This Are UK Ska: Vol. 4

Posted by jamie on Dec 23, 2011

Various Artists

 

This Are UK Ska, Vol.4 – Do the Dog, 2011

 

9^th December, 2011

 

Jamie

 

This is really, really exciting: the return of Do the Dog’s  This Are UK Ska series of compilations is a long time coming, but definitely well worth the wait. 

 

In the space of one wonderful little disc, the twenty two years (twenty two!)  of tireless devotion given to supporting the UK’s DIY bands get their just rewards: the list of contributors to this record reads like a who’s who of ska and ska-punk in the UK in 2011.

 

The disc itself is, musically speaking, as diverse and exciting as you’d expect.  It’s appropriate, given the brief and deliberately open-minded mission statement on the DTD website:

 

“We love ska in all its colourful guises, be it old school, laid back Jamaican style ska, bouncy 2-tone ska vibes, upbeat modern ska/pop or thunderous ska/punk!”

 

Given the enthusiasm with which DTD embrace new and different kinds of music and the rude health in which we find our scene, the potential was always there for a compilation this broad, this exciting and of such excellent quality.

 

To have pulled it all together, though, is still no small achievement.  It’s excellent from start to finish, with scorching tracks from some of the scene’s exciting new talent mixing it with the more established names.

 

Of course, you’ll get to hear new tracks from some of the bands they’ve been supporting for years: alongside the sadly defunct Smoke Like a Fish, there’s also Do the Dog favourites, Rebelation, Drewvis and Cartoon Violence.   The thing is, there are also exciting contributions from a new generation of great UK bands: keep an eye out for Miacca’s catchy Would You Like Me To Be the Cat? (unless you’re George Galloway), Copasetics’ sinister-yet-excellent Phantom Signals and the incendiary Wilsonator from John Player Specials.  Then, fall in love with Breadchasers’ brilliant epic prog-ska-rock skankalong Time to Stop.  It’s relatively light-hearted for the band, but fits perfectly on this compilation.

 

There’s so much here, and it’s all so different, so interesting and so enjoyable, that I could easily sit and type about it all day.  Every track is a highlight.

 

This Are UK Ska Volume 4 is probably the most enjoyable so far, neatly showcasing a wide variety of established and up-and-coming UK acts.  A perfect snapshot of where the scene is in 2011, it also highlights a few names to look out for in years to come.

 

Given that this was the label who first brought us Dirty Revolution, Catch-it Kebabs and the Skints, perhaps we were right to expect a lot from this disc.  It doesn’t disappoint one bit.

 

This Are UK Ska, No. 4 is available now from Do the Dog Music.

Help Jimmy Kebab.

Posted by jamie on Mar 6, 2010

Please see the following from Jimmy out of the Catch-it Kebabs.  He’s an ace bloke and needs help.

I’m looking into ways to bring back the traditional record shop. I used to love finding loads of jems and taking home a physical record which I would spend lots of time listening to and enjoying very much. Times have changed and few record shops still exist (at least ones with goods records in).

So, I have a few questions about stores and I hope with a little research I can generate a way forward out of my rut. If you can spare 2 mins to jot down any info that would be really really helpful. Thanks for your time.

Question 1 - What do you love about record shops?

Question 2 - What do you hate about records shops?

Q3 - What are your attitudes towards record shops?

Q4 - What are your attitudes towards online?

Q5 - What influences you to purchase at record stores?

Q6 - What influences you to purchase online?

That’s it for now. I just need a little hint into your minds and I’ll be on my way.

Contact: info@feetfirstrecords.com with subject: “dissertation”.

Fractions: album launch

Posted by jamie on Mar 6, 2010

You probably know, but the Fractions‘ new album Release is out.  Bomb Ibiza are doing the album launch at Satan’s Hollow in Manchester - and you get free entry to the BI clubnight after.

Saturday March 13th
THE FRACTIONS - Release launch!
Catch it Kebabs
Physical Jerks
Kickback UK
@ Satans Hollow
Doors 7.30, £5

Clubnight is 10.30pm - 2am, also at Satan’s Hollow, and it’s 18+ .

New tunes - and a free show: Catch-it Kebabs

Posted by jamie on Nov 28, 2009

Word in from the Catch-It Kebabs: ”The album is coming along great. I can’t wait for you all to hear the new tunes. Demos should be up soon..”  Thanks for the news, guys.  As soon as anything is posted, you’ll see it on here.

The guys play their last gig of 2009 at The Courthouse in Barnsley on Friday 4th Dec.  Entry is free, and licquor, they tell, us, is credit-crunchingly cheap.  Bonus.

Free Kebab. :)

Posted by jamie on Nov 5, 2009

Barnsley swing-core ska-punkers the Catch-it Kebabs have made both of their full studio albums available as free downloads.  They’re still available to buy on CD, or get them here.

DO THE DOG BANDS’ TOUR DATES

Posted by jamie on Jul 26, 2009

Catch-its on tour..

Posted by jamie on Apr 27, 2009

Yorkshire ska/punk/reggae 9-piece Catch-it Kebabs are playing a few shows to preview their new material for their forthcoming CD ‘Broken Vans and Masterplans’ which is due out at the end of this year.   Expect massive brass riffs, bouncy reggae choruses and non-stop energy!

Saturday 2nd of May 2009 – Redhouse, SHEFFIELD
Kebabs onstage time: 11.45pm  Price: £3

Thursday 7th of May 2009 - The Old Cock, HALIFAX
Kebabs onstage time: 10pm

Friday 8th of May 2009 – Hootananny, BRIXTON, LONDON
Supports: Rebelation | Door time: 8pm
Kebabs onstage time: 10pm
Price: FREE

Saturday 9th of May 2009 - Fighting Cocks, KINGSTON, LONDON
Kebabs onstage time: 9.30pm
Price: £5

Friday 15th of May 2009 - The Courthouse, BARNSLEY
Kebabs onstage time: 10pm
Price: FREE

Attendees are offered a FREE mp3 promo copy of the album by signing up at the merchandise desk…. Please go and say hi.

Ska News on Twitter.

Posted by jamie on Apr 25, 2009

It’s not us: www.twitter.com/skanews is run by the Catch-It Kebabs.  It’s dead good, though.  Go and follow! 

Catch-Its back on the road..

Posted by jamie on Apr 6, 2009

The Catch-It Kebabs have new live dates, and it’s got some non-Northern ones.  Yay!  And some free ones!  Yay!

Sun 12th April: Red House: Sheffield all-dayer (on “about 7-8pm).
Sat 2nd May : Redhouse : SHEFFIELD w/ SUPPORT TBC
Thurs 7th May : The Old Cock : HALIFAX w/ SUPPORT TBC
Fri 8th May : Hootananny : BRIXTON, LONDON w/ REBELATION - FREE GIG
Sun 9th May : Fighting Cocks : KINGSTON, LONDON w/ JB CONSPIRACY
Fri 15th May : The Courthouse : BARNSLEY - FREE GIG