Ska's the limit for Lee

LEE HOLLISTER from Manchester Ska Foundation

FAILSWORTH-based Lee Hollister and his brilliant eight-strong band - Manchester Ska Foundation - are truly stepping up a gear this summer with some epic gigs and festivals on the horizon.

The band - frontman Lee, drummer Bob, keys man Sean, guitarist Dan, bassist Alex, trombonist Lynne, saxophonist Johnny and new trumpet player Sam - have never been busier, with Hollister securing his supremely talented sidekicks gigs among both the buzzing ska and mod scenes.

"There is a lot of different stuff going on to be honest," said Hollister, whose outfit bang out terrific tunes from the likes of Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners and The Beat to packed crowds weekly.

"The most gigs we've done in a year is 68, and though there aren't that many this year, there's a lot of different gigs and more travelling.

"We've got more festivals on, and I kind of think that's a bit like moving up from pub gigs in a way."

The first major show of the summer for MSF comes on July 15 at the Winter Gardens in Morecambe, when they play Modfest at the Beach alongside legendary bands Secret Affair and the Lambrettas.

"Of course the whole band are looking forward to that one," added Hollister.

"To be sharing a stage with iconic bands like Secret Affair and The Lambrettas will be fantastic, but personally I'm also looking forward to playing in the building itself.

"It's a wonderful venue, a wonderful setting, in many ways it's like an old-time theatre.

"It is going to be a great night and I do believe there's still a few tickets for sale. It has been selling really well.

Brilliant

"I have to say The Jam were the band for me back in those days, but you just can't argue with tunes like Poison Ivy, Time For Action, My World and stuff like that.

"They were anthems, and still are, so it's going to be brilliant."

MSF head to play the Macclesfield Festival on July 22 alongside huge names such as the Brand New Heavies and Dodgy, but then the "big one" for Hollister and his crew comes on Saturday, August 19, when they play the Great Northern Ska Festival at the gigantic Bowlers complex, Trafford Park.

Also on the bill for that all-day shindig are Bad Manners, the Skatalites, Rhoda Dakar (from the Bodysnatchers), From the Jam and King Hammond, amongst others.

Hollister said: "The Great Northern Ska Festival is a special one for me because I do help promote it.

"I'm part of all that, but it is a mega day out all told.

"It kicks off at one o clock in the afternoon and runs through until one in the morning, and all those bands playing for just 25 pounds, it's unreal really.

"We're proud to be bringing the Skatalites to the festival as well. They're one of the original ska bands and so that's mega as well.

"There were more than 2,000 people in the venue last year, and of course we'd like to see a progression in that number this year.

"That's one of the reasons we added From the Jam to the line-up.

"Bruce Foxton's band will hopefully bring a few more from the mod scene along.

"They are massive at the moment, in fact the ska and mod scenes continue to be massive.

"You only have to look round and see new scooter clubs popping up, there's more people riding scooters, and it is all thriving again right now."

MSF also play the Uppermill Civic Hall on July 28 and the high-profile Ska-lloween festival near Preston at the end of October, but the band continue to service the pub and club circuit.

* Check out the band's Facebook page for up-to-date details.

• Check out more pictures of Lee Hollister on our picture sales page.