Skabillys in Coventry Telegrapth*

[roddy byers]

I would like to thank Pete Chambers for the whole page spread interview and nice pics in the Coventry local press.
Now my neighbours know everything-ooh heck!

[Hugh]

Roddy's special brand of skabilly
Jun 11 2008 By Pete Chambers

WHILE many of us are looking to see if The Specials are to re-form, the various members are carrying on earning a crust like they always have. Former Specials axe man Roddy 'Radiation' Byers, has never rested on his 2-Tone laurels. Indeed he has been rocking with his own bands, much longer than The Specials ever did.

I RECENTLY played the first Specials album, and got listening to Roddy's guitar work, I listened to the rest of the album with my attention on the guitar lines. I was amazed at just how inventive and creative Roddy's guitar parts were.

The Specials were always seven distinct musical personalities, each playing their respective parts. Roddy plus guitar, always equalled something special, whether he is playing ska or skabilly.

Since the Specials Roddy's major projects have included the Tearjerkers, the Bonediggers, the Raiders, and currently the Skabilly Rebels.

I thought it was time to catch up with Roddy and put a few questions to him, about a career that is far more than just The Specials.

So why did The Tearjerkers split?

The Tearjerkers split after about six years (1981-87) with three line-ups in all that time. We released one single, Desire, and an EP on Chiswick records of mostly my songs. The main reason was after seven years there was no major recording success, plus the tax man wanted a lot of money off me.

"Maybe the time wasn't right for a back to the basics rock 'n' roll act, even though we had quite a following and our gigs were always packed."

* When did the Skabilly Rebels form, and what was the line-up then and now?

The Skabilly Rebels formed in about 2005, when a friend suggested I ought to give it another go. The line-up has changed a lot over those years with only Sam Smith still from the original band.

* Was there any musical agenda for the band, which was not present in your previous bands?

I suppose the idea musically was similar to my other bands but a bit more of a definite mixture of ska and rock 'n' roll - skabilly - than my previous bands. Also I began playing my Specials songs more and other Specials favourites, album and singles, whereas before I steered clear of my old ska Specials roots.

So far what has been the high point with the Skabilly Rebels?

We have played a lot of large punk-ska and mod festivals all over the United Kingdom and Europe also releasing an anthology of my recordings old and new in the USA, here and in Europe too.

* Will we ever see a Skabilly Rebel Records CD any day soon?

I'VE completed five new songs and we are going back in the studio in June to finish several more for our CD to be enStrawberry Sauceled Blues Attack.

* So how do you feel about the rumoured Specials reunion? In your opinion, will it happen and how important is it to you?

Even though the end of the original Specials in 1981 was not a very happy time for me, I was quite willing to put aside personal differences and re-form the original band. But it seems others still want to dictate what we do, where we play and what we play. So it looks a bit bleak at the moment. It's a great shame as I think The Specials still have a lot to say - especially as the things we sang about are sadly still here today.

* How does it feel to have written something as iconic as Rat Race?

Rat Race was very misunderstood, but I'm still happy to play that tune because the people I wrote it about know who they are and it still gets up their noses.

* So what does the future hold for you and the Skabilly Rebels?

I'm hoping to take the Skabilly Rebels over to the States and see if we can cross over to all the punks, rock-a-billies, mods and skinheads over there.

[Linda]

Hey that was a great article!!
Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us... ;D

[roddy byers]

I think im getting the hang of interviews now, its only taken 30 yrs*