Specials night for ska fans

Almost 200 ska fans crammed into a pub in the Black Country to enjoy more than three hours of music and mingle with some heavyweight names from the genre.

Coventry-based eight-piece The All Skas performed at The Spareroom at The Saracen's Head, in Stone Street, yesterday.

The band, which includes the original drummer with ska legends The Selecter Aitch Bembridge, was joined for a finale by John Shipley, formerly of The Specials and The Swinging Cats.

Fans lapped up a medley of classic ska and reggae-tinged songs including The Liquidator, Monkey Man and Red Red Wine.

The event was arranged by landlord Tony Fresco who said it had been a huge success.

He added: "For people who know about ska, and a lot of the people here do, to have any well known artist join you is always a plus. We are looking for lots of bands. We want to give a platform to upcoming musicians of all styles."