The Specials on tour 2009
- Thread starter 4F
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Fnaar
Smutmaster General
- Location
- Thumberland
top 
Wolf04
New Member
- Location
- Wallsend on Tyne
Newcastle Academy here I come!!
DJ
Formerly known as djtheglove
- Location
- On my bike in the smoke!!!!!!!!!!
Mmm, their an interesting band, i've always liked them, but never loved them, It's really Synthesised pop mixed with Reggea!
What was the rude boy message at the time? Punks, Mods and Skin heads all had a clear agenda which was anti establishment, but these Guys and Madness just wanted to be liked by every one!
Do they sound more punchy Live?
My favourite single from the compilation album that I have is probably Blank Expression.
Of course the trouble with these re-formed bands is that their new material is invariably crap.
So I think I will be keeping my money in my Pocket for this one.
What was the rude boy message at the time? Punks, Mods and Skin heads all had a clear agenda which was anti establishment, but these Guys and Madness just wanted to be liked by every one!
Do they sound more punchy Live?
My favourite single from the compilation album that I have is probably Blank Expression.
Of course the trouble with these re-formed bands is that their new material is invariably crap.
So I think I will be keeping my money in my Pocket for this one.
DJ
Formerly known as djtheglove
- Location
- On my bike in the smoke!!!!!!!!!!
User76 said:I went to a Stiff Little Fingers concert only a couple of years ago. The last one I went to was in about 1990, prior to that it was in the 1980s. They were a shadow of their former selves. A bit like Yello said, maybe it is just best to listen to the cds rather than see how our idols have aged. Trust me, it makes you feel old as well
I saw them about 2 years ago with Bruce Foxton from the Jam on Bass guitar, I thought they where good, It was in London and there was a mixture of Old 40 something Punks and a few young 20 something retro-Punks!
But then I hadn't seen them before so I couldn't really tell how they had changed?
Well I'm going and I think I'm going to like it. Yes, inevitably they've aged but so have we all. The compensation will be that they will be more experienced musicians and singers and the sound systems and lighting rigs have improved since they were at their height. Saying that, they'll have to go some to top the best, most exciting and vibrant show I ever saw which featured themselves, Madness and The Selector on the same bill in 1979 (80?)
DJ
Formerly known as djtheglove
- Location
- On my bike in the smoke!!!!!!!!!!
User76 you are right , the rough sound made bands more interesting, note perfect can be and is boring!
Just been listening to that best of compilation I have, Little Rich Girl is a great track.
Same with the Clash, They could hardly play when they started, I think thats why they always sounded so interesting. They never played a song the same twice!
The next track on my Album by the Specials is Pearls Cafe, It's great when the chorus is "its all a load of Bollocks" No one sings that kind of stuff anymore?!
Just been listening to that best of compilation I have, Little Rich Girl is a great track.
Same with the Clash, They could hardly play when they started, I think thats why they always sounded so interesting. They never played a song the same twice!
The next track on my Album by the Specials is Pearls Cafe, It's great when the chorus is "its all a load of Bollocks" No one sings that kind of stuff anymore?!
I appreciate they have aged and that I have too. I don't have a problem with any group continuing as a band until the day they drop, of either old age or boredom.
My problem is the revival aspect of it. I dunno, it's difficult to explain. For me, it cheapens the original to attempt to re-enact it. Energy springs from the now of something; the time and the place, society, political scene, etc etc etc. That's not to say something can't be relevant to a current situation but only as a reflection, not as a part of it.
I do think something from then can be enjoyed now, but not as if it was then. And it's in big danger of becoming a parody of itself. A kind of tacky naffness that's okay with a tribute band - when naffness is part of it all - but like watching your former idol dribble all over themselves; just saddening.
That all said, I did see the Buzzcocks in 96 (I think) and enjoyed it for what it was. I don't know if it was because they still enjoyed it or because I shut off expectations, but I did enjoy it. I hope The Specials can be similarly enjoyed.
My problem is the revival aspect of it. I dunno, it's difficult to explain. For me, it cheapens the original to attempt to re-enact it. Energy springs from the now of something; the time and the place, society, political scene, etc etc etc. That's not to say something can't be relevant to a current situation but only as a reflection, not as a part of it.
I do think something from then can be enjoyed now, but not as if it was then. And it's in big danger of becoming a parody of itself. A kind of tacky naffness that's okay with a tribute band - when naffness is part of it all - but like watching your former idol dribble all over themselves; just saddening.
That all said, I did see the Buzzcocks in 96 (I think) and enjoyed it for what it was. I don't know if it was because they still enjoyed it or because I shut off expectations, but I did enjoy it. I hope The Specials can be similarly enjoyed.
