Episodes

Friday Aug 29, 2025
YOU'RE WONDERING NOW - THE SPECIALS PODCAST - EPISODE 2
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
In this next episode, the two tours of the USA in 1980 and 1981 are briefly covered, Specials tunes and a great interview with musician Stan Samuel who got a free ticket to The Clash On Parole tour by giving free cups of tea to the Coventry Automatics, working with the biggest ska acts in the world then landing the job of a lifetime with The Specials.
"YOU'RE WONDERING NOW - THE SPECIALS - AN ENCORE" BY PAUL WILLIAMS
AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER FROM CHERRY RED BOOKS
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/paul-williams-the-specials-you-re-wondering-now-an-encore-book

Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
"YOU'RE WONDERING NOW- THE SPECIALS PODCAST - PART ONE
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
In anticipation of the release of the third and final instalment of the book "You're Wondering Now - The Specials" by Paul Williams and to be issued by Cherry Red Books in late October, a series of podcasts will be created to work in conjunction on the book promotion.
In Part One - the Author talks to Grammy award winning musician NICK WELSH and about the first time he caught The Specials live before they were known as The Specials.

Friday Aug 06, 2021
EPISODE 24 -FAMILY ALBUMS PART 4 with NEOL DAVIES OF THE SELECTER
Friday Aug 06, 2021
Friday Aug 06, 2021
We are back in the realms of 2Tone royalty on this podcast as Willo of The Skapones chats to the legend that is Neol Davies of The Selecter as they discuss the bands first two albums "Too Much Pressure" and "Celebrate The Bullet" plus Neols back story and life after The Selecter and his solo projects plus the latest Selecter release as part of the 2Tone 40th Anniversary.
Out on the streets? You bet he is - This is Neol Davies.
Shut up, listen, then dance!

Friday Jun 11, 2021
EPISODE 22 - AN ODE TO A SWINGING CAT
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Willo from The Skapones is joined by 2Tone member and virtuoso from The Swinging Cats, Mr Paul Heskett the most unique of the 2Tone bands.
Reminiscing about his times in the band, his time as part of The Specials and life on the road with music from the Swinging Cats, The Specials and more PLUS!
hear a clip of a long lost track called "Greek Tragedy" a 2Tone min megaband soon to see the light of day!

Friday May 14, 2021
EPISODE 21 - FAMILY ALBUMS PART 3 - BAD MANNERS
Friday May 14, 2021
Friday May 14, 2021
Willo from The Skapones is joined tonight by co-founding member of UK ska legends Bad Manners and original guitarist and songwriter Louis Alphonso and also Andy Laidlaw of Big Fat Panda, Edinburgh's top ska outfit. Tonight's Family albums takes a look at the first 2 Bad Manners albums " Ska'n'B" and "Loonee Tunes".
Plenty of great anecdotes from Louis, chat and stories with music from The Skapones and of course the incomparable Bad Manners
Was Ne Ne Na Na Na Nu Nu written by a 1 year old? Tune in!

Friday May 07, 2021
EPISODE 20 - FAMILY ALBUMS 2 - MADNESS
Friday May 07, 2021
Friday May 07, 2021
Another top pod in store here as Willo from The Skapones is in conversation with nutty legend Chris Foreman of Madness and Jon Young from the Madness Information Service to talk about the first 2 Madness albums "One Step Beyond" and "Absolutely" and more nutty based things.
Music from The Skapones and of course MADNESS!

Friday Apr 09, 2021
EPISODE 19 - FAMILY ALBUMS 1 - THE SPECIALS
Friday Apr 09, 2021
Friday Apr 09, 2021
An epic podcast on this episode as Willo and Mark Wilson of The Skapones are joined by the talented Erin Bardwell, of The Erin Bardwell Collective, The Skanxters, The More Specials as they discuss the merits of the first two albums by The Specials.
Music of course from The Specials
What did Erin's uncle do when "Pearls Cafe" blasted out at a family get together?

Friday Apr 02, 2021
EPISODE 18 - " A KINGSIZED READ "
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Join Willo from The Skapones as he chats with the multi talented, multi-instrumentalist musician Mr Jon Read. Jon has spent all his life in and around the UK ska scene as well as having some real highlights moments with his own bands away from the scene. They talk about all things Specials with Jon being a trumpet player for the band, the Leicester scene and his current project Project Blackbird- all topped off with some great tunes.
Can you guess which legends he's played with? Tune in and find out...

Friday Mar 19, 2021
EPISODE 17 - CREW OF TRAITORS
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Join Willo from The Skapones as he delves into conversation across the pond to Detroit USA to chat with Eric Abbey from J.Navarro & The Traitors, the Detroit Riddim Crew , formerly of Superdot and more as they discuss music, music, more music , a love for the offbeat and ting!
What's the best way to hear Reggae? Eric will tell you...

Friday Mar 12, 2021
EPISODE 16 - GUILTY TIL PROVED INNOCENT
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
This week Willo from The Skapones is joined from the USA by ADAM BIRCH formerly of the Laurel Aitken Band, Skaboom (Leicester), and The Specials who is joined by producer/writer Stoker , formerly of Dexys Midnight Runners and General Public and Bobby Rubin pops in with them to chat about their new album.
Music from Birch & Stoker, The Specials, General Public, Adam Birch & The Vershons, and of course The Skapones.
Did Adam really join 2Tone band The Apollinaires aged 13?
Download or listen online

