Scooter Rallies & Events

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I'm delighted to announce that we are relaunching The London International Ska Festival. I promoted the first one back in 1988 at The Brixton Fridge with Laurel Aitken, Bad Manners, Potato 5, The Loafers, Hotknives, The Deltones, Napolean Solo, Capone and The Bullets and Skin Deep.

The next edition will be held at the beautiful Clapham Grand Theatre on Thursday 21st April through to Sunday 24th April 2011.  We are currently programming a world class line up of over 30 international bands and DJs, which include Jamaican originators, 2 Tone legends, 21st century ska sounds & household name DJs.  We have some sensational names lined up and some world exclusives.  To wet your appetite's, we are delighted to announce the first of 8 headline acts:


THE ENGLISH BEAT starring DAVE WAKELING
The lead singer & writer of The Beat, Dave Wakeling will be bringing his all-star band over from USA where he now resides & tours as The English Beat. His last London performance was a sold out show at The Royal Festival Hall 6 years ago. We are delighted to be bringing this 2 Tone legend back to the UK.


We have also confirmed are 3 bands that appeared on the first ever London Intl Ska Festival back in Dec'88...
THE LOAFERS  (will be reforming for an exclusive performance)
BIM SKALA BIM  (American ska pioneers will be performing exclusively at the festival- their first UK show in over a decade)
NAPOLEAN SOLO  (Danish soul/ska sensation, will be playing their first show in the UK in over 20 years)

In addition to this trip down memory line we have some of the true stalwarts of the UK ska scene confirmed;
INTENSIFIED (arguably the UK's finest traditional ska band, will be celebrating their 21st anniversary)
MAROON TOWN (with their unique blend of ska/funk/rap/latin)

And two of our favourite new bands on the current ska scene;
THE AMPHETAMEANIES  (Glasgows finest sons and daughters, who will be promoting a brand new album)
THE SIDEWALK DOCTORS  (London's new kings of rocksteady cool)



More tba very soon including 5 legendary Jamaican names

To be the first to hear about line up additions and to get early discounted tickets join the mailing list by emailing enquiries@rockersrevolt.com


THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL SKA FESTIVAL
facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-London-International-Ska-Festival/147295195292384?ref=ts


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[seanjamdown]

We are delighted to announce the latest additions to The London Intl Ska Festival 2011 are...


DUB PISTOLS
Few bands can raise a roof or ignite a festival crowd with more rabble-rousing aplomb than The Dub Pistols.  Fronted by the insatiable Barry Ashworth, from their outset they embraced vast musical earthquakes going back to the late 50s when ska was born, determined to mirror their wildly-diverse tastes in similar fashion to heroes like The Clash and Specials.  Their critically acclaimed 4 albums have attracted illustrious guests including;  The Specials Terry Hall, Gregory Isaacs, Beats International's Lindy Layton & Rodney P.

THE TROJANS
Blending hypnotic Ska & Reggae rhythms with infectious Gaelic Soul, Rhythm & Blues and World Roots, The Trojans legacy spans over twenty years of good time partying.  Led by the son of Bluesbreaker legend John Mayall, Gaz Mayall also hosts London's longest running club Gazs Rockin Blues, which is now entering into it's 30th year and is a Soho institution of Ska & R'N'B.   

More artists tba very soon, including 6 legendary Jamaican names.

To get early bird/discount tickets for the LISF and keep up with the latest line up additions join the mailing list by emailing enquiries@rockersrevolt.com


Confirmed line up so far..
THE ENGLISH BEAT starring DAVE WAKELING
DUB PISTOLS
THE TROJANS
THE LOAFERS
BIM SKALA BIM 
MAROON TOWN
INTENSIFIED
NAPOLEAN SOLO
THE AMPHETAMEANIES
THE SIDEWALK DOCTORS

[seanjamdown]

We are delighted to announce the latest addition to our festival are the original line up of the HOTKNIVES, including the frontline of Mick Clare, Gary Marshall, Mick Matthews, plus original keyboard player Jim, lead guitarist Dave Clifton and drummer Clem.

On bass they will have Mark Carew, who along with Clem has been keeping the Hotknives flame burning across Europe since the oringial line up disband in 1990.

The Hotknives truly are one of the best ska bands Britain has ever produced and we are honoured to have the original line up back together for this exclusive show!

[seanjamdown]

We are delighted to announce DJ's at the festival will include:  Gaz Mayall, The Tighten Up Crew w/ MC Champian, Wrongtom, Greedy G, Jim Cox (Reggae Train) and Felix Hall.

More tba very soon.

[seanjamdown]

We are delighted to announce the latest addition to The London International Ska Festival is James Hunter.


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James Hunter digs deep. His incredible R'n'B and soul stylings hark back to the days before ska, to the sounds the Jamaican music originators were tuning into. To the records sound system pioneers like Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid were shipping back from America to Jamaica. The sounds that inspired the birth of ska... classic 50’s and early 60’s R&B.

James started out playing around London in the 1980's as Howlin Wilf and The Vee Jays. In the early 1990's Van Morrison heard what he describes as “one of the best voices in British R’n’B and Soul" and immediately invited James to tour and record with him. However, it wasn't until his first two Stateside releases, the Grammy nominated 'People Gonna Talk' in 2006 and 'The Hard Way' (2008) that things started hotting up. The album's propelled him into notoriety both sides of the Atlantic: "a treat not to miss" Rolling Stone, "Sublime soul" USA Today, "Hunter channels Sam Cooke, Ray Charles & Jackie Wilson" People magazine, "Extraordinary soul voice" LA Times, being just a few of the many accolades.

Hunter has learned from his influences rather than simply imitating them. His infectious vocal, guitar performances and sublime songwriting are smooth, brilliantly controlled and unapologetic. Always pushing musical borders he incorporates a beautiful ska lilt to his hits 'People Gonna Talk' and 'Carina'.

We are honoured to have one of the greatest voices of our times perform at The London International Ska Festival.

[seanjamdown]

The latest 3 additions to The London International Ska Festival are...

THE CAROLOREGIANS
Introducing the deep fried funk-dipped reggae sounds of The Caroloregians.
Fronted by the New Orleans soul stylings of Matt Hardison and backed by a boss reggae section, in one almighty soundclash of pounding rhythm & soul vs finger-licking funkified reggae.

Drawing inspiration from musical cousins The Meters & The Upsetters, The Caroloregians, who hail from Belgium burst onto the European scene 4 years ago with dramatic effect.  They soon became the choice backing band for touring Jamaican legends: Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, The Pioneers, Rico Rodriguez, Pat Kelly, Doreen Shaffer & more, but it is with their own electrifying show & songs where The Caroloregians truly excel. After conquering the continent, last year they set their sights on highly successful North American tour.   The London Intl Ska Festival are now delighted to bring one of Europe's finest to the UK. 


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And representing the new school of British ska:

CARTOON VIOLENCE
Cartoon Violence mix 2 Tone ska with distinctly British sounding pop and storytelling akin to The Kinks, Madness and Squeeze.  Last year saw the release of the Welsh quintet's contagious debut album 'What Ever Happened To The Likely Lads" on Do The Dog music last year to global praise.

JIMMY THE SQUIRREL
Another new school find by the UK's leading ska label Do The Dog, Jimmy The Squirrel have been refining their sound over the last couple of years.  Coming out of Nottingham their debut album "Whatever The Weather" landed earlier this year and immediately picked up national airplay including Mike Davies on BBC Radio 1.


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More bands and DJs to be announced very soon.
Join the mailing list to keep up on all updates email enquiries@rockersrevolt.com
facebook:  www.facebook.com/pages/The-London-International-Ska-Festival/147295195292384

[seanjamdown]

We are honoured and delighted to announce the first legendary Jamaican artist to be added to The London Intl Ska Festival is Ken Boothe.

Best known for his No.1 UK hit 'Everything I Own', Ken started his musical career by winning a singing competition at the age of 8, in his birthplace of Kingston, Jamaica.  His debut recording came in the ska-era when he teamed up with Winston 'Stranger' Cole in the duo Stranger And Ken, releasing classic cuts including 'World's Fair', 'Hush' and 'Artibella', before moving onto Clement Dodd’s Studio One label.  A series of classic cuts followed including 'The Train Is Coming' (on which he was backed by Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer & BB Seaton of The Gaylads) and 'Moving Away'.  In 1967 he toured the UK for the first time with fellow rocksteady legend Alton Ellis.  The tour was hugely successful, with Boothe being promoted as "Mr.Rock Steady".  The title was also used for his superb debut album the following year, which contained the unlikely but huge selling rocksteady version of 'Puppet On A String'.

Upon leaving Studio One he was indemand with Jamaica's top producers:  Sonia Pottinger, Phil Pratt, Leslie Kong, Bunny Lee, B.B. Seaton, Keith Hudson, Randy's, Niney the Observer, releasing many island hits including 'Freedom Street'.  In 1974 Ken Boothe teamed up with producer Lloyd Charmers, a pairing and subsequent releases on Trojan Records, that spawned his two biggest UK hits.  The aforementioned 'Everything I Own' top the charts for 4 weeks and the follow-up 'Crying Over You' reached number 11.  The pair also issued other superb versions of 'Who Gets Your Love', 'Let's Get It On', 'Silver Words' and Ain't No Sunshine'

To this day Ken Boothe tours all over the world and remains one of Jamaica's most loved vocalists with his uniquely emotive and soulful style.   In 2003 this fact was recognised by the Jamaican government awarding him the Order Of Distinction for his contribution to Jamaican music.

[seanjamdown]

We are delighted to announce the latest DJ to be added to The London Intl Ska Festival is
RHODA DAKAR

Rhoda, started her musical career as the lead singer and songwriter for 2 Tone's all female band The Bodysnatchers.  Although the band only lasted a year they released 2 hit singles 'Let's Do Rocksteady' and 'Easy Life' and featured on 2 Tone's Dance Craze film.  She went onto record for The Specials on 'I Can't Stand It', a duet with Terry Hall, which was featured on the 'More Specials' album.  Upon The Specials split in 1981, Jerry Dammers formed The Special AKA, along with Rhoda and Specials drummer John Bradbury. Their first single release, 'The Boiler' reached No.35 in the UK Singles Chart in 1982.  Their debut album, 'In The Studio' featured the UK Top 10 hit single, 'Free Nelson Mandela'.   In 2009 she was the featured guest vocalist on 'On The Town' on Madness' critically acclaimed album 'The Liberty of Norton Folgate'.   

[seanjamdown]

The latest band to be added to The London Intl Ska festival are, from France... LES EJECTES

Formed in 1988, Les Ejectes are one of the longest running, hardest working and most loved French ska bands.  From the outset the band stood on a politically charged crossroads of punk, ska, reggae and rhythm and blues.  Equally inspired by the French artists Nino Ferrer and Serge Gainsbourg, they have released 10 albums, including mixes with Mad Professor.

Les Ejectes have toured Iceland, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Tunisia, Spain, Canada, Lithuania, USA, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania, Switzerland and of course their native France, with shows alongside Mano Negra, The Mescaleros, Murphys Law, Rita Marley, Maroon Town, Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys and Iggy Pop, in the process building a huge grassroots following.  Their politically charged and socially aware stance has led them to active involvement on the anti-facist and anti-racist scenes, as well as backing ecological and youth enterprises, particularly supporting new musicians.

2010 has seen the release of their superb new album 'To The Roots'.  The London Intl Ska Festival are proud to be bring Les Ejectes to perform in London for the very first time.

[seanjamdown]

The latest DJ to be added to The London Intl Ska Fest is...the world class vintage selector from Japan
TOMMY ROCK-A-SHACKA

Minoru Tomita better known as 'Tommy Rock-A-Shacka' is one of the founders of the legendary Rock-A-Shacka / Far East Records label. Working closely with his partner in crime Masaya ‘Pirates Choice’
Hayashi (founder of Drum And Bass Records) in Japan, together have built a reputation collecting, releasing and also producing material for the masses.

Over the years, Tommy has collaborated with many Jamaican artists and producers, and as a team have released material from the likes of the late great Alton Ellis, Stranger Cole, Prince Buster, Sonia Pottinger, and Glen Brown, to name but a few.

Tommy is considered to be one of the biggest collectors of Jamaican music in Japan, and a leading figure amongst the Japanese revival scene.  He has a frightening collection of rare singles and possibly the biggest Merritone / Top Deck / Prince Buster catalogue known to man.  Having dj'd all over the world including the UK, Germany, Austria, Los Angeles, Mexico, we are delighted to be bring the man from Far East -Tommy Rock-A-Shacka to The London Intl Ska Festival.

[seanjamdown]

The latest addition to the DJ line up of The London Intl Ska Festival is...

RANDY'S RECORD LABEL PRODUCER/OWNER...  CLIVE CHIN

Clive Chin ranks as one of Jamaican music's greatest & most prolific reggae producers. While working at the family business, Randy's Record Store and the crucial studio upstairs, Randy's Studio 17, Chin oversaw seminal recordings by the '70s top reggae performers and producers: The Wailers, Tommy McCook, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, Lee Perry and Black Uhuru. From 1969, when it opened, Randy's Studio 17 became a focal point of Jamaican music. Working with innovative engineer Errol Thompson, the teenage Clive Chin laid down thick bass and drum rhythms which became a signature of the roots reggae, dub and rebel rock/rockers sounds. Music personnel flocked to Randy's to get the rich bass sound and full sonic image on their songs.

Chin first rose to prominence by producing a record for a classmate Horace Swaby, a.k.a. Augustus Pablo. This record, Java, became a slow burning international sensation with its Eastern motif played on the melodica. LPs followed, namely This Is Augustus Pablo and Java Java Dub, which elaborated on the rhythmic achievements of the single. Another of his biggest hits on the British National Chart was "Fatty Bum, Bum" by Carl Malcolm. Ultimately, these halcyon days came to an abrupt end in 1978, as the Chin family closed shop and relocated to New York, where the record operation was renamed V.P. Records, today, the largest reggae distributor in North America.  In 2007 VP Records started an imprint 17 North Parade to reissue some of the historic Randy's releases.

Clive Chin is now celebrating Randy's Record label 50th anniversary, by taking his music to the world.  He has recently completed tours of China, Japan, USA and we are honoured to now be bringing a true Jamaican legend to the UK for The London Intl Ska Festival.

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[seanjamdown]

The latest international addition to the London Intl Ska Festival are

SKAOS

Formed in 1982 Skaos are one of Germany's longest running ska acts.  They appeared at the first ever London Intl Ska Festival back in 1988 and since then have gone on to release 8 albums and tour internationally in Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Japan and of course Germany.  Inspired by 2 Tone Records, they mix reggae, rhythm and blues and punk with ska, creating their own high octane sound.  We are delighted to be inviting these German ska stalwarts back to UK.  The will be performing on Day 2 of the festival (Friday 22nd April'11) alongside;  The Loafers, Hotknives (original line up), Les Ejectes (from France) and more.

Day tickets and weekend tickets are now available at www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk

[seanjamdown]

We are honoured to announce the latest artists to be added to the London Intl Ska Festival are...

DAVE & ANSELL COLLINS

reuniting for the first time since the 1970's to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of their No.1 global hit single 'Double Barrel'

Jamaica's chart topping duo Dave & Ansell Collins met when recording for Lee Perry in the late 60s.  In 1971 they joined forces to record the International chart sensation 'Double Barrel', which reached No.1 in the UK (only the second reggae single to do so) and became the first reggae single to reach the Top 30 of the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at No.22. Their follow-up release 'Monkey Spanner' enjoyed the same international success.

Dave (Barker) is one of the most accomplished, soulful singers Jamaica has ever produced.  After making his recording debut in 1968, partnering Glen Brown on a series of JA hits, Dave launched his solo career under the auspices of the Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Their subsequent collaborations spawned a number of best-selling singles, 'Shocks Of Mighty', 'Just My Imagination' and culminating in the singer’s debut LP, 'Prisoner Of Love'.   Ansell Collins is one of the most prolific and finest musicians Jamaica has ever produced, having worked with who's who of reggae music.  In the 1970's he was in Channel One's studio band The Revolutionaires, as well as The Upsetters, the Impact All-stars and Sugar Minott's Black Roots Players.  He has appeared on 1000s of songs including recording for King Tubby, Bunny Lee, Black Uhuru, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt, Mikey Dread, Rico Rodriguez, Sly & Robbie, Tommy McCook, Heptones, Culture, Gregory Isaacs, I Roy, Marcia Griffiths, Mighty Diamonds, Bob Andy, Ken Boothe and Jackie Mittoo.

[seanjamdown]

We are delighted to announce the last band to be added to The London Intl Ska Festival are... from Italy...

GIULIANO PALMA & THE BLUEBEATERS

The irrepressible Milan singer Giuliano Palma launched his solo career in 1999.  Leaving behind 10 years as the lead singer of the highly popular Italian ska troupe Casino Royale, he pieced together a supergroup driven by the love of Jamaican rocksteady and American soul, The Bluebeaters. 

In 2000 the self-released Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeaters debut, "The Album" instantly sold over 12,000 copies resulting in V2 Records snapping them up.  The subsequent V2 issuing of "The Album" achieved gold status and was followed over the next 10 years by a further 4 gold selling albums for V2 and in recent times, Universal.   Their latest album, "Combo" yet again displayed Giuliano's highly stylised take on ska, soul, rocksteady and classic 60's Italian pop.

What began as underground legend has grown on an inexorable rise to become a chart topping, household Italian name.  We are honoured to have Guiliano Palma & The Bluebeaters performing an exclusive show at The London Intl Ska Festival.