The Specials – Little Hurricane – at Club Nokia – Los Angeles, CA

For only the second time in 30 plus years Los Angeles had the opportunity to welcome one of the genres most iconic groups The Specials. March 18th Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles hosted the historic event for fans of all ages and musical backgrounds to enjoy together. The mark The Specials have left on the face of music is without question the influence and message has stood the test of time and has influenced countless artist for years to follow.

It's been an amazing journey for the boys from Coventry England from the late 70’s to today, times and faces have changed but the overriding message and spirit The Specials are known for remains the same and as important as ever. As Club Nokia did three years ago it welcomed Rude boys, Skinheads, Punks and everyone in between for another night of Two Tone Ska music, but similar to their 2010 performance the support act would not be announced till closer to the date. With LA boasting one of the genres richest and deepest Ska and Reggae communities around the world fans were left to guess as to who would get that plum.

The honor went to San Diego’s Little Hurricane a dirty blues-rock duo fronted by members Tone and CC who have seen much success in their relatively short 4-year career. Some fans may have not known what to make of the duo at first but as is with the majority of Ska fans being open minded to new music isn’t really a problem. The band was well received and garnered great responses to songs like “Trouble Ahead” “Shortbread” and “Haunted Heart” the duo’s rich sound emanated all along the Club Nokia dance floor and Luxurious bars making for a nice way to warm up and drink before the nights headliner.

Ending their set with the popular “Crocodile Tears”, Little Hurricane expressed their gratitude to The Specials for the opportunity and left the stage primed and ready for what was to come.

For a lot of people this was a night thirty years in the making and for many more this was something once thought inconceivable, the opportunity was here the wait was over the floors were packed and the bars were full and things were anything but dull. Walking out to a deafening ovation Terry, Lynval, Horace, Roddy and John wasted no time jumping right into it kicking off the set with the wildly popular and boot moving “Do The Dog” the pit area erupted as beers were tossed and screams and whistles echoed the dance.

With the excitement at a fever pitch each song hit with such gut wrenching force as to invoke mass sing-alongs from the people in attendance and those hanging off the railing of the balcony. The Specials catalog is a plethora of top ten hits each song being the unquestionable favorite until the next song started. The set contained classics like “Gangsters” “Man at C & A” “Do Nothing” “Concrete Jungle” “Monkey Man” and a beautiful ode to the late Amy Winehouse and her favorite song “Hey Little Rich Girl”.

The energy was something to behold as LA joined in and even took over for songs like “Nite Klub” and “Blank Expression” which was only fitting since the bond between the band and its fans over the decades has always been a tight one and with the departure of fellow front man Neville Staple due to health reasons it only strengthened the bond and interaction.

After some cheers and pleading the band came back to delight Los Angeles with an encore that included the haunting “Ghost Town” and the timeless classic “Guns of Navarone” the night will go down as one of the best the ska community has seen with surprises like the inclusion of “International Jet Set” to the set everyone had a fond memory to take home with them to cherish for a lifetime as for The Specials its back on the road for the remainder of the west coast swing of their 2013 tour.

            More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

 

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