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THE SKAPONES

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Welcome

 
The Skapones are a 2Tone Ska band based in the Tees Valley in England.

The ensemble got together to play a music that they all love, and the chaps intend to perform their hot original 2Tone inspired material  and
other foot stomping favourite tunes, with the objective of making you dance and smile.
 
The debut original album of material "Cradle To Grave" was  released to critical acclaim in early 2018. Two No.1's in the UK Reggae charts soon followed. 
2021 saw them release their 10th single with the recording of new album "Northern Gods" underway.
They have played with The Specials, Madness, The Beat, The Selecter and many many more.
The Ultimate party band that have toured across UK, Europe, Ireland & the USA.
 
 



 

*** DOUBLE ANNOUNCEMENT! *** 

KEV WATSON

The Skapones have always been a fluid vehicle. People have always come and gone but it is with a heavy heart tonight we can announce the sad departure of bassie Kev Watson on September 3rd. He's been a joy to have around but he wont be vanishing fully- he has offered to dep should we ever need one. 

Kev has this to say: 

"...it was a welcome culture shock going from 3 or 4 piece punk bands doing 20-40 minute sets to an 8 piece ska band with a brass section doing 2-3 hour sets, i found playing ska to be very enjoyable, i love the cohesion within the band and thrive on the energy and the sometimes challenging aspects of some of the bass lines, I LOVE being challenged! everyone in the band brings something to the Skapones table being brilliant musicians and all round top blokes who are a solid, knitted and well honed unit. I love the cut and thrust of recording with the band which is a highly polished and very professional process, in my time with the band weve recorded and released 5 7" singles and cd's plus several more on compilation albums all of which I am very proud to be a part of. The Skapones are primarily a live band and during my 3 and a half years or so with the band weve played over 150 gigs (it wouldve been near double that if not for the sodding rona!) from Scotland to the South Coast and all points in between from massive halls to tiny pubs and ive enjoyed each gig because wherever we play we light up the room and even the grumpiest old Hectors have fun! I found lasting friendships in the bands members which will continue to grow over the coming years. Unfortunately for me Ive had to make the really hard decision to leave the band due to wanting to spend time with my lovely wife who thankfully is steadily regaining her mobility following surgery earlier in the year and the pressures of increasing workload getting in the way of our busy gig and studio schedule. This was a really tough decision for me to make but i had to look at my work, home and band lives; needing to attend to the first 2 will of course impact on my ability to commit fully to the 3rd, I am of course always here if 4 stringed cover is ever needed. I dont know whats down the road for me musically, maybe something, maybe nothing who knows, thats for future Kev to worry about, for now im very proud of my time as a Skapone and will miss the music, gigs and camaraderie...The Skapones; 10 years and up!..."

GEORGE STEAD

With the departure of bassie Kev on Sept 3rd, we can also announce the ARRIVAL of new member, GEORGE STEAD on Bass Guitar duties. 

A quality guitarist in his own right, and lots of experience under his young belt, George deputised for us in Kent this year on bass and proved solid as a rock on the 4 strings. We welcome George to the fold and We're sure you guys will make him feel at home. 

George says Hi... 

"... I'm ecstatic to say the least to be joining The Skapones on Bass Guitar. Can’t wait to be up on the stage with them getting some great experiences under my belt. my first gig is going to be travelling overseas to Ireland to headline the sunday of the Irish International Ska and Reggae Festival. What a way to start eh!!!! I Couldn’t be happier, Bring it on!... " 

Welcome George!

 

08/15/2022

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10th anniversary celebrations 2023 Part One - THE SEAsIDE TOUR! 

As mentioned previously, 2023 is the bands 10th anniversary and plans are afoot to sort dates around the number 10. 

The 10 date Seaside Tour summer 2023 is picking up pace, and we pay homage to that tour undertaken by our inspiration The Specials back in 1980. 

More dates on the Seaside Tour TBA! 

Stay tuned !

07/28/2022

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THE NORTHERN GODS ARE HERE!! 

Here we go! 
*** HAPPY NEW SINGLE DAY *** 
Heres a couple of download links to be going on with plus a stream link. 
THE NORTHERN GODS ARE AWAKE! 
We thank you for your continued support. Be nice to dent the UK reggae charts again. 
Download away!!!! 
OR BUY IN THE SKAPONES STORE NOW! 

PHYSICAL CD SINGLE 
THE CD SINGLE WITH BONUS TRACK 

AMAZON

AMAZON DOWNLOAD

YOUTUBE MUSIC 

YOUTUBEMUSIC STREAM & DOWNLOAD

SPOTIFY 

SPOTIFY STREAM LINK

07/16/2022

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GREAT FIRST REVIEW IN OF NORTHERN GODS SINGLE! 

A first great review from Vive Le Rocks Guy Shankland for The Skapones "Northern Gods" over at Original Rock.net 

9/10!

Reads as- 

2-Tone keepers of the faith THE SKAPONES drop a brand new single ‘Northern Gods’. 

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Guy Shankland 

Coming soon. 

‘Northern Gods’ 

Cosa Nostra Records 

9/10 

North East skank inducers The Skapones return with a maturer yet no less spiky 2-Tone treat to puncture the overinflated blue ballon of Tory lies and corruption. ‘Northern Gods’ floats into view over the smog and gristle of levelling up promises and aims straight for the lyrical jugular. The toe-tapping beat is perfectly paired with some subtle brass and Paul ‘Willo’ Williams call to arms vocals. Rare that a B-side matches its flip but ‘Cost Of Barrel’ goes toe to toe with its deft and disarming Specials resonance. 

The Skapones are about to take to the road with the legendary 2-Tone originals The English Beat and if you going get there early! 

For more Skapones info including release dates, tour dates and merchandise head over to: https://www.facebook.com/theskapones

 

Read original source here - ORIGINAL ROCK SKAPONES REVIEW

05/16/2022

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NORTHERN GODS TITLE TRACK TO BE RELEASED AS SINGLE! 

Our 14th single will be "NORTHERN GODS" the title track from the forthcoming second album!

It will be backed by a rare track of ours that was recorded about 5 years ago called "Cost Of A Barrel".

Gods is mixed and mastered by Paul Ayriss  with Barrel mixed and mastered by our very own Niffy!

Release date and formats TBA! 

** BE WARNED - ITS A HEAVY MONSTER! **

05/16/2022

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GREAT BOOK REVIEW OF "WAY OUT WEST!" 

Great book review by Ian Taylor of the Mad Not Mad Fanzine ! 

Thanks Ian!

"... THE SKAPONES: WAY OUT WEST 

2019, The Specials and Stuff… 

By Paul Williams (2022) 

During the dreary lockdown days, our friend Paul Willo, the hardworking family man, Specials biographer, Specialized charity kingpin and frontman of North East Ska band The Skapones decided to find creative ways to pass the time. One of these was to consign to print the most amazing tale of the band’s journey so far – an amazing DIY tour of the United States! 

2019 was an amazing year for Paul and The Skapones, starting with the usual busy schedule of gigs at festivals, pubs and clubs up and down the country but then transcending the mere ordinary when The Specials invited them to play two support slots on their 40th Anniversary UK tour. Even as this magic unfurled, so even wilder ideas were beginning to ferment. A budget tour of America, including a date at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in LA. 

This book tells the whole tale and is convincingly told in Paul’s voice. Not dressed up, not played down, honest, bold and and resolutely DIY, just the way the band has always tried to be. 

The community man shines through; the family man, the political voice, the warts and all genuine reflection and wish to do things right. The passion, the blood, the sweat and the tears. There is bullish confidence but also an endearing innocence and an honest ‘fair cop’ attitude to decisions and actions, right or wrong. 

Starting slowly and building, conveying the relentless graft of home gigs, the story then picks up to a thoroughly magnetic tale of living a dream and taking on America, the place that broken many a bigger band. In between the music moments, Paul bestows interesting nuggets of info on various locations in America. And it’s got proper soul. 

Some passages had me chuckling out loud, others gritting my teeth in frustration, but most of all, as my family and I have known Paul for years (my daughter Tilly and I even get a mention for our attendance at the Darwen Live gig) and recently got to know ace guitarist Mark Wilson, it is intensely emotional. I lived the journey with them and at times felt so moved at the thought of a mate fulfilling such a dream that I was close to tears. 

This isn’t a seamless professional book, it’s not clinical perfection…it’s so much better than that. It is an honest, from the heart revelation of the real world of grass roots music and all it should mean. In short, it’s an essential tale of one of Ska’s hardest working bands and the men and women behind it, from band members to family members to fans. 

It’s such a kick to be a small part of the story. Pork Pie hat off to you, Mr Willo. This is a must-read book. 

IAN TAYLOR, MAD NOT MAD Zine... " 

 

You can get the book via Amazon at- 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i... 

Or direct from us (Free Live CD while stocks last) 

https://theskapones.co.uk/product/768841 

And if there's any left.. At gigs from merch stall...

 

04/26/2022

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Book Signing in Darlington 10th April!  

In what will be our last book signing session, we come home to the hometown Darlington on Sunday 10th April and go to HEAD Bookshop in Post House Wynd.

There will be background tunes, Tea, coffee, and wine!

Don't forget, a free LIVE CD with every book bought!

Hope to see some of you there.

12noon till 2pm.

04/01/2022

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Skapones Book Signing in Redcar!  

We had a fabulous time and had simply the best hospitality bar none at that wonderful store Black Slab in Redcar on the Cleveland coast on Sunday 13th March 2022.

The Skapones book "Way Out West" was on sale at the first official book signing and thank you to everyone that came and bought a copy. We hope your enjoy it. Big shoutout to Mark Stubbs and Co. at Black Slab for all they did for us and to Pauly Photography for taking official pics

Please check out Black Slab online at www.blackslabrecords.com or better still get to Millbank Terrace, Redcar and visit in person.

 

03/14/2022

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Skapines book almost here. Book signings to come.  

We are impatiently awaiting delivery of... 
"The Skapones -Way Out West" book! 
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8483105947 

Buy direct from us via the store and get a free live mini album cd. 
*SUBSCRIBERS* you will receive a discount code in your email when ordering commences, which should be next week. 
Couple of book signing sessions to be announced also where the CD will come with the book.

02/26/2022

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NEW MIX OF "JBs BODY" TO BE RELEASED ON BANDCAMP 

With our double headliner gig at the New Cross Inn London on Saturday 19th February with Specials legend Roddy Radiation &The Skabillies in mind, ALSO ON SATURDAY 19th FEB, we release ON BANDCAMP ONLY ,the completely Skabilly version of "JB's Body", a full on rockin'/ska fusion remixed by our trumpet man Dave McNiff. Featuring Roddy Radiation on guitar and billed as RODDY RADIATION FT. THE SKAPONES - this will open your eyes a bit! 

LINK TO FOLLOW on SAT FEBRUARY 19TH SO CHECK BACK!

02/17/2022

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NORTHERN GODS

The forthcoming new album

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Aug27

The Skapones

Saturday, August 27 @ 7:00PMSat, Aug 27 @ 7:00PM

Trimmers Arms , 34 Commercial Rd, South Shields NE33 1RW

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The Skapones

The Skapones

Thursday, September 1 @ 7:00PMThu, Sep 1 @ 7:00PM

Lindisfarne Festival 2022, Beal Farm , Beale TD15 2PB

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Sep2

The Skapones

Friday, September 2 @ 6:30PMFri, Sep 2 @ 6:30PM

The Forum Music Studios, Borough Road, Darlington DL1 1SG

Charity show with 90s UK ska legends Zen Baseball Bat

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Sep3

Wakey Wakey 2022

Saturday, September 3 @ 7:00PMSat, Sep 3 @ 7:00PM

Walton Sports & Social Club, Walton Recreation Ground/Shay Lane, Wakefield WF2 6LA

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Irish International Ska festival 2022

Irish International Ska festival 2022

Sunday, September 11 @ 7:00PMSun, Sep 11 @ 7:00PM

Tramore Racecourse, Graun House, Crobally Upper, Tramore, Co. Waterford

A fantastic festival with the best of people!

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The Skapones. The unashamed North East Ska Juggernaut.

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