Three legendary, internationally recognised bands have teamed up to celebrate 30 years of the 2tone ska label with the release of the ultimate live DVD, recorded here in Australia during the band’s recent Legends of Ska Australian Tour 2009.
Special Beat: Ska’d In Sydney features the flag bearers for the Ska movement over the last 20 years, THE SPECIALS, THE BEAT and THE SELECTER performing at their best and captivating, engaging and mesmerising an ecstatic audience.
SPECIAL BEAT, fronted by The Special’s Neville Staple and The Beat’s “Ranking” Roger, are no strangers to Australian shores, having performed at sold out events like the Falls Festival, Southbound & The Great Escape. While music lovers lapped up awesome performances there was never any expectation that the super group could get any bigger – but when Pauline Black, front woman for The Selecter, was named as special guest for the 2009 tour, 2tone music fans were offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a genuinely remarkable event.
Held at one of Sydney’s premier music venues, The Forum, this electrifying performance was captured by the good folk at MoshCam, and produced by Reign Record’s Andrew McAllister, and Greg Courtney.
Special Beat: Ska’d in Sydney is a must for all fans of the genre. This DVD takes the ska movement to the next level and this culmination of these celebrated performers is the perfect way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 2tone ska label.
To have internationally recognised artists come together and launch a DVD of this incredible Australian show indicates just how impressive the fan base and the influence of Special Beat is here in Australia.
WHO IS SPECIAL BEAT?
Neville Staple – The Specials
Forming in Coventry, 1977 The Specials had 7 consecutive Top 10 hits in the UK. At the forefront of them all was the deep baritone & dreadlocks of roadie-turned-singer Neville Staple. His wild stage antics, vibrant presence & dancing dominated their concerts and Staple, despite the passing of three decades, still continues to shine as an energetic performer.
‘Ranking’ Roger – The Beat
In 1979, against a backdrop of social & political upheaval, came The Beat with their simple message of love & unity set to a great dance beat. Releasing just 3 albums the band gained worldwide attention crossing over between a soul, reggae, punk & pop becoming overnight sensations with Ranking’s Jamaican-style toasting the essential ingredient.
Pauline Black – The Selecter
Enjoying a string of hits and two gold records in ‘Too Much Pressure’ & ‘Dance Craze’ as part of her time fronting The Selecter, Pauline has since gone on to re-invent herself as a multi-award winning actress, tv presenter & author but it is as a pioneer in music that she is best remembered, named by Rolling Stone as having “the best voice to grace a 2tone release”.
These three icons of 2tone are responsible for some of the greatest ska tunes of all time including ‘Tears Of A Clown’, ‘A Message To You Rudy’, ‘Too Much Pressure’, ‘Too Much Too Young’, ‘Ghost Town’ & ‘Mirror In The Bathroom’ and Ska’d in Sydney perfectly captures the hits of The Specials, The Beat & The Selecter as well as some of those of their contemporaries in what is a knock out live show.
Special Beat: Ska’d In Sydney is released by Reign Records and distributed through MGM.
