September
29: 1980 - Toots & Maytals Live! recorded for the Island L.P. Tour of UK features openers Bodysnatchers and Department S
26: 1966 - Venice Shoreline Chris Apparatus Murray out today
24: 2010 - Toasters Haunt, Ithaca NY
23: 1997 - cockadoodledoo! Slackers' Redlight emerges on the new Hellcat Records
23: 1980 - Marley's last concert is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
23: 1955 - Bingy Bunny born
22: 1998 - Mighty Bosstones Live at the Middle East streetdate
21: 1999 - Pilfers' Chawalaleng out on Mojo
17: 2001 - R.I.P Lou Dog
17: 2010 - Winston Sparks (aka King Stitt) is 70
16: 1989 - CBS TV airs Rude Dog & the Dweebs
16: 1940 - Winston Grennan, one drop originator born
15: 2007 - Slackers' Boss Harmony Sessions
11: 1981 - Madness' Shut Up single released
9: 1997 - Total Madness, an old eighties compilation revamped with new cover art
8: 2005 - Dub is a Weapon at O'Callaghans
8: 1995 - Tin spam, caviar? Stubborn Allstars debut, Open Season out today
7: 2005 - (2nd) Ska is Dead tour begins
6: 2005 - as if we needed a Mustard Plug hits cd
6: 1958 - Big Macs beware: Doug Trendle born, Hackney London
5: 1980 - Baggy Trousers single
3: 1996 - Moon Records release the duality of California Skaquake 2; graphic design by Jamie Bogner
Sept 1999 - CMJ New Music Monthly: Soul Providers - 'For the Pietasters, soul and ska go together like Sammy and Dean-O'
Years later, this pullquote will be used to sticker their latest CD, All Day
August
31: 2010 - Matt Freeman CD anticipated
31: 1997 - Ernie Ranglin in Times
 30: 2010 - Sir Horace Gentleman (aka Stephen Graham Panter) is 57
29: 1980 - UB40 release debut Signing Off – more here
28: 1998 - SKA films' Lock, Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels is a Brit gangster flick
27: 1997 - VooDoo Glow Skulls, Snapcase, Pietasters. Water Street Music Hall
26: 2010 - Specials on Letterman
26: 1979 - Bank holiday weekend at London's Lyceum w/ Secret Affair, Madness, Purple Hearts, Selecter, Back To Zero
25: 2010 - cartoonist Bob Fingerman is 46
25: 2005 - for more details, see the Jazzbo track "Hurricane Katrina Ska"
25: 1998 - Suggs' sophomore solo Three Pyramids Club released. We get it 8/5/02 at Manifest
25: 1981 - Specials at the Ritz
 24: 1983 - Jon Pareles' NYT review of the nutty boys at Pier 84
23: 1994 - Toasters' superb Dub 56 released; it will get reissued a few different ways since
22: 1985 - typewritten records of Island Records?
20: 2010 - Three Mile Island SC Rally
18: 2004 - R.I.P. Elmer Bernstein, 82. See Scofflaws' 91 theme from The Man with The Golden Arm, a fifties film where the Chairman shoots smack
16: 2008 - R.I.P. Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore (Skatalites trumpet) age 69
16: 2005 - Madness return with Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1
16: 1996 - Moon Ska festival at Irving Plaza with Toasters, Slackers, Insteps, Miggedys
15: 1992 - R.I.P. Wilfred Jackie Edwards, aged 55
14: 2001 - Hey Hey, the Planet Smashers show no self control
13: 1991 - Mr. Bungle Warners debut produced by John Zorn out
12: 2005 - Camille goes hunting
12: 1990 - skacid house Beatmasters in Record Mirror
10: 1984 - Bad Manners at the Ritz, NYC
11: 1921 - Jah Jerry Haynes (Skatalites guitar) born, 80 years and 2 days R.I.P.
9: 1971 - R.I.P. Leslie Kong
8: 2010 - Chrissy Boy Foreman turns 54
8: 1992 - Madstock Finsbury Park is Madness' original reunion show; VHS by November that year
8: 1980 - The Clash Bankrobber finally out
7: 1995 - Rancid's Roots Radicals single from the forthcoming outcome album (22nd)
6: 2010 - Bim in Boston Globe
6: 2010 - If you see Dennis Alcapone today, wish him a happy 63rd
6: 2002 - Pietasters' Turbo out on Fueled By Ramen today
6: 1990 - Potato 5's live recording Five Alive out as Unicorn PHZA-73
5: 2010 - reunited Bim Skala Bim to play 4 shows thru New England
4: 2002 - Pietasters Rochester
4: 1998 - Bib Records' release Mashin' Up The Nation Vol 3 & 4; a decade since 1 & 2
3: 1999 - Pietasters' Awesome Mixtape #6 is their final on Hellcat
3: 1985 - The Untouchables, J-Walkers and The Question at Fender's Ballroom in Long Beach, 8pm
1: 2010 - Lloyd Brevette (Skatalites bass) turns 79
1: 2000 - Rancid release second self-titled CD
Aug 1995 - Gang riding Vespas shatter a passenger window in this month's National Geographic
July
25: 2000 - Hepcat Push n' Shove as Hellcat 80419-1, sporting Showcard Gothic and Ravie. We get it 4/21/01 Toronto
22: 1989 - Bad Manners w/ Laurel, Bim Skala Bim at the Elks Lodge in Syracuse, $8, 9pm
21: 1980 - The Ruts become Ruts DC following the overdose of singer Malcolm Owen a week earlier
20: 1996 - Toasters w/Jack Ruby + J.C. Superska 7 Willow Port Chester NY
20: 1994 - Cord Burk? Let's Go Bowling live at Fox Theater Boulder Colorado; 6 song cassette Does The Spiral
20: 1994 - I'm at Staples buying Wausau cosmic orange paper 500 sheet ream
19: 1978 - DKs live debut in SF
17: 2005 - R.I.P. El Cubano, Mr. Laurel Aitken – The Godfather of Ska, High Priest of Reggae
17: 1998 - Bosstones 9/94 photos & cover story Goldmine #469
17: 1985 - Fishbone's debut NYC performance is at Irving Place
16: 1941 - Desmond Dekker born
15: 2010 - Jimmy Cliff free show Rochester NY, David Letterman too
11: 2002 - R.I.P. Rosco Gordon, aged 74
9: 2010 - Dan Gilbert goes crazy
8: 2010 - ReadJunk news of latest English Beat tour
8: 1980 - Arthur Kay (bassist of Last Resort) Play My Record on Red Admiral 45 amongst the 2Tone fray
7: 2010 - 11th Victoria BC Ska Fest
7: 1998 - NYSJE's Get This as MR132
4: 2000 - Wyclef & Dwayne mention Kool Herc
3: 2010 - Gaz Mayall's long running London club night celebrates 30 years!
3: 1982 - Pato Banton & Roger Charlery ago talk
1: 1963 - Robert Moon, USPS worker considered by many to be the father of the ZIP code, announces numbers for the whole country
July 2001 - Discoveries #158 features Marley and Reggae in America
July 1981 - The Face #15 is Specials' Terry Hall
June
29: 1964 - Millie's Lollipop hits #1 on the chum chart
24: 2010 - Vinnie LTJ is 40 today
22: 2010 - Marmalade mogul Chris Blackwell is 73
22: 2010 - Dicky Barrett is 46
19: 2010 - Ernest Ranglin OD turns 78 today
18: 2010 - Gladdy Anderson turns 76 today
17: 1981 - Pauline Black's last night with The Selecter is Bonds Casino NYC. 2010 sees her here
16: 1980 - Akrylykz release 2nd single, Juvenile Delinquent b/w Ska'd For Life
14: 2003 - Bosstones Pietasters VGS at High Falls festival site Rochester. HP7 delivered
12: 1981 - CHSTT17 Specials' funeral dirge Ghost Town released
10: 2000 - Jackie Mittoo 2CD from Soundgarden Geneseo
8: 2004 - Slackers' International War Criminal out. We get it 7/3/05, Boston
8: 1988 - Unicorn Records' first of 5 compilations - Skankin' Round The World
7: 2002 - Toasters, Sluts, Purrs at Water St by Fritz
6: 2001 - R.I.P. Ken Lack (Caltone label)
5-7 2001 - Bosstones 3 nights Rochester
4: 2010 - The Steakouts debut performance, Montage Music Hall!
2: 1980 - Reluctant Stereotypes release their 2nd single, Ben Shirtman
2: 2010 - Dr. Ritchie Ring Ding turns 40
1: 2010 - New Bigger Thomas album out
June 1982 - Trouser Press #62
June 1980 - Bad Manners' single Lip Up Fatty
May
30: 1986 - Moon Records' Two Tone Two: Beat Brigade/ A Kings/ Toasters/ Daybreakers/ Boilers at Danceteria, 30 W 21 St NYC
30: 1981 - NME reports on Treacherous Three and the Bronx rapping revolution
29: 2010 - Skatalites' Navarone on SMRSLT blog
29: 1982 - NME Strummer quits Clash
28: 2010 - Cecil Bustamente Campbell, O.D. (aka Prince Buster) is 72
27: 2003 - Planet Smashers at the 505 in Syracuse
26: 2006 - R.I.P. Desmond Adolphus Dacres, age 64
25: 1996 - R.I.P Bradley James Nowell, age 28
24: 1980 - Specials' Rat Race out as TT11
23: 1981 - NME cover is the Beat's Dave & Roger
22: 2010 - SKAppleton ska fest (est. 1993) in Kimberly, WI
22: 1995 - Pietasters rush OooLooLoo (produced by Victor Rice) out on Moon
22: 1955 - Jeremy David Hounsell Dammers, aka General Dankey is born in South India
21: 2007 - A simple twist of fate with Buck & Chuck at the St. Louis Airport!
20: 1997 - Jo-Ann Greene's yellow This is Ska 16 track collection out on Music Club
19: 1998 - Moon Records release of Mobtown's 2nd Cactus Juice
19: 1979 - NME cover is Specials & Ska Rude Boys Don't Argue
18: 2009 - Madness' Liberty of Norton Folgate out in the UK
18: 1997 - Move To Larger Venue: Bosstones, Pietasters, Swingin Utters Main St Armory Rochester
13: 2007 - Toasters, Briggs, Clockers, Mechatama at Mohawk Place (Buffalo) by Sickboy Productionz
11: 1989 - Hotknives + Skandal at the Ska Bar London
11: 1981 - R.I.P. Robert Nesta Marley OM
10: 2002 - Allstonians, Mercury Star Lounge by Fritz
9: 2001 - Babylon cookie jar a crumble in CITY
9: 1989 - Casino Royale's Ten Golden Guns out on Unicorn PHZA-32
7: 1990 - No Sports' Stay Rude Stay Rebel E.P. out on Unicorn
7: 1942 - Justin Hinds (Dominoes) born
6: 1980 - Madness Daily Mirror
6: 1969 - R.I.P. Don Drummond
5: 2010 - Roderick James Byers is 55 today
5: 2005 - Mike Park at Water St Music Hall; Degrassi's Christine "Spike" Nelson drives down from Toronto
5: 2004 - R.I.P. Clement Seymour Coxone Dodd
5: 1995 - Bosstones, Miggedys R.I.T. Ritter Arena 8pm
5: 1995 - Allstonians, R.I.T. Ritzkeller 5pm
4: 2007 - Slackers, Phenomenauts, Mrs. Skannotto, LeVar Burtones at the California Brew Haus, 14615
4: 1997 - Magadog, Professionals, Skacho Cheese and the Verge at the Penny Arcade 7pm $7
4: 1996 - Bosstones, SUNY Fredonia
3: 2003 - Blackouts split
2: 1981 - Plaid knickers in the NME
2: 1945 - Judge Dread born
1: 1991 - Chrysalis releases CC5010 (the Specials singles collection) in the UK
May 2009 - Uncut cover story madness
May 2009 - Neville Staple releases his book, Original Rude Boy; inside a pic of Jeremy Patton!
May 2008 - Specials (+CD) feature in MOJO #174
May 1982 - Bad Manners' Got No Brains 45 out
May 1980 - The Face debut issue, w/ Dammers ascending a staircase
May 1980 - Hit Parader reports on UK ska as 'Eurobeat'




April
30: 1994 - Bosstones, Shootyz Groove, SUNY Brockport Union Ballroom
29: 1995 - Yolk, Perfect Thyroid, Nazareth College Springfest
29: 2001 - Pietasters, Blackouts Haunt Ithaca
29: 1992 - There was a riot on the street tell me where were you?
28: 2001 - Bosstones, Blackouts SUNY Geneseo Kuhl Gymnasium
28: 1989 - First Skankin' Pickle show
27: 2007 - Shane Meadows' autobiographical This is England (IFC Films) released
27: 1998 - Ska Against Racism Tour w/Kemuri, Mustard Plug (deliver HP5 to Chris Demakes LTJ)
26: 1998 - Universal Madness recorded live at Universal Ampitheater L.A., & released a year later.
26: 1996 - Allstonians at Ritzkeller Coffeehouse RIT + free taco bar; photo by Doc Awk
26-29: 1980 - Specials live Germany (Hamburg - Berlin - Munich - Neu Isenburg)
26: 1980 - Headline on the cover/ centrespread of UK paper Black Echoes
25: 1997 - Skatalites, Too Hectic Haunt Ithaca - they're traveling via an eighties Itasca RV
24: 2010 - All aboard the Reggae train! Derrick Morgan w/ Arsenals in Toronto
24: 2007 - One More Bullet released on Stomp Records Canada
24: 1998 - No Time For Plans
23: 2010 - NY Ska Festival featuring King Chango, HCS, Bigger Thomas & many more at B.B. King's
23: 1996 - Perfect Thyroid, Nazareth College Springfest
23: 1983 - Dexy's Come On Eileen tops Billboard Chart, preventing Michael Jackson from back-to-back #1s
22: 1927 - Lorenzo Aitken born in Cuba
21: 2010 - Barso (Madness' Mike Barson) is 52
21: 2002 - Flogging Molly, Slackers, AOT, Water St Music Hall
21: 2000 - Spider Nick & the Maddogs, w/ Blackouts, Mexican Cession, Water Street Music Hall
21: 1990 - East Bay Wrecking Crew scooter rally coincides with huge Berkeley Earth Day Int'l ska fest
20: 2010 - new PAMA INT'L release out in North America
20: 2010 - new Toots album out
20: 2010 - Slackers' Great Rocksteady Swindle (Hellcat) out
20: 1979 - 2Tone Records begins with release of Gangsters, rubber-stamped sleeves by the Special A.K.A.
19: 2010 - Specials in Toronto
18: 2003 - Toasters, Blackouts Club at Water St by Fritz (Easter weekend)
18: 1941 - Hortense Ellis born
17: 2010 - record store day?
17: 1995 - Bosstones are back, but will the floor survive? w/ Mung at Harro East Ballroom
17: 1987 - R.I.P. Carlton Barrett, one-drop originator, age 36
17: 1984 - Nelson Mandela by the Special A.K.A. as TT26
17: 1981 - Madness' Grey Day
16: 1981 - Seduced by Ska RS#342
16: 1979 - NME cover story on Mod revival
16: 1969 - Israelites is the top single in UK
15: 2004 - R.I.P. Phyllis Dillon, age 56
14: 1998 - 100% British Ska: Unsung Heroes of the 2 Tone Era, a collection of 45s on 2CD, by Captain Mod UK
13: 2010 - The Specials on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
13: 1983 - English Beat w/ openers R.E.M. live UR's Alexander Palestra, Wednesday 9pm
12: 1997 - Miggedys, Professionals, SMA, DLO, NC13s Syracuse
12: 1988 - Recriminations E.P. issued on Unicorn UK
12: 1986 - Ramones live UR's Alexander Palestra, Saturday 8pm
11: 2010 - Neville Euton Staple is 55 (Specials)
11: 1981 - NME features Belle Stars, James Brown
10: 2010 - Neville O'Riley Livingston, bka Bunny Wailer is 63
9: 2010 - Jeremy Jiant is 31
8: 1996 - B.P.M. The Very Best of the Beat released; we literally get it 4/9/06
7: 1980 - Jay Cocks' full page on the 2 Tone craze in Time Magazine
7: 1961 - DONDI born in Brooklyn – "I just couldn't see an adult putting that much energy into something that isn't going to pay"
6: 2010 - Joe Gittleman, bass fiddleman is 42 (Bosstones)
6: 2004 - Toots Hibbert duets album True Love out
5: 2010 - Everett Morton (English Beat/ Elevators drummer) is 59
5: 2002 - R.I.P. Dave Karcich (CT drummer for Spring-Heeled Jack, Pilfers, AOT)
4: 2010 - WRUR FM's dr awkward is 55, + sizeable Specials reunion article in NY Times
4: 1949 - Franklin Delano Alexander 'Junior' Braithwaite born in Kingston, JA
3: 2010 - Skinnerbox turns 21
2: 2010 - Jesse Michaels is 41
1: 2001 - B3's, General Rudie, Speakeasies Water St matinee by Fritz
1-11: 1997 - Attack of the Planet Smashers recorded, Chris Murray as producer
1: 2010 - James Chambers, bka Jimmy Cliff, is 62
Apr 2010: Ska Cubano III - Mambo Ska
Apr 1984: Skatalites record 2nd reunion album, The Return of The Big Guns29: 2001
Apr 1971: Dave & Ansel Collins Double Barrel #1 on UK singles chart for 2 weeks
March
31: 2000 - Pressure Cooker at Empire Brewing [Good Friday]
31: 1996 - Rancid, Water St w/ RFTC
30: 1988 - Toasters' Unicorn test press of PHZA 18 Recriminations E.P.
29: 2003 - Ska Summit, Las Vegas NV
28: 1997 - Scofflaws haunt Ithaca, NY
27: 2010 - Time Marches On! Derrick Morgan is 70
26: 2003 - Rocksteady 7 Monty's Krown
26: 1996 - Moon Records release Static World View by CT's Spring-Heeled Jack. 2010 reunion.
26: 1990 - NYC SKA LIVE recorded and mixed at The Cat Club, NYC
26: 1978 - Automatics make debut opening for Saints at the Marquee (London). Later Coventry Automatics, then Special A.K.A.
25: 2006 - English Beat's Dave Wakeling Water St
25: 2003 - Megalith & Jump Up Records release a massive 4 disc compilation, Still Standing
24: 1996 - Coolie Ranx departs Toasters
23: 2004 - Slackers Nietzsches Buffalo
23: 1996 - Too Hectic Alfred University
23: 1995 - Bim Skala Bim HBB, w/ Koo Koo Boy
23: 1989 - SKA EXPLOSION mega-bill recorded at the London Astoria
23: 1989 - SKANKIN' 'ROUND THE WORLD VOL. 2 compilation out, liner notes penned by DJ BILKO
22: 2010 - 'Mr. Rocksteady' Ken Boothe OD turns 62
22: 2006 - Dicky B. fired from the Mighty Morning Show on Indie 103.1 FM in LA
22: 2002 - Pietasters, Water St w/ Erick
22: 1980 - Sounds cover, Fatty Dread (Bad Manners' Doug)
21: 1981 - Melody Maker cover "Pauline Bites the Bullet" (Selecter, Specials, Status Quo)
20: 2010 - Rainford Hugh Perry, bka Scratch the Upsetter is 74
19: 2010 - Terry Hall is 51
19: 1980 - Graduate 45 Elvis Should Play Ska
18: 1979 - Suggs witness to the Specials' RAR gig at the Hope & Anchor, after the show they trade addresses
18: 1967 - NME features Fats Domino & Prince Buster
17: 1995 - Toasters HBB, w/ BC Enterprize on St. Patrick's Day
17: 1995 - Gals Panic liner notes
17: 1992 - No Doubt Interscope debut out
16: 2005 - R.I.P. Justin Hinds aged 62
15: 2010 - Jimmy Cliff inducted in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame
15: 2008 - R.I.P. Mikey Dread aged 53
15: 1980 - Sounds cover The Specials in New York – they'll return April 20 & 21st 2010!
15: 1980 - Melody Maker cover March Madness in NY; Chas standing on the hood of a Caprice
15: 1980 - People get ready for The Bodysnatchers' debut on TT9
13: 2003 - Slackers Milestones
12: 2009 - Spatial AKA in the Independent
12: 1932 - Don Drummond born
11: 1997 - Bosstones' Let's Face It ships platinum, knock on wood
9: 1989 - The Braces Prime Cut LP as PHZA-30. After paying an obscene amount for this 3/08, we then find one locally for $5
8: 2010 - Lloyd Knibb is 79
8: 1980 - NME cover Birmingham Between the Lions (English Beat), + neckties
7: 1989 - Deltones' Stay Where You Are, an update of the Gloria & Dreamlettes classic, backed w/ Lemon Squeezy on PHZ-34
7: 1982 - Madness' House of Fun video filmed
7: 1981 - Shack Records (Specials Lynval & Bodysnatcher Stella) release 21 Guns
6: 2010 - NYSJE, Bluebeats, Hey Stranger, Freddy Loco, Silver Dollar at Kniting Factory Brooklyn
6: 1995 - R.I.P. Delroy Wilson aged 46
6: 1980 - Mick Brown interviews The Specials, Gangsters of Ska - page 24 Rolling Stone
6: 1979 - Costello in St. Louis: offhand remarks escalate into infamous barroom brawl with Stephen Stills (over Ray Charles & JB)
5: 1982 - Fun Boy Three debut out
4: 2000 - Let's Go Bowling Stay Tuned (Liberation) & Busters' Make a Move (Moon) from Soundgarden Geneseo
4: 1995 - Toasters' NY Fever from Fantastic Records
4: 1988 - Taosters & Urban Blight play Boys Club of NY benefit, 8pm
3: 1948 - Donat Roy 'Jackie' Mittoo born
3: 1927 - Tommy McCook born
2: 1997 - Professionals, Danny Down & Sinker matinee at Penny Arcade
2: 1983 - Madness' Nutty Dread bootleg, 18 tracks live in London
1: 2010 - Harry Belafonte is 83
1: 1996 - Bosstones, Water St w/ Bouncing Souls and H2O
1: 1981 - Rico's That Man is Forward out today
1: 1980 - Sounds Def Leppard cover where Joe Elliott looks like Meryl Streep
Mar 2010 - Record Collector #373 features piece on Millie Small
Mar 1980 - Trouser Press #48 (Joe Strummer cover) has innards on The Specials and Tom Petty
Mar 1964 - Millie's smash single, My Boy Lollipop released

February
28: 1981 - Pauline Celebrates front cover of Record Mirror
27: 2006 - Pietasters, FCK, Mrs. Skannotto Milestones 170 East
27: 1997 - King Chango Mano's Diner Rt 13 Ithaca NY
27: 1993 - Skalapalooza bill at Ritz NYC (ex-Studio 54) - Bad Manners, Skatalites, Toasters, Scofflaws, Ruder Than You, Skunks!
25: 1994 - Urban Blight Milestones 50 East
24: 1998 - NY BEAT 2: Breaking and Entering MR099 out today (Megalith anticipates Volume III in 2010). Reunion on April 10, 2010
24: 1980 - The Edge & Q107 FM present Specials, The News at Maple Leaf Ballroom, Toronto
23: 2005 - Toasters, WBT, Castaways Ithaca. Full moon, listen to El Temperamental Sonido de Los Granadians Vol. 1 on the drive
23: 1980 - NME features Selecter / Madness. Melody Maker features Pauline Black, Richie Blackmore and more
23: 1980 - Selecter's Too Much Pressure out
23: 1967 - Prince Buster's Al Capone peaks #18 on the UK chart
21: 2010 - Ranking Roger Charlery is 49
21: 2008 - R.I.P. Joe Gibbs, aged 65
21: 2001 - Slackers' Wasted Days out on Hellcat Records 
21: 1986 - Toasters, A-Kings, Beat Brigade, Second Step, at Loeb Student Center NYU
20: 1980 - TT8, Selecter Three Minute Hero released
19: 2010 - Dave Wakeling is 54
18: 2004 - Fantastic Records to close
18: 2000 - Pressure Cooker Empire Brewery
17: 2004 - Big D, Mustard Plug, + Planet Smashers onstage in front of 400 kids in Buffalo for the first gig of the first Ska Is Dead tour
17: 2004 - The Know How at Bug Jar to no turnout; they break up exactly 3 years later
17: 1998 - Moon Ska releases the consolidated Essential Mr Review as MNR 120
16: 1989 - Deltones (ex-Bodysnatchers, Belle Stars) release their only LP, Nana Choc Choc in Paris, PHZA-31 recorded 8/88
15: 1995 - Bim's Eyes & Ears in Twin Cities Reader Minneapolis
15: 1990 - Laurel Aitken and Pressure Tenants release Ringo The Gringo, PHZA-50 on the Unicorn label
15: 1990 - Aitken mini E.P. Eskapade in France, PHZ-59; Twelve years later available on Grover's Rudi Got Married CD
14: 1981 - Dance Craze L.P. out as CHR TT 5004
14: 1929 - It was bootleg liquor! St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Chicago. See Mark Foggo's 98 album/ Gangsters A New Beginning for detail
12: 1997 - Isaac Green & Skalars Haunt Ithaca, pause left on and next day written out from memory
12: 1997 - On The Town by Dan Bindert, City weekly is of interest
11: 2010 - H.R. (Bad Brains) is 54
11: 2005 - Dr. Awk 'fondly recalls WRUR reggae radio' in the Insider weekly
11: 2000 - Allstonians Empire Brewery
11: 1995 - Miggedys, Ansley Court, Nerve Circus at Boogie Bar
10: 1998 - Washington DC's Eastern Standard Time reveal debut, Second Hand
9: 2002 - Planet Smashers Milestones
9: 1980 - Specials in USA, Georgie Fame timewarp
9: 1979 - UB40 plays its first show; a birthday party
9: 1964 - Beatles Ed Sullivan
8: 2008 - Dead 60s announce split
8: 1990 - From the desk of Mark Johnson, ten track undead album recorded in London 6/89 by America's No.1 Ska ravers is FRANKENSKA
7: 2003 - English Beat at the Royal Festival Hall, London - 20 song DVD 130 min
7: 1980 - Madness Invades America, on page 25 of Rolling Stone
6: 2010 - NME gives Specials another cover, now for the 30th anniversary
6: 1993 - King Apparatus, Nietzsche's Buffalo
6: 1990 - Patrick Shan (Squale Records France) compiles int'l ska collection Planet Ska for Unicorn, later on CD in 1994
6: 1989 - R.I.P. King Tubby, age 48
6: 1945 - Bob Marley born
4: 2010 - PHZA-49 arrives!
4: 2006 - Los Furios' Tread Lightly
4: 1984 - Madness, Tracey Ullman Jr TV times Look In
3: 1959 - Buddy Holly / Richie Valens / Big Bopper planecrash
2: 2003 - R.I.P. Vincent 'Randy' Chin, aged 65
1: 2003 - R.I.P. Ramón 'Mongo' Santamaría, aged 85
Feb 2005 - YouTube begins; watch the f*ck out!
Feb 1987 - Jesse Michaels (Op Ivy, Common Rider) publishes his first fanzine, Kill Deal for 50 Cents
Feb 1964 - The Wailers' first single, 'Simmer Down' hits #1 in Jamaica

January 2010
31: 2007 - The Police announce reunion performance for the Grammys®
31: 1997 - Professionals, Al Beaman Band, Danny Down at Tea House; CITY listing
30: 2007 - Alright, Still released in US, to Billboard's top 20
30: 1980 - Specials live radio broadcast in Denver; Jah Chris found this cassette in an aptartment he cleaned out
29: International Blastbeat Celebration Day
29: 1990 - the NME shows favorable mention of PHZA-49, No Sports' King Ska
28: 2006 - R.I.P. Brent Dowe (Melodians), aged 59
28: 2006 - Ska Brawl Package: Toasters + Go Jimmy Go. Knight Club in Powell Campus Center 9:30p
28: 1994 - Scofflaws HBB
28: 1986 - Challenger shuttle explodes. See Potato 5 'Shuttle Disaster' or Faith No More 'We Care A Lot' for detail
27: 1998 - Moon releases Authentic Ska Sound of Tommy McCook on MNR-122
27: 1996 - Yolk at Milestones 50 East. walk 5 miles home
26-28: 2006 - Radiola Records' Sao Paulo Brazil weekend DVD has Desorden Publico, Chris Murray, Firebug, Slackers, Vic Rice
26: 1980 - The Specials Too Much Too Young E.P. out
25: 2010 - Joyce Bond on SMRSLT
25: 2002 - Bim Skala Bim Water St by Fritz
25: 2001 - Wakeling's Ithaca Beat Odyssey
24: 1984 - Apple introduces Macintosh
23: 1999 - Toasters, Mexican Cession, Split Second, Showplace Theatre Buffalo NY
23: 1995 - Ms. Cordell Jackson of Moon Records Memphis writes Moon NYC, prompting Moon Ska name change
22: 1996 - Rancid's third, the Jim Carroll-referencing ...And Out Come the Wolves certified gold by RIAA
20: 2010 - R.I.P. Nerlyn "Lynn" Taitt, Jamaican guitarist, aged 75
20: 1998 - Where's the beef? Oprah vs. Cattle industry
20: 1981 - Teenage Filmstars' second single, I Helped Patrick Magoohan Escape, out today
20: 1979 - Aaron Emerson
20: 1977 - DP Kress
20: 1952 - Stanley Eisen
20: 1928 - Rudy Boesch
19: 1998 - R.I.P. Carl Perkins
19: 1985 - Sounds interview Jerry Dammers
18: 2010 - Spectrum/ Universal release My Boy Lollipop, a Millie Small anthology in UK
18: 1991 - Bosstones Toronto
18: 1990 - D.C. mayor Marion Barry arrested for cocaine use; "Goddamn setup...I'll be goddamn. Bitch set me up!" See Pietasters track
18: 1980 - Elvis Costello and Warner Brothers legal misunderstanding about the TT7 single begins
17: 1999 - Pietasters, Skavoovie & Epitones Water St (Ron Hawkins' Rusty Nails were a no show). Video shot from a riser which will get taken out soon
17: 1989 - The Busters' Weserlabel debut Ruder Than Rude, LP PHZA-27 on Unicorn UK
17: 1981 - Black Echoes has RICO O'JAYS SPECIALS JAMES BROWN
17: 1981 - Sounds "Dammers Cuts Another Tooth"
16: 1982 - Bad Manners centrefold, Magnum P.I., Junior TV Times Look In
16: 1982 - Sounds reports ex-Selecter Pauline Black, to be stage actress performing role of Cassandra in Trojans this month
15: 2010 - Willo is 43 today!
15: 2010 - Arsenals on Bloor?
15: 1998 - Neil Cooper & ROIR reissues 2CD of the 1986 double cassette release Skatalites live '83 Stretching Out
15: 1994 - USA Billboard Magazine cover story unearths American Ska underground
14: 2010 - It's madness: Chas Smash is 51 today!
14: 1989 - Chas at 30, NME's Steve Lamacq writes 2 big pages on Zoot! and the late-eighties London ska awakening
13: 2010 - Graham 'Suggs' McPherson celebrates 49
13: 1998 - Dr. Ring Ding (Germany)'s Ram Di Dance on MNR-126 out
12: 1980 - Dr. Who's Tom Baker and The Selecter share LOOK IN weekly with Smurfs
11: 2005 - Tom Dumont is 37. Fullerton Museum reports theft of the red vinyl dress worn by Gwen Stefani on Tragic Kingdom album cover,
sometime between 2:30-3:30 PST. Valued at $5,000
11: 1994 - Voodoo Glow Skulls debut Who is this Is released on Dr. Strange Records
11: 1990 - Derrick Morgan's Moonhop release on PHZA-63
9: 2003 - Rancid & Vic Ruggerio NBC TV Conan O'Brien
9: 1996 - HP 'zine begins with an interview of DF Macallister
9: 1991 - Specials Singles Collection CD released on Chrysalis
9: 1981 - Rudie in Court! Specials' Jerry & Terry are fined for inciting a riot the previous fall
7: 2003 - The BlueBeat Lounge, a weekly live club night in Los Angeles starts, runs 6+ years
6: 1996 - Andrea Gingerich and RTY at the Trocadero
5: 1979 - Joe Jackson's Look Sharp! out today
Jan 1991 More Tea? Ska-Boom (Leicester UK)'s Lost In Ska Extremely Nice label sees re-release on PHZCD-66, with bonus cuts added
Jan 1989 Operation Ivy records Energy, splits within 5 months
Jan 1985 National Geographic interviews Jimmy Cliff
12/64
bobby darin
TP#48
PHZA-78
December
31: 2000 - Slackers NYE at The Cooler
31: 1982 - Happy New Year, Dick Clark shoeshine!
30: 1994 - 1st live performance of New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, Manhattan Center
30: 1990 - London Int'l Ska Fest 5 at the Robey: Derrick Morgan, Hotknives, Mr. Review, Ska Fever, Ska Per
29: 1990 - London Int'l Ska Fest 5 at the Robey: Busters, Skaboom, Spy Eye, Natural Rhythm, Bugsy Malone, Tighten Up
29: 1979 - Elvis Costello debuts 'The Imposter' at a Christmas concert, benefit for Kampuchea (later on 2LP)
28: 2009 - Bosstones' Hometown Throwdown #12. Bim Skala Bim reunion & Pietasters support
28: 1997 - Toasters RTY Articles Derringers at Wetlands NYC
28: 1996 - Scofflaws Live, catalog no. MR097 recorded at New York Avenue, Huntington Long Island NY
28: 1995 - R.I.P. David Molina, ex-LGB lead guitar on Music To Bowl By, suddenly
28: 1981 - Rhoda w/ Special AKA 'The Boiler' sleeve + Sapphire deco typeface
26: 1973 - Toots & the Maytals at Coventry's Locarno -no
25: 2006 - R.I.P James Brown, Godfather of Soul, aged 73
25: 1987 - It's Christmastime in Hollis, Queens
23: 1986 - Gaz's Trojans debut at the London Astoria, supporting Potato 5 and ska legend Laurel Aitken
22: 2002 - R.I.P. Joe Strummer, singer frontman activist for the Clash, aged 50
22: 1980 - The Blackouts, a punk-pop band put together by three ex-members of the Telepaths (Seattle), release an E.P.
22: 1979 - Sounds Ranking Roger cover & Bodysnatchers feature. The Beat signs to Arista
21: 1996 - Toots' 2CD Time Tough Anthology
21: 1995 - GK Willy w/ BrainEaters at Penny Arcade (video)
21: 1988 - Int'l Ska Fest (BBLP001) Brixton Fridge with Bad Manners, Potato 5, Laurel Aitken, Deltones, Loafers,
Napoleon Solo, King Hammond. This is part of a Dec 7-23 UK tour which later gets written up in the NME next month
20: 1989 - final Potato 5 gig, Town & Country II (Islington London)
20: 1988 - Int'l Ska Fest (BBLP001) Sir George Robey with Trojans, Bim Skala Bim, Braces, Skaos, Capone & Bullets, Skin Deep
19: 1982 - Madness' Smash Hits Christmas flexidisc
18: 1997 - R.I.P. Chris Farley, in Chicago IL
18: 1997 - Grand Opening of the 2nd Moon Ska storefront office, 6PM
17: 2000 - R.I.P. Moon Ska NYC, world's largest exclusively ska company since '83 announces its demise effective immediately
17: 1999 - office party at Water St Grill (before the fire), and across street a blue Econoline van bearing HP sticker, no idea whose
17: 1996 - Professionals guest performance on Lil Davie's WITR 89.7 FM Ska on my Radio 10pm
17: 1995 - Bim Skala Bim, East L.A. Syracuse NY
16: 1990 - R.I.P. Donat Roy 'Jackie' Mittoo, aged 42
15: 2009 - 9 years since Moon, and the Voice weighs in
15: 1996 - One of several Professionals' Sunday matinee at the Tea House Art Gallery. Also Bob Barker + Latchkey Kids
15: 1988 - Napoleon Solo's How To Steal The World E.P. on Unicorn PHZA-29
15: 1988 - The Risk (third studio LP out last week) + Skaos (from Munich, UK debut) at the Sir George Robey
15: 1979 - Melody Maker is Jerry Dammers, 2Tone Dance Master
14: 1979 - Clash release a smashy double LP named London Calling. 2009 sees it as a replica
13: 2000 - Bug Jar founder Bob Duke killed in automobile accident in Ireland
13: 1998 - Slackers' Vic & Dave with Skatalites haunt Ithaca NY
12: 1989 - Skaos' sophomore entitled Catch This Beat, Unicorn PHZA-56, to be reissued in 1995
12: 1989 - Laurel Aitken It's Too Late 1961-84 compilation on Unicorn PHZA-53
12: 1980 - At Version City? Clash release Sandinista! as 3 pizzas in one box
11: 2009 - Bosstones Jimmy Kimmel Live, episode #7155
10: 1994 - Moon Skazette #14 arrives Saturday afternoon via US mail, feeding interest for years
10: 1990 - Hotknives' debut The Way Things Are depicts bleak council housing. Unicorn PHZA-47
10: 1990 - Fifth and final international compilation Skankin' Round The World released, Unicorn PHZA-78
9: 2009 - BNE in the NYT
8: 2001 - Planet Smashers at Statesmen Geneseo 9pm
8: 1987 - Baby Snakes' Impudent Reptiles E.P. Unicorn PHZA-15
8: 1980 - John Lennon murdered
8: 1979 - Beat Tears of a Clown TT6
7: 2000 - Pilfers Blackouts Motives /Milestones
7: 1978 - R.I.P. BCE Oster 9/21/09, aged 30
6: 2009 - impressed to find a blog like Matt Carl's OFFBEATSKA.COM exists!
5: 1996 - Scofflaws haunt Ithaca NY – we listen to this en route
4: 1980 - Do Nothing/ Maggie's Farm 45 out
3: 1995 - Bosstones, Alexander Palestra U of R
2: 1980 - FlexiPop premiere issue comes with a free Selecter remix
1: 1989 - Derrick Morgan's recording session for The Moonhop at Aosis Studios, Chalk Farm London (Unicorn PHZA-63)
1: 1980 - Specials and Selecter BBC John Peel Session
Dec 2009 Mojo #193 Terry Hall interview
Dec 1986 Toasters Pool Shark released in UK on Unicorn PHZA-5
Dec 1983 Trouser Press #92/93 double issue. Madness/ Peter Tosh/ Bad Brains
Dec 1982 Trouser Press #80 English Beat/ Joe Jackson/ Bananarama
Dec 1964 Keen Teen #1 features Beatles/ Millie Small/ Beach Boys + hipster slang dictionary
November
30: 2000 - Bosstones, Mexican Cession at Sideshow Music Hall, Lackawanna NY
30: 2000 - Bob Moog lecture at Eastman School room OSL101 as part of MoogFest
30: 1997 - Pilfers, Enrique Slavadas Funtime Trio, Professionals at Penny Arcade
29: 1996 - Big D interview
26: 2009 - Thanksgiving - Prince Buster \ Turkey Stomp - Hotknives \ She sure can cook - Skavoovie
26: 2000 - Slackers Water St by Fritz
26: 1996 - Madness' The Business 3CD box from Media Play Ridgemont
25: 1997 - NYC SKA MOB tour, Mercury Theatre Buffalo
25: 1996 - Toots & the Maytals, Hepcat, Insteps at Wetlands NYC
24: 2003 - Primus’ Tour De Fromage, Syracuse
24: 2001 - Knockout Ska $5 used, Record Archive East
24: 1994 - Big Hair, Grimskunk, Lethargy at HBB
24: 1993 - Skavoovee '93 package! Skatalites, Special Beat, Selecter, Toasters in NY
24: 1979 - People get ready: the all-girl Bodysnatchers debut at London's Windsor Castle tonight
22: 1996 - Toasters / Bim Skala BSU
21: 1999 - Spider Nick & Maddogs Water St by Fritz
20: 1998 - R.I.P. Roland Alphonso, aged 67
20: 1996 - Deston Berry (Hepcat) interview Ogden St. Buffalo / the release of HP3
20: 1982 - NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS: Eddy Grant, Steve Van Zandt, Jah Wobble, Go-Gos, Musical Youth, Higsons, Black Flag
18: 2007 - FAME! Bowie's Rochester NY 1976 pot bust mugshot sells for $2,556 USD in Hilton
18: 1995 - Rancid on SNL with Roots Radicals + Ruby Soho
18: 1994 - Bim Skala Bim HBB
17: 1997 - Siren Six comes back and plays Neal's basement in Chili NY
17: 1995 - Murphy's Law, Toasters, Too Hectic Water St
16: 2001 - Toasters Club at Water St / the release of HP7
16: 1996 - Professionals, Latch Key Kids, Beat-Offs, PBT at the Claw in RIT tunnels
16: 1990 - Liquidators' solid Black And White Pictures, Unicorn PHZA-77
15: 2005 - Mighty Sparrow at Eastman
13: 2004 - R.I.P. Errol Thompson, aged 55
13: 1981 - Professionals' I Didn't See This Coming on Virgin UK
12: 1996 - Roseanne #206 'Hoi Polloi Meets Hoiti Toiti' airs on ABC TV
12: 1995 - Mephiskapheles' Doomsday video premieres on MTV's 120 Minutes – we talk about it HERE
11: 1999 - Bim Skala Bim, Milestones
11: 1988 - Skaos' 11 track debut, Beware! is Unicorn PHZA-24
10: 2001 - R.I.P. Ken Kesey
10: 1994 - Hey stranger: Miggedys Water St
10: 1969 - Sesame Street pilot
9: 1996 - Professionals' first show at Riverton Community Center
9: 1983 - The Beat perform 22 songs in Geneva, NY it’s recorded
8: 1998 - Skinnerbox Demonstration release at Coney Island High, St Marks NYC. Radiation Kings + Metro Stylee support
8: 1988 - Jav in newsprint of Tenth Ward Courier
7: 1989 - Unicorn release PHZD-45, a gatefold 2LP of the London Int'l Ska Fest II, that May 27-29
6: 2004 - Harvey Pekar Night at Dryden Theatre
5: 2009 - Steve Shafer, your Duff Guide to Ska, turns 43 today
5: 1982 - Bad Manners release Forging Ahead in UK
5: 1955 - "A red letter day in the history of science"
5: 1955 - Racial segregation forbidden on public transportation in U.S. interstate commerce. Play Napoleon Solo's 'Trains and Buses'
3: 1979 - Dead Kennedys, Prince Buster in this week's Sounds
1: 2002 - Mustard Plug, Blackouts 5 year Rochester by Fritz
October
31: 2009 - It's Halloween!
31: 1996 - Pietasters, Skunks, SHJ at D.C.'s Capitol Ballroom to 1,000 people
31: 1990 - Pietasters' first show
28: 1997 - Toasters' D.L.T.B.G.Y.D. out MNR123
28: 1993 - Bad Brains in town
27: 1995 - New York Times Neil Strauss' big The Sound of New York: Ska. Ska? Yes, Ska.
27: 1979 - Specials Odeon rooftop Sounds
26: 1881 - Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, AZ. Play the Loafers song for more detail
24: 1997 - Scofflaws RIT
23: 1999 - Fritz's first promotion is 4 locals at Showplace Theatre (Buffalo)
23: 1996 - Mephiskapheles at Showplace
22: 1994 - Penn State Skank! JC Superska, Slackers, Agent 99, Mephiskapheles, SHJ, Hub Ballroom. $4
21: 1993 - Bosstones crowd breaks through floorboards at Rochester's HBB
21: 1985 - Untouchables, The Playn Jayn + Makin' Time at Electric Ballroom NW1
21: 1980 - Bodysnatchers announce split, their final show will be Halloween night in London
20: 2004 - Dub is a Weapon + GPGDS, Club at Water St
20: 1989 - Unicorn release Vive Le Ska, a French compilation plus a Laurel Aitken anthology
20: 1979 - NME Geldof interview and a night out with the Specials; Sounds has Selecter, Northern Mod
19: 2004 - R.I.P. Greg Shaw [BOMP!]
19: 1979 - Madness' One Step Beyond single and debut longplayer of the same name out
17: 1934 - Rico born Emmanuel Rodriguez in Kingston, Jamaica (75)
16: 1998 - George Marshall's Two Tone Story square format, found locally at Ultrasonic Sound
16: 1997 - Primus, Dome Arena, 7pm
15: 2005 - 10:15 saturday night? Dave Wakeling's English Beat, Water St Music Hall
15: 1999 - Ska is our Business released
13: 2006 - Pietasters, Flour City Knuckleheads, Hoboz at Milestones (9pm Friday)
13: 1997 - Selecter and The Friggs, Water St Music Hall; 30 people go (8pm Monday)
13: 1983 - First commercial cellular phone call made
12: 1997 - Mustard Plug, Telegraph, Mexican Cession, Major Healy (6pm Buffalo)
12: 1980 - Bahama Mama records most of their live In Concert LP at the Triangle Theatre in Rochester
10: 1998 - SHJ USA + FINK GOTHIC at SUNY Oswego
9: 1993 - Steady Earnest/ Gangster Fun HBB
9: 1979 - A Message to You, Rudy backed with Nite Klub released today – produced by E. Costello
8: 1994 - Chucklehead/ Miggedys HBB
7: 1997 - Mephiskapheles' Maximum Perversion out on Moon Ska MNR555, Pietasters' Willis out on Hellcat
6: 1946 - Millie Small born in Clarendon, Jamaica (63) - Trojan Records is compiling her anthology fall '09
4: 1994 - Give 'em enough rope: Question The Answers out
5: 2002 - Dave Wakeling's English Beat gets HP7, Montage Music Hall
3: 1993 - The Suspects played their first show at the 'club' Hoi Polloi in Houston, TX
1: 1994 - Miggedys PMHS talent show
Oct 2009: SPIN runs feature re: 30 years of 2Tone, unheard of behaviour for an American mag!
Oct 1989: Stones laid by our ancestors? Check the smeared concrete out front 234 East Blvd: "R.U.S.H. Oct-89", "SKINHEAD UNITY",
"MARY SKANK", "M-OI" – It's not council housing, but J. Nunno worked at Towners bikes nearby. Zoot ska zine is at its peak.
September
30: 1939 - The late Balford was born this day in Westmoreland, JA
29: 2008 - Ring the bell, school's back in!
29: 1982 - English Beat release Special Beat Service on Go Feet
28: 2007 - United Colors of Ska, the classic int'l compilation series, releases v4.0
28: 1997 - Moonstomp Tour package brings us Articles, Magadog
28: 1997 - Memorial for Alex Montalvo in NYC, singer for Defactos
27: 1980 - More Specials released. This goes to #5 in UK, #98 in US
27: 1980 - Melody Maker has Jon Anderson of Yes, + Specials
27: 1980 - NME cover is a Specials stage invasion at Bristol
25: 1979 - The Selecter TT4 climbs to #8 in the UK
23: 2004 - Buck in Calgary
22: 2007 - R.I.P. Hepcat bassist David Fuentes (1971-2007). Fuentes was on UK tour with Aggrolites.
22: 1999 - Pietasters Styleen's Syracuse
21: 2009 - Alex Désert stars on House MD
19: 1980 - Bad Manners' Special Brew/ Ivor the Engine out now. Reaches #3 in UK
18: 1982 - Ex-Specials' Roddy Radiation & the Tearjerkers debut 45 Desire out now
17: 2001 - R.I.P. Lou Dog
17: 1983 - Melody Maker's colour cover is J. Dammers AKA
16: 2009 - R.I.P. Mary Travers, aged 72
15: 1989 - Laurel Aitken's 30th Anniversary Concert at Gaz's is released on Unicorn videotape PHZV-1 
15: 1979 - Both Melody Maker and the NME report Madness signing to Stiff Records
11: 2001 - ReIssues: English Beat hits collection Beat This! + Ethiopians' Reggae Hit The Town
11: 1990 - Spy Eye (Trieste, Italy) Hot Pursuits PHZA-75 released; we caught up with Max and Lorenzo this past spring
11: 1987 - Peter Tosh killed. Born Winston Huebert Mackingtosh in Oct 1944
See Liberator's "The Night Johnny Tosh was Killed" for more detail
10: 1999 - Perfect Thyroid/ Mexican Cession SUNY Geneseo
9: 2007 - Memorial for Steven LaForge in NYC. Spider Johnson (Potato 5) namedrops him on 'Harvest in the East', 6/89 "Special dedication to all the ska followers, the man called Steve from the Toasters." Hex was an original member (keyboards on all the early records), and founder of the band
8: 2000 - Toasters UR Yellowjacket Day
7: 1992 - John Godfrey meets George Marshall, part II
7: 1990 - Derrick Morgan's Blazing Fire 2 compilation released PHZA-72
7: 1989 - No Sports' (Stuttgart, Germany) landmark debut King Ska on Unicorn PHZA-49!
6: 1997 - Planet Smashers live Buffalo NY
5: 1981 - NME reports Madness in the Bahamas
5: 1980 - Stereotype / International Jet Set 45 will get to #6 in UK. On the album cut, the plane crashes.
2: 2000 - Notables' Quite Notable, UTs' Agent Double O Soul + All Skanadian Club 1, sold by Greg Prevost
2: 1989 - Record Mirror contains interviews with, articles and photos on Adeva, Silencers, 80s UK Ska, Sigourney Weaver (honestly!)
1: 1979 - The NME proclaims Specials as "the most enjoyable British band since The Members"
Sep 2009 - Willo's Book sees a new deluxe edition out this month!
Sep 1988 - i.D. Magazine #62 pp. 68-75 is Ska Party by John Godfrey: The rise of anti-Nazi skinhead fanzines, aligned to a ska revival, is giving a rejuvenated identity.
August
26: 2008 - The PX retires
25: 2005 - Rolling Stone reviews Style Wars (1983) DVD reissue
25: 1979 - This week's NME cover is Neville and Lynval, Extra Specials Two Tone Extra + Island Mango Intensified compilations,
complete with a then-vintage photo of Don Drummond!
22: 2002 - Megalith Records founded in Norman, OK
22: 1998 - New England Skafest II, program by Grant Thayer
23: 1997 - New England Skafest I, program by Grant Thayer (Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Medford, MA)
16: 2003 - Mass Hysteria, Miasmics, Amy Ryan at Harmony House / the release of HP8
16: 1998 - Laurel Aitken, NYSJE, Chris Murray, Strangeways, One Groovy Coconut Wetlands NYC
16: 1980 - This week's NME cover is Lionel "Saxa" Martin and Roger for the cover story Beat Generations
16: 1977 - Elvis expires, the king is dead
14: 1979 - Madness record session BBC Radio 1 with John Peel. It'll air in 2 weeks
10: 2000 - Dave Hillyard brings his Rocksteady 7 to Rochester NY. They'll return 3/26/03
8: 2009 - NYSJE and TSPO live in Tokyo + devastating earthquake to follow
8: 1988 - The Deltones, a girl group featuring members of the Bodysnatchers and Belle Stars, record their pink album in France, Na Na Choc Choc in Paris [Unicorn PHZA-31/ ROIR USA as Oddball Boy cassette]
8: 1974 - Nixon resigns
8: 1969 - Iain Macmillan photographs the Abbey Road crossing, in London W8
7: 1987 - Frankie & Annette go back
6: 2009 - R.I.P. John Hughes
6: 2000 - All about Scotto Savitt
6: 1999 - Dance Like The Devil, our first ever PYE Northern Soul collection found in cutout bin Geneva NY
6: 1962 - Jamaican Independence Day; see Lord Creator's "Independent Jamaica" or Skatalites' "Independent Anniversary Ska" (borrows the Beatles' Love Me Do)
5: 2002 - Trojan UK Hits Box, Suggs' 3 Pyramids, The Conspiracy Too Far Gone, all haul from Manifest Discs in Charlotte, NC
5: 2000 - We Don't Skare, a compilation by Fred Skarface, found new at the Record Archive East
5: 1995 - Moon Records' Wix anticipates Scofflaws' Ska In Hi-Fi to ship mid-September!
4: 1995 - locals Grounds Keeper Willy w/ Miggedys at The Powderhorn Lodge, first of two annual
4: 1987 - NY Beat: Hit & Run statement of account & UK licensing
2: 1980 - NME's full report on the Selecter split from 2Tone. Also, El Buckito turns 25; he's coming to NYC soon to stay 20 years and bring ska to the nation.
1: 1981 - Music Television (MTV) cable network starts up
1: 1979 - The Prince/Madness is released on the 2Tone label
Aug 2004 - Record Collector #300 cover story is a 25 years of 2Tone retrospective
Aug 2003 - Alternative Press #181 runs 2 pages on the 4x Still Standing set, with Bucket, Chuck Wren and the future of US Ska
Aug 2002 - MOJO #105 w/ free Trojan Reggae CD, has stories on Marley, Alpha Boys, Bluebeat, Ezz Reco, Stranglers & more!
Aug 1985 - Blue Summer is the first Bad Manners single which fails to chart

CHRTT 5008July
28: 1998 - Neville Staple interview, Buffalo NY
28: 1979 - Why must you record my phonecalls? Specials' debut single, Gangsters in at #7 on UK chart
27: 2002 - Bim Skala Bim live on the Oswego harbor
27: 1987 - Monday Night Ska Extravaganza c/o Gaz's Rockin' Blues at the Astoria, London.
The bill is Desmond Dekker, Laurel Aitken, The Trojans and Maroon Town; I'm 10 and it's ONLY £5!
26: 2000 - Steve Fennessy writes about Rochester's Negative Image SC in the local paper, and it mentions Mr. Sixties Gene Meredith
26: 1980 - SOUNDS reports The Selecter is pulling out of the 2Tone label in order to take better risks; Marco has a current interview with bassist Charley Anderson this month
25: 1989 - Unicorn releases IT'S A SKANDAL, the UK LP forerunner to Pork Pie Records Ska, Ska, Skandal all-German series of the nineties - bands include No Sports, Butlers, Braces, Skaos and El Bosso und die Ping Pongs (eighties Dr. Richie Ring Ding)
24: 1982 - English Beat toaster Ranking Roger Charlery is on cover of the Melody Maker this week, in anticipation of the band's third and final record, Special Beat Service
21: 1996 - Under the boardwalk? Chris Apparatus brings Venice Beach to lower Manhattan
21: 1971 - New York Times ran an article on the front page of its inside section titled "Taki 183" Spawns Pen Pals.
20: 2005 - R.I.P. James Doohan, aged 85
20: 1969 - Satellites are important. Our top 40 songs celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission!
18: 2009 - Nelson Mandela turns 91 today. General Dankey has a new outlet in The Spatial AKA Orchestra performing live, according to DUFF GUIDE
17: 2009 - Brum bassie Geezer Butler is 60 today
17: 2005 - R.I.P. El Cubano, Mr. Laurel Aitken – The Godfather of Ska, and High Priest of Reggae!
10: 2000 - Locate a copy of American Playhouse
June
30: 2005 - R.I.P. Clancy Eccles, age 64. Shu Be Du
29: 2009 - ABC No Rio, the NYC mainstay 'zine library gets new funding.
25: 1995 - A parcel from Iggy Two Tone, the Passaic NJ mailorder supply
23: 2009 - Look-In #1. The 29 Dec 79 issue of this UK kid's TV guide has stuff on both Persis Khambatta and The Specials >> #2 has Dr. Who and The Selecter!
19: 1999 - Untouchables' 1985 Wild Child reissue on HIP-O from the H.O.G.
18: 2009 - Happy to report longtime UK ska heroe ARTHUR KAY has a flash new website!
17: 1994 - O.J. Simpson's white Bronco and we add the term 'hoi polloi' to our lexicon en route to Mount Hope Record Archive
16: 2009 - Jah Crunchy is 50 years old! You might recall his Specials Musicmass on WBER FM winter '93
16: 1999 - The Toasters live in Rochester 21+ jug bar / the release of HP6
16: 1986 - Unicorn Records, a small specialty mod label releases its first 7" single by the pop art band The Times. The label grows to release mainly New Ska of the eighties.
12: 1988 - Toasters, The Potato 5 plus Deltones perform at the Town & Country in Islington London. These recordings get released on Unicorn in 1990 as the live "Frankenska" and "Five Alive" LP/CDs
9: Spirit of 6/9 – the new Aggrolites disc "IV" comes out. Two years ago, the band's third was downplayed in Rolling Stone #1068 as being ‘good barbecue music’.
8: 1989 - Just Kidding from AU "Watch The Fires" PHZA-38 released on Unicorn
5: 1997 - Mephiskapheles live in Rochester / the release of HP4
"We always need a skinhead BBQ back in the month of June – to ward off all the bad feelings left over from the fall and spring" – Dance Hall Crashers, 1989
Their green MR024 arrives twice to replace my yellow Honest Don's issuance found used in Newbury St Boston 10/05.
May
28: 2009 - Cecil Bustamente Campebell, A.K.A. Prince Buster, is 71 today.
This April, Sony's Reel Music has reissued his ultra-scarce 1967 US RCA/ Victor Ten Commandments [4/2009].

 25: 2006 - R.I.P. Desmond 'Dekker' Dacres
Here’s ten songs which mention, quote or reference him in some way:

1. Maytals - Desmond Dekker Came First (1968)
2. Beatles - Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (1968)
3. El Casino Royale - Housebreaker (1988)
4. Scofflaws - Night Train (1991)
5. Frank Black - Parry the Wind High Low (1993)
6. Undercover S.K.A. - Rude Girl (1995)
7. Rancid - Roots Radicals (1995)
8. Common Rider - Classics of Love (1999)
9. MM Bosstones - Don’t Worry Desmond Dekker (2007)
10. Sonic Boom Six - Rum Little Skallywag (2009)

19: 1979 - Rudy King Roots... Rudy Guys Are Back proclaims graffiti on a wall in Shepherd’s Bush LDN W12;
The Specials appear on cover of this week’s Melody Maker, along with The Story of Ska by Johnny Copasetic, a summation of everything historic up to that point. Thirty years later & they're on CNN!





18: Girlie and Laurel Aitken: Scandal In A Brixton Market
First time re-release of this hugely collectable album [Pama Economy ECO-08; can fetch in excess of £200 among traders]. Featuring many Skinhead favourites from the classic 1969/70 era. Most recordings new to CD, includes original 12 tracks + 13 bonus cuts, extensive liner notes and imagery from the period. On Pressure Drop / Cherry Red UK
12: Spencer Davis Group's Stevie Winwood is 61 today; Island Records was founded by marmalade mogul Chris Blackwell in May 1959. See the May 1996 Record Collector #201 for details.
11: 1981 - R.I.P. Robert Nesta Marley, O.M.
9: 1989 - Mr. Spock never met Mr. Space? CASINO ROYALE's Ten Golden Guns was released on Unicorn as PHZA-32
6: 1969 - R.I.P. Don Drummond
4: 2004 - R.I.P. Clement 'Coxone' Dodd
YOU WANT EGG SALAD? May sees the release of a scorching live album on Do The Dog Music titled "Return To The Planet Of The Bakesys!". This 11 track release was recorded at the Batschkapp venue in Frankfurt, Germany 10/30/94 with lead vocals by future Pama International singer Finny. More on the Bakesys Midday Joggers page.
April
23: Toasters live in London '89, Frankenska PHZCD-60 arrives here. Coolie Ranx appears the first time.
22: 1990 - 12,000 attend the Earth Day International Ska Fest at Berkeley CA's Greek Theater
19: 2009 - Big Youth, the 1970s Jamaican toaster born Manley Augustus Buchanan, turns 60 today
16: 1981 - Rolling Stone publishes a pretty massive article, 'Seduced By Ska'
10: May '09 Q Magazine features spreads on the latest Specials reunion.
9: Full moon? a white Nissan Sentra Maryland plate, ska punk + more. All magnetics.
6: MR0036 The Busters' Dead or Alive again, this time with 1/1 booklet is not to be confused with MR036 (Moon Europe) Skappelation d’origine controlee.
3: Skaface (MR019, 1988) is an early US compilation LP we know as Roddy Moreno’s Skaville USA Volume III from a dusty upstairs Toronto shop, eight Aprils ago. The fact that some Orange County blondie’s vox is on there insures its resale inflation. Charlie Ahearn talks about his Wild Style at Dryden Theatre tonight
2: Evening commute brings the VA vanity plate "PNKNSKA" on I-490 westbound.
1972
 March
28: 1979 - Radiation skank? Three Mile Island nuclear incident, and THE BEAT!
24: 1999 - BIM article, first appears in City
23: 1996 - Toasters at Alfred University
22: 2009 - William Shatner is 78 today.
21: Steady Earnest Take it, Take it, TAKE IT! is their mid-90s collection of tracks I know from compilations. Great band.
19: Trouser Press, Dec '83 double issue madness
14: Do The Dog Music channel
13: DREAD'S ALMANAC? Alexander Minto Hughes (Wednesday 2 May 1945 – Friday 13 Mar 1998), better known as Judge Dread.
12: Frantic Frank goes AGGRO - Jesse Wagner interview/ cover story
10: TT18 Rhoda Dakar The Boiler $4 at Lakeshore Record Exchange
February
27: matrix no.s PHZA-26 and PHZA-32 arrive from Eden, Utah & appropriate info added.
16: Allsorts '90 trombone went to Easy Big Fella, and Off The Shelf went on to become Dr. Raju. Tracey THESE BOOTS Newman OZ.
9: 1997 - Professionals, Snaggletooth. Mr. Fickle, Refuse & Resist + Danny Down in ARA Benefit at The Tea House.
9: 1989 - The Donkey Show Bali Island E.P. released on Unicorn.
9: 1980 - Full moon? NME cover The 2Toning of America: Special A.K.A in USA, 29 years ago.
6: 2009 - Skavoovie (sans Epitones) plan a reunion and blog, as mentioned 5/2004
6: 1999 - Penn State Ska Fest III, Laurel Aitken video by Fritz. Same weekend I bought the Aussie compilation: Ska Skank Down Under #1, 1980-1990 (thanks to Pete Cooper’s Sound System Records, Sydney). Played it to death! It features bands like Off The Shelf and Naughty Rhythms. The 90's Moon Records US equivalent had art by done by Ans.
5: Potato 5 - Do The Jerk! Spuds 12" update of the classic 1965 Larks tune.
4: Typornography.blogspot.com/
3: WOT, NO SILVER PLATTER? "I know Americans can be slow on the cultural uptake, but this is ridiculous. Don't spoon feed them--make 'em work for it! If they don't know what something is, they should freaking look it up on the web or in a book! Knowledge is power!" – DUFFGUIDE
January 2009
23: Melody Maker, 21 Jun 80 cover The Pressure of Being Someone Special
20: Toasters Thrill Me Up – Moon Ska reissue '95 has 3 more tracks than the Celluloid/ Skaloid one
TT16 Do Nothing/ Maggie's Farm picture sleeve. Got a website? Just want to again underscore what an amazing one this is = 2-TONE.INFO
4: Vincent T. Ford passes at age 68, some women must cry




December
19: We could be heroes just for one day? BILKO gets interviewed in The Guardian.
15: Kevin Avery NEVER WILL CHANGE
14: Well rubaduck, The Harder They Scrub! E.R.N.I.E.
11: Aggrolites tickets go on sale. They're openers for Flogging Molly - March 11, 2009 at Water Street.
10: vicruggiero.com
4: Shocks of Mighty! SPECIALS 30th Anniversary UK reunion tour tickets fully sell in under 5 minutes. CULT! No Jerry though
November
10: Prince Buster featured in SOUNDS November 3, 1979 alongside Dead Kennedys
4: R.I.P. Byron Lee, aged 73. Ska bandleader at hotels all across Jamaica for over 40 years
October
28: Unicorn PHZA-31 and PHZA-74 arrive on the turntable! Only been seeking 'em 14 years
10: R.I.P. Alton Ellis, O.D., age 70. Sweetest rocksteady, cry tough.
10: 1998 - Pilfers at SUNY Oswego
6: 2Tone CEO mug has the front of Melody Maker December 15, 1979
September
28: Planet Smashers' self-titled sounds so so 1995 in a mall cutout bin. Electric heat the shocking blue reign in blood.
26: ZOOT! #11 & #13 (89, 90) provide a splash of color, and detail the rise of King Hammond myth! An impeccable ska / street publication for the ages.
16: Laurel Aitken featured in SOUNDS July 26, 1980 – 25 years on, his obituary appears in the LONDON TIMES July 26, 2005.
August
UNCUT July '98 issue (whole) because Jerry Dammers only gives interviews every 10 years. Also innards on Lee Marvin, The Prisoner w/ Patrick Magoohan, and the movie Wild Style at 15.
24 - Our local "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" grocery sponsors a reggae Fest at CMAC ampitheater featuring Maxi Priest, Culture, UB40 and Matisyahu. WOW! IT'S DYNAMITE!!
July
TR-7849A The Maytals' "Johnny Cool Man" in Trojan company sleeve. First in UK 1971, a rework kicks off his latest Mike Cacia-produced CD, Light Your Light (2007)
Record Collector #182 – Oct 1994 talks not only of Beatles' scandalous butcher sleeve, but Terry Hall, Paul Weller, and vintage Ska / Reggae 45s
7: A vintage Italian ska band Strange Fruit's "Over The Border" was recorded 13 Feb 1990 [Unicorn Records] in Rome. The opening lyrics are swiped from a T.S. Eliot poem about April lilacs. I only bring it up now because this was the final Jeopardy answer tonight, Trebek!
June

Great new site up over at ROCKERSREVOLT.COM –– Also at some point GAZ got a redesign.

The Notables (lost instrumental trad ska Pacific NW, 1997) had a track on Season 2 of The Sopranos. Ten years passed and they re-emerged with a Christmas 45 featuring Specials guitarist Lynval Golding. Who knew?

MOJO #175 has an interview with Voice of the People himself, Prince Buster + a Paul Weller-selected compilation disc.

Wild Style is 25 years old. Nowadays, BOMBIT is quite the international documentary.

JAVA JUNKIE? Dance Hall Crashers? Starbucks now sells a 1981-lookin' ska sampler, "One Step Beyond" along the same lines as their Trojan Reggae compilation they did last year. Except that there's very little ska / 2Tone proper on it – Minor detail I guess.

It was written down. PRESSURE DROP >> was the world's reggae read London UK Autumn 1975 by Nick Kimberley & Penny Reel (later to write for the NME).

Now, June 2008, Gabe's PRESSURE DROP soundcast episode #111, can be found HERE.
May 2008
1: Heavy Manners is also an Eighties (2Tone era) band from the midwest. SuperDutyToughWork is reference to CASE in Style Wars, but is now a weblog comprised of graphic design projects, clothing, reggae/ Jamaican culture, graffiti, politricks, skinhead/ punk culture, and photography. No small wonder I'm interested. Check the Davida typeface at heavy-manners.com; American designer Louis Minott created Davida™ in 1965.

<< This month's issue of MOJO [#174] features a large story on The Specials and 2Tone, a current interview with Dammers + a free CD of songs which inspired the band 1979 and contemporaries. Its USA counterpart has grungy Neil Young on the cover 'cos we don't know who they are... Most bookstores will have it, and while you're there pick up Sir Horace Gentleman's hardcover autobiography if you 'aven't already. Has there ever even been a hardbound Ska text? What are you buying gas for?
"Walt Jabsco, I owe you" Nigel Ball


24: Adrian Frutiger turns 80 this year. Among his many other crucial typefaces, he gave us the Univers.
28: Prince Buster turns 70 today.
April
21: Helveticafilm screening at the Dryden Theatre. It is its second showing in under a year, and I already have the DVD, but wanna see the lecture by RIT guy Charles Bigelow.
15: Brazilian Tax? New Model Army at Bug Jar. "The Hunt" got covered by Sepultura in '93
5: I went to the new huge Record Archive location for about 15 minutes – in under 60 seconds located a beat-up Dance Craze LP for $2. Tracklist varies significantly compared to UK press and my USA compact disc, due to Madness' subtraction + Specials' Too Much Too Young EP additives. Melting groceries in the car made me leave.
- TWO LLOYDS SOON COME! 2008 Rochester International Jazz Festival lineup announced and '60s Jamaican originators SKATALITES will perform in our neighborhood like Toots did last summer. Hear street corner classics at East & Alexander June 20, 7pm! IT'S FREE. (Recall this same intersection had been adorned with our prophetic sticker circa 1999-2K)
March
24: Unicorn PHZA-30 arrives! and only been looking for it 15 years
4: GWEN PLUGS HP!
Read Gabe's website/ ska blog with freshest interviews & news at musicaloccupation.com
February
The Face Issue 1 Gerald Dankey ascending the staircase, 1980.
The Ska Men - Jamaica Ska Newest Dance Craze 196? on Diplomat label
January 2008
5: Rude Awakening fanzine NYC SKA 10/87 issue.
Choice weblogs to check out nowadays include Marco On The Bass and The Duff Guide to Ska, both from the same NYC/NJ area.
December
20: Joe Strummer documentary The Future is Unwritten at Little Theatre. Clash DJ Mikey Dread is ill and suspiciously absent from it.
'Monkey Business' is a 1988 Trojan '69 compilation Django recommended 8/23/97
November

1: The Vulcans played sci-fi reggae inna UK 1972 and used a Bob Moog brand synthesizer. NME 1980.

FANZINE FEVER '85!
October
The New Music is a softcover New Wave/ Punk/ Mod encyclopedia from Australia ©1982. Not unlike that English Beat Twist & Crawl biography by Malu Halasa.
30: Unicorn's elusive Super Ska compilation shows up.
10: We found a Solotype Catalog of 4,147 Display Typefaces specimen book (1992)
5: This Is England opens at The Little Theatre, and runs a week. Do the reggae popcorn & trainspot the temporal discrepancies!
September
There's a new Pietasters CD out now on Indication Records. It's obvious these guys love The Zombies Jun '65 and All Day sounds lo-fi like an AM radio!
The duality of Adults Only + Reggae for Kids compilations on Trojan Creole budget line

<< Click for the Trojan Box Set statistics!
August
THE LOCOMOTIVE "Rudi's in Love" 45 on Parlophone 1968? isn't even a ska/reggae track. But the Tropical Bird 7" by The Untouchables is.
Alert Don Bruno Ferrari! The Aggrolites perform the Ed Kassner Bunch (Pyramids) "Banana" on Yo Gabba Gabba Nickelodeon television.
A Backyardigans toy has a pirate SKA button you can press.
July
28: 2007 - Aggrolites live in Buffalo 40 years to the day UK Trojan Records was founded.
28: 1979 - The Specials entered the UK chart this day in 1979!
23: A set of 3 Bobby Jay & The Hawks records from PQ: "The Ska". "The Monkey" & "The Watusi". High in the mid-sixties, no date listed. This is where The Scofflaws got the logotype for their 1995 "In Hi -Fi' cover, and Victor Rice's tshirt mood, fall '96.
June
15 - 9pm Toots is Roots - East & Alexander stage
Good to catch up with so many people!
7: Millie in TEENVILLE MAGAZINE #2, 1964

May
1: Prince Buster – The Prophet (Lagoon France 1994) has been scarce for far too long – ever since both Doc Awkward found it inna Borders cutout bin & Noah Wildman paid a lot for it, circa '96. This week brought 2 under $20 and It's Pure Soul!
April
27: Passage: Dave Cross, local musician & onetime contributor
14: Lily Allen has one L. Polloi has 2
March
12: Letterman soul Amy Winehouse rehab live seems a bit too retro for usa
February 2007
6: World's oldest paper ditches newsprint








December
28: ALLNITERS' D-D-D-DANCE! LP AUSTRALIAN SKA GATEFOLD 80'S
Rare CD issue of the classic 80s ska album by the Allniters originally released on Powderworks Records in 1983 (POW6060). Axis CD cdax #701470 excellent condition songs include:
Side 1 Allniters Theme, Love and Affection, Montego Bay, Revie Dub, Hey Tojo, Hold On,
Side 2 Juliette, Breakfast in Bed, Something, What gives you the right, Allniters Theme, Get It Together
October
6: got the Italian skaband EL CASINO ROYALE from 1988 in the mail for $6 so I'd better listen to that now. They’re remaking that very BOND movie for November this year
factoid
7/8/06 - p.s. here's scan of a promo card I devised using the last 3 City weeklies.
I'm incredibly cheap when it comes to xeroxing & mailing stuff so I probably won’t send you one
January 2006
9: Current site was upLoaded to URL only 5+ years in the making. I hope I see you ten years later
December 9, 2004 - CNN anchor Jack Cafferty has been caught misusing the term, he offers this retraction: "And hoi polloi refers to common people, not those rich morons that are evicting those two red-tail hawks from that Fifth Avenue co-op. I misused the word hoi polloi, and for that I humbly apologize."
So here you are. There's been a ton of ska/reggae goings on since last issue – deaths, births, and compilations.
We're sifiting through it all to make it a bit more managable, thanks for waiting.
shirts are available again. $9 limited quantities

http://www.treacyfaces.com/

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