New Material Expected From the Specials

Having been credited with the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at Wednesday's (Feb. 24) NME Awards, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the reformed Specials would be perfectly happy with the music that they've made together. Yet for guitarist/vocalist Lynval Goulding, there are new avenues to explore with the very real possibility that the ska band are about to record some new music.

"Well, at the moment we're having so much fun but it makes sense to get some new ideas together. It will happen," he told Spinner.

Yet among the fun and joy of touring, Golding said he was concerned that the issues the band tackled 30 years ago are as prevalent now as they were then.

"It's very, very strange," he said ruefully.

"We're singing 'Too Much Too Young' to the same age group that we did 30 years ago and you see that history keeps on repeating itself. It's depressing to a see a generation that hasn't learned anything."

He continued, "It's the same with racism like the [far right] BNP [British National Party] which back in my day was the National Front. I mean, hold on a minute! What have we learned? It's quite disturbing that we're singing these songs about these subjects from 30 years ago and we shouldn't have to be doing that now."

Refusing to dwell on negativity, Golding hinted that the band might one day reunite with erstwhile keyboards player and founder member Jerry Dammers.

"Music is a wonderful therapy and maybe we'll get back together through music," he said.