Shaun

Describe your style in three words?

A Rude Boy

The first track you played on repeat? And where did you play it?

The Specials - Do Nothing

At home as a kid, I recall my parents having a dinner party I was the kitchen hand and Do Nothing had just been released and I think I must have played it all evening!

A song from your favourite album? And what does this track mean to you?

The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead - 2017 Master

So I’m into Ska and decent British music on the whole but I have to say I hold a penchant for everything Morrissey. This LP personifies The Smiths at their best, but to pick a track to be honest is so difficult, but as an opener to an album this track has it in lumps!

A song from your most memorable gig?

The Specials - Gangsters - 2015 Remaster

The Ricoh Arena. 2nd time they played here since the reunion with an almost full band. The persuaders soundtrack/curtain drop (there was no curtain but you know what I mean) warm up to Nev’s “Bernie Rhodes Knows...” opening of Gangsters was stunning it’s out there on YouTube.

A song that always gets you up and dancing?

Madness - Night Boat To Cairo

What’s there to say?

A new song you're listening to? Why do you like this artist?

Morrissey - Only a Pawn in Their Game

Morrissey’s new cover LP is simply delicious, the stand out track is about the shooting of Medgar Evers the black political activist, The song depicts how the white man's fury is enflamed by the politicians of the time. Very powerful and Morrissey carries this off with aplomb.

Best song to turn up loud? And why?

The Cure - A Forest

Especially a great audio live version of YouTube. Another band that I’ve been lucky enough to see many times, and a band that gives more back to their fans than any other band out there! Three hour plus gigs with Robert Smith belting 'em out is quite special.

A song that defines the teenage you? And the memories it evokes?

Madness - Baggy Trousers

Probably the toughest question here to be fair, it could be so many from the Ska era or late Punk to early New Wave, but BT quite possibly was the song that reminded me of school, youth club, hanging in town, getting hold of early Natty Threads like a Pork Pie, Crombie, Harry.

An anthemic song? Why does it get your pulse racing?

The Specials - Ghost Town

Easy one! Not much to say about 'Ghost Town' that hasn’t already been said, living in Jersey I guess we were wrapped in cotton wool, traditionally life’s always rosey over here, so the trouble the UK had at the time never really bothered us too much. BUT I get it and got it!

Best song to end an all-nighter?

The Smiths - I Know It's Over - 2011 Remaster

If what you mean by an all nighters you mean back home after a bender feeling quite pie-eyed then this. Maybe the most end of the evening song on my playlist.