For the Specials, It’s Fun That Counts

If at first you don’t succeed, wait 16 years and try again. From 1979 to 1981, the Specials ignited the “2-Tone” ska-and-rock movement that triumphed in Europe but found only a cult audience in this country. Now, rock influenced by brisk, bouncy Jamaican ska rhythms is a golden thread in the weave of American pop, and the Specials are back, with four of the seven original members trolling for a new record contract.

If the big push is on, the Specials made sure that fun came before naked careerism Saturday at a sweaty Galaxy Concert Theatre in Santa Ana crammed with fans far too young to have caught the British band on its first go-round.

Whether showcasing their first new material since the early ‘80s or playing nuggets from the 2-Tone days, the Specials emphasized energy, tunefulness and a constant sense of fun.

Seven new songs accounted for about a third of the 80-minute set. They were catchy, although it was not clear whether they had the lyrical bite and storytelling dimension of the early Specials. It was apparent, though, that they missed the humorously snide edge of singer Terry Hall, one of the absent originals. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have shown that a vocally meager band can succeed on today’s ska scene. The Specials are better than that, but a first-class lead voice would improve their chances.

* The Specials play Thursday at the House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 7:30 p.m. $21. (213) 848-5100.