England in the 1970s was an intense breeding ground for youth counterculture. There were punks, mods, teds, rockers, skinheads and many others. The important thing to remember is that most of these groups typically despised one another. One of the most interesting bands to have emerged out of this unique form of culture clash was The Specials. The group could be classified as "mod" because the band members wore porkpie hats, mohair suits and loafers. However, they could also be considered "punk," due to the impressive display of energy during the group's live shows. This unique blend of styles served to unify the many subcultures that bred the band. While it has experienced many peaks and valleys, The Specials continue to tour - bringing their signature form of 2-tone ska to masses around the globe.