Tuesday Night Music Byte

Allmusic tells us, that as true innovators of the punk era, The Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk’s energy and attitude, and taking on a more focused and informed political and social stance than their predecessors and peers.

The band was originally formed in Coventry, in 1977, as the Coventry Automatics and later the Special A.K.A. by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals), Neville Staples (vocals, percussion), Roddy Radiation (guitar), Sir Horace Gentleman (bass), and John Bradbury (drums). An opening slot for the Clash stirred up interest with the major labels, but Dammers instead opted to start his own 2-Tone label, named for its multiracial agenda and after the two-tone tonic suits favored by the like-minded mods of the ’60s. The Dammers-designed logos, based in ’60s pop art with black and white checks, gave the label an instantly identifiable look. Dammers’ eye for detail and authenticity also led to the band adopting ’60s-period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers). The band released the “Gangsters” single, which reached the U.K. Top Ten. Soon after, hordes of bands and fans followed in the same tradition, and the movement was in full swing. Over the next several months, 2-Tone enjoyed hits by similar-sounding bands, such as Madness, the (English) Beat, and the Selecter. Late in 1979, the band released its landmark self-titled debut album, produced by Elvis Costello.

The Specials released the timely “Ghost Town” single in 1981 amid race-related unemployment riots in Brixton and Liverpool. The single jumped to number one, but the band was falling apart. Hall, Staples, and Golding left to form Fun Boy Three, leaving the band without its trademark voice. Dammers held on, reverting back to the old name, Special A.K.A., and enlisted a new vocalist, Stan Campbell. After several years, they returned with In the Studio in 1984. They managed a few hits with “Racist Friend” and “Free Nelson Mandella,” but the album stiffed. The band’s final single, “What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend,” failed to break the British Top 40. Dammers dissolved the unit, pursuing political causes such as Artists Against Apartheid.

This video clip is of the band performing theie first hit, Gangsters from their 1979 debut album titled, The Specials. If you enjoy the song, do yourselves a favor and buy that album. You will love it.

It’s A Glenn Beckian Backlash

Recently, there have been more dark days for Fox News network host, Glenn Beck. Last Sunday morning on CNN‘s State Of The Union program, Democratic strategist James Carville when asked about what he thought of Beck, responded, “I think he’s nuts, OK?” and, “Just out and out nuts. And I also think that he’s a blatant hypocrite. Here’s somebody that sits on his show … weeping about how much he loves America and … and then he’s absolutely giddy when his country doesn’t get the Olympics. And this is … I’ll tell you another thing about Glenn Beck. He wouldn’t know the difference between a football, a bat and a hockey court (sic). This guy is not … he’s just all … he’s just all weeping.” Ouch !!!

Carville’s remarks followed those of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham during his appearance on Fox News earlier that day. Graham said, “[H]e doesn’t represent the Republican Party. When a person says he represents conservatism and that the country is better off with Barack Obama than John McCain, that sort of ends the debate as for me as to how much more I’m going to listen.”

Both of those negative assessments of Glenn Beck follow directly on the heels of other recent Republican and conservative criticisms of the bat-crazy host. As Lynnrockets’ Blast-Off reported on September 29th, Beck was also skewered by Joe Scarborough, Robert Frum, Mark Levin, David Brooks, Peter Wehner, Elisabeth Hasselbeck (The View) and Republican Congressman Bob Inglis of South Carolina. Oh, and we almost forgot to mention that Beck was also disavowed by the entire city council from his hometown of Mount Vernon, Washington. How many more sponsors will flee his show now?

It almost seems as if Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin are in a contest to determine who is most unpopular among Republicans and conservatives in the know. Nevertheless, is there anything more entertaining than watching Republicans feed on their young?

Please click on the song link below to familiarize yourselves with the tune and to have more fun singing along to the song parody.

You’re No Good song link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr9vKWLgZzo

YOU’RE NO GOOD

(sung to the Linda Ronstadt song “You’re No Good”)

Feeling better now that Beck’s through
Feeling better cuz his fans are few
They learned their lesson, it left a scar
Now they see that Glenn Beck’s no star

He’s no good
He’s no good
He’s no good
Glenn Beck, you’re no good

Let’s all just sing it again
He’s no good
He’s no good
He’s no good
Glenn Beck, you’re no good

You’ve come apart and don’t have a clue
Well, you have no heart and we all know it’s true
All of Glenn Beck’s sponsors starting to flee
They wouldn’t stay there if the ads were free

He’s no good
He’s no good
He’s no good
Glenn Beck, you’re no good

Let’s all just sing it again
He’s no good
He’s no good
He’s no good
Glenn Beck, you’re no good

(musical interlude)

We’re telling you now Glenn Beck, they’re going away
There’s nothing you can do now to convince them to stay

He’s no good
He’s no good
He’s no good
Glenn Beck, you’re no good

Let’s all just sing it again
He’s no good
He’s no good
He’s no good
Glenn Beck, you’re no good

Oh, oh no
He’s no good
He’s no good
He’s no good
Glenn Beck, you’re no good