2-Tone-2
Coventry Music Historian Pete Chambers releases his fifth book on October 18th entitled 2-Tone-2, dispatches from the 2-Tone city-30 years on.
There are no prizes for guessing that this books subject matter, is aimed fairly and squarely at the city's most iconic musical export, 2-Tone. Nearly thirty years on and bands like the Specials and The Selecter, are as still as relevant today as they ever were. This title includes a wealth of news stories focusing on the genre that may have passed most ska fans by. It's brimming with rare and unseen photographs, and plenty of new sound bites from some of 2-Tone's key players. One in particular is Lynval Golding, the legendary guitarist in the Specials, who provided the foreword to this book.
"One person I would like to thank, more than anyone else is Pete Chambers" reveals Lynval, "who has done everything to keep the band in the public eye. He's made sure we get played on the radio, more than any other guy; he's been keeping us alive through the media. Pete's a Coventry kid, and knows these places better than anyone, there's stuff in this book you won't see anywhere else". Indeed Pete was the only journalist present at the 'secret' production rehearsal four days before their glorious Bestival appearance; exclusive photos, as to be expected are included from that too (and you won't see them anywhere else).
2-Tone-2 also includes a 30th anniversary update of Chambers sell out title the 2-Tone Trail. Pete Said, "This is the first of many projects I'm involved with to mark the 30th Anniversary of Coventry's finest musical export. This is the city it all came from, we missed out celebrating the 25th, but next year promises to be something very special. When I began writing this book I never dreamed the band would reform just as it was being published, we just managed to include all that, we literally went to print the very next day. I would like to thank our major sponsor in this project Coventry Market, plus Tony Beard, The Herbert and Coventry University, and all our 2-Tone heroes who have all made this happen".
Pete will be in Coventry Market signing his new book on Sat 25th October and on Tues 4th November, at his very own 'special' 2-Tone market Stall. He will also be at Borders at the Arena on 1st November and Waterstones Cathedral Lanes on 15th November.
2-Tone-2-Dispatches from the 2-Tone City 30 years on, sells for £6.99 and is available from Coventry Market, The Herbert, Borders Books, Waterstones, Coventry Transport Museum, Hunts in Rugby and on e-Bay. 