WATCH NOW: THE SPECIALS ON FALLON

The Specials performed on Jimmy Fallon's show a few days ago. I know I shouldn't want to see them without keyboardist leader Jerry Dammers... but I kind of want to check them out when they play Central Park later this year.

THE SPECIALS (MINUS JERRY DAMMERS) TO PLAY U.S.

The Specials reunion is definitely coming to the U.S. Other than doing Coachella, they'll be doing some U.S. shows including one in New York.  They'll also be playing Jimmy Fallon's show. Not that The Specials need any backing, but it would be cool if they jammed with The Roots.

It's just too bad that they couldn't make it work out with founder/leader/keyboardist/songwriter Jerry Dammers.

COACHELLA: MUSE, FAITH NO MORE, THEM CROOKED VULTURES

I'm probably not about to go camping in the desert, but if I were going to, I'd do it for this year's Coachella festival. The lineup has some great artists: Them Crooked Vultures, The Specials, Muse, Faith No More, Les Claypool, Devo, Sly & The Family Stone, The Dead Weather,  and de la soul. Plus some younger artists who I like, including LCD Soundsystem, She & Him, The Avett Brothers, MGMT, Coheed & Cambria, The Raveonettes, Sia, Corinne Bailey Rae, Porcupine Tree, Shooter Jennings, Band Of Skulls, Spoon and King Khan & The Shrines.  And "Thom Yorke???"  I presume that name is because Thom Yorke hasn't named his new project. Great lineup.  I love that Pavement - the big deal reunion of the year - are billed beneath a cartoon band, Gorillaz.

MADNESS AND THE SPECIALS TO TOUR?

Madness frontman Suggs told the UK's Daily Star that the elusive Jerry Dammers may actually re-join the reunited Specials next year. I think that the Star is kind of like the UK's version of the NY Post - that is to say, very gossipy and not super credible - but if they're right this is cool news.

Jerry Dammers is the keyboardist and songwriter and leader of The Specials, and has had beef with his former band and their intent to reunite with or without him. Hopefully, Suggs is right about this. A Specials/Madness tour would be a great time - I'm sure Suggs was referring to a UK/Europe tour, but I bet it would be a big hit at certain cities in the US.

THE SPECIALS' SPECIAL GUEST

It's too bad that Jerry Dammers isn't with the reunited Specials, and no special guest can make up for that. But it was cool that Amy Winehouse made her return to the stage by joining The Specials for "You're Wondering Now" at the V Festival in England.

THE SPECIALS REUNION FOOTAGE

The Daily Swarm has posted footage of The Specials performing on the great UK TV show Later With Jools Holland. They look and sound cool, it's too bad that they just can't bury the hatchet with Jerry Dammers.  

A SAD UPDATE ON THE SPECIALS REUNION

There's been a lot of back and forth about whether or not The Specials' founder, leader and main songwriter, Jerry Dammers, would be involved in a reunion. Right now, it looks like he won't be. Here's what he has to say about it in his own words. It's too bad it's going down this way.

THE SPECIALS REUNION: IT'S ON

The Daily Swarm has pictures of The Specials being fitted for suits for their upcoming tour. Sadly, still no word over whether or not leader/keyboardist Jerry Dammers will be involved. 

TOMORROW ON OUTQ

Two weeks ago on OutQ, I planned on talking about some reunions to look forward to in 2009, but I didn't get to it. So, I'm making up for that this week. I'll be talking about as many reunions as I can get to, including The Kinks, The Faces, Mott The Hoople, The Specials, Faith No More, blur, Pavement, Phish and No Doubt (who never broke up, but lots of people probably thought Gwen Stefani wouldn't return to the band after her solo success). I don't know if I'll get to all of those bands though.

2009 WILL BE "SPECIAL"

Another potential reunion I've been following, other than The Faces and The Kinks is that of The Specials.  Well, the band has booked a few dates according to NME, and singer Terry Hall is onboard. Alas, keyboardist/leader Jerry Dammers isn't (yet).

THE SPECIALS REUNITED (SORT OF)

I've been following the rumors about The Specials reuniting: it turns out that the band members, minus keyboardist and leader Jerry Dammers, recently played a gig in England earlier this month (on The Isle Of Wight). Read more about it at Marco On The Bass, a blog about reggae/ska/soul.

It would be cool if everyone could get together and do just one last tour.

JERRY DAMMERS ON A SPECIALS REUNION: MAYBE?

I already wrote about how the BBC was reporting that The Specials might reunite, but no one seemed to know if the band's leader and keyboardist, Jerry Dammers, would be involved, aas he's never been a part of their prior reunions.

"The Beeb" has just spoken to the man: check out the interview here. He didn't commit to anything - he said they had rehearsed, but seems skeptical that it could work, and if he does it, he really wants it to be good.

So, rest assured, if this happens, it'll be good.

NEXT REUNION: THE SPECIALS

The BBC is reporting that The Specials are going to be going on a reunion tour. They did reunite in the '90s, they did an album and toured, but they were missing some key members - keyboardist/leader Jerry Dammers and singer Terry Hall. They sounded more like Ub40, I thought. This time, they say Terry Hall will be involved, but no word on Jerry Dammers. Still, that would be a fun show to see, but I doubt Terry Hall will be onboard.