Cultural Aspects

The band wore mod-style "1960s period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic and mohair suits,
and loafers). Their songs had a "more focused and informed political and social stance" than
other ska groups. Eg Ghost Town from 1981 was themed around the unemployment issues of
the time (check out the early 80s video on You Tube!). The song Too much too young from
1980 sang about teenage pregnancy and contraception. A later song (1984) celebrated the
cause of Nelson Mandela. Founding band member Jerry Dammers eventually dissolved the

Key Features:

Key Reggae bands & artists:

Clement Sir Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid,

Prince Buster
The Skatalites
Toots and the Maylels
The Impressions, Alton Ellis, Marcia Griffiths
King Tubby
Desmond Dekker
Bob Marley
Jimmy Clif
Madness

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Horn Sections
Skanking on the guitar
Political subjects covered in the lyrics
Lots of percussion klines including Bongos and
Timbales (Too much too young uses loads of
timbales)
Toasting
Long reverberation on the vocals
Mostly used chords I IV & V

Musical Style
Their music combined a "danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and
attitude".
The first two albums featured cover versions of original ska songs sunch as Dandy
Livingstone's "Rudy, A Message to You", Toots & the Maytals Monkey Man and the
song "Gangsters" , featured a sample of squealing tires taken from Prince Buster's
(featuring the skatalites) ska hit "Al Capone".
This music also combines features from the punk music that was contemporary to the
specials hey day! THINK, what are the key features of punk? (are they similar to Ska and
reggae at all?
(too much too young has a really punky guitar break)
Contemporary bands from the time include The Clash & Madness. These three bands