“Punky Reggae Party” was a B-side to Bob Marley & The Wailers’ “Jammin” single recorded and released in heyday of Punk rock – 1977 (coincidentally the year of my birth as well). It also had the distinction of not appearing on any proper studio album.

The song was written by Bob Marley after being exposed to the real UK Punk rock struggle and seeing the parallels between the Jamaican Rastas and the English Punks. Both groups were set against the “system” of oppresion that was prevalent in both geographical areas. He was inspired to write the song on one of his many UK trips by Don Letts’ Roxy Club DJ sessions where he would spin strictly the roughest roots reggae for all the punks (who were in turn inspired themselves) and bands such as the Clash (who I don’t have to mention made the best punk reggae mix in the land), Generation X and The Slits. The lyrics name check several punk and reggae groups certainly popular at the time in fact: “The Wailers will be there, The Damned, The Clash, The Jam – Maytals will be there, Dr. Feelgood too.”

Punky Reggae Party is also an oasis in the LA club landscape. It’s a place where you can grab a stiff drink from the pretty bartenders, jam out to UK Punk, JA Ska & Reggae with a little nonsense thrown in for good measure, watch the dance floor explode in gyrations that defy gravity and hang out with plenty of people that only a mother could love all wrapped up in a nice and dirty, low ceiling, garishingly decorated mexican dive bar called La Cita. Lovely isn’t it?

If you’re a fan of UK to JA punk and reggae then these strictly all vinyl sound system sessions from the masterminds behind the Dub Club and Part Time Punks is the only place to mash down babylon on a Friday night. Going “strong like lion” weekly for over a year it’s the place to take in the sounds of a misspent youth and wasted days. They even have amazing compilations put together by David “Boss Harmz” Orlando with great graphics and plenty of rare grooves that you won’t find on that latest Trojan Box Set.

Check em out on myspace and get down to La Cita every Friday before 11pm to get in free. www.myspace.com/parttimepunkyreggaeparty

I love flyer artwork like this.

Now here’s a nifty little video of the original Island release hitting the turntable. Kinda poor quality but you get the idea.