Dizzybeat.com

I've lately had the time to sit down and watch the new comedy pilot written by Englishman Dean Cavanagh. It's a humourous look at someone trying to make it in the UK music business. Check it out before it gets to the major networks.

Watch the four short parts by clicking read more.

One of the best ska bands Australia has ever produced will call it a day with one last show on May 15th @ Williamtown RSL. Great friends of Dizzybeat, they were well loved on their 3 trips to Sydney and will be greatly missed. If you are able, make sure you get along to the Melbourne show!

They will be joined on the night by former members and other Melbourne ska performers. They've played a lot of their gigs out at Williamtown RSL so it is fitting their last gig be out there.

With all that has been going on with organising Mods Mayday, not to mention house hunting and moving house, Dizzybeat has been neglected a little. We've been back in Sydney over 3 months, but really only just now are we starting to become settled and getting back in the swing of things.

Anyway, some really cool things have been going on in town of late. Saturday just gone was Mods Mayday, an annual event we've done in Sydney since 2004, and this year celebrating 30 years since the event was first held in the UK. I'm not shy in saying I was pissed off that last year's event was hijacked while I was in the UK and not done in the spirit of previous year's events. We tried to put that right this year though and judging from people's comments, not only did everyone have a good time, but it had the feeling of a once a year event, rather than a standard weekly gig. We were a bit short of ska and reggae, but the bands we did have were a great mix of garage and sixties r&b. DTS and The Booby Traps joined us again and played sterling sets as they have always done at Mayday. The newest band turning heads are Royal Headache and they brought a fantastic energy to the night and showed that mod isn't all about looking back. Many of the 80s mods were either there to see or in the Mayday Dreamers (there were 8 of them) and they completed the night very well. A great full sound and tight as any band you'll see. You always know you've had a good night when one, you don't lose money on the gig and two, you don't go to bed until the next night. Thanks to all who were involved - the bands, DJs and punters - we'll see you all next year.

A couple of weeks before Mayday we went along to see The Special Beat, this time with Pauline Black. Few people have blown me away as much as her performance did, and meeting her after the gig only made the night more special. If there's a more immaculately dressed and captivating ska personality than her I am yet to meet them.

Expect more updates to the site over the coming week.

Thursday, March 26
Words: Glen Smyth
Photos: Gen Murray
Scroll to bottom for photos

I read an article written in the eighties where Madness apportioned some blame for their breakup to their 1986 tour of Australia. It wasn’t their first Australian tour, but as a 17 year old discovering Madness I never imagined they’d be back to our shores again. In 2008 we saw them in London performing two sets: one of classics and one of their concept album, The Liberty of Norton Folgate. It was great – the whole package, and while it was an expensive $90 to see them this time in Sydney, we weren’t going to miss it.

As a sideshow for V Festival we were treated to some shitty indie band as the support, but most weren’t too concerned and spent the time catching up with the usual suspects and getting the beer in. I suspect most of the crowd weren’t accustomed to going to Luna Park’s Big Top for the gig, being on the north side of the harbour, but the theme park was a rather fitting place for Madness to play. The venue was a good size too and with the price having kept some away, we weren’t packed in like sardines.

The band were quite punctual in beginning, a rare thing in this day and age, and the very positive atmosphere was set with the first number, One Step Beyond. For the next hour and a half, the band mixed old and classic songs to great effect. Following Madness’s contemporary releases, I was quite pleased they selected a few less obvious songs including Lovestruck from their 1998 Wonderful album, NW5, Dust Devil, On the Town and Clerkenwell Polka from The Liberty of Norton Folgate and Max Romeo’s Iron Shirt from the Dangermen Sessions record. Although the crowd were quieter during these tracks, they responded well, which is a positive sign for future tours.

Today starts off what is a pretty big week for Sydney ska and reggae. You probably won't see a busier week.

Tonight it is Take It or Leave It @ Kelly's with chance to win tickets to the Special Beat + The Business.

On Thursday night it is the Easy Star All-Stars @ Manning Bar, which would be pretty cool, but clashes with The Special Beat @ the Forum over at Moore Park where I'm DJing. Having not seen Pauline Black perform before, and with Ed Rome in support it should be an excellent night.

Finally, don't forget to buy your tickets on Thursday for The Specials @ the Enmore Theatre for their show in July. They will go quick!

Thanks to Evan, organiser of Snap! on Friday night, we've a few photos from the event. Sydney band Backy Skank went out there and played with a host of other acts, while DJs kept the crowds moving. Stay tuned for info on the next night.

The original lineup of The Specials (minus Jerry Dammers) will be coming to Australia for a brief tour at the end of July. At present, there are only two shows, but it is good news nonetheless. You'll want to get in quick for your tickets though, as their UK shows sold out in minutes.

Saturday July 25 @ Splendour in the Grass - Byron Bay

Monday July 27 @ The Enmore Theatre - Sydney

Tuesday July 28 @ The Enmore Theatre – Sydney

Thursday July 30 @ The Palace Theatre – Melbourne

Saturday August 1 @ The Logan Campbell Centre - Auckland

Update: Gabe from musicaloccupation.com had posted these videos of the current Specials on the Jools Holland Show in the UK. See what you think.