The Specials

Jan. 14th @ The Galaxy Santa Ana, CA
Photos: Scott Harding Review: Armin Moulton

Unfortunately I missed the first band ‘Pepper.’ (The friend that I went with was very excited to check this band. I guess there has been some buzz about them.) It’s hard to get your ass off the couch on a Sunday evening to catch the first act! Hopefully I'll catch them next time.

I did however see the second band ‘Nobody Cares.’ They were a roots ska band that needs to tighten up their sound a little. When they do that they will be a tough act to follow! With  a Sublime meets Peter Tosh sound to them and at times a twist of punk, Nobody Cares got the kids moving. They met the important needs of the crowd, which is to them riled up for the upcoming bands.

Next was a rockabilly band called Danny Dean and the Home wreckers that was not electrifying, but they played rockabilly well. I thought it was kinda weird to have a rockabilly band play this ska/reggae show. I didn't think they fitted in well. I think I wasn't alone with this thought because the once active crowd seem to chill out. they only played a few songs because of the time constraint. After playing a few originals they cut in to a cover of Pretty in Pink.  Their Pretty in Pink cover should have been left up to The Psychedelic Furs to do. They performed another cover by Adam Ant that was cool (Goody Two Shoes) which basically made up for the latter. And they did have one kick ass sax player, so good he joined a song with The Untouchables later on in the night! Anyway, check them out if you are in to The Stray Cats type of rockabilly. 

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Then the Untouchables came on and they were fantastic! Every one was instantly put into a great mood. There was barely a still body in the whole place. And that should be no surprise because this is The Untouchables we are talking about! They played to the audience by involving them and showing their own great enthusiasm for their music. At one point they pulled two girls up onto the stage and danced with them. Then I noticed that they were back stage after the show. Hmmmm, could The Untouchables living up to the big band status? If so they certainly deserve it because after all the years they have been jamm'n they still keep it rocksteady! Playing everything from the classics to the newer material, The Untouchables were....well...untouchable. Most bands should take a lesson from these guys on how to put on an exciting show.

Now it was time for The Specials. Although they performed well, I think The Untouchables nabbed the crowds enthusiasm a bit tighter.  I know there is a lot of fans of The Specials that are mad at me right now, but I speak the truth of my own view of world. But that aside, The Specials still rocked The Galaxy. The thing I like about bands like The Specials is that even though they have been jam'n for a long time they still give the fans what they want, a clean mix of oldies but goodies and fantastic new grooves. And they couldn't help but keep the crowd skank'n the night away!