If I recall the start of the ’80s correctly, the coolest kids at school were either wearing kappa jackets and trim trabbs, or Jam shoes and green parkas. The latter were fans of the 2 Tone Records label, set up in Coventry by Jerry Dammers in 1979 and boasting singles by Madness, The Selecter, Bad Manners, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers and most importantly, The Specials. I sadly failed to fall into either camp as I was (also sadly) listening to Abba. This meant I also missed out on the local scene in Liverpool of The Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes and The Pale Fountains. The word “Loser” springs to mind. 2 Tone remains one of the most iconic labels in British music history, specialising in its own brand of Ska, recognisable by its black and white label featuring the character of Walt Jabsc...