The Original Rude Boy
On Friday, September 22, The Original Rude Boy Neville Staple and his band will be appearing at The Assembly in Leamington Spa.
Anyone who has ever seen Neville perform will know that he puts 100% into his stage shows, personally keeping his professional eye on every single aspect.
What many may not know however is his benevolence to upcoming artists. From right back in his Specials days, Nev has championed local artists.
He was one of two members of The Specials to create their own record labels, his was called Shack Records and John Bradbury ran Race Records.
Shack released a single by 21 Guns called ‘Ambition Rock/21 Guns, that included Trevor Evans (now with Barb’d Wire) and the late great Gus Chambers, formerly Squad and later Grip Inc.
In 1981, Shack was responsible for putting out one of the earliest references to rap in the form of Eddie Peters, and ‘The Wonderful World of Radio Rappin’, although the records actual genre was jazz sax based.
Even chart topper Lieutenant Pigeon got to release ‘Bobbing Up and Down Like This’ on Neville’s label. Whilst in America in the 1990s he collaborated with the likes of No Doubt, Rancid and Canadian Ska band The Planet Smashes as part of the ‘Third Wave’ of Ska.
Johnny Zee/Stereo Nation’s early career was also helped by Neville, and his help and guidance continued unabated.
Next year The Coventry Music Museum will launch ‘The Original Rude Boy – Neville Staple -The Exhibition’. This promises to give a huge insight into the legend (the museum’s Honorary Patron) that is Nev Staple.
From Coventry Automatics, The Specials, Fun Boy Three to The Special Beat, and various other collaborations in his solo career to the present day.
For now though you can catch him in his amazing show at Leamington. Tickets are available at The 2-Tone Village (with £1 on each one going to help the museum). Tickets are also available at the seetickets.com website.
Back to the 80s
Look out for a night of pure 80s nostalgia with an intimate gig on Saturday September 2, 2017. Starring three icons of the 80s – Sonia, Hazel Dean & Doctor & The Medics. It’s live at Coventry’s Rialto Reborn. Plus there’s an after-party until 2am. Limited Tickets are available, go to www.showtimelive.co.uk.
Chasing Deer
Was really great to welcome Chasing Deer to the music museum on Friday when they popped in after their superb live performance on the Vic Minett’s Open House session on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire.
Now based in London, this highly polished trio look to have a great future ahead of them.
Former Brody Swain’s BBC Introducing Artists of The Month, their new EP ‘Moving On’ sees the guys at the top of their game, with clever falsetto vocals and spot-on harmonies. It all combines to make a sound that is way above the norm.
The trio, Rob Hodkinson – vocals/keyboard, Peter Hyams – lead guitar and Adam Biddlecombe – drums, are now all full-time musicians.
So they are deadly serious about their music.
With their talent and commitment there is no doubting that Chasing Deer will be around for some considerable time.
