The Specials’ Brings The Vibe To The Parlour

Photo by Lisa Gourley

On a Sunday it’s common to just stay in, relax and gear up for the upcoming week. This past Sunday at The Parlour was an exception as royalty entered the building for what was going to be a righteous time. Founding member and guitarist from English ska legends , Roddy Radiation, was rolling through town as part of his tour with Baltimore and Washington, D.C. based act The Scotch Bonnets, and Providence two-tone soul ska act The Copacetics were opening things up. It was a festive night full of beats, horns and a lovely feeling. If you weren’t at The Parlour then you weren’t at the right place.

With the audience’s full attention, The Copacetics took the stage and kicked things off to a rhythmic start. They’re not your typical two-tone band; this gang of seven incorporates hints of , vintage r&b and Motown soul. They showed it on stage with the songs “Time Hard,” “Howl At The Moon” & “Ska Royale.” An extended, jazzed-out version of Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs’ classic “Wooly Booly” was pretty amazing as well. The Copacetics released their self-titled debut in January and from what I heard live, you should absolutely include it in your music library.

With frontwoman Lady Hatchet singing like Aretha Franklin, The Scotch Bonnets had everyone captivated from the first song. Along with Hatchet giving numerous shoutouts to her home state of Rhode Island, this groovy group of musicians exuded a lot of soul and a rockin’ vibe that had me immediately impressed. “Live Ya Life,” “Cheyenne,” “What Comes Mine” and a funky rendition of Rancid’s “Tropical ” highlighted an awesome performance. Next time they roll into your local music venue, I highly suggest you check out The Scotch Bonnets when they take the stage.

Resonating energizing theatrics and a lot of flash, Roddy Radiation joined The Scotch Bonnets. They went right into “Blues Attack” and immediately had people cuttin’ a rug. Going into a Specials classic of “Rat Race,” Roddy and The Scotch Bonnets kept up the tempo and even had a few people pogoing up and down. Another classic of “Little Bitch” had people going crazy — it got me giddy as hell when I heard “One, Two!!!” A killer take on Huey “” Smith’s rock ‘n’ roll classic “Sea Cruise” and a couple numbers — “Concrete Jungle” and “You’re Wondering Now” — concluded a set that had people jukin’, jivin’, skankin’ and boogiein’ all over the place. Roddy Radiation & The Scotch Bonnets will be at The Melody Inn in Indianapolis, Ind. on May 1. If you’re in the area, it’ll be a perfect way to start off your weekend.