40 years of Ska Spectacular, the espy, 31 may 2003
Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Bustamento, 99% Fat, The Trojan Horns

I haven't seen so many people at a ska gig for a long time, so it was great to see so many people come out of hiding to get to the Espy. We weren't going to go at first, because it was so far away and I have never been a huge fan of the Espy, but thankfully we changed our minds and headed down there.

We got there a bit late so missed Trojan Horns, and half of 99% Fat. And by the time we had got ourselves beers, said the initial hellos to people we pretty much missed the rest of them as well. Although telling from the huge rush to the bar after they had finished, 99% Fat obviously put on yet another great show, and got everyone moving.
I will be perfectly honest and say I never took a great deal of notice of the next bands. Bustamento, which is another of Nicky Bombas projects played after 99% Fat, and then finally the Melbourne Ska Orchestra took the stage. No wonder they decided to put the gig on at the Espy, no other venue would have had a stage big enough for the 40 of them. With members from the Strange Tenants, Commissioner Gordon, Trojan Horns, 99% Fat, Mr Coffee, Red Sand Shuffle, Loin Groin and pretty much every other ska band in Melbourne, here or gone, it promised to be a good show. Fronted by Nick Bomba featuring Bruce Hearn (Strange Tenants), Craigo (ex-Loin Groin), Patty (current Loin Groin) and a crazy Jamaican guy all taking stints at vocals. Then we had on drums 70-year-old Lowell Morris, who has drummed for the likes of Roland Alphonso, and Ross Hannaford on guitar, who was a member of Daddy Cool.
This was definitely the best ska gig of the year, hopefully the MSO will get together again in the not so distant future. We can only hope.

It was great to see such a broad range of people there. From the usual crowd you see at gigs about the place, to people who you would have thought only be into rod stewart or the like. A lot of people have issues with folk at ska gigs who don't fit into the 'ska image'. Personally I reckon it's a great thing. There's nothing worse than going to a gig with a few people who are into the music, but no atmosphere, compared to going to a gig with 100's from all different walks of life who are having a fukkin ball.

The highlight of my night would have to have been meeting a bloke who was the spitting image of Desmond Dekker. Now people have told me I was wrong, and if it had have been Desmond Dekker there would have been a riot. But I am convinced it was him. This guy even had the same beret, worn on the same angle. When I went up to him and told him he looked like DD, he sort of looked a bit shocked and asked me if I knew who Desmond Dekker was. In my drunken state I ranted on about how much of a legend he is, then he asked me what my favourite track was. I replied with 'Fu Manchu' and he just kind of nodded his head and never said anything. Anyway, when we were leaving he walked past and kind of gave me this little wink. Now it wasn't a pick-up wink, it was kind of one of those 'I know and you know' kind of winks. Now maybe I was wrong, but I am happy in the delusion that I saw Desmond Dekker at a gig at the Espy.

But of course, all great nights need at least one twat trying to spoil it for someone. This time it was a crazed hep b infected dyke hell bent on the fact that I am 1. A nazi, 2. A lesbian in denial and of course when I wouldn't 'take it out the front' 3. A big tough skinhead who is scared of a lesbian. See I was always of the belief that if you are up the front at a gig you are there to enjoy the band who is playing and have a skank, although it seemed in this case that you are only up there to try and fight people. Perhaps we need a monthly 'kindergarten ska night' so all these people can get their insecurities out of their systems.

Even better was a week later, where I learned from a mate in Sydney that I not only got accused of being a nazi, I was also apparently beaten up by them as well! And all at the same gig. They must have been the invisible kind of nazi with the touch of angel, cause I sure didn't see em! I'm keen to hear the next round of rumors.

We topped the night off with a trip to the Go-Set, a new club in the city that's open late and plays lots of old ska, reggae and soul. Thankfully we made it there in one piece, after getting a lift with Kane, who drives like James Bond on speed. He says he isn't used to city driving. I say he is crazy.