Darlington band, The Skapones, has released a new single inspired by the teachers’ strikes, with all proceeds going to the National Education Union’s Hardship Trust Fund.
The Special’s Tim Smart and Lynval Golding feature on the track, as well as Chrissy Boy from Madness.
The Skapones joined the picket line outside St John’s Academy in Darlington on Wednesday, February 1 to show support and to keep everyone entertained.
The band played some original songs and an off-the-cuff version of ‘A Message to You, Rudy’ by The Specials, with lyrics changed to reflect current affairs and changed the song to ‘A Message To You, Rishi.’
Read more: Darlington ska band to release 'A Message to You, Rishi' ahead of US tour & new album
The Northern Echo captured the moment the band played the song with teachers and parents dancing along, and so far the video has nearly half a million views on the publication’s Facebook page.
Skapones frontman Paul ‘Willo’ Williams told The Northern Echo: “When people saw that video they said we should release it as a single so we thought ‘why not?’
“The response so far has been ridiculous! So many people have got in touch and they love it.
“It’s only available digitally for now but we’ll be brining it out on CD soon as well.
“Lynval Golding recorded his parts from Jamaica, so we’re grateful for modern technology!
“We really support the strikes, education is the bedrock of a good society so what could be more important than supporting our teachers?”
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The song conveys frustration felt by teachers, and others in the education sector, as well as supporters.
The band is performing at the National Education Union’s Save Our Schools Rally in Trafalgar Square to an expected audience of 20,000.
The Skapones were asked by the union to entertain the crowds and they of course agreed.
Other upcoming gigs include The Vortex on King St in Wakefield on Saturday, March 18.
Following their tour of the USA IN 2019, Paul wrote a book documenting the band’s experiences while on the road called The Skapones – Way Out West 2019, The Specials & Stuff, with a forward written by none other than The Specials’ Horace Panter.
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