MINISTRY OF SKA
Ministry of Ska's first single Skankin with the Toreadors (released in 1990) was a solo affair recorded by Russell C. Brennan (former songwriter and producer of Eleanor Rigby) and put out under the name Ministry of Ska. Then Richard Coppen (aka Dr Crippen or Dick Crippen, ex-Tenpole Tudor and King Kurt) asked to team up with him and they developed a white rude boy ska band with a surf element. They were then was offered a singles deal with Big Wave Records (who had achieved big success with Jive Bunny) but despite getting an advance payment for the single the label went bust and the track didn't come out. Beechwood Records then featured it on the best selling Ska Beats compilation that also featured Buster Bloodvessel, Rankin' Roger, Maroon Town and Double Trouble & the Rebel M.C. They released one Proper album 'Rarin To Go' and contributed to many FLR cult Themes compilations before & a DR.Martens compilation etc. Dick left at the end of the millennium to concentrate on his recording studio and Russell was busy with his other band Box Office Poison and producing many other acts But he found time to put out one new M.O.S single on his own in the shape of the single Ska Surfin in the new millennium and then a Best of Ministry of Ska album was released on Itunes in 2010 that proved quite popular. The hot news is, that as part of FLR 30th Anniversary Russell has written 7 new Ministry of Ska songs and the first three are released as a download singles, 'Don't Touch My Bikini', Dangerous Game' & Lockdown. (video for this single below to get a flavour) They were thinking of just releasing a single or EP but it ended up becoming a new album with a typically MOS sense of humour title 'The Failed Comeback Album' It's out on download & streaming (But drop us an email to get details about getting a limited edition on demand CD). Other than that the tracks are on iTunes and all good streaming sites. Go to Single covers at bottom of page and click on them to visit Itunes. Russell does still have an ambition to do at least one big M.O.S live gig or tour in the future. Ironically their only live performance to date was in 1990 at The Diamond Record Awards in Belgium to 50,000 people.
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tenpole tudor - swords of a thousand men
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Dr Crippen in Tenpole Tudor - kneeling, front
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King Kurt line up with Dick second from left at back
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richard (dick) coppen
Russell spent his childhood in Brixton which is a mainly Caribbean area of London, UK. He was surrounded by Ska, Reggae and Motown music blasting out of passing cars and the windows and doors of houses and flats as the people around him freely shared their musical tastes with the rest of the world. It had a lot of influence on him and he was quick to obtain as many classic Ska singles as he could. Ska therefore seemed like a natural step for him to move into as a genre, and to have some fun the pair incorporated a humorous take on the dialect and customs that were all around Russell in Brixton when he was growing up there.
Ministry of Ska's tongue-in-cheek humour and toe-tapping sounds bring a bit of life and happiness to everyone who listens to them. Their debut album Rarin To Go with the clearly NOT rarin' to go sleeping man on the cover sums up this humour immediately. The album was released in 1995 on CD format, is considered a bit of a Ska classic and is now sold out on CD and very collectible.
Rarin To Go Track Listing
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Ministry of Ska have created lots of ska instrumentals and they've had tracks out on a wide range of compilation albums. Some of the many albums they've been featured on are shown below.
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Richard Coppen has been in many bands over the years and is currently in The Weird Things. He has a recording studio Panther Studios in Surrey, UK where he produces music for artists and bands. He is also an artist relations and development representative, working with them to cultivate and develop their careers, both artistically and financially. He has been interested in and enjoyed the ska scene for many years which is why he joined Ministry of Ska alongside Russell. The two came from different angles at writing, playing music and production and this provided a fertile proving ground for songwriting although it also led to many clashes which resulted in them ultimately splitting up.
In time MOS created a new music genre called Ska Surf, which surfaced initially on the theme of Rawhide and later on their original track Ska Surfin which has now been released as a single.
In time MOS created a new music genre called Ska Surf, which surfaced initially on the theme of Rawhide and later on their original track Ska Surfin which has now been released as a single.
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The first ever ska track Skanking with the Toreadors that was unlucky to have missed out with Big Wave Records has now been released on Future Legend Records along with two other popular Ministry of Ska tracks, Tell William (We said Cha) and Condoms. All three tracks are on download, so you can find them on iTunes, Amazon or your favourite download site.
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A Best of Ministry of Ska download album has been released featuring all of the band's recordings including those that have been on many compilation albums over the years, plus a rare and much sought after version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face with Dick on vocals (at one time this was going to be a duet with Kirsty McColl, but Dick does a fantastic job solo). The album is a wonderful collection, full of lively ska beats. We think you'll enjoy this one! Check it out on iTunes or Amazon and purchase it on download.
Track Listing
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1. Skanking With The Toreadores
2. Ska Surfin 3. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 4. Hawaii 5-0 5. Green Onions 6. Condom 7. Norman 8. Raas 9. Skaty 10. Tell William (We Said Cha) 11. Rawhide 12. The Saint 13. Dangerman 14. Rarin To Go 15. Skanking With The Toreadors (12" Mix) |
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Meanwhileif you have never heard the band check out our cheeky video below for a flavour of their music.
If you want to contact us email futurelegend2000@yahoo.co.uk