First I want to say it is impossible to take a photograph of a ska band. Without a doubt someone will be blur.
This is the best I could do out of countless shots.
The blur was not only from the band itself but from me.
I have never danced myself harder shouted lyrics louder than I did tonight.
Ska Rules.
And for those of you unfamiliar the brass heavy reggae punk inspired movement is very much alive and very very healthy.
Back in the 80s I was a huge fan, using reggae and ska as the antidote to the hardcore punk I was absorbed in. At the time Bad Manners was considered a ‘skin head’ band. I stress ‘then’ With songs like “SkinHead Girl”, its no doubt they were the voice of the movement.
Yet 30 years later?
30 years later me and my kid skanked the dance floor like it was …30 years ago, and although we’ve all aged, we all still got it.
Buster Bloodvessel.. still huge still bald still flipping the tongue still amazing.
Engaging and enthusiastic giving the tiny crowd arena energy. Aside from a very awkward girl dancing and knocking things over on the stage- a fantastic performance. I’ll consider that a token pleasantry.. or something. Ew.
Great performances of “Lorraine” “Sally Brown” and ‘This is Ska” I was hooked and my legs are freakin spent.
A gut wrenching ska-ified “Cant Take My Eyes Off Of You’, and a kicking “Woolly Bully” added to the magic.
Nothing beats a choreographed horn section and those boyz were sexy as hell. Mad props considering they were.. how old?
Bad Manners is fantastic. I want to run out right now and get every recording bootleg and snip I can get my grubby hands on. I want to crank it as loud as I can and dance on the hood of my car.
No lie. That good.
But its 1am, and well I have to wake up in 3 hours. So maybe I can take care of that want tomorrow.
Right now the sheets are callin me.