The Specials – Little Hurricane – at Fox Theatre – Pomona, CA – March 20, 2013

On Wednesday, March 20th, only two days removed from The Specials' last performance in Los Angeles at Club Nokia, we find ourselves once again riddled with anticipation and jubilation for the night to come. 

In my life I have had many things to be grateful and blessed for and seeing The Specials twice in one week ranks high amongst them. If someone told me seeing The Specials more than once in a week is overkill, it would fall on deaf ears and land on balled fists, especially about a band with such a pedigree and impact on so many lives. The Fox Theatre in Pomona was our venue for the night and a name soon to be synonymous with countless memories to come. The surrounding arts district, which also includes The Glass House, was busy and thriving hours before hand. Skinheads, punks, and rude boys dotted the neighborhood all with beaming smiles and beers in hand. 

Once inside, big tunes were spun and emanated from the bellows of the separated dance floor to the tiers at the top. Those who arrived early were treated to opening act Little Hurricane. As it seemed two days prior, fans waited and spoke amongst themselves asking who Little Hurricane was? And just like Club Nokia did on Monday, fans quickly found out the duo meant business. Performing their brand of dirty blues rock-and-roll people, stood captivated and seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the bands set. 

After they left the stage, murmurs grew and the space between you and the person beside you lessened then eventually dissipated; everyone knew what was next--The Specials.  Then it hit, the first crack and roll of John Bradbury’s drums and The Specials were underway with “Do The Dog”. Beers flew and pits sprung up from everywhere around you, ending with a ground shaking ovation and welcoming to one of music’s most influential bands. As I stated before, the bands set feels like a greatest hits album come to life--each song was the very best and personal favorite until the next song started. No matter the tune--from “Hey Little Rich Girl” to “Nite Klub”--fans hung on every word and swayed to every beat. 

Rushing the stage to dance alongside the boys from Coventry (as skinheads and rude boys did generations ago) was the dream. In modern times, larger venues prefer people didn’t, but two folks changed that. As The Specials were performing, one man made it up on the gods cloud and began dancing to the two tone beat as a security guard quickly made his way to him, the men jostled a bit as one tried to reason with the other. With cheers and pleading from the crowd and Terry Hall saying it was ok the guard put his hands up and walked off to an earth shaking roar and so he danced and danced afterwards shaking hands and saying thank you. The special moment was not lost on him, as a look of honor and appreciation was prevalent on his face and demeanor. This was to be the “tone” of the night: nothing was taken lightly and every second was soaked up. Fans cheered and applauded, drowning out the band on some occasions, and delaying the start of others. 

And on a surprise and impromptu moment, one song began in a way nobody could have guessed. A young man also made his way to the stage, but this was not just to dance--he came with an idea. Security once again pulled on the young stage rusher, he turned to Terry and Lynval and seemed to ask something, as John stood over his drum set and Roddy looked on in wonderment. With no words spoken, everyone looking on knew what was asked. A harmonica appeared and it security halted as Lynval counted him down from four--“A Message To You” was skillfully introduced as John and the horns came in as perfect as ever. That was  the moment that young man will tell his children about. Cheers ripped through eardrums as fists and more beer culminated the moment the young man shook hands and graciously walked off. The occasion also was not lost on the band and Terry Hall as he joked, “Is there anyone on stilts?” 

The enthusiasm and energy remained throughout the set, garnering a encore which included the haunting “Ghost Town” performed to an eerie blue lit stage while being pelted with pre-rolled joints cleverly concealed upon entrance. Followed by The Skatalites “Guns Of Navarone” and the classic “Enjoy Yourself”, sweat-drenched patrons cheered and thanked the band as they made their way off. Some left exhausted but a dedicated many made their way a block down to Characters bar for some more dancing and reminiscing. 

 

 

            More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Gio Van Dam-
Big Wheel Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

 

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