|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Live at The Glass House Pomona
June 9th 2024 Review by Steve Allen
Wow!! With bands like Bite Me Bambi from Orange County, and The Skeletones from Riverside opening for The Selecter from “Across the Pond,” those of us at the Glass House in Pomona were set for a night of dancing and smiles from everyone. In addition, there was some emotional news that touched everyone even more, making for an unforgettable night.
Despite the somber vibe at the beginning of the evening, the openers brought the Glass House to life.
In my continuing quest to see legendary bands that I had not seen before, it was time for The Selecter. They’re an amazing band, formed in 1977, full of energy, and their music will make the most uptight person in attendance dance even if just a little.
You just can’t help but feel good as they have a well-deserved reputation for entertaining, plus they have the incredible Pauline Black as the driving force behind their legacy.
If you like to dance, The Selector is the perfect fare for an evening out. The band’s timelessness is one that hasn’t been lost since their first album release, “Too Much Pressure,” and they are maintaining their own idealistic take on the ska hybrid known as two-tone.
Adding to their success 43 years later, singer Pauline Black is as charismatic as ever, delivering her infectious vocals and bouncy energy that made them one of the true leaders of the ska world. There is no phoning it in for Black. It would also be hard to find a better dresser anywhere; so much style, so much class. Her elegance and who she is shines bright on a dark night.
Black had made mention that their flight across the pond was marred by missing luggage and gear, which they didn’t have the day before for their appearance at the No Values Festival. In fact, that show as well as this headlining show at The Glass House nearly didn’t happen because of it.
Having never seen The Selecter, I hate to admit I only knew a few songs leading up to the show. I did however begin listening to their first couple of releases in the week leading up to the show and if I am being honest, that first record, “Too Much Pressure,” was in the rotation a lot more. Enough so that I knew the words just well enough to sing along live. In my personal book of hits, nearly every song meets that criteria, so to hear songs like “Three Minute Hero,” “Danger,” “Carry Go Bring Come” was amazing.
They continued to perform with the same level of emotion and fun that you would expect to hear. The audience felt it as well, but I wouldn’t call what they did as skankin’ as it was more of a pogo; even the semi-circle pit was like a pogo pit where everybody seemed to have a great time.
Black delicately set the mood for some of their darker songs from their second album, “Celebrate the Bullet,” with mentions before some of the politically- or racially-charged songs they performed, such as the title track and “Bristol and Miami.” They set the scene for how little has actually changed in our world.
However, in true pro fashion, they didn’t want to bring us down – just make a point – so it wasn’t long until they broke out the skank again with “Train to Skaville,” and the bouncy, “On My Radio.”
Of course, as with most long-time bands, those on stage have changed over the years. This version was supposed to have the two MAIN characters: Pauline Black and Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson. Unfortunately, Hendrickson couldn’t make this trip as Black explained he was nearing the “end of days.”
Sadly, two days after this show, Hendrickson passed away. Rest in ska, Gaps – your presence was missed and you could hear it in Black’s voice as she discussed missing your presence of 43 years onstage with her as she began the final song of the night, “Too Much Pressure.”
Class comes in many forms; when it comes to character and elegance – look no further than Pauline Black and The Selecter.
TO FOLLOW
SID 240708 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
