This is an archived post from our old website. Please excuse us if it looks a bit off, we are working through old posts and making sure they look tip top!
Ska covers band Skandals are making groovy waves on the pub-gigs scene in the Scarborough area.
Drummer John Allsopp describes ska as “working-class dance music for everyone”.
The first wave of ska washed up on UK shores from Jamaica in the 1960s, loved by British mods and skinheads. It was followed in the ’70s by the 2 Tone ska revival, originating in Coventry and performed by the Specials, Madness, Bad Manners, the Selector, etc, with a theme of racial integration.
Now there is a third-wave ska revival. “It’s more of an American thing, more energetic and guitary and with punk energy,” John says. Skandals play ska tunes from all three waves, but 2 Tone tends to get the best reaction.
“It has a simple beat and gets everybody dancing, from kids through to granddads. We sometimes play places where whole families have just finished eating and we’ve got everybody up and dancing.
“Ska is easy to dance to so guys love it, it’s dead easy, very matey. It appeals to everyone.”
Since forming in January 2013, Skandals have grown into a party band and are often asked to finish evenings with a bang. Besides John, the line-up is Alethea Estill on vocals, Jamie Boyce on guitar and backing vocals, Andy Evett on bass guitar and Rob Garrett on rhythm guitar.
Skandals are playing at the Dolphin, Robin Hood’s Bay, this weekend (30th August), in Scarborough at the Spa pub on 20 September and 29 November, the West Riding pub on 4 October and 13 December and the Albert on October 11th; and a charity ball at the Ambassador hotel on 19 October (tickets from Amelia’s Chocolates in Victoria Road); Whitby at the George on 7th November and Station Inn 6th December.
Contact Skandals by ringing 376477 or emailing john@johnallsopp.co.uk
Or check out their Facebook page and Twitter feed
