Bombskare – Big Hand – The Amphetameanies – Roots System – at Studio 24 – Edinburgh, UK

We set off on our journey to Edinburgh to the Bombskare CD launch as they had finally got their album together “A FISTFUL OF DYNAMITE”. The Scottish kings of Ska, whom I’ve followed for few years now (and even had them play at our wedding), had set up a ska night with the cream of Scottish ska.

ROOTS SYSTEM
Root system started the proceedings with a highly entertaining set including “Don’t Worry” which gets everyone dancing. When Kev the singer jumps into the crowd and joins them it is total mayhem!
The band was formed by 3 brothers in 1996 and they are fast becoming one of Scotland’s most entertaining Ska bands
Once they finished everyone was tired from dancing so it was time for me to do a spot of dj-ing and did 20 minutes of some nice relaxing rock steady music.
www.myspace.com/rootsystemska

THE AMPHETAMEANIES
Next up were The Amphetameanies. This ten piece band from Glasgow have been on the Ska scene for a number of years and are as tight as ever. They had the crowd dancing away on what was so far a good evening.
http://www.amphetameanies.co.uk/

BIG HAND
By now the venue was like a sauna, the walls were soaking and the roof was dripping water from all the heat coming from the 600+ crowd. Big Hand were up next, this 4 piece band always put on some of the most entertaining shows you will see. They fill the venue with energy and their music which can be described as a mix of ska/punk/rock/reggae. Phil the trumpet player bounded enthusiastically around the stage and the venue was totally jumping. All the crowd were dancing and soaking wet too. Unfortunately time was against the band, Big Hand wanted to play more but all the bands were only playing 30 minute sets.
http://www.thebighand.co.uk/home.php

BOMBSKARE

 

So it was time for who everyone was here to see - Bombskare had their intro CD playing and I was telling the guys how hot it was out there. The crowd was at fever pitch and went wild from the first trumpet sound from “A Fistful Of Dynamite”, the title track of the album which reminds me of an old spaghetti western tune. Every where I looked people were smiling, dancing and totally enjoying the evening. Andy the singer was doing his usual stomping about the stage. Colin was playing his trumpet like a man possessed, Scotty and Murray going great on guitar and vocals were on top form, as were the whole band. This was their night and these guys are one of the best ska bands I know, the way they play together and energy they put out into a show is second to none. They played six songs from their new album as well as some older ones, including their version of Toots and the Maytals “54-46” (which is the length of the album). After playing 80 minutes in what I can only describe as tropical heat, they came off exhausted but job done, successful evening.

 

www.myspace.com/bombskare

All the bands had played faultless sets, fantastic songs, great atmosphere, and a totally great night of the best of Scottish ska.

-Dod M.-
Big Wheel Overseas Correspondent

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 
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