By Anita Stewart, Managing Editor
Re-Release: “Flamin’ First”
Release Date: July 9, 2021
Chicago’s Heavy Manners, one of the first 2-Tone Ska bands in the Midwest of the US re-released a super-fun “Fresh Mix” of their 1982 single “Flamin’ First” on July 9, 2021. The track was remastered by Michael Harvey in New Orleans at the NOLA Recording Studio and is currently streaming everywhere.
Heavy Manners formed in Chicago in the early 1980’s and played in various clubs around town as a supporting band and headliners, such as Reggae and new wave clubs like Tuts and Park West. They also supported and opened for many well known international musicians such as The Clash, Third World, Jimmy Cliff, The Ramones, The English Beat, the Go-Gos, Grace Jones, Peter Tosh and many more. Tosh worked with the band for a time and produced a few of their tracks that appeared on a 7″, then a 12″ and later on, a CD.
Heavy Manners, is vocalist Kate Fagan, vox/sax/keyboard player Frankie Hill, drummer Shel Lustig, guitarist Mitch Kohlhagen, multi-instrumentalist and singer Kevin Smith and bassist Joe Thomas (who replaced original bass player Jimi Robinson, who passed away in 2018).
Rock at Night says: “This is a bouncy, fun dance tune with that ska beat that makes one want to at least tap their toes if there is no dance floor around. Love the clever lyrics and the music itself proves that Ska is not dead but very much alive!”
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