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Reggae - A daily blog

Reggae - March 2007

Clubbed - New movie to be released about the 2-tone scene

March 30th 2007 02:26
Yesterday I reviewed a movie that would be of interest to reggae/ska fans and skinheads and today I've news of another film that will very likely be of interest to the same fans.

The film is to be called "Clubbed" and will be a fictional tale, set in the home of 2-tone Records and the movement of the same name, Coventry. The film will also be set during the peak of the aforementioned movement.

It is funny how things work - suddenly there seems to be a great interest in nostalgia. Times when youth subcultures subverted the fashion of the times, mixed in with a love for black music, are getting a lot of attention, not simply from the underground where they have always flourished, but also in the mainstream.


The creator of the TV show Shameless is the executive producer of the film and the soundtrack will include ska, northern soul and r&b tracks. Quite exciting news and one only hopes that the film is done in a way that reflects many of the memories people have of the time and yet appeal to a breed who have been exposed to this music since the early eighties.

The film is set to be released early in 2008.
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This Is England - film review

March 29th 2007 07:03
I'd heard about this film some time ago and sat down to watch it last night with some anticipation, but a little bit of fear. The fear stemmed from a string of skinhead films painting skinheads not as a youth subculture, but as a generalised group of fascist thugs. One of the best parts of this film is that although there is the exploration of a nationalistic element, it also shows that many were not going to be sucked into that side of things and were more worried about having a good time.

Writer and director Shane Meadows has made quite a few films now, with a focus on working class English youth and their attempts to forge some kind of meaningful identity. This is England is somewhat autobiographical, and traces young lad Sean (his age isn't given, but he wouldn't be older than 11) and his growing friendships with some local skinheads, who make him feel welcome, something he craves following the death of his Dad and his being picked on at school. Trouble begins however, when Combo gets out of gaol and brings ideas to the group not all agree on.


The film feels rather short and the plot is not anything groundbreaking, but it doesn't need to be as the concentration on character and the influence of others when growing up makes up for it. The soundtrack is great, with reggae and other black music dominating.

With "This is England", Shane Meadows is clearly presenting a time (1983) that is important and vivid in his own life, but for those of us who weren't there, it is good to see a representation of the skinhead subculture we rarely see in the mainstream. That being said, even if you aren't interested in the skinhead subculture, this is an interesting look at growing up, peer pressure and the way the environment and people around you influence your direction in life.

The film is released on April 27th 2007 in the UK, but I have heard no news on an Australian release.

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Tim Armstrong & the Aggrolites new video

March 28th 2007 05:49
I have always found it interesting that these two are working together. It makes sense in one way as they are both on Hellcat, but in some ways I thought the two sounds should be kept seperate. This video is pretty cool though. One may ask though is it a Rancid song made aggro or an Aggrolites song made rancid?

I don't think it is amazing, but quite good and the scoots in the video add a bit of interest for me.

The song is called Into Action and also features Skye Sweetnam

Follow this link to see the video
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Australia Vs the West Indies tonight

March 27th 2007 07:18
Hard to choose who to support in tonight's game between Australia and the West Indies. Unfortunaltey, interest in the world cup has suffered a little bit with the wrong time zone, but I am following it to some extent.

I do want Australia to win, but I would like the West Indies to make it to the next stage of the tournament as well.

I am predicting that whoever wins the toss will bat first and that team batting first will win. Australia don't have the best record in chasing runs and the West Indies will have a home crowd advantage.

Key players in the game will no doubt be Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting and I think both teams will need their respective players to score runs if they want to win.
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Lee Perry Australian tour

March 26th 2007 07:22
Although his last tour was meant to be his last trip to Australia, Lee Perry is back with some dates, including a spot on the East Coast Blues and Roots Festival in Byron Bay. As is the norm with these festival performers, Lee Perry is also playing sideshows in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Whatever you think of Lee Perry's current performances, the man has to be applauded for his contributions to reggae. He is one of the greatest reggae producers and although I don't personally like too many of his own songs, many will be excited to see Perry again or for the first time


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Dynamite April @ the Brighton - me djing

March 23rd 2007 06:23
Just got the flyer for the next Dynamite, of which I am part of the DJ lineup. Top sounds and launching a great album in Studio One Kings. Can't wait to play the biggest early reggae, ska and rocksteady.


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Chris Murray

March 22nd 2007 08:48
I am listening to Chris Murray at the moment, the singer songwriter known for his accoustic raw ska and reggae and as being the man behind the weekly LA club night, Bluebeat Lounge.

If you don't really know the artist, a good way to familiarise yourself with him is maybe listening to this great podcast. Pressure Sounds is the name of the podcast and the latest is a Chris Murray feature


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Press Release - Upcoming Sydney events

March 21st 2007 04:37
It's a plug day today, or actually, a series of plugs.

On April 7th, it is Dynamite Sounds time @ the Brighton Bar on Oxford Street. I will be joining the DJ time for this night, playing reggae, rocksteady and ska. Sounds start about 930 pm and I'll be coming on about midnight. $5 cover charge


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Secret Melbourne Ska Orchestra gig this Friday

March 20th 2007 01:41
I say secret, but unadvertised is probably a better way to put it.

What I am told is that, as part of the World Swimming Championships, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra will be playing a free gig at Federation Square (Melbourne) on Friday evening


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The Aggrobeats - Aggrolites Malaysia?

March 19th 2007 02:31
I know I shouldn't keep getting blog ideas from Dancing Mood, the excellent forum for the reggae and the ska, but I couldn't pass this up.

Check out this Malaysian band on Myspace - The Aggrobeats
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Punx picnic this Saturday has a skanking feel to it

March 16th 2007 10:39
Tomorrow, the semi-regular punx picnic at Sydney Park in St Peters will take a bit more of a ska-punk edge than usual.

The lineup is: Leopard St Droogs(QLD), The Ascords, Disadvantaged, Steppin' Razor, Deputy Dipshit(QLD), Chaz H Scally, Doin it for the Money, Mislead Riot


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Moon Ska World

March 15th 2007 09:05
So Moon Ska Europe has become Moon Ska World. No feet to step on now I suppose since Moon Ska NYC is long gone. There was a Moon Ska in Brazil for a while, but I haven't much of that recently.

Anyway, the roster of bands is a little different now. Apart from past signings Dub City Rockers, Chris Murray, The Toasters etc, they've picked up the Rudimentals, who seem to be some insanely huge band in South Africa, The Upsessions from the Netherlands and The Big from the UK. The Riffs and former Bodysnatchers' lead Rhoda Dakar also get a look in, as does Pama International, who are releasing their past albums soon apparently


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West Indies win their first match against Pakistan

March 14th 2007 08:11
Not reggae as such, but the area of the world where reggae began is the focus for today's blog. As a big cricket fan, I am pretty excited about the cricket world cup, which began today with the West Indies, on home soil, taking on Pakistan.

Despite a dismal performance in warm up matches, the West Indies beat Pakistan quite convincingly from all reports, who fell 54 runs short of the West Indies total. Pakistan were down two key bowlers (in dubious circumstances), but match reports pay more attention to the good performances of the West Indies, particularly Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels


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New skinhead film - This is England

March 13th 2007 06:11
There is quite a bit of hype building about this new film by British film maker Shane Meadows. I have only seen one of his films before, which is 24-7, a boxing movie with Bob Hoskins in it. What a movie that was. Stylistically, it was brilliant, with great some great character focus.

Shane Meadows' latest film is somewhat biographical, exploring growing up in England in the 1980s. The music is ska and reggae and the clothes are smart. There is always a fear with skinhead movies that it will be too facist related, but early reviews say that although it explores facism, it does try to balance things out a bit


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The weekend in review - Take It or Leave It

March 12th 2007 05:42
I stayed in Friday attempting to be a good student and keep both my dollars and my health intact. There wasn't that much on anyway though so no real loss on that front.

The following day, Saturday, was Take It or Leave It and I was curious to see how many people would turn up. The month before was good, but you expect a good turnout on the opening night of an event. I was pleased then, to see an even better turnout this month, particularly later in the night. I am not bragging either, but it is good to see people support a free local night out


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Last reminder - Take It or Leave It this Saturday

March 9th 2007 06:22
Sydneysiders! The newest night on the Sydney reggae and ska calendar is on tomorrow night and should not be missed. Decent priced drinks and no cover charge makes for happy punters!


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New band find - Skylar

March 8th 2007 04:54
Okay they aren't a new band, but rather new to me. They are a UK band on the label Do The Dog, who have been involved in the UK ska scene for what seems like forever. Anyway through them (Do the Dog) doing a bit of self-promo I heard this band, who play some kicked back reggae sounds with some great unique vocals. I like when you can hear a person's accent in their songs.

They have a few songs online


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Amy Winehouse

March 7th 2007 05:33
I first heard about this female singer on the great UK e-zine Urban75.com. She is doing pretty well for herself over there, particularly in the charts. She has a great soul voice and I read she ended a recent set with a cover of the Maytal's Monkey Man.

Make up your own mind what you think of her. The beauty of the internet is you can check out an artist without having to go out and buying her CD


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Buy the Signals EP online

March 6th 2007 01:14
I've just put up a brand new website for Sydney reggae band The Signals. It's over at: http://www.thesignals.net.

You can now buy the EP, Rocking Steady, through the site at just $8 incl. postage within Australia or $10 incl. postage worldwide


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Possibly heading to Melbourne again for the Moonhops and Ska Vendors

March 5th 2007 06:01
A nice female friend of mine is encouraging me to head back to Melbourne this Easter to see the excellent Ska Vendors with new sensation The Moon Hops. This will make it trip number three in a very short space of time, but I love it that much I think I will have to give in.

If you are a ska and reggae fan in Australia and haven't been to Melbourne, you really need to. These two bands for starters, are fantastic, but if you can't get to see them there are some great nights whether you're tickle is early reggae or roots and dancehall. There are also some great record shops to spend you're well earned cash at, which I am going to have to avoid when I am down there


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Flogging Molly Australian sideshows

March 2nd 2007 06:49
I probably shouldn't post about this as I haven't bought my ticket yet, but hopefully it won't sell out.

Anyway, Flogging Molly, who made every one sad by coming out last year supporting some shitty pop punk bands, playing for only 30 minutes, are back in Australia this year, headling their own shows


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Counting down to the next Take It or Leave It

March 1st 2007 04:14
Night one of Take It or Leave It was a smashing success and we're back with the second night in just over a week.

Come out to Enmore's Sly Fox to hear and dance to some great ska, reggae, 2-tone, punk, garage and more


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August 2007
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July 2007
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