A TONIC FOR OUR TIMES

The team behind South Specific 2020 were adamant that there would be a charity element to it. Brian Poole says: ‘It would definitely be a local charity, and a local charity which involved music.’

Clair Wheeler had been invited to join the organising team when someone else had to step down, and she was suggested as an ideal replacement.

She joined the punk band Astral Bodies aged 15 in late 1980, so although they were too late to be on the original, they did play a South Specificbranded gig a few months later. She’s since played in numerous bands over the years.

When the South Specific team were having a meeting via Zoom, it was mentioned that they wanted to give the profit from the first pressing to charity – any ideas? ‘I thought, obviously Tonic. It's music, it's mental health, which is very important right now, and it went from there.’

Last year, Clair joined the Tonic Ska Choir, a project created by the Portsmouth-based music and mental health charity. The choir performed at last summer’s Victorious Festival.

Clair says: ‘It started in April last year, and I joined in June. It went from strength to strength and we ended up with 45-50 people involved.’

And the choir now has a track on the album too – a cover of The Melodians’ Sweet Sensation.

‘Music is such good therapy, says Clair, ‘and that's why Tonic are doing such a great job. They've even carried on their work during lockdown.’

Brian adds: ‘We couldn't think of a more deserving cause – it's the perfect fit.’