YOU’RE WONDERING NOW - THE SPECIALS

YOU'RE WONDERING NOW - THE SPECIALS PODCAST - EPISODE 2

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:07:35 +0200

In this next episode, the two tours of the USA in 1980 and 1981 are briefly covered, Specials tunes and a great interview with musician Stan Samuel who got a free ticket to The Clash On Parole tour by giving free cups of tea to the Coventry Automatics, working with the biggest ska acts in the world then landing the job of a lifetime with The Specials.

"YOU'RE WONDERING NOW - THE SPECIALS - AN ENCORE" BY PAUL WILLIAMS

AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER FROM CHERRY RED BOOKS

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/paul-williams-the-specials-you-re-wondering-now-an-encore-book

"YOU'RE WONDERING NOW- THE SPECIALS PODCAST - PART ONE

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:10:19 +0200

In anticipation of the release of the third and final instalment of the book "You're Wondering Now - The Specials" by Paul Williams and to be issued by Cherry Red Books in late October, a series of podcasts will be created to work in conjunction on the book promotion.

In Part One - the Author talks to Grammy award winning musician NICK WELSH and about the first time he caught The Specials live before they were known as The Specials.

EPISODE 24 -FAMILY ALBUMS PART 4 with NEOL DAVIES OF THE SELECTER

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 18:45:00 +0200

We are back in the realms of 2Tone royalty on this podcast as Willo of The Skapones chats to the legend that is Neol Davies of The Selecter as they discuss the bands first two albums "Too Much Pressure" and "Celebrate The Bullet" plus Neols back story and life after The Selecter and his solo projects plus the latest Selecter release as part of the 2Tone 40th Anniversary.

Out on the streets? You bet he is - This is Neol Davies.

Shut up, listen, then dance!

EPISODE 22 - AN ODE TO A SWINGING CAT

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 19:07:00 +0200

Willo from The Skapones is joined by 2Tone member and virtuoso from The Swinging Cats, Mr Paul Heskett the most unique of the 2Tone bands.

Reminiscing about his times in the band, his time as part of The Specials and life on the road with music from the Swinging Cats, The Specials and more PLUS!

hear a clip of a long lost track called "Greek Tragedy" a 2Tone min megaband soon to see the light of day!

EPISODE 21 - FAMILY ALBUMS PART 3 - BAD MANNERS

Fri, 14 May 2021 20:18:21 +0200

Willo from The Skapones is joined tonight by co-founding member of UK ska legends Bad Manners and original guitarist and songwriter Louis Alphonso and also Andy Laidlaw of Big Fat Panda, Edinburgh's top ska outfit. Tonight's Family albums takes a look at the first 2 Bad Manners albums " Ska'n'B" and "Loonee Tunes".

Plenty of great anecdotes from Louis, chat and stories with music from The Skapones and of course the incomparable Bad Manners

Was Ne Ne Na Na Na Nu Nu written by a 1 year old? Tune in!

EPISODE 20 - FAMILY ALBUMS 2 - MADNESS

Fri, 07 May 2021 19:56:15 +0200

Another top pod in store here as Willo from The Skapones is in conversation with nutty legend Chris Foreman of Madness and Jon Young from the Madness Information Service to talk about the first 2 Madness albums "One Step Beyond" and "Absolutely" and more nutty based things.

Music from The Skapones and of course MADNESS!

EPISODE 19 - FAMILY ALBUMS 1 - THE SPECIALS

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:13:32 +0200

An epic podcast on this episode as Willo and Mark Wilson of The Skapones are joined by the talented Erin Bardwell, of The Erin Bardwell Collective, The Skanxters, The More Specials as they discuss the merits of the first two albums by The Specials.

Music of course from The Specials

What did Erin's uncle do when "Pearls Cafe" blasted out at a family get together?

EPISODE 18 - " A KINGSIZED READ "

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 20:50:12 +0200

Join Willo from The Skapones as he chats with the multi talented, multi-instrumentalist musician Mr Jon Read. Jon has spent all his life in and around the UK ska scene as well as having some real highlights moments with his own bands away from the scene. They talk about all things Specials with Jon being a trumpet player for the band, the Leicester scene and his current project Project Blackbird- all topped off with some great tunes.

Can you guess which legends he's played with? Tune in and find out...

EPISODE 17 - CREW OF TRAITORS

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 20:41:28 +0100

Join Willo from The Skapones as he delves into conversation across the pond to Detroit USA to chat with Eric Abbey from J.Navarro & The Traitors, the Detroit Riddim Crew , formerly of Superdot and more as they discuss music, music, more music , a love for the offbeat and ting!

What's the best way to hear Reggae? Eric will tell you...

EPISODE 16 - GUILTY TIL PROVED INNOCENT

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 20:06:46 +0100

This week Willo from The Skapones is joined from the USA by ADAM BIRCH formerly of the Laurel Aitken Band, Skaboom (Leicester), and The Specials who is joined by producer/writer Stoker , formerly of Dexys Midnight Runners and General Public and Bobby Rubin pops in with them to chat about their new album.

Music from Birch & Stoker, The Specials, General Public, Adam Birch & The Vershons, and of course The Skapones.

Did Adam really join 2Tone band The Apollinaires aged 13?

Download or listen online

EPISODE 15 - SAY THE MAGIC WORD- "BIMSKALASKATELLITE!"

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:57:38 +0100

Join Willo from The Skapones as he chats the usual shit with two huge names in ska music, Dan Vitale of USA legends Bim Skala Bim and Ken Stewart of ska music founding fathers The Skatellites. From their beach front spot in Bastimentos,Panama to Willo's cold dark room in a cold north east England hear about how life is for the guys at the moment, hear tunes from both bands including one from the forthcoming brand new Bim Skala Bim album "Sonic Tonic".

EPISODE 14 -WHY HAVE YOU GOT THE SAME ALBUM 17 TIMES?

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 19:49:46 +0100

Join Willo from The Skapones and his snoring bulldog as he witters his way through his vinyl collection and tells you about his 17 versions of the first Specials album and more plus his general gush about vinyl and its relatives. Features tracks and 12 inch versions from The Specials, The Selecter,The Beat, Madness and the new Skapones single (as of 26-02-21)

EPISODE 13 - I AM 2TONE

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 19:35:03 +0100

Todays episode sees Willo from The Skapones deliberating about the legacy of 2Tone,that delightful little label from the midlands and creator of the last true great youth movement on a massive scale. With added contributions from friends who reflect on their 2Tone affiliations and lots of 2Tone related tunes.

Yes, that noise in the background is a loud fridge lol...

EPISODE 12 - ANOTHER WEEK ANOTHER PODCAST

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 20:18:29 +0100

Join Willo from The Skapones as he chats shit with Hazza from the UK ska warriors The Rough Kutz, who are celebrating Almost 27 years on the UK scene.

From working with members of The Specials, finding ska and punk and a certain view on tribute bands.

Cow riding anyone??

EPISODE 11 - WHAT IS THAT KNOB YOU'RE TWIDDLING?

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 19:01:02 +0100

In a New Years Eve special, Former BBC/ITV crewman, Record producer, engineer, mixer, teacher, festival audio manager, radio show presenter, Specializer Paul Ayriss pops into Skapone HQ to discuss all things nomadic, Skapones, music, and brings his favourite tunes to boot....

...and what just was his relationship with Lorraine Kelly?

EPISODE 10 - THE KING AND I - CHAT & THAT WITH KING HAMMOND

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 19:15:00 +0100

A Christmas Eve 2020 Special of The Skapones Soundoff podcast featuring UK reggae legend Nick Welsh AKA King Hammond. Nick joins Willo at Skapone HQ for some festive chatter and brings with him 4 of his current favourite tracks.

Behold the king of hammond on this beautious eve of chrimbo!

EPISODE 9 - DAVID ATTENBOROUGH DOESN'T PRESENT...TRAVELS WITH MY PANDA

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 20:00:43 +0100

Welcome to Episode 9 of the Skapones Soundoff Podcast series! Joining Skapones man Willo is Andy Laidlaw, front man of Edinburgh ska band Big Fat Panda!

Talking about Andy's time in some of the city's big ska bands, some punk and four of his favourite tunes.

Does he rave about Rave? Tune in!

EPISODE 8 - WHERE'S WEARSY?

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 19:57:44 +0100

More shenanigans, old men chat & tunes as episode 8 sees utility man Andy Wears in the firing line .

Andy is joined by fellow Skapones chaps Willo & Kev Watson as he discusses his early days, his path to punk rock and is it true that he actually says those dreaded words...Robbie Williams?

Listen in and find out

EPISODE 7 - WHERE THERE'S A WILLO THERE'S A WAY"

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:26:36 +0100

More shambling rambling from The Skapones as guitarist Mark Wilson puts singer Willo in the hot seat this week. Willo brings his 4 favourite tunes of the moment and they discuss all things Skapones, Specials, some surprising record choices.

...and which band he'd never work with again....

Episode 6 - Did you just trump---et?

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 19:51:55 +0100

More rambling and shambling from The Skapones as trumpety man Dave The Lips McNiff joins Willo and brings his fave tunes with him.

A music man since the age of 7 - Was he really signed to the CBS label and in a band destined to be the next Wham!?

You'll have to listen in!

EPISODE 5 - NOT ALICIA KEYS...STEVE ON KEYS!

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 20:48:23 +0100

More rambling shizzle from The Skapones with keyboard whizz and songwriter Steve Cummings who pops in to discuss stuff and show a few of his top fave tunes with Willo.

Did he really play backing for one of the rock n roll greats? Find out....

Episode 4 - Sax In The City

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:42:15 +0100

More inane chatter this week from Willo who is joined this week by fellow Skapones member Stephen Brown, the sax man!

Some of Stephs fave tunes and how he got into music.

Was Browny an alternative rock/goth DJ? listen and find out!

Episode 3 - The Hitman & Her

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 23:23:58 +0100

More chatting crap and tunes from the north east ska band which sees drummer Mike Larkman joining Willo and playing 4 of his favourite tunes and why he missed The Skapones supporting The Specials

Episode 2 - The Axeman Cometh

Sat, 31 Oct 2020 11:29:09 +0100

More shit chatting with The Skapones this week its Willo in conversation with guitarist Mark Wilson who gives us 3 of his favourite tunes and the two do 3 impromptu stripped back Skapones tunes acoustic stylee

The Skapones Soundoff Episode1 - "It's All About The Bass"

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 19:59:14 +0200

Listen to north east ska band The Skapones chat shit and play music amongst themselves!
Support original and new music

This week - Willo & Kev (Bass)