With Ska Nation fast approaching we’re furiously vetting the bands to see if they are worthy to enter Ska Nation. We’ve spoken to Jobstopper, The Bennies, Los Capitanes and Area-7 who have all been approved for entry and with 9 days till Ska Nation kicks off we’re furious pushing paper to validate entry for the remaining bands.
Today we’ve turned up the heat on Melbourne outfit Loonee Tunes and well, after hearing their answers to our hard-hitting questions, we’re not sure if we are allowed to enter! Check it out here.
Why don’t you tell us you are coming to Ska Nation on Facebook and we’ll be giving away double passes to each show on The Planet Smashers tour including “The Planet Smashers Experience” where one lucky person will be able to go backstage at Ska Nation to meet and greet the band. Stay tuned nightly to our Facebook page to win!
Who are you and what do you have to offer our party nation?
We are Loonee Tunes and we offer your nation Soulful Jamaican and British Ska
How many people are included on this application and what are their duties?
We have 8 Soulful Rude Boys on our Night Boat. Their duties are:
Adam Timms: MC and Voice of a generation
Craig Mathews: Guitar player and visionary
Mat Morris: Artistic Saxophone
Gentleman Conor Pearl Healy: Mood Sculptor and Percussion
Vibe master James Orchard: Bass Guitar and Band Chauffer
“Rocky” Mackay: Trombone and Customer Complaints Manager
Jason Dreadlock: Hair stylist and Trumpet player
Peter Ryan: The Keys to your heart
Before we approve any application we need to know what your cultural fit would be. What are your top 3 Ska albums of all time and why?
1. Prince Buster – “Fabulous Greatest Hits” (Sequal records NEX253).
This 24 track compilation is 1st class ska material. Prince Buster (the most essential artist from the original wave of ska) and his unique personality added to the overall vibe of the early days of the Jamaica rude boys. The album includes “Ten Commandments of Man” and “Wreck a Pum Pum” to make you giggle and also features classics like “Madness”, “Hard Man Fe Dead”, “Shaking Up Orange Street”, “Take It Easy”, “Wash Wash”, “Al Capone”, “Judge Dread” and “Rough Rider”. This is your entry level ska album and must be heard by all in the Ska Nation.
2. The Specials – “The Specials” (2 Tone).
The Album features many of the songs that changed your life and The Specials remain the unquestioned pioneers of second wave ska.
Using Punk ideals and intense social comment they became the first non-Jamaican ska band (The Caribs?) to influence a nation and drive international interest in ska.
The lyrics paint a perfect harsh picture of working class life in the UK with reference to teenage pregnancy, marriage and racism (“Too Much Too Young”/”Stupid Marriage”/”It Doesn’t Make It Alright”/”Concrete Jungle”).
Their ska contains less jazz than the primary materialization and draws on elements of punk with an instrumental emphasis on horns and guitars. There is a lot of youthful vigor, rage and despondency coming out through the music with turbulent nods to youth subcultures (“Do the Dog”) and enforced foot tapping via slower reggae grooves (“It’s Up to You”/”Blank Expression”). Even the covers, “A Message to You Rudy” (Dandy Livingstone), “Too Hot” (Prince Buster) and “Monkey Man” (Toots and the Maytals) are charming and directly relate to Jamaican culture.
3. Derrick Morgan – “Seven Letters” (Trojan)
The album contains some crucial music! You have not heard poignant soul until you’ve heard Derrick Morgan with his genius singing skills and song mastering aptitude. The funk organs and brittle guitars make you feel the bass lines.
Where do you currently reside and what makes this place, “the place to be” in your eyes?
We are very fortunate to live Melbourne. We have one of the most highly regarded commercial and indie live music scenes in the world and there are hundreds of quality venues hosting live music every night. You could be into Underwater Cajun Skiffle Music and you will probably find two bands and a scene that supports it somewhere in Melbourne.
In the late 1970s Melbourne became home to several distinct scenes that each shared a Punk DIY ethic and a passion for experimentation. Loonee Tunes certainly flourished in this dreary Victorian atmosphere via strong support from venues and the street press.
Today’s Ska scene always indelibly feels like home as the majority of the bands were born and raised here and, for better or for worse, it made us all who we are. You can list the negative things that you don’t particularly like about yourself and you can easily blame it on Melbourne but the city is clean, its cosmopolitan, the shops are fantastic, the food is good and the people look sexy!
Name three things you won’t come into the (Ska) Nation without?
1. Ray Bans (Wayfarers)
2. Loafers
3. Enjoying ourselves
If you saw the gent pictured below walking down the street, what would be the first thing to come to your mind?
“Nutz…..Walt Jabsco has superglued his hands together again!!”
At (Ska) Nation we take the security of our commodities very seriously. On a scale of 1 to Navy Seal Team 6, just how much of a security risk are you to the Nation’s beer supply?
We intercepted and drank your beer supply some days ago…..it was very nice…..thank you.
Please disclose one piece of information that your mother wouldn’t know about you.
Our addresses! Our mothers disowned us about 20 years ago. We lost touch with them following a back stage orgy involving a goat, a dwarf, some rubber gimp masks, a small tree and some red M&Ms.
Who do you most want to see when you enter (Ska) Nation?
We want to see a Lawyer and the one you call “Gillard”
Are there any other things you’d like us to consider when processing your application?
Yes, please consider
1. Our songs are influenced by life, love, laughter and learning to crawl
2. Our music is influenced by Ska, Northern Soul and bands such as The Style Council, Dexys Midnight Runners and Blur.
3. Our gigs are vibrant energetic celebrations
4. Our Style includes sharp suits, skinny ties and Trilby Hats inspired by American & English Gangsters and soulful jazz musicians. We try to meld European styles into a smooth, sophisticated look that emphasizes Button-down collar shirts, Chelsea Boots and Tassel Loafers……with a few Fred’s thrown in for good measure.
There are many things in life you can’t miss. A first kiss, a beautiful sunset and Loonee Tunes live so we declare
SKA NATION 2011
Saturday October 29th – 1pm – Fairbank Cafe (70 Faibank Rd, Clayton Sth, VIC)
Sunday October 30th – Corner Hotel – Richmond +18
Monday October 31st – CBD Night Club – over 2 levels – Melbourne +18
Tickets for all Ska Nation shows are available for purchase here.
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