Dirty Revolution- I Love Reggae

 

  One great thing that's come out of blogging is that it's led to some really good conversations about music (some of the best of these just consist of "what about this song?" "yeah that's awesome but what about this!....") with people I didn't previously know. There's some very knowledgeable and very enthusiastic punk lovers out there and one of those is a guy from Leeds called Ashley Colman who's just sent a couple of mix cds crammed full of great songs, many of which I've not heard before and some which will make their way onto here once I've had a proper listen. Now the reason for mentioning this, aside from saying thanks, is that one of the songs he's included is by a band called Dirty Revolution, a "tropical reggae punk" outfit who were based in Cardiff and were together from 2007 till 2014 (although much more of the Conservatives in government could lead to them reforming!).

  Influenced as much by The Specials, Bob Marley and Public Enemy as they were by The Clash, they were one of a number of like minded bands that were having success back then (King Blues, Sonic Boom 6, Capdown, Lightyear all spring to mind as old post millennium favourites).

  The song I was sent was Where Are The Police but it's not the song I'm posting today, instead I'm going with the first song of theirs I heard. It was from their 2008 mini album, It's Gonna Get Dirty, and it's called I Love Reggae and is probably the song by them that most people remember. If you haven't heard it yet, you're in for a treat......

He was dressed the same as me
Doctor Marten boots and turned up jeans
Standing alone under Blackpool pier

He was dressed the same as me
Doctor Marten boots and turned up jeans
Standing alone under Blackpool pier
I went over and offered him a beer
I was feeling full of love and unity
Talking to him about the bands I'd seen
Thinking I'd found a kindred spirit
Not realising I was putting my foot in it

I said I love reggae, I said I love ska
He said he loved Skrewdriver

He looked a bit puzzled when I didn't react
Kept turning round looking behind his back
Then he said that he had somewhere better to be
Stood up and walked away from me
You can call me naive, call me stupid
I didn't know people still listened to Nazi music
I'm not naive, I'm not stupid
I don't wanna listen to Nazi music?

I love reggae, I love ska
Wish I'd never heard of Skrewdriver

He had a Nazi salute and a steel-cap boot
But him and me share the same roots
He had a Nazi salute and a steel-cap boot
And me and you share the same roots
He had a Nazi salute and a steel-cap boot
You and him share the same roots
He had a Nazi salute and a steel-cap boot
We all share the same roots

I love reggae, I love ska
Wish I'd never heard of Skrewdriver
I love reggae, I love ska
I don't give a fuck about Skrewdriver