Vocals — Magnus (“they call me Magnus”). Lives and breathes ska. Not only does he sing up a storm but he also has stage charisma. Support from 4 others in the band gives us lots of full vocals.
Our rhythm section—Graeme Fox (drums) keeps us grooving and skanking, Sid Hennessy on thumping bass, Mark Endersby with perfect ska rhythms and Paul Alexander on soulful Hammond and Rhodes pianos.
The horn section—Mark III, a sax machine, “BB” Mann on trom and Desman (trumpet). These are seriously great players and help make our band very different from all the rest.
The DJ—In the true tradition of Ska bands, we always travel with our DJ, Alpha T. Alpha has become one of this town’s top Ska DJs.
Influences
SKA
Reggae
In particular - Specials, Madness, Prince Buster, Skatellites
Sounds Like
Old school Ska mixed with Two Tone. Add in Australian influence and lots of originals
From the start, we wanted to capture the energy and heat of Jamaica and the fantastic Two Tone bands of the UK. Influenced by the bands Madness and The Specials, Special Brew played its first gig on Black Friday 1989 at the notorious Perth pub 'The old Melbourne'. In the next 14 years the band has played almost all the in pubs around town — 'Club Blue Beat' , Willoughbys, The Melbourne, the Underground, the Ozone Bar, the Shenton Park Hotel. Many of these great places have changed or gone, but for those that were there, the memories remain.
With a massive 8-piece line up the band plays a hectic schedule at Perth’s best spots — The Norfolk Hotel, the Bog, the Orient, the Newport, the Indie, Clancys, the UWA Tavern, the Civic, the Seaview, Elephant & Wheelbarrow and the Funk Club — and at reggae and ska festivals like the Bob Marley “Outernational”, RTR’s “Big Party, the Margaret River Reggae Festival & loads more.
Not to mention our new CD, selling like gangbusters since its release in Nov 06.
Oi you guys have made some fans over east, as in some skins/people would like to see you guys play @ a Take It Or Leave It (TIOLI) skin reggae/ska dj night over there, what do you reckon, have you guys been over east yet?
Huge thanx to all bands and punters who made FREO FRENZY a big fucking success!!! The vibe was brilliant all night and every band rocked a wicked set. Also it was great to see such a varied crowd getting into varied styles (punks grooving to ska, hip hop heads yo-hoing to sea shantys etc.). Definately my fave gig in P town thus far. So.... lets do it again!!! FREO FRENZY II when I get back from the states in August??? Betcha bottom dolla. Cheers again everyone see you in a few months.
Madness were fucking ace eh! crowd were pretty good how they got into it to,yeah was great how we all bumped into each other, representing Perth rude boys and skins!
Now we can tell the grandkids 'Yeah grandad saw Madness last time they came to Australia and they were ace!!' :)
How strict is Devilles pad on the dumb 25+ rule? Like what stupid kind of venue has a rule like that anyway? I wannasee you guys again and this is actually in my neck of the woods for once...
Um yeah, since ive been raving about it to anyone and everyone who might be interested, and done just about everything to promote it on my page, apart from shouting it from the rooftops, yep i reckon its a safe bet i'll be there ;)
Unless tix are sold out already, cause im off to buy a ticket today, bollox to the rest of the bands, except for Duffy.Cause shes the closest thing to northern soul there, and i dont mind a bit of northern soul now and then..That and shes a proper tasty bit of crumpet with a voice like honey..
The Resignators are raising funds to play at SXSW in Austin, Texas, USA in March 2009... please come to our benfefit gig on Feb 12th at the Northcote Social Club, 301 High street Northcote with guests Catgut Mary and Common Thread - tix on sale now - contact info@focusgroupmusic for more details...
ALL AGE benefits feb 1st in Northcote and Feb 7th in Wantirna..
Online Now!
