Music recommendations please

[eviljohn2]

Hi guys, I'm not sure what the best description is but sort of "reggae rock" is what I'm after. I've lately been enjoying the more ska/ragga influenced stuff in my collection such as some of "Life Won't Wait" by Rancid, the dub material that Capdown and SLF put on their albums plus the covers of "Pressure Drop" by The Clash and The Specials, much of London Calling (obviously) and that sort of thing in general.

So, any recommendations? Tempted to get some Specials albums but I don't really like Ghost Town...

and I havn't found "I Against I" in a shop yet Karkus.

[Toasty]

Some bands worth a check out:

Less than jake
[spunge]
Goldfinger

[eviljohn2]

Not quite what I'm after but thanks. I do have Hello Rockview (pretty good), the first 3 [spunge] albums (Pedigree Chump is OK and the rest are very poor indeed) and I've never really liked Goldfinger although they were pretty good live.

I'm more interested in the bands that inspired the likes of this - punk bands who just use a trumpet don't really count IMO. I've just bought the first Specials album and it's quite good.

[Rock Da Bass]

There's a 'Best of' Specials album which can probably be picked up quite cheaply as well. Brimming with lots of excellent songs. Also Fun Boy Three were a band made up of ex-Specials members.

Cant believe you don't like Ghost Town though

Another Clash album with a fair bit of reggae influenced stuff is Sandinista. A very underrated album IMHO.

RDB

[FruitBat]

I'll second the Sandinista recommendation.
It's got just about every musical style on it.

[eviljohn2]

Apart from "Cut the Crap" it's the only Clash album I don't have. Does having London Calling twice make up for it?

OK then, I'll definitly have to get Sandinista sooner rather than later at the mind-boggling price of £8 it is these days. Anything else?

[Bristol Pete]

What about

B.A.D (Big Audio Dynamite.)

Pete.

[eviljohn2]

Thanks Pete, I've been meaning to get some BAD stuff for a while (the Mick Jones connection) and after a quick look on Amazon it looks right up my street.

[Bristol Pete]

No probs. I spent my early teens listening to BAD. Classic stuff.......

As for Less than jake..no no no. I like your line about a 'punk' bands using trumpets....

Try and locate a recent band called Voodoo glowskulls, an example of this....bloody awful too.........

http://www.voodooglowskulls.com/photos.html

Some lardy boys in there....trombones and trumpets too....

[eviljohn2]

The Glowskulls are indeed a bit rubbish, I saw them once and it was a big letdown. TBH I don't mind Less Than Jake although their live performances also leave a lot to be desired. There are a few "punk" bands that can pull off brass instruments well - Capdown and Catch 22 spring to mind - in fact I bought Civil Disobedients this morning.

I think the whole brass thing is best emphasised by Reel Big Fish: lots of ropey songs but their 2 very best don't have any at all (Beer and Where Have You Been for those who are interested and know what the hell I'm talking about).

[Toasty]

Fair comment about trumpet and punk, however Goldfinger's self titled album still contains some of my favourite songs, great record.

[FruitBat]

Not sure if this fits the bill, but you've reminded me of a band from years ago. I had a few tracks on a 20-year old ( ) tape and always meant to get more.
The band was "The Untouchables". I see that there is a CD called "Wild Child" on Amazon. Seems to be a compilation (does that count as Greatest Hits?)

I must check out my vinyl and see what else I've been missing (memory doesn't function too well these days).

[FruitBat]

Another thought.
Ruts DC.
I don't actually know very much of this lot. I've got some early Ruts stuff. They were kind of punky. I think they changed musical direction a bit after someone in the band died. I think the Rusts DC stuff is reggae dub. Hopefully someone who knows what they're talking about can expand on this (sorry ). I really ought to be buying this stuff myself.

[Bristol Pete]

Fair comment about trumpet and punk, however Goldfinger's self titled album still contains some of my favourite songs, great record.

Wayne Gretzky, I love you Wayne Gretzky!

[eviljohn2]

Ruts DC look interesting Fruitbat:
http://www.101cd.com/music/info.asp?id=6025490

It's encouraging that Streetcore is included in the 101CD list of "What others have bought" and that the Damned, SLF and the Buzzcocks are in the Amazon listing.