There's nothing new about child prodigies in reggae, but this time around they are the kin of Max Romeo and calling themselves Rominal.

One Night Band in Sydney

Ska Nation in Melbourne, November 2, 2009

Ska Nation in Melbourne, November 1, 2009

The Ska is Dead tour, a well established regular jaunt around the USA, has come to Australia. The premise is intelligent enough – include a mix of bands likely to appeal to different tastes to maximise interest. The Australian tour featured The Resignators from Melbourne, Dan Potthast from the United States and One Night Band from Montreal, Canada. Our interest was in One Night Band, having reviewed their excellent CD Hit & Run last year while in the UK. We caught the band’s first Australian show @ the Annandale. The turnout was fairly good for a Thursday night, though disappointingly most weren’t there for the Canadians. Local Sydney act Chris Duke and the Royals, The Resignators and Dan Potthast all got good receptions, but I couldn’t help but being surprised that the ’98 sound that was so big is still around. Still, if it gets people into ska it must be a positive thing.

One Night Band were even better live than they were on their record. They were energetic, tight and most importantly great exponents of the organ driven reggae sound, which is perfect for dancing. I think a lot of the "third-wavers" were surprised at how good they were. Their set included fantastic covers of Desmond Dekker’s Keep a Cool Head and the West Indian favourite Shame and Scandal. Their own material should not be discounted however, as it just as infectious, and enticing enough to win over those who had never heard the band before.

We left their Sydney gig determined to head to Wollongong on the Sunday to see them. Talking to some of the guys on tour, there was a fear that a drive from their Brisbane gig on Saturday night to get to Wollongong Sunday evening was cutting it a bit fine, but we were keen to see the band again. Long story short, it was cutting it too fine, and not all of One Night Band (or The Resignators for that matter) made it to Wollongong that afternoon, so we were left to watch some Wollongong locals – including Val the Greek’s new band Steel City Allstars - and wallow in the misery of missing a performance by one of the best bands knocking about at the moment.

Still, on to Melbourne and the Ska Nation weekend, where we’ll get to see One Night Band for a final time before they head home.

Check out the videos, taken by Gen Murray.

One Night Band - Keep a Cool Head

One Night Band - Trigger

It's only a week until the next Garage Land @ UTS's Loft Bar. This month features the fantastic King Cannons from Melbourne as they return to Sydney for a string of shows. Joining them will be The Optionals, Long Slow Drive as well as Snap DJs and myself on the wheels of steel. Please come along - it is free after all!

Thursday October 15 @ the UTS Loft Bar, Broadway.

King Cannons - Teenage Dreams