The Rude Boy Is A Busy Man

Unless you've been living under a rock, you'd be aware of the social, political and economic turmoil currently engulfing the United Kingdom. A slim majority of its residents recently voted the country out of the European Union, and as such, unrest is rife; it is indeed a time of great uncertainty.

Neville Staple, key member of legendary ska band The Specials, who despite being born in Jamaica has lived in the UK for the majority of his life, is sanguine about it all. "There is a big divide going on at the moment here," he concurs, "but how I see it, whether you like it or not, a vote is a vote. So let's just get together, sort out what's wrong, and fix it. It's not rocket science. We just need a suitable leader to lead the way."

"Let's just get together, sort out what's wrong, and fix it. It's not rocket science. We just need a suitable leader to lead the way."

We ask him if, at this early stage, it looks like there'll be ramifications for the arts. Staple has, whether with The Specials or with The Neville Staple Band, been at the forefront of ska for decades, and so would no doubt be watching that space carefully. "To be honest, it's a bit too early to say," he muses. "At the moment I have gigs booked internationally from now until the end of 2017, so hopefully it won't affect anything. Music is shared across the world and is big business, so there will always be a way, regardless."

Truer words were never spoken, and indeed, some of those international gigs are happening right here in Australia this month. Staple was last here in 2012 with The Specials on one of their reformation tours. Given the tumult happening at home, he's keen to get over here. "The Australian fans are brilliant and love a good party, which is how I like to make my shows," he enthuses. "We have a bit of fun, the fans sing along and there's a lot of energy. I can't wait."

Joining The Specials in the late '70s, Staple has become one of the legends of the ska genre. Known as 'the Original Rude Boy', he's been at the coalface of the genre ever since, and is one of its shining lights today. In 2014, he released Ska Crazy!, his first solo record since The Rude Boy Returns in 2004, a ten-year gap in which he continued adding to the ska canon, even if it wasn't under his own name.

"Since The Rude Boy Returns, I haven't stopped," he says. "I spent many years doing some production work, helping other up and coming bands. I also took both Ranking Roger (The Beat) and Pauline Black (The Selecter) on various tours before they put together new bands for themselves. I wrote a bestselling autobiography during that time too (Original Rude Boy — From Borstal To The Specials).

"In 2009, The Specials reformed, so I spent the next three years on tours with them, apart from Jerry [Dammers]. I worked on the big BBC Reggae Britannia shows and continued throughout all of the above, to tour extensively with my own band. So yes, there was a big gap, but it was during a very busy time."

Times continue to be busy for Staple, as he works towards his next solo release, as well as keeping up the heavy touring schedule. The Original Rude Boy never stops.