Lawless Street Blog » Skinhead

The Music Specialists “Dynamic Pressure”

Lawless — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:27:41 +0000

It’s been a bit of time since I did an update and well it’s time to get back in the saddle. Here’s a little link to a cool blog and some video selections!

The Flea Market Funk blog did a post back in May about The Music Specialists. I thought it was a fun read so go there now and check it out.

Here’s the flip: “Flip”

O Sweet Misery from The Bullets

Lawless — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:00:22 +0000

The Bullets have released a “Making of” video for their upcoming album “Sweet Misery” and it’s …. well sweet! The band are in the studio while main man Roger is in town before heading out for more touring this summer with The Aggrolites. The band hopes to have the album available by the summer while The Aggrolites are on the road.

As brother from down under Gabe says @ Musical Occupation
LA Chicano soul and reggae collide! The Bullets feature Roger Rivas (Aggrolites), Malik Moore (Ocean 11), Noe Santana (Irie Beats/Allentons) in an allstar line up that is about to blow the reggae out your jeggae!

Check it out here:

Then go hear and tell em what you think about the video and the upcoming album: www.dancingmood.net.

Here’s the band playing another track that will most likely be on the new album at the last ever Bluebeat Lounge show back in January.

Skinhead Attitude

Lawless — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:26:37 +0000

The documentary “Skinhead Attitude”, directed by Swiss filmmaker Daniel Schweizer (Skin or Die & White Terror), is a history and investigation into the skinhead cult movement in the U.S. and U.K. since the 1960s. The subjects range from lightweight fashionable types to hardcore neo-Nazis. Special consideration is paid to the murder of two “Unity” skinheads in Las Vegas. It includes interviews with Laurel Aitken, Jimmy Pursey and Ian Stuart.

I haven’t watched this yet but it’s been on my list for some time. Well thanks to my trusty Google alerts for Laurel Aitken I’ve been alerted to a blog that had a link to an English language version hosted conveniently by Google video. The whole hour plus version of it too!

Here’s the link.

Honors for Joe Higgs & Winston Riley

Lawless — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 19:37:52 +0000

The Gleaner ran a notice the other day about Joe Higgs being honored for his contribution to Jamaican music. This is of course an understatement to say the least. He was instrumental in influencing Bob Marley as well as recording his own wonderful compositions. Pressure Sounds re-issued his collection “Life of Contradiction” last year and it’s well worth picking up.

Joe Higgs, who died in 1999, will be honored along with performer/producer Winston Riley; Keith Lyn, former singer with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires; musician/artiste Charles ‘Charlie Organaire’ Cameron and others.

Winston Riley will be of note as well to fans of this blog as a member of The Techniques and mastermind behind many boss hits including the true classic “Double Barrel” and the Techniques label.

READ MORE HERE – www.jamaica-gleaner.com

The Hippy Boys “Death Rides A Horse” Unity Version

Lawless — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:13:27 +0000

Since we discussed “Spaghetti Western” inspired reggae Friday thanks to Nina’s wonderful blog we’re going to continue that topic again.

“Death Rides A Horse” by The Hippy Boys, named after the movie of the same name, was issued in 1970 on Pama’s Unity label. Its the B-side to Max Romeo’s “Melting Pot”.

IMAGE: www.strictly-vibes.com

The Hippy Boys are sure to be familiar to regular readers of this blog and true collectors for not only their classic lineup but superb cuts. The band, formed by Lord Charmers and a stand-in for The Upsetters when Lee Perry toured the Britain for the first time, included guitarist Alva “Reggie” Lewis, organist Glen Adams (who most recently has been playing around NYC with The Slackers) and brothers Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett on bass guitar and Carlton Barrett drums respectively (who later went on to much bigger fame playing with Bob Marley of course).

There are in fact 2 other very different versions of “Death Rides A Horse” that were issued on Crab & Amalgamated too! They were both included on Trojan’s Big Gundown release from a few years ago.

Check out a sound sample of this version and more Unity singles over at www.dancecrasher.com. Thanks again guys!

While “Death Rides A Horse” is not found on the album, The Hippy Boys’ “Reggae With…” was reissued by Trojan Records in 2006.

1. Nurse J’Kel
2. This Is It
3. Mad Movie
4. Capo (Version 1)
5. Foot Work
6. Seventh Heaven
7. Moon Walk
8. Challenge
9. Spicy (Aka Reggae Pressure)
10. Wondering
11. Cat Nip (Bonus Track)
12. Soul At Large (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
13. Soul Of England (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
14. What Do You Say (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
15. Straight To The Head (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
16. African Zulu (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
17. Confidential (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
18. Oney (Happy Clap) (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
19. Everybody Needs Love (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
20. Stronger (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
21. Mellow Mood (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
22. Family Man (The Upsetters) (Bonus Track)
23. Shang I (Aka Shanghai) (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
24. Cooyah (Lloyd Charmers & Hippy Boys) (Bonus Track)
25. Capo (Version 2) The Upsetters

Boss Weekend: 40 Years of Skinheads MX

Lawless — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:06:22 +0000

Mexico City has had a popping vintage reggae scene for the last few years it seems. I’ve been waiting to check it out down there but have yet to make it. Well – they’ve now scored the first North American show for Los Granadians del Espacio Exterior! Who’s jealous here?

That same show will also feature an even bigger name for you skinheads and rudies: “Mr. Symarip” Roy Elllis!

Both artists have recently (last year or so) released wonderful new albums and are well worth picking up. “Skinheads Dem A Come” (0n Jump Up Records) from Mr. Ellis and “Donde Ningun Hambre” (on Liquidator Music) from Los Granadians.

They’re calling it Boss Weekend: 40 Years of Skinheads It will feature plenty of top local selecters of course. It looks like a must attend event if you can make the trip. See the flyer below (click to enlarge).

Check out some of the sounds, more info and interviews even at their myspace page: www.myspace.com/boss_weekend

Wonder Where The Punch From The Punch Label Came From?

Lawless — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:07:26 +0000

Well it’s finally been solved if you were wondering that is. Check out the thread at the PAMA FORUM and see for yourself just where the inspiration for the Punch label may have come from and decide for yourself.

Then cruise over to Tapir’s Reggae Discography and see all the tunes that were released on the label. [Photo from Tapir]

The Bleechers: Ram You Hard

Lawless — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:50:08 +0000

I found this interesting little piece on “Skinhead Reggae” and The Bleechers that mentions the Aggrolites as the proponents of the “Skinhead Reggae” sound. At least they didn’t mention them and playing Ska in the same sentence as so many others seem to do.

Check it out here: www.reggaemusictalk.com

Here’s the cut from the wonderful “Birth Control” album on Pama. I love that the album cover is in the back.

A bonus (or not – depends on your outlook on the video that follow):
Modern band The Thorpedians doing a somewhat 2 Tone inspired cut of the same tune. I’m not turned off by it and could see myself dancing.

Boss Sounds 2?! Seriously!

Lawless — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:26:42 +0000

It’s come to my attention that the only book that matters may be getting a second edition. Boss Sounds is the bible for skinhead and early reggae sounds. First published in 1995 by ST Publishing, who also did books on Oi!, Ska and The Specials, no skinhead or reggae music fan should be without a copy of it.

If there are indeed plans for a whole new collection or at the least a reissue and update of that original book then where do I pre-order?

Check out the discussion on the PAMA Board here.

A Triple Threat of Reggae & Soul starts tonight!

Lawless — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:38:09 +0000

Come be the first to hear the new Aggrolites album “IV” tonight at Bar One (www.bar1noho.com) before anyone else!

Then be sure to catch the LA Dirty Reggae heroes tomorrow night at the El Rey theater.

*** A Triple Threat of LA Reggae & Soul ***

Dirty Reggae Masters
THE AGGROLITES
IV Album Release Show

with special guests

BOOGALOO ASSASSINS
(with members of Ocean 11, See Spot, Chris Murray Combo, The Expanders, Very Be Careful)

THE LIONS
featuring Alex & Deston of Hepcat, Malik of Ocean 11, Black Shakespeare
(with members of Orgone, Breakestra, Rhythm Room All Stars, Connie Price & The Keystones)

DJs Reggae Rog & Bobby Soul

TOMORROW
Friday, May 15, 2009

El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles

doors at 8pm doors, live music at 9pm
all ages, $18 + service fee

You’ll gave a chance to buy The Aggrolites new album “IV” before it hits the streets only at the show!

Then they make a stop in San Diego.

www.aggroreggae.com
www.myspace.com/theaggrolites
www.goldenvoice.com
www.ticketmaster.com