10 Ultimate Ska Anthems
9. Bad Manners – “Special Brew”
Spending thirteen weeks in the charts in 1980, and peaking at number three, “Special Brew”, proves that great songs needn’t take long to write, with the London based Bad Manners having penned the song in mere minutes, inspired by frontman Buster Bloodvessel’s fondness for the Carlsberg lager of the same name.
As soon as “Special Brew” begins, a joyous, carnival like sound erupts, drawing you into the Bad Manners’ funhouse of bouncing beats, jazzy horns and silly schoolyard rhymes.
Representing the "fun" side of the ska coin, Bad Manners were less political than their 2 Tone cousins, yet often lumped into the same category, even featuring alongside The Specials, Madness and The Selecter in the 2 Tone documentary Dance Craze.
Often overlooked as a simple novelty act, due to their humorous lyrics, as well as Buster’s outlandish stage persona (with his gurning face and waggling tongue becoming somewhat of a gimmick for the group), it is the band’s sheer musical ability and aptness for writing catchy songs, which managed to secure them six top twenty hits throughout the peak of their recording career in the eighties.
Despite many line-up changes, the band’s relentless touring schedule and “special brew” of highly danceable, comedic tunes, has well and truly earned them their position as the ultimate goodtime, ska band.