Specials
by ARoca on 9/12/16Terminal 5 - New YorkGreat time. the crowd was into it and everyone was dancing
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About
The Specials are a trend-starting ska-revival and 2 Tone band that came together in 1977 in Coventry, England. The band was responsible for starting the early ‘80s ska scene and released a string of timeless songs including “"A Message to You, Rudy" and “Too Much, Too Young.”
Band members Jerry Dammers, Tim Strickland, Silverton Hutchinson, Horace Panter and Lynval Golding started the band with the intention of creating a musical statement against racism. As with the punk era it followed, the ska scene featured politically minded lyrics. This trend was started by The Specials, and their mixture of reggae dancehall music and modern British political lyrics proved very popular.
Tim Strickland was replaced by Terry Hall shortly after the band's formation and within a year they had added Neville Staple and Roddy Radiation to the group. Another line-up change occurred soon after, as drummer Silverton Hutchinson was replaced by John Bradbury just before the band released their debut single, “Gangsters.” Released on Jerry Dammers own label, 2 Tone Records, the song was a hit and they quickly followed with their self-titled debut album in 1979. They returned to the recording studio for the follow-up, titled More Specials, in 1980, which included backing vocals from the likes of Belinda Carlisle and Chrissie Hynde. They hit No. 1 in the charts again with the huge hit “Ghost Town,” a song that still gets used regularly in movies and TV shows today as an iconic, instantly recognizable song from the era.
At the end of 1981, three key members of the band left to form Fun Boy Three, and new talent was brought in. While the band continued to tour all over, front-man Jerry Dammers was finding a new passion away from music, and in 1984 he dissolved the band to pursue his political activism work on a full-time basis. Various members of the band toured in off-shoot bands and there were various short-lived and one-off attempts at reunions in the ‘90s, but finally in the ‘00s fans got to see a more authentic version ofTthe Specials, as they performed in a number of high-profile gigs with many original members. One such performance came in 2007 alongside Lily Allen and Damon Albarn at Glastonbury. In 2013, The Specials released a new live album titled More... Or Less, and they plan to keep on working together.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rating: 5 out of 5by Joonevar on 9/12/16Terminal 5 - New York What a great concert. So many good songs. Took me back to my youth. The Specials was the first album I bought on tape in England and it's still damn good!
Rating: 5 out of 5 The Specials
by CressExpress on 8/5/13The Stone Pony - Asbury ParkWe expected a good concert but what we got was a GREAT concert. These guys rocked it. By the end of the 4th song everyone was soaked from dancing theirs hearts out. Wow, what a great, great night. We'll remember this forever. Thank you Stone Pony for bringing the Specials to us.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Great Experience
by mrsdrw on 7/31/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkThe Specials were really amazing to see live. So much engery, you couldnt not have a great time.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Awesome
by VVGRR on 7/31/13The Fillmore Silver Spring - Silver SpringPorbably my "once-in-a-lifetime" chance to see the Specials and I am so glad I went! Do not miss this show!
Rating: 5 out of 5 The Specials
by Dansteely74 on 7/26/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkAnybody that is a fan should most definitely see this machine. Super tight rhythm section(as always) and Terry has slightly come out of his "comfort zone" to be more inactive w/the audience. "Blank expression" and "Doesn't make it alright" are impossible not to enjoy, if ska is what's on the menu. Eat or go home.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Was expecting fun but not THAT much fun!!
by GataLoca on 7/24/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkAll I can say is WOW!! I saw The Specials a week ago at Pier 26 in NYC and it was so much fun!! I've been a life long fan of The Specials (I'm 40 years old) and never thought I'd get a chance to catch them live. It was a last minute decision and I'm so glad I went. The music was top notch, the energy was incredible and the audience was elated. Gold stars all around! I've been to A LOT of shows in my life and this one ranks in my top 5. If you have a chance to see these guys - DO IT!! No regrets.
Rating: 5 out of 5 The specials are awesome!!
by Mattyj01 on 7/23/13The Stone Pony - Asbury ParkThis was my second show, the week before I saw them in Philly with friends, then in asbury park with my girlfriend as she lives up there so it was perfect, great band , great show ! If they tour again on the east coast I will be there! Grew up on ska and to see them playing live now was just amazing !
Rating: 5 out of 5by Geojim2002 on 7/23/13The Stone Pony - Asbury Park Excellent Show!!1 They did not disappoint!!! Don't Miss it..
Rating: 5 out of 5 The Specials were SPECIAL!
by bootlegbetty on 7/23/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkBest concert I have been to in awhile. First concert on Pier 26 in NYC. Was a blast!
Rating: 4 out of 5 Terry Hall needs to keep his cool
by SkaFanRudeBoy on 7/23/13Ives Concert Park - DanburyThe music from this legendary Ska band was as rocking and relevant as it was 30 years ago. The only thing that marred the show was Terry Hall letting himself get upset by a heckler and spending the rest of the show angry. That, and the fact they didn't play their biggest hit of all time: "Ghost Town".
Rating: 4 out of 5 VERY Special(s)!
by RudeBoy81 on 7/23/13Ives Concert Park - DanburyThree decades (plus) from their beginnings, and The Specials are still great. On a hot, sticky night, their music had the audience on their feet and dancing the whole time. The Ives Center is a great, beautiful venue, and the sound was both loud and clear. Singer Terry Hall apparently disagreed (he went and appeared to yell at the sound mixer more than once), but the rest of the band appeared to enjoy the evening as much as the audience did. Here's hoping The Specials will be back in the US before long... and I certainly will be visiting the Ives Center again.
Rating: 4 out of 5 The Specials didn't disappoint...
by J0ker on 7/22/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New York...once they finally made it to the stage more than 2 hours later than supposed to. The concert was supposed to start at 5pm with an opening act duo. The opener started after 7pm. I love The Specials and wouldn't be complaining, but the heat outside was close to a 100 degrees and the pier had no shade at all. I mean, you're late and it's hot as hell, so put up some kind of a tent or give out water. There was no shortage of $3 water, though. And beer. By the time The Specials came on stage at 8:30, the sun already set and it wasn't as hot anymore. They did an hour and a half of non-stop best of. The guys were great, as usual, and everyone was jumping around and dancing. Overall an excellent band to see live.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Specials play well as ever
by freja25 on 7/22/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New Yorkthirty-odd years later, the Specials are still full of energy and passion. despite the heatwave, they played well. the whole audience was dancing.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Still Skankin' Good After 30+ Years...
by Tee927 on 7/22/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkThis might be ageist of me but I think anything having to do with punk is a young person's game. And there's nothing worse than going to see a reunited band that just phoned it in. Thankfully that wasn't the case by any means with The Specials. Like the year before - they just absolutely killed it. And it was an amazing night to see a classic band outside with the Freedom Tower and moon looming in the background as everyone was having a blast as The Specials nailed one hit after another. I'm looking forward to their 2014 tour already.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Specials 7/17
by Stephie10 on 7/22/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkGreat band, great venue. I would definitely see someone else play at Pier 26 in a heartbeat, and would gladly see the Specials anytime they're in town.
Rating: 4 out of 5 The Specials were special.
by CityCommuter on 7/21/13The Paramount - HuntingtonThey put on a good show. We really enjoyed it . Glad we went
Rating: 5 out of 5by pholcodine on 7/21/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New York The Specials were absolutely top class act that made complete crowd dancing! Awesome gig location, too!
Rating: 5 out of 5 The Specials show was so great!
by kimleepuma on 7/20/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkI liked the outdoor venue. The Specials performed great, with an awesome upbeat energy! The whole crowd was really into it. The opening act was ok, but didn't really fit with the specials. It was unclear what time the show actually started, some places said 5, others 6 - but the first act didn't perform until 7. And the specials didn't go on until after dark, it would have been nice to have clearer instruction.
Rating: 5 out of 5 T great experience!
by Hammerska on 7/20/13Hudson River Park - Pier 26 - New YorkI saw them last time at Terminal 5. The Specials keep getting better everytime I see them. If they played NYC area twice or more a year I would see them each time! Keep playing and I will be there!