US Tour Cancelled - from www.thespecials.com

[Fester]

July 23rd, 2010 AUGUST CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE CANCELLED
THE SPECIALS
August Central Park Summerstage Cancelled
Look for US Tour Dates in 2011

The Specials will not be appearing at a free show on Sunday, August 22 at Central Park Summerstage due to visa issues. The legendary ska pioneers will, however, play their scheduled Toronto dates on August 27 and 28 at Sound Academy and plan to return to the US in early 2011 for additional dates.

After a 30-year hiatus, UK ska pioneers The Specials returned to the States for a week of sold-out Los Angeles and New York dates as well as a rousing, triumphant appearance at the Coachella Festival in Indio, CA, proving that their songs, with lyrics about poverty, violence, racism, and domestic discontent, are just as relevant and timely today. With rave reviews for all their US appearances, fans and critics agreed that the influential band’s blend of punk, ska and reggae is as punchy and potent as ever.

Despite a brief career, the Coventry band lit up the late 70’s like a comet, scoring eight top ten singles, including two number ones for the “Too Much Too Young” live EP and the era defining “Ghost Town.” They had two Top 5 albums and spawned a retrospective list of compilation and live albums from official releases to much sought-after bootlegs. Their melding of punk and ska creating the 2-Tone sound that still today is held up as an influence by bands across the world, having inspired the massively popular ska scene of southern California in the 90s.

The Specials are currently playing festival dates in Europe and Scandinavia; for more information check out the band’s official site at www.thespecials.com.

COMMENT FROM ROB HARVILLA OF NEW YORK`S VILLAGE VOICE
​Disappointments
Avast: The Specials’ Central Park SummerStage Show Is Cancelled
Been a lousy summer for visa-issue concert cancellations, from Joao Gilberto to Buena Vista Social Club to any dancehall star you’d care to name. Your latest casualties: ska titans the Specials, who’ve scotched their August 22 SummerStage gig far in advance, at least.

[Paul Willo]

_________________
ANGER IS AN ENERGY

www.yourewonderingnow.eu
www.2tonecentral.co.uk

www.youtube.com/paulska67
www.myspace.com/paulwillo
www.myspace.com/roddybyers

[JETT RINK]

A big SORRY to all my friends in the Land of the Flea..
Im gutted

[Rude Boy]

I thought visa's were a thing of the past. Those yanks just aint got the hang of the 21st century yet.

[JETT RINK]

They might have a black president but its still a right wing totalitrian state

[shaunius]

ah well, you will have to make do with a UK tour then

[Hugh]

Oh well, at least I got a tee-shirt.
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There's still nothing wrong with it!

[TTN]

What and who was the visa issue over? - I thought once you got in once and went home again they would have no problems in letting you back in - unless of course someone has done something naughty in the meantime
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As good today as it was then

[Fester]

The Yanks seem to have a serious issue with Jamaican artists over the last few months so presuming this is part of the problem? Big shame.

[MissPictor]

Yeah, the States are a crazy, crazy place...I'm trying to flee them for a bit myself.
We still love ya, Jett! <3
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No Matter Where You Go, There You Are...

[Ally]

The very first non-white act played on MTV in the US was UK band The Specials, which featured an integrated line-up of white and black musicians and vocalists. The Specials' video "Rat Race" was played as the 58th video on the station's first day of broadcasting.
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What ever happend to the great empire?

[The Member For Slough]

Went through a right load of crap to get me a visa for a holiday in the states.

Not just a protracted ballache but sometimes surreal when you're being asked questions like 'Are you planning any terrorist activity on your trip? and 'Have you ever taken part in genocide?' I shit you not.

After a process of about 4 months and a trip to the US Embassy in London for an 'interview' I was given a 10 year visa. Oh and that interview was just as surreal: 'So these fights you were in what happened?' 'Guy hit me so I hit him back etc' and my personal favourite 'I see all your convictions took place over 20 years ago did something change in your life?'

As I recall when I posted on here about it certain people were all for it.

[Arch]

When I saw the thread title I thought oh no what's happened! Sorry for you in the US but I was a bit relived it was visa's rather than anything internal. I think Jett's post shows how upset the band are.

Good things are worth waiting for though...
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www.theskamasters.com

[Paul Willo]

[The Great Eskape]

I'm a nosey b@st@rd though and WOULD like to know
_________________
They don't fight, they look just right
In their tonics and button downs
If you see them around, don't put them down
They're the coolest guys in town


http://www.myspace.com/thegreateskapeskaband

[Shan]

Iron Man that really is mental - we just got ours online when we were going. No questions, no interview. What they like?
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"Life's not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away"

[Hugh]

Maybe it's something to do with a simpleton perspective. Years ago I went on a flight to Hawaii dressed in jeans and a smart button shirt while my girlfriend showed up looking like Janis Joplin in big rose-coloured glasses. I zipped through customs but had to wait while they pulled her out and went through her bags like rats.
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There's still nothing wrong with it!

[The Member For Slough]

[Ally]

_________________
What ever happend to the great empire?

[sharker]

well IF they let me back in in august, I will just have to start saving for 2011 if that happens! very disappointed about central park, tho! however long, it will be worth the wait if a u.s. tour happens.