Roddy Radiation

Roddy Radiation

by Pete Clemons

No sooner had the current version of The Specials stepped off the stage for the last time, after holding court at the old cathedral for 4-nights, when another one-time key member of the band was about to step onto his, for another of his solo gigs. This time it was at the Jaguar Club just off Browns Lane.

Guitarist, and former member of the Specials, Roddy Radiation, has been assembling his own sizeable tour for 2019. And this includes several gigs in and around his home city of Coventry.

Some of these gigs, as seen recently at the Godiva festival and Jaguar Club are intimate affairs. Just Roddy and his guitar. Solo gigs, such as these, are not easy things to do especially when you are used to having a band around you. But, to be fair, Roddy does them really well. The songs he performs are familiar, and, are all his. Well almost. Some are covers and some he had a hand in. The set for the Jag Club was as follows:


Gangsters

Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks)

Hey Little Rich Girl

His Cat Needs a Kitten

Do Nothing

Forgive and Forget (Neil Hunter)

Rat Race

Johnny


But where Roddy appears to be most comfortable is with his band, The Skabilly Rebels, where he appears with Joe Harcourt – guitar, Lee Pratt – drums, Connor O'Connor – bass and Adrian R Lee – sax. Between them they produce a very mixed sound that draws from Rockabilly. But with an extra added twist. My best description of ‘Skabilly’ is that the music is a mix of rock, blues, ska and punk with a 50's/60's beat. Additionally, The Skabilly Rebels are very uplifting, and have that rare ability to get your feet and body moving spontaneously.

I imagine that a lot people reading this will have already discovered the delights of The Skabilly Rebels but for those who have not well this is a genuinely excellent band that brings with them an incredible feel good factor.

Most recently The Skabilly Rebels have released two EP’s titled ‘Fallen Angel’ and ‘Losing Control’. And if these had been released by Dave Edmunds or The Stray Cats then the music critics would be falling over themselves to churn out superlatives by the dozen.

As mentioned Roddy has a stack of dates lined up. And you can see the band at several venues, up and down the country, before the year is over. Expect a similar set list as above but with the addition of tunes like Another Rusty Nail, Black Zodiac, Doldrums and Judgement Day and many others.

After a recent Specials gig I was talking with friends about how their songs, from 40 years ago, still sounded good despite the passage of time. My only conclusion was that they were simply brilliant. Being not that far out of my teens, I didn't appreciate that during 1979/80, but I certainly do now.

I mentioned this to Roddy, during a brief chat we had over social media. Roddy, despite having his struggles since quitting The Specials, came across as more philosophical nowadays. ‘I’ve been pretty lucky health wise’ he said. ‘But at 64 things are starting to wear out. I’ve lost a few close friends recently. Life is far too short I’m very aware of that now’.

Roddy’s songs will be around long after we have all disappeared. Very few can claim the kind of legacy that he can. And he can be very proud of his achievements.

If you google ‘Roddy Radiation tour’ you will see lists of his current activity. Or if you fancy any of his CD’s or other merch then go to roddyradiation.com

Wild Boys - Roddy Radiation's first band  - Lorraine.

Wild Boys Concrete Jungle

Roddy Radiation - Gangsters.

Voodoo Kings

Voodoo Kings

By Pete Clemons

What I found impressive about the recent gigs by The Specials in the old cathedral ruins was the fact that, on each of the four nights, there was a different local support band.

And, on the evening I went, that band happened to be Voodoo Kings - a three-piece skiffle come rockabilly band. There was a tenuous connection to The Specials. Each member of Voodoo Kings had previously been in bands with one-time Specials guitarist Roddy Radiation such as The Bone diggers and The Skabilly Rebels.

It is easy to forget that Voodoo Kings have been together for around ten years now. Guitarist Dave West, drummer Terry Downes and Sam Smith on double bass apparently formed Voodoo Kings after the 50th anniversary gig of Coventry legends The Zodiacs. This being held at Christ the King social club during February 2009.

If one of the rules to putting on a live gig is to try to grab the listeners attention immediately, then yes, Voodoo Kings certainly did that. They put a great shift in and were more than a worthy support band.

Dave West carries a rich and soulful voice. Add to that, and like a metronome, the upright bass is being constantly slapped with the drums supplying a kind of glue to it all.

‘Rollin’, the band’s latest tune, was also given an outing. And, of course, in true tradition, that Midnight Train hit the tracks.

Given today’s music scene, I think that Skiffle / Rockabilly is a tough genre to define. 1920s country music and bluegrass revived during the 1950s. Hank Williams and Americana along with days long gone by all spring to mind. But when it was king, skiffle laid the foundations for much of what was to come. And, clearly, it continues to influence today.

After their set I bought a copy of Voodoo Kings excellent CD ‘Systems Green’. Yes, I know, it is around five years old now, having been released during 2013, but hands up, it had escaped me.

Part of this albums charm, and throughout it all, is that there is a rough growly edge to it. There is also a constant energy and tempo. It contains 12 original tunes and, as one tune suggests, it has a rock ‘n’ roll heart.

The album is filled with melodies and rhythms intended on getting you up there dancing, or at the very least, stomping your feet. An amazing energy is contained within this recording.

The future is bright the future is green.

The Specials – Cathedral Ruins 2019

The Specials – Cathedral Ruins 2019

Review by Pete Clemons

"An iconic band playing iconic music in an iconic venue." Not my words, but those repeated by many of the folk who were among the 8000 attendees that turned out at the old cathedral where The Specials recently held court.

Now that they have passed into history this series of four sold out dates will, without doubt, enter city folklore. It was an inspired choice to hold these gigs in the ruins.

The old cathedral is a place of peace and reconciliation. And, 40 years ago, The Specials began a campaign that united people in a way few others have. They were at the forefront of the fight against racism and fairness. And that mission is as valid today as it was then. As such, it made absolute sense to hold the gigs there.

Guitarist Lynval Golding mentioned that there was no better place within the city to celebrate their 40th anniversary. And it is true. The Specials could easily have taken the easy option of one night at the Ricoh Arena, for example, if the intention was to just attract a big audience. Glowing with pride Lynval also mentioned that the look, feel and vibe of the old cathedral was just so incredible.

But the comment that resonated the most with me was that made by bass player Horace Panter. He pointed out correctly that, nowadays, so many things are very different since 1979. But in some ways, things are still very much the same. And with that in mind this band are still relevant.

Their most recent release, ‘Encore’, although not created from out and out pent up anger and passion, still carries many messages and themes. Particularly those surrounding issues we face today such as the politically divided country we find ourselves in along with a glimpse into private personal issues.

Vocalist Terry Hall concedes that technology has surpassed us and that, in a way, we have lost control. We are now led by goats he quips. In that respect ‘Encore’ can be viewed as a gentle reminder that maybe we need to take stock and reboot ourselves.

2019 has been a very good year indeed for The Specials. Up until the start of the Ruins gigs they had so far completed, more than 70 dates all over the place, with almost all of them being sold out. And, to top it all, they had a number 1 record which had since, more recently, gone silver.

As for the gig. Similar, to 40 years ago, it was still high energy and frenetic. I have to say that the band, although very different, were high energy. The stage was a snapshot of protest. Placards adorned it highlighting some of the issues addressed in the ‘Encore’ album. And the set contained tunes like ‘Embarrassed by You’, ‘Vote for Me’ and ‘BLM’. But the evening wasn’t swamped by ‘Encore’.

This was indeed a celebration. And we were also treated to a nostalgia trip by way of ‘Gangsters’, ‘Rat Race’, ‘Man at C&A’, ‘Friday Night, Saturday Morning’, ‘Ghost Town’, ‘You’re Wondering Now’ and many others.

The gig was a resounding success. An overjoyed audience was evidence of this. Even as the ruins emptied out this unique atmosphere seemed to flow out with it. Memories made from nights like this are priceless and ingrained within you for life.

Terry Hall’s final words were typically barbed. He mentioned how, in Los Angeles, May 29 had been decreed as The Specials day. ‘What does Coventry City Council give us?’ – he questioned. ‘Fucking Argos vouchers’.