The Specials
by SKAFace on 2016-09-16The Danforth Music Hall - TorontoExcellent performance. Played all the songs I was expecting to hear. Sound was deafening and vibe was great.
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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: 4 out of 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 Like wine, they get better with age
by SuperkitCat on 2016-09-16The Danforth Music Hall - TorontoThis is my second time seeing them in Toronto and they have yet to disappoint. They are fun, political and engaging. They don't miss a beat. Would definitely see them again. Fun, Fun, Fun.
Rating: 5 out of 5 The specials
by Snibs on 2016-09-16The Danforth Music Hall - TorontoFantastic night plenty of DM boots Fred Perrys and pork pie hats in the crowd ! Brought me right back to when I was young . The band were on top form getting the crowd bouncing ! Great old school gig venue also just brilliant .
Rating: 5 out of 5 A TON OF FUN!
by Paganmary on 2016-09-14The Danforth Music Hall - TorontoWOW!!!! This band is just non-stop fun. They sound great, they have great energy, are talented musicians and definitely have not lost their mojo over time. The last time I heard them was over 30 years ago. Came out of the concert drenched in sweat from dancing...Everyone needs a night out like this...smiling like a fool today!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Ska-bulous !!!
by Vinman13 on 2013-07-10Métropolis - MontrealThe Boys were on fire and kept us hopping through the whole show .....They were on fire !!! Any fan has to see the show .....not one to be missed ....you won't regret it !!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 "Special" Hurricane at the Commodore
by Jetranger on 2013-03-31Commodore Ballroom - VancouverLittle Hurricane was great opening act, and as someone commented, she may be HOT but that girl could play drums! The Specials knocked it out of the park, ratcheting through muliple hits and rip it up dance tunes. The crowd loved it, and unless you got knocked over, 'cause it was a tad boisterous, it was the best work out since your last spin class!
Rating: 5 out of 5 The Specials, wow!
by Vespalad on 2010-10-20Sound Academy - TorontoFantastic gig! I saw them last in the early 90's at Western University (not most original members), this topped it by miles! They still have it 30 years on and being a Specials Fan forever was well worth the trip to T.O. I was a little worried about the venue but the Sound Academy has been re-done and well worth going to gigs there now! May The Specials put out some new CD's in the not too distant future, but doubtful if we will get to see them again in all their glory!
Rating: 5 out of 5 it was worth the 30 years wait !
by dr00py on 2010-08-31Sound Academy - TorontoNever before I was able to be at a Specials concert before, it was like being a teenager again!
Rating: 5 out of 5 RUDE BOY!
by Ivanhen on 2010-08-30Sound Academy - TorontoI have been waiting to see The Specials for over 20 years and it was worth the wait! By far one of the best shows I have ever seen! The band was great and Terry Hall's voice was fantastic not to mention his sense of humour on stage! Looking forward to see them again soon!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5 I wish it could have lasted forever
by Okupa070uk on 2010-08-30Sound Academy - TorontoThere is not much I can say really. Having never seen them live I did not know what to expect. I know I would like it since I'm a big fan of their music but I was not ready for what hit me. The band has an energy and presence in stage that has not dim dowm with the passing years. My only regret is that this is probably the last I will see them live and I don't think there will be another 30th Year Anniversary tour
Rating: 4 out of 5 Blast from the past
by Jakie on 2010-08-29Sound Academy - TorontoLike being in a time machine going back to the good old days of ska. Last time I seem them was at the Police Picnic in Oakville, they were great then and just as good last night. The only thing was the time they came on and hanging around waiting. It was a nice night so at least hanging out on the patio before hand was enjoyable.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Great at Coachella, Great in Toronto
by shakes8993 on 2010-08-29Sound Academy - TorontoI went to this concert having already seen them at Coachella. In the outdoor atmosphere there, they were awesome and I was wondering how, or even if, they could top their performance there. Well they did. They played all their greats (well, as a specials fan, EVERY song is a great, but I think you know what I mean), and even played Guns of Navarone! The crowd was hot, sweaty and throbbing in the Sound Academy and It looked like everyone had a right wicked time. They ended the night playing "You're Wondering Now" which was a little sad to me when they repeated "You're wondering now, what to do, now you know this is the end" as I think, but hopefully not, that this could be the last time they come on tour. If it does happen to be their swan song, they certainly went out on a high and I am glad that I was a part of it.
Rating: 3 out of 5by MJC66 on 2010-08-29Sound Academy - Toronto Started WAY too late - even for an event in a bar. Waitied hours to keep a spot on the floor only to have to leave with the water bottles and beer cans being thrown in the audience. Even though this took me back to my days in high school I'll not go to an all ages event again.