Your Vote Needed to Choose a Band for the 2012 London International Ska Festival!

Voting for the 2012 London International Ska Festival band competition is now open! To vote, choose one act from the 20 finalists listed below and email the band's name to enquiries@rockersrevolt.com. There is only vote per person (only valid email addresses will be count)--and the contest ends on December 1, 2011. You can listen to tracks from all 20 finalists on the LISF band page.

Since I'm based in New York City, I'd love to see an American band win this contest, so I've started the list below with the US acts...

Bigger Thomas
The Forthrights
Maddie Ruthless
See Spot
Green Room Rockers
Babylove and the Van Dangos
Offbeat Offensive
The Riffs
The Downsetters
Akatz
The Simmertones
Monkey Boots
Kinky Coo Coos
Captain Accident
Jamaica 69
Bombscare
Los Furios
The Oldians
Jeramiah Ferrari
The Liptones

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The 2012 London International Ska Festival will be held between 3rd - 6th May 2012 at Brixton Academy, Shepards Bush Empire and Islington Academy. Already confirmed for 2012 are: The Dualers (UK), Neol Davies aka The Selecter (UK), The Hotknives (original line-up; UK), The Moon Invaders (Belgium), Los Granadians (Spain), Capone & The Bullets (Scotland)--plus DJs Andy Smith (Trojan Document/Jam Up Twist); Count Skylarkin (Skylarkin Sound System/Big 10"); Tim 'Bilko' Wells; Mark 'Bazza' Barrett (Pressure Drop); 3DJ (Funkdub). More bands and DJs to be confirmed and announced over the coming months.

Duff Review: The Revivers Early Reggae EP

Jump Up Records
2010
10" vinyl EP

Skinhead reggae fans are sure to flip when they first take a listen to The Revivers' new five-track 10" EP, Early Reggae--it sounds like some fantastic lost gem from 1970 that you were lucky enough to dig out from a long-forgotten crate at a used record store. Even though they sound like they're straight from JA, The Revivers are comprised of members of such SoCal ska/reggae stalwarts as The Debonaires, The Skeletones, and See Spot and you can bet that they know their way around a vintage early reggae tune.

Recorded using old-school, lo-fi techniques and equipment, The Revivers convincingly recreate the sound and vibe of Jamaican music circa '68-'71. On Early Reggae, The Revivers' choice covers include The Beechers' "adults only" cut "Come into My Parlour" ("I hear those boys with their rumours/Said you're a real grinder"); producer Clancy Eccles' house band The Dynamites' organ-driven instrumental "Ramble"; The Yardbrooms' pleading "My Desire"; Sir Collins & The Black Diamonds' slinky and slightly dangerous "Black Panther"; and Pat Satchmo's cover of "Hello Dolly" (which skates a bit close to parody with the Louis Armstrong imitation vocal).

While this reviewer is not too familiar with these amazing original tunes--which appeared on the Trojan, Upsetter, and Duke imprints--they sure sound mighty sweet here.

(Thanks to Jason Lawless at Lawless Street for doing all the research on the original tracks.)

The Duff Guide to Ska Grade: A-