Young Coventry band The Modern Youth star on new Specials cover album Specialized which is to be launched at a Coventry University gig tomorrow night.
Specialized boasts 40 covers of the band’s biggest hits – all to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Acts from across the country have been falling over themselves to donate a track to the album.
But a special spot has been reserved for one of the city’s brightest young acts This Modern Youth and their cover Concrete Jungle.
Singer Matt Neal told the Telegraph: “We had just started learning Rat Race when we got a call asking us to cover Concrete Jungle.
“It was a complete coincidence. To be honest, whichever Specials track they gave us we’d have jumped at the chance – this is huge for us.”
This Modern Youth will join a host of acts launching the Specialized album at Coventry University.
They share the bill with Specials bassist Horace Panter and Selecter star Charley Anderson, performing as part of the-Tone Collection.
And there is an extra treat in store for the young band, as they will be joined on stage by Specials guitarist Roddy Radiation, who wrote both Concrete Jungle and Rat Race.
Matt, who works in stock management in Southam, said: “Five months ago I was stood with 8,000 people watching him play with the Specials at the Ricoh Arena. Now he’s going to be on stage playing with us. It’s incredible.”
The Specialized fundraiser has been put together by huge Specials fan and biographer Paul Williams.
He embarked on the ambitious project after watching a documentary about the Teenage Cancer Trust.
It has steadily grown to the stage where it has taken over his life during the last six months.
Paul said: “It went absolutely crazy – it reached the stage where I was having to turn bands away because I couldn’t accommodate any more.
“Originally we were just going to put out a download release, but thanks to the bands who gave up their time and the generosity of our sponsors we’ve been able to go for a limited edition print.”
The album is now available for pre-order and will be limited to 1,000 physical copies, with an even smaller vinyl release in the pipeline. It features Specials songs covered in a wide range of styles – from ska to metal and alternative rock.
This Modern Youth’s manager Peter Montague said: “It’s a privilege to be involved in something like this. Concrete Jungle suits the boys down to the ground – they went and put their own stamp on it.”
The Specialized launch and Village Aid concert will be at the Hub at Coventry University. Tickets cost £10 from
http://www.2tonecentral.co.uk.
* For more about Specialized visit
http://www.specializedcharityalbum.co.uk
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 2:30 pm