2 Tone Records

1 year ago by Alan Cross | June 26, 2009 3:59 pm

One of the great independent record labels of all time was 2 Tone. It began as a tiny company founded in 1979 by Jerry Dammers, an Indian-born, ex-art student and the leader of a British ska group called the Specials. When he couldn’t find any established record company to release records by his group, Jerry decided to form his own company.

For a while, 2 Tone was the most important indie label in the UK, launching the careers of not only the Specials, but the English Beat, Madness and Elvis Costello. It also was instrumental in the post-punk revival of ska, which we’re still feeling today. The label doesn’t exist in its original form–it fell on hard times in the 80s and Jerry had to sell–but you can still buy 2 Tone collections and box sets.

If you want to hear where today’s ska punk came from, you should check out some of the classic 2 Tone records of the late 70s and early 80s.

Send to a friend Filed Under: Ongoing History of New Music
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  • James Senebald
    July 11, 2009 at 8:58 pm

    Hi Alan

    I was wondering if you might know where I could find the 2 tone box set

    I live in Selkirk , Mb close to your old neck of the woods

    I have searched the websites of CD Plus and HMV and nothing comes for the 2 Tone box set

    Just thought you might know, love the show and love the ska coverage and info about the box set, now I just have to find it.

    appreciate any help you can give me

    thanks
    James Senebald

    (Reply)
  • alex
    February 7, 2010 at 12:32 am

    That label was influential in the creation of No Doubt I hear.

    (Reply)

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