Mighty anti-racist tones

By Jody Betzien

BRISBANE -- On July 18, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones played at the Arena, heading a line-up of ska- and rockabilly-influenced bands, including US band the Amazing Royal Crowns.

With the revival of ska, the Bosstones have fused that style with '90s influences. Their music contains frequent diversions from traditional ska and reggae feels, and provides a dynamic that distinguishes the band from old-school counterparts.

The Bosstones have catapulted ska into the '90s and injected anti-racist and anti-sexist politics into the music. On ABC TV's Recovery, lead singer Dickie Barrett avoided mundane discussion and expressed his disgust at Pauline Hanson and the One Nation party.

The band were pleased to have the anti-racist group Resistance attend their gig and promote anti-racist events and Green Left Weekly. Resistance's Ruth Ratcliffe addressed the crowd, stressing the need to get involved in the campaign against racism. Barrett announced Resistance as “a group which is standing up for what's right, so go over their and join them!”.

For date and venue details of the Bosstones' tour, see pages 29-31.

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