What makes a protest song? The Specials should know. First time around, back when the 70s were lurching into the 80s, they sang of racism, war, unemployment and the rough edges of urban life, and never in the same way twice. As the multiracial flagship of the 2 Tone movement, they made a political statement every time they stepped on stage. June 2021 saw the 40th anniversary of their last and greatest protest song, Ghost Town, a record that will retain its eerie power as long as there are concrete jungles, empty dancehalls and desperate spasms of violence.
 
It's fitting, then, that in 2021 the Specials are releasing Protest Songs 1924-2012, an unpredictable collection of unique takes which celebrates the long history and endless versatility of the form, from folk to post-punk, from righteous uplift to biting satire, and from Kingston to Alabama. It’s a potent reminder that there are no fixed rules to templates for a protest song. All that’s required is the combination of something that needs to be said with music that needs to be heard. “People have been using music as a vehicle for protest since time immemorial,” says bass-player Horace Panter. “Injustice is timeless.”
 
“2020 was the year of protest, wasn’t it?” says Horace. “It was in the air. The hardest part of the whole record was deciding what songs to use.” Following the musical liberation of Encore, genre was no obstacle. Each song demands a different arrangement or tone of voice. “We thought, let’s throw out the musical constraints of the Specials. There’s not a tonic suit or Fred Perry in sight. We don’t want to deny our past, because that enables us to do what we do now, but we have our own creative minds to make up.”

Europe's #1 Party Act. Happiness is just around the corner :)

Fat Freddy's Drop’s pirate soul train, resolutely independent, worldwide.

Formed in 1999 in Wellington, New Zealand our sound draws inspiration from almost every part of the black music lexicon. Soul drenched vocals and jazz harmonies collide with tape delays and echo chambers, underpinned by a rhythm section as comfortable laying down a throbbing, techy soundscape as they are a swampy blues stomp.


Big Smoke Brass – UK are changing perceptions of brass instruments with their hard-hitting, high-energy performances of well-known pop tunes unlike anything you have heard before. Formed in 2017, the totally unique line up of 4 trumpets, sousaphone, drums and female vocals creates a canvas for timeless songs to be reimagined into infectiously feel-good tunes which are perfect for getting the party started!

The Lions Led By Donkeys podcast is a military history podcast for laughing at the worst military failures, inept commanders, and crazy stories from throughout the history of human conflict.

Our podcast will always be free, but if you think what we do is worth a buck you can throw us one here:
https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys

Fundraising for Ukraine - https://artdopomoga.com/
Art created in Ukraine during the war. Stickers, Music & more.
All proceeds from your purchase of the artwork will go to support Ukraine.
Artdopomoga - the team of art volunteers based in Kyiv.

For over two decades Groove Armada has been established as one of the planet's best loved and biggest selling dance acts. As comfortable on the big stages as they are in sweat soaked basements, the boys cross genres and styles with ease.

King Porter Stomp are an 8 piece juggernaut of funky ska based hip hop. With big brass, heavy bass and intense lyrics, they combine all manner of musical genres to bring an intense energy packed style all of their own.

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