Tag: The Specials

New trailer shows off dazzling 4K restoration of “Dance Craze” ahead of film, soundtrack reissue

New trailer shows off dazzling 4K restoration of “Dance Craze” ahead of film, soundtrack reissue

The British Film Institute has released a trailer for its dazzling new 4K restoration of the classic 2 Tone-era document “Dance Craze: The Best of British Ska… Live!”

Operation Ivy’s Jesse Michaels and Tim Armstrong reunite to play “Sound System”

Operation Ivy’s Jesse Michaels and Tim Armstrong reunite to play “Sound System”

Last night in Los Angeles, half of late-’80s ska-punk legends Operation Ivy reunited on stage at a benefit concert headlined by The Specials to perform “Sound System.”

Vintage Video: ‘Dance Craze: The Best of British Ska… Live!’ celebrates the 2-Tone era

Vintage Video: ‘Dance Craze: The Best of British Ska… Live!’ celebrates the 2-Tone era

For this latest installment of our Vintage Video series, we honor the life and music of The Beat’s Ranking Roger — who died Monday — with the single best document of the 2 Tone era, the criminally out-of-print concert film “Dance Craze: The Best of British Ska… Live!” Watch the whole film right here.

The Specials to bring ‘Encore’ 40th anniversary tour to North America this spring

The Specials to bring ‘Encore’ 40th anniversary tour to North America this spring

Beloved 2 Tone ska act The Specials today released its first new album featuring original frontman Terry Hall since 1980’s More Specials, and helped mark the occasion by announcing a 40th anniversary tour of North America this May and June. Full dates right here. Plus, stream the new album ‘Encore.’

This week’s new releases: The Specials, The Beat featuring Ranking Roger, Ian Brown

This week’s new releases: The Specials, The Beat featuring Ranking Roger, Ian Brown

This is a round-up of the week’s new albums, expanded reissues and/or box sets, appearing each Monday on Slicing Up Eyeballs. All releases due out this Friday unless noted. This week sees the release of new studio albums from The Specials, The Beat Featuring Ranking Roger and The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown.

Listen: The Specials, ‘Vote For Me’ — first new single with Terry Hall since ‘Ghost Town’

Listen: The Specials, ‘Vote For Me’ — first new single with Terry Hall since ‘Ghost Town’

Legendary 2 Tone ska act The Specials this week released its first single with original lead frontman Terry Hall since 1981’s “Ghost Town,” a lilting new song called “Vote For Me” that is the first cut to surface off the band’s forthcoming reunion album Encore. Listen to the full track right here.

The Specials to release new album ‘Encore’ — first recordings with Terry Hall since ‘Ghost Town’

The Specials to release new album ‘Encore’ — first recordings with Terry Hall since ‘Ghost Town’

Ten years into their current reunion, The Specials have announced they’ll release a new album titled Encore next year, the band’s first collection of original material in two decades and its first recordings with original lead singer Terry Hall since the 1981 single “Ghost Town.” Full details, including tracklist, right here.

The Specials returning to the U.S. this summer for a trio of California concerts

The Specials returning to the U.S. this summer for a trio of California concerts

[tweetmeme]Reactivated 2 Tone ska legends The Specials will return to the U.S. this summer for at least three concerts in California. According to its Facebook page, the band will perform in Oakland, Pomona and San Diego in late June. It’s not known yet whether more shows are in the offing. Full dates here.

Listen: The Darling Buds cover The Go-Go’s ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ for Cassette Store Day

Listen: The Darling Buds cover The Go-Go’s ‘Our Lips Are Sealed’ for Cassette Store Day

Reunited U.K. indiepop outfit The Darling Buds have recorded a cover of The Go-Go’s 1981 hit “Our Lips Are Sealed” — written by Jane Wiedlin and The Specials’ Terry Hall — that will be released on the Neon Maniacs compilation on Cassette Store Day this October. Stream the full song right here.

The Specials announce 12-date tour of Canada and the U.S. coasts in June

The Specials announce 12-date tour of Canada and the U.S. coasts in June

The Specials return to North America this June for a 12-date run of concerts that will take the band to Canada and the east and west coasts of the United States. The tour opens with two shows in Toronto on June 6 and 7, then plays a few East Coast dates, followed by a West Coast run, before ending at a Quebec festival on June 24.

New releases: The Specials expanded reissues, new Camouflage, live World Party

New releases: The Specials expanded reissues, new Camouflage, live World Party

This week’s new releases include reissue of The Specials’ three albums — 1979′s The Specials, 1980′s More Specials and 1984′s In the Studio, the latter of which was released under the band’s original name, The Special AKA — as well as a new record from German synthpop outfit Camouflage.

The Specials to reissue 3 original studio albums in expanded 2CD deluxe editions

The Specials to reissue 3 original studio albums in expanded 2CD deluxe editions

The three original studio albums from the legendary 2-Tone ska act The Specials — 1979’s The Specials, 1980’s More Specials and 1984’s In the Studio — will be reissued this March in expanded 2CD sets featuring non-album singles, live material, instrumentals and Peel sessions.

New releases: Simple Minds, Dream Academy, Tears For Fears, ABC, Soft Cell, The Specials

New releases: Simple Minds, Dream Academy, Tears For Fears, ABC, Soft Cell, The Specials

This week’s new releases include a live CD/DVD combo from Simple Minds, a new best-of from The Dream Academy, vinyl reissues of classic debut albums from Tears For Fears, ABC and Soft Cell, a live album from The Specials reissued on vinyl, and a new best-of set of 2 Tone ska.