Ska-B-Q: The WBC, The Managers, The Offbeats, 4 Man Bob and The Offbeat Selecta
Kings Arms, 8 February 2003

I arrived at the King's Arms to find the garden area full of groups of people relaxing with cold beer and hot sausages, listening to the sounds of the Offbeat Selecta. Ah yes, it was the Ska-B-Q, promising sausages and the finest selection of Aotearoa ska.

First up were 4 Man Bob from Christchurch. I'd seen them play a couple of months ago and they had seemed a little unfocussed then, but they were much better this time around. Resplendent in matching camouflage gear, they had a good selection of songs with some slower reggae ones, a cover or two (including their excellent version of "Loyal") and some good fast ones. By the end they'd even managed to entice a few punters onto the dance floor. They all looked like they were enjoying themselves and it was a good start to the night.

Next were The Offbeats, who are from Wellington. They had more of a ska/punk thing going on, and even did a Rancid cover, but they also covered a HLAH song and a Split Enz one. Any crappy old covers band can regurgitate what's in the top 40, but it takes a bit of skill and talent to do what the Offbeats did and pick songs that that fit in with the band's sound and to play them in a way that respects the original, but adds something new to it. But their original songs were nice 'n' good too. There was one called "Last Bus to Kingston" that I particularly liked. A good-sized group of people merrily skanked away to the Offbeats.

The aforementioned Offbeat Selecta was playing a selection of songs between bands. I think it's a great idea having a DJ playing a selection of music that fits in with the evening, rather than just sticking a bunch of CDs on random.

Next up was The Managers. They've been around for ages and play a more traditional kind of ska, but they still manage to keep things sounding fresh. Like the guy standing next to me commented, "they take on different forms, but they're always good." I knew The Managers were putting on a good show when only two songs in some random guy attempted to grab my boobs. But I was too busy having a good time to even consider being offended. People were skankin' hard and there was a good, positive reaction from the crowd.

Then it was time for the WBC. I think they just get better every time I see them play. They ripped through their songs with energy and enthusiasm. All around me people were dancing and getting all sweaty and just having a good time. For the first time I appreciated how good it was that they have a slower dub song in the middle to give everyone a bit of a break from all the skankin' madness. There people in the audience who were singing along with the songs. The band has fans.

For the final song of the night the WBC invited on stage some of the horn players from the other bands and everyone joined in on The Specials' "A Message To You Rudy". It was so much fun jumping around, yelling along with the lyrics. It really was a skastravaganza.