fantastic! I'd love to see Neville Staples and Jerry Dammers jumping around the stage again, even if it was just once.

[Lector Malibu]

A reform would be fantastic! I'd love to see Neville Staples and Jerry Dammers jumping around the stage again, even if it was just once.


Seriously, JDL I'd be in the front row screaming like a child :lol::laugh:

[Cencus]

Is this actually on the level? Theres been talk of reunions loads in the past, just don't wanna be let down again.

[Bazza]

Is this actually on the level? Theres been talk of reunions loads in the past, just don't wanna be let down again.

Seems that some of the band have already started to get ready for the reunion going by Roddy post -


Re: Reunion or Confederacy?
« Reply #28 on Feb 24, 2008, 2:54pm »Well we had a rehearsal last week in London, Horace, Brad and Lynval with me doing guitar and guide vocals..

[Cencus]

I won't sleep for days now, I'm so excited :D it's like being 5 and waiting for Christmas :drool:

[Lector Malibu]

Is this actually on the level? Theres been talk of reunions loads in the past, just don't wanna be let down again.

And there has been. I've seen The Specials as such without Jerry and Special Beat, The English Beat and the Specials combined. I agree we need Jerry and the whole bunch united once again:cool:

[Gitfiddle Jim]

Seriously, JDL I'd be in the front row screaming like a child :lol::laugh:

Haha so would I :laugh::lol:

[PRC-UTE]

but didn't they reform once and it was horrible?

their original record was quality.

[bellyscratch]

I NEED TO SEE THE SPECIALS LIVE!!!

theres so many bands that would love to see that are no longer around anymore and would be impossible to see. But if The Specials reformed and i saw them live it would be an experience id look back on as very happy one indeed!

[Bazza]

but didn't they reform once and it was horrible?



Some of the members got back together as The Specials a few years back. But there was no Terry Hall, Jerry Dammers or John Bradbury. They put out an album of covers called 'Todays Specials' and another album called 'Guilty Till Proven Innocent' and a couple of singles. There was a few half decent songs on the 'Guilty Till Proven Innocent' album but none as good as 2 Tone stuff. Still, that reunion wasn't as bad as the Sex Pistols recent reunion.

[Bazza]

I went to see Pama International last weekend at The Cluny in Newcastle. The bands line up includes ex-Specials rhythm guitarist Lynval Golding and Paul Heskett who played sax on the 'More Specials' album and flute on the 'Ghost Town' single.

Pama International closed their set with this tune -

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6MOqWKY_Cy4

[Lector Malibu]

That was a nice clip. Well I really hope they reform. I had this great idea last night that The Specials, The English Beat, The Selector, And yes Madness should all get set up again and do a mega tour! That would rock seriously. As for me I'm gonna be seeing The English Beat Monday night !

[Bazza]

That was a nice clip. Well I really hope they reform. I had this great idea last night that The Specials, The English Beat, The Selector, And yes Madness should all get set up again and do a mega tour! That would rock seriously. As for me I'm gonna be seeing The English Beat Monday night !

Like the old 2 Tone tour of '79? Although I'm not sure if The Beat played on that tour. I know that The Specials and The Selecter played on all the dates and Madness played on about half of the tour before jetting off to America. Madness were been replaced by Dexys Midnight Runners for the rest of the 2 Tone tour who Jerry Dammers wanted to sign to 2 Tone.

[Lector Malibu]

Like the old 2 Tone tour of '79? Although I'm not sure if The Beat played on that tour. I know that The Specials and The Selecter played on all the dates and Madness played on about half of the tour before jetting off to America. Madness were been replaced by Dexys Midnight Runners for the rest of the 2 Tone tour who Jerry Dammers wanted to sign to 2 Tone.

Yeah, I think that would be nice. What was weird is here in the states a long time ago and a galaxy far away :D I saw most of the major headliners or I should say I saw most of the bands with partial original line ups. I actually saved all my ticket stubs from years ago. I'd just like to see em get back together , Like I'm excited about seeing the beat Monday, but it won't be the same without Ranking Rodger though, I will say

[Bazza]

The Specials DVD 'Too Much Too Young' has been withdrawn due to copyright reasons.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51n45vKDdSL._SS500_.jpg

There's copies still available via ebay or even Amazon market place but the quality of some of the footage ain't great. You'll be best waiting till the end of the month and picking up the CD/DVD set below. HMV are currently listing this at a pre-order price of £8.99 (shipping free to the UK).
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DkW8rMx1L._SS500_.jpg
disc 1
1. Gangsters
2. Message To You Rudy
3. Nite Klub
4. Concrete Jungle
5. Too Much Too Young [live]
6. Blank Expression
7. Doesn't Make It Alright
8. Rude Buoys Outta Jail
9. Rat Race
10. Man At C And A
11. Do Nothing
12. Stereotype/Stereotypes [medley/part 2]
13. International Jet Set
14. Friday Night Saturday Morning
15. Why [edit]
16. Ghost Town [extended version]
17. What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend
18. Racist Friend
19. War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) [edit]
20. Nelson Mandela

disc 2
1. Gangsters [DVD]
2. Message To You Rudy [DVD]
3. Too Much Too Young [live/DVD]
4. Rat Race [DVD]
5. Do Nothing [DVD]
6. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) [live/DVD]
7. Ghost Town [DVD]
8. Bright Lights [DVD]
9. Lonely Crowd [DVD]
10. Housebound [DVD]
11. Alcohol [DVD]
12. Racist Friend [DVD]
13. War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same) [DVD]
14. Nelson Mandela [DVD]
15. Break Down The Door [DVD]
16. What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend [DVD]

[zapatas_blood]

Yeah the Specials are ace. I've seen Neville Staple form the Specials about three times when he's been supporting The Beat. Worth going to see them as Neville can sometimes even upstage them! Great night every time

[Bazza]

Short clip of Lynval Golding about the influence of The Specials. He lets slip at the end that the band are getting back together -

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ff8XKSffe5c (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ff8XKSffe5c)

[Bazza]

More news on The Specials reunion. All the band met yesterday for a rehearsal. Or at least that's what Neville Staple said on this interview -

http://www.itvlocal.com/central/whatson/?player=CEN_WhatsOn_15&void=170078 (http://www.itvlocal.com/central/whatson/?player=CEN_WhatsOn_15&void=170078)

[Cencus]

Been watchin Roddy's webbeh like a hawk for updates.

If they do tour I'm gonna try n do the whole lot, so expect a fuck ugly old punk knocking on your door in a city near you in the futrure :0

[Bazza]

A quote from The Specials bass player on Friday's rehearsal

"The music, albeit a little ropey in places, had touches of brilliance that I vaguely remember from nearly thirty years ago. We all seem to be friends again. I am speechless. Rod & I travelled for nine and a half hours to play just over one hour of music, but it was pretty incredible music. I am still speechless". Horace

[Bazza]

Here is a new radio interview with The Specials lead guitarist Roddy & bassist Horace -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/realmedia/2008/04/specials_bob.ram

[Bazza]

Roddy Radiation, Neville Staple, Lynval Golding, John Bradbury, Horace Panter and Terry Hall performed during day two of Bestival at Robin Hill Country Park on September 6, 2008 in Newport, Isle of Wight. No Jerry Dammers = no Specials.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/697/000specials1lc4.jpg

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/3764/000specialsez5.jpg

[Bazza]

The Specials (minus Jerry Dammers) 2009 tour dates.

Live in 2009

22 April NEWCASTLE, Academy 0844 477 2000 *
23 April SHEFFIELD, Academy 0844 477 2000 *
25 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000 **
26 April BIRMINGHAM, Academy 0844 477 2000
28 April GLASGOW, Academy 08444 999 990
3 May MANCHESTER, Apollo 08444 777 677
6 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000
7 May LONDON, Brixton Academy 0844 477 2000


Tickets go on sale 9am Thursday 11th December priced £32.50 in advance except London £35.

24 hr CC Hotline: 0871 2200 260 / online: www.gigsandtours.com (http://www.gigsandtours.com/)
Doors 7pm except * tbc and ** 6pm.

[bellyscratch]

I'm going to have to go to this. Even without Jerry Dammers

[Bazza]

Anyone after tickets to see The Specials (well, The Specials minus Jerry Dammers) can get them a day before they go on general sale by using this link -

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/INFO/THESPECIALS/

[Bazza]

Seems that Jerry Dammers isn't happy about the reunion going by this statement that he released yesterday.

JERRY DAMMERS STATEMENT REGARDING HIS FORMER BAND-MATES:

A recent press release concerning a proposed tour by what has been described as ‘The Specials’, failed to clarify the actual line up of the band. Not surprisingl y therefore, many people are under the impression it is the original Specials. As was common knowledge at the time of their success, Jerry Dammers was the founder, main songwriter and driving force of The Specials. He recruited every member individuall y, and the musical and style direction was guided by him. He designed the 2 Tone logo and formed the 2 Tone record label.
Jerry has a duty to inform anybody who may be interested, of the true situation, which is that he was not invited to take part in this proposed tour, or even told about it. He also has to say that claims that “the door is still open” to him, fail to mention that Jerry has been driven out every time he has attempted to get involved over the last year. He also wonders why this appears in the newspaper when former bandmates have his phone number. “The prodigal sons came home, kicked me out, and have left the door open, great” says Jerry. These claims also contradict lawyers’ letters stating that former members have resolved to go ahead without him, and that Jerry is not to speak to any of them. Attempts to imply that any proposed tour has Jerry’s “blessing”, at this stage, are also highly misleading. These seem to be part of a wider attempt to rewrite the whole history of the band, in order to try and justify what is currently going on .

Jerry does not wish to go into too much detail at this point, except to say that for over 25 years he had dreamed that his former band mates might come back one day, and was deeply shocked to find that when they did, for some of them, it was apparently to kick him out. Jerry had already started recording with a couple of them and the results were good. However, Roddy Radiation started a campaign of verbal abuse against Jerry on the internet under the assumed name of Jett Rink, and progress was halted. Millionaire Simon Jordan has confirmed in The Sun (Dec 8th) that he helped put this latest proposed band together. Jordan first teamed up with Terry Hall and his manager then Lynval Golding. (Hall and Golding both played at Jordan’s 40th birthday party.) It has to be remembered that previously Terry Hall had for years attempted to distance himself from The Specials (and it’s politics) and even once described the band as an “embarrassment “ to him.

A meeting was called to which Jerry was not invited. Jerry turned up anyway and played the music he had started recording, and suggested starting serious rehearsals, but was subjected to a severe dressing down from people who had barely spoken to him in 25 years. Apart from the recording, Jerry wanted to try and aim for a proper reunion and thirtieth anniversary celebration, including the best part of both Specials albums, The Ghost Town E.P., and a small amount of new material, in proper concerts, in venues worthy of the band’s status and legacy. Jerry said he thought this would involve a fair amount of rehearsal (for himself as much as everyone else obviously), but some former members did not seem to think this was necessary, and it certainly did not feel like Jerry was going to get any thanks if he tried to make any musical suggestions . Jerry has heard that former members currently “want to play mainly the first album”, he doesn’t know if this is true, but it is definitely easier to sing and play.

Shortly after this meeting Lynval Golding told Jerry on the phone that his services would not be required, “like Bill Wyman in The Stones” said Lynval. Jerry persevered for over a year, but every conceivable obstacle was put in the way of him either attending or organising reasonable rehearsals. Secret rehearsals were held without him, and his own attempts were sabotaged. For about six months Terry would not even attend any rehearsal unless Jerry agreed in advance, to a tour organised by Terry’s manager. Lynval and Horace were also managed by Terry’s manager by this time. Jerry was expected apparently to agree to other absurd proposals from Terry’s manager including for example rerecording the entire first two Specials albums all over again. Roddy Radiation’s claim on the internet that Jerry wanted to do “slowed down jazz versions of Specials songs” is a complete lie.

Jerry sees this whole thing as a takeover, rather than a proper reunion, representin g primarily Terry Hall and his manager’s (not to mention Simon Jordan’s) ideas of what ‘The Specials’ should be and do. Press claims that this proposed band is now “led by Terry Hall” seem to back this up. Jerry does not believe it represents what the real Specials stood for, politically, or in terms of creativity, imagination or forwardness of ideas, and he does not think the proposed venues would really be appropriate to a band of the status of the real Specials. He thinks the real test will come if or when another album is ever made. At the moment this is not the proud reunion and thirtieth anniversary celebration Jerry had hoped for.

Although a lot of the responsibil ity lies with Terry’s manager (who now apparently manages the whole project), these are grown men too, and they are more than responsible for the actions of their manager. Neville Staples is the only former member who demonstrated real commitment to Jerry’s involvement .