Out Now!
Wheels out of Gear
2 Tone, The Specials and a World in Flame
by Dave Thompson
Vividly explores the 2-Tone era set against the political clashes in Thatcher’s Britain.
The book is a detailed, well-researched and intelligent account of The Specials and 2 Tone, a movement whose message and music continue to command a following today
Liz Jaynes, BBC London, Recommended Rock Reading
Published: August 2011
ISBN: 9780956642028
Price: £10.99 paperback
304 pages including black and white photo section
- Review from Rock Star Journalist website
- Review from Vive Le Rock magazine
- Review from Rock’n'Reel magazine
Reviews of the previous edition: Amazon | Marco on the bass blog | LauraHird blog | EarthPatrol | Goodreads.com | BBC London
Originally published to great critical acclaim in 2004 by Helter Skelter Publishing, Wheels Out Of Gear is a vivid exploration of the 2-Tone movement of the late 1970s and early ‘80s, set against the turbulent backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.
Taking its roots from Caribbean Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae, the 2-Tone sound was honed into a modern urban multi-racial groove led by The Specials, whose 2-Tone record label gave the movement its name and a home to many of the groups of the time, such as The Selecter and Madness.
In a period of great political polarisation, with clashes between the National Front and the Anti-Nazi League, as well as riots in Brixton, Toxteth and Handsworth, and the death of Blair Peach at the hands of the Special Patrol Group, The Specials and their contemporaries spread a multi-racial message whilst gaining commercial success with hits such as Too Much Too Young and Ghost Town, which combined catchy dance music with socially aware lyrics.
Wheels Out Of Gear is a candid exploration of this fascinating era in British music and politics and is a must-have for all fans of the 2 Tone sound.
About the author
Dave Thompson is the British-born author of over 100 books, largely dealing with rock and pop music (The Fall, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Sparks and many more), but also covering film, sports, philately, numismatics and erotica. He lives in America.
For more information contact Phil Godsell [email protected]