It's with disappointment that I post information about the gig on Saturday in Melbourne, that will see the last performance of a great young band, The Beefeaters. It is a shame, because they had so much enthusiasm for ska music. Had I been in Australia, I would definitely be going along, and I am implore everyone else who is able, to get along to what will surely be a momentous occasion.

The gig is at The Central Club Hotel in Richmond and The Beefeaters will be launching their 7" single, "And Then I Know". They will be joined on the night by The Ska Vendors, Japanese Transistor (a H-Block 101 cover band) and Wolfman Jack.

If you're looking for some quality ska for next to nothing, the Summer Do the Dog sale is worth a look (if you're in the UK, that is).

The Do The Dog Summer CD Sale will run until the end of August & in the sale you will be able to take advantage of the following 2 special offers:

1. Buy 4 CD’s for just £10

2. Buy 10 CD’s for just £20

The following Do The Dog Music CD’s are available in the sale:

APB – Karoshi
The Bakesys – self titled
Robb Blake – No Time To Waste
Dirty Revolution – Its Gonna Get Dirty
Drewvis – For The Win
Duff Muffin – Eagle Eyes
Ettin – Rise Yourself
Four 0 – Across The Borderline
Dave Hillyard & The Rocksteady 7 – United Front
Honeyshop Screamers – Going Out Dancing
Jimmy The Squirrel – self titled
New Town Kings – Sound Of The New Town
Pama International – Float Like A Butterfly
Rebelation – Pounds & Pence
Rebelation – State Of The Union
Rebelation – Steppas
Sadies Doll – self titled
The Scrub – Life’s Torn Out The Tuna & Left me For A Bread Roll
Skylar – self titled
Smoke Like A Fish – Here’s One We Made Earlier
Smoke Like A Fish – self titled
Splitters – Good Time Trouble
Squid 58 – Dismantled
The Supatones – Unity Avenue
3 Minute Warning – Tramps Jackpot
Too Many Crooks – Bounce
Too Many Crooks – Inside
Too Many Crooks – Spanish Fly

Please Note:

Only the 28 CD’s listed above are available in the sale. No other Do The Dog Music CD’s or distro CD’s can be bought in this sale.

These 28 titles are only available in the sale while stocks last.

Postage & packing is included in the sale prices.

The sale is only available to UK residents.

The closing date for the sale is 31st August 2008.

How To Pay:

1. By cheque or postal order.

I have great news for Chris Murray fans in the UK, with a tour set for October. He'll be joined by Sonic Boom Six, JB Conspiracy and Chief. I wasn't expecting to see Murray while I was in the UK, so I'm personally chuffed.

09/30/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Aberdeen Drummonds 8:00pm


10/01/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Nottingham Junktion 7 8:00pm


10/02/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief London Barfly 8:00pm


10/05/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Kingston Peel 8:00pm


10/07/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Bristol Croft 8:00pm


10/09/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Southampton Talking Heads 8:00pm


10/10/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Shrewsbury Buttermarket 8:00pm


10/11/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Swansea New York 8:00pm


10/12/08 RUFF & READY TOUR w/Sonic Boom Six, Chris Murray, JB Conspiracy, Chief Liverpool Carling Academy 8:00pm

http://www.myspace.com/ruffandreadytour

Sadly, 'Dizzy' Johnny Moore, founder of The Skatalites, passed away at his home in Kingston yesterday (Saturday August 16th). Moore attended the famous Alpha Boys school where he learnt the trumpet. He went on to play an immensely important role in Jamaican music.

Read more on the Jamaican Observer site.