Gig - Ska Toons

The Ska Toons will be serving up their usual blend of ska, reggae, jazz, funk and soul at the John Harvey Tavern this weekend. Keeping the beat will be the newest member of the band, 19-year old Fred Beer, who clocks in at around four decades younger than some of the more experienced musicians in the combo. “It doesn’t make any difference,” says the drummer, sitting in his parents’ kitchen in School Hill. “Everybody kids around, whatever their age.” Fred joined the band six months ago, and loves it. “I love the beats to the different styles of music. My favourite is the funk beat: there’s a little more pop to it, a little more bounce to it, you just sit on the groove.” He makes the sounds with his mouth to demonstrate.

The band have an enormous and growing repertoire of songs. “I like the funky number ‘Downtown Hollwood’ and ‘My Baby Just Cares for Me’ best,” he continues. “That’s sung by Helen Nicholls, who has the most beautiful voice.” He also likes the fact that the Ska Toons play their own songs, as well as covers. “The saxist Andy Pickett has written a new one called 'Train to Fez'," he says. “We’ll be playing that on Saturday.” The drummer is unlikely to be phased by the big occasion. “I trained as a classical percussionist, and played the triangle in the Royal Albert Hall while I was with the East Sussex Youth Orchestra, you don’t miss your cue in situations like that.” AL