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Reggae - A daily blog

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Reggae - May 2007

Mods Mayday Photos

May 31st 2007 05:28

If you're a regular reader you'll know Sydney Mods Mayday 2007 took place earlier this month. It was a great success with a fantastic mix of mods, skinhead and importantly everything in between. The Rocksteady Ratpack featuring a great lineup taken from some great Sydney bands entertained with The Get Set.

Click Here for the full set of photos on Dizzybeat.com

A few of the pics below. Photos taken by Torrin Nelson.

Mods Mayday - Cindy and Andy - Rocksteady Ratpack

Cindy and Andy of the Rocksteady Ratpack

Mods Mayday - Pat and Si - Rocksteady Ratpack

Pat and Simon of the Rocksteady Ratpack

Rod of The Get Set

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews

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Skinhead photos

May 30th 2007 01:58

There can be no denying the great influence skinheads had and still have on reggae, and if you are interested in that connection, then you might enjoy the following website.

It is perhaps the largest archive of skinhead photos from the seventies and eighties.

London Skinheads 1970s and 80s group

The photos are mostly of London skinheads from this period as the website's title suggest, but there are also current photos and photos from further afield. There is some great iconic photography in here, as well as some great characters. Some of those in the pictures look like real crazy tough folk, as no doubt there was that element. It is also interesting seeing the very territorial nature of the skins - many of the titles giving away what part of London the skins were from. Just how young some of the guys and girls were is interesting too.

Well worth a look.

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews

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Lee Scratch Perry on BBC Radio to celebrate 40 years of Trojan

May 29th 2007 07:51

Since the explosion of the web, the BBC have given good exposure to reggae music, and well it should, with the place reggae has in UK music. Recently, BBC 6 had a weekend of Trojan to celebrate 40 years of the record company.

One of the features over this weekend was a blether, and it is a blether, by the Upsetter Lee Scratch Perry. For a limited time you can download his musings from the BBC 6 website for the weekend of Trojan.

It is an interesting ramble, by a man that is a little bit eccentric. He gives some insights into where he and reggae are coming from, as well as some great opinions on some of the great reggae artists. Not to mention explaining what some of the reggae songs were actually about!

Personally, I would have preferred if the person who was asking the questions (I'm assuming there were some?) had have stayed in the audio, but it is still worth the listen. His giggling is priceless and his big noting himself isn't offensive, but reflects the passion he has had for music.

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews

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Signals CD launch @ Freedom Sounds review

May 28th 2007 11:51

A good night was had last night celebrating Gen's 21st birthday and launching our EP Rocking Steady in Sydney. The venue was dominated by familiar faces, which is nice to see - always good to know we have certain folk willing to come out to see us.

It was also the debut of new guitarist Will, who is new to ska and reggae, but had a great first gig. I think he's going to come back!

His willingness to solo has meant our sound has changed yet again - we're definitely sounding a lot different to how we did three years ago.

News on Freedom Sounds is that after next week the boys are taking the club monthly. I personally think it is a good move - weekly was just too frequent for a Sunday night. Well done on keeping it going so long though guys - many others wouldn't have been able to hack it.

It was also Vic's last night running the club, leaving the reigns to the other guys behind the club, Ben and Jason. He's off to London and will be missed in Sydney. A top bloke I met around six years ago and first organised SkaBQs with. I'm sure he'll start doing something wherever he ends up.

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews

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Last reminder for The Signals CD launch this Sunday

May 25th 2007 06:06

There has been a decent response to the news of The Signals CD launch. As a reminder, it is this Sunday @ Spectrum, which is on the Hyde Park end of Oxford St in Darlinghurst. For your $7 cover charge you'll get a copy of the CD on top of getting to see the band play and dance to the Freedom Sounds DJs before and after.

It will be new guitarist Will's first show, which we are quite excited about. It will also be Gorman's last show before he heads overseas to take up an internship with Google. Some little internet company I think they are. It will be an interesting time coming up for the band with a couple of shows, but most likely will stick to the irregular schedule we're used to

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Posted By: Glen - Category: News

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New Aggrolites record - Reggae Hit LA

May 24th 2007 05:17

How time flies. It seems like only yesterday when I was writing about the release of their self-titled album on Hellcat Records. Now the hottest name in reggae music, The Aggrolites are releasing their third album, titled Reggae Hit LA on June 5th. They've been busy boys since the release of their second album, with a packed touring schedule including a stint supporting Madness. They've also supplied backing to Tim Armstrong's own project. His album with the group is called A Poet's Life and features the Aggrolites' distinctive reggae sound. It has just been released and can be heard in full at the Rancid myspace.

In interviews and reviews there has been talk of The new Aggro album sounding a little different to their previous two and if the song Free Time on their Myspace is anything to go by, the sound has got a whole lot more groove. It's still dirty, but a little bit smoother

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Posted By: Glen - Category: News

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The state of Australian ska and reggae

May 23rd 2007 04:58

The following spiel is my point of view on the current state of ska and reggae in Australia. It probably isn't the definitive view and I have to admit I lean towards the pre 72 ska, reggae and rocksteady sound.

The first thing to point out is that the ska scene and reggae scene are two seperate entities in Australia. Rarely do the scenes cross over and when they do, they often suffer from punters not appreciating a different approach. A good example of this was Firehouse's recent Oldies Session @ Freedom Sounds. This much respected contemporary sound system was doing an oldies session, which attracted quite a few folk who like earlier JA music. The problem was that despite the excellent selections FH offered, they ruined the experience by constantly interupting songs with their fake Jamaican jabberings. I know they are known for doing this in their normal sound nights, but they should understand the contrast between the sweetest rocksteady song and their BIG UPs are cringe worthy. A shame

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Articles

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Kingtide this Sunday

May 18th 2007 10:01

Before the Signals CD launch next Sunday, Freedom Sounds plays host to Kingtide this week. It's $12 to get in, which is a little dear in my opinion, but they are a good band that attract a decent crowd. For those who haven't heard them, they play a mix of roots and a little earlier reggae (read: a few toots covers.

The date is the 20th May and the venue is Spectrum. 8 pm doors go open

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Posted By: Glen - Category: News

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Signals CD launch

May 16th 2007 07:26

The Signals Sydney CD Launch!

Finally The Signals are doing a launch for their CD Rocking Steady. Sunday May 27th @ Spectrum from 8 pm. Everyone who comes through the door will get a free CD. The cover charge will be 5-7 bucks and the band will be joined by the Freedom Sounds DJs - it is their weekly club afterall! Be there

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Posted By: Glen - Category: News

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International Ska and Reggae Podcast

May 15th 2007 08:04

A little bit of self interest in today's blog as The Signals actually get a look in with this great podcast featuring a whole range of international ska bands.

There are two sets, so to speak, by different presenters picking some songs from non-US ska and reggae bands. The Signals can be seen in the second set with Sure Shot. Some of my favourite bands in the list include The Jim Murple Memorial from France, Babylove & The Van Dangos and The Kinky Coocoos

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Posted By: Glen - Category: News

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Take It or Leave It May

May 9th 2007 07:50

No rest for the wicked. It seems as though I blink and we're back at that time of the month. The second Saturday that is, when we run Take It or Leave It. If you got along to Mods Mayday last Saturday well done, but you should also back up and come along to this Saturday's night of ska, reggae, punk and a bit of everything else.

As usual, it is free to get into the Sly Fox, meaning more cash for drinking

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Posted By: Glen - Category: News

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Mods Mayday - the aftermath

May 7th 2007 10:09

Well once again it has come and gone. Mods Mayday has traditionally been one of the most successful events we’ve run in Sydney and this year was no exception. Despite the fact we only organised it three weeks ago, and only used myspace and word of mouth to promote the event, we had an exceptional turnout, with lots of young and old(er) coming out for the gig.

It was a pretty good room for the event – not too big and plenty of lounges for people to sit on. The Get Set came on and played a decent set of covers, though I think they actually performed better at their first gig late last year

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Posted By: Glen - Category: Reviews

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August 2007

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June 2007