English Beat

I was watching VH1's bands reunited featuring the English Beat today and, although I still throw out an English Beat song now and again when I DJ, hearing some of the songs featured in the show I had to immediately listen to a couple albums. Then I wondered, "Is there anyone who reads my blog that doesn't know of The English Beat? A travesty for sure!". I certainly hope not, but just in case, I wrote up a brief history and posted some sample mp3s - then you must buy one or two English Beat albums. For shame. FOR SHAME!

The English Beat was formed in Birmingham in 1978 consisting of six members: Dave Wakeling (vocals and guitar),  Everett Morton (drums), Ranking Roger (vocals and toasting), Saxa (saxophone - originally played with Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker), Andy Cox (guitar), and David Steele (bass). This multi generational multi racial lineup fused ska, pop, rock, punk, reggae, and soul influences into a unique danceable sound. Cool article here. The heyday of The English Beat's success was during what was known as the Two Tone or Second Wave of ska, which blended elements of the 60s Jamaican ska movement into the punk rock movement of the time (along with The Clash, The Specials, Selecter). The band's first album, I Just Can't Stop It (1980) is by far my favorite, their second album Wha'ppen (1981) kind of missed the mark for me, but they seemed to come back to their sound in Special Beat Service, although with a little more 80s cheese. Of course, "Mirror In The Bathroom"  (YouTube) (mp3) is on that album, which is the song that most people are familiar with (it was also featured in 1997 John Cusack flick Grosse Pointe Blank), followed by "Save It For Later" (YouTube), and "Stand Down Margaret" (mp3).

The band (originally called The Beat) changed their name to The English Beat because of the existence of Paul Collin's Beat, to avoid confusion.

After the three albums mentioned above, the band split up basically due to Dave and Roger's desire to pursue a more financially lucrative gig, and a bunch of interesting groups were formed. First, Dave and Roger teamed up and formed General Public, along with an all-star 80s lineup featuring Mickey Billingham on keyboards (Dexy's Midnight Runners), Horace Panter on bass (The Specials), and Mick Jones on guitar (The Clash) and of course Saxa on saxophone. After they split again both pursued individual careers - David produced and recorded for soundtracks and humanitarian causes and Roger released some solo albums and worked with various groups including Mick Jones' group Big Audio Dynamite. Saxa and Everett Morton formed the International Beat, which really stayed true to The Beat's original sound along with some former members of Dexy's Midnight Runners (check out YouTube video below). And Andy Cox and David Steele joined with singer Roland Gift and formed the Fine Young Cannibals, who had several major hits.

Current Ranking Roger and Everett play with a reincarnation called The New English Beat in the UK (who are playing a St Patrick's Day show with The Specials in Dublin, Ireland - I'd be jealous but I'm going to see Holly Golightly that day so I'm not sad!), while Dave Wakeling based out of California has performed with a reincarnation of The English Beat with him as the only original member - performing Beat, General Public and newer songs. However, The English Beat will be touring this summer with the reincarnated version of INXS, and it is rumored that Rankin Roger and Everett and possibly others may join the English Beat for this tour. Stay posted on Dave Wakeling's website. The Beat UK website has some great videos, downloads of wallpapers, and lots of photos you should check out, too!

Buy my favorite English Beat Album:

Watch a video of a performance of my favorite English Beat song - Rankin' Full Stop and a promo video for The International Beat:

Comments

[colleen]

i still have my "what is beat?" record that i bought when i was 13! it still has my pre-adolescent scrawl on it: "if found please return to..." i often throw an english beat song into a mix -- still sounds just as fab today as it always did! :) xo c

[Don]

I saw the English Beat in 1982 at Foellinger Auditorium (Bangles opened up) and then again in the Spring of 1983 at a cafeteria in a dorm in Columbia, SC (opening band was a scruffy quartet by the name of R.E.M.).

I had a cool Beat t-shirt (the version with pink instead of red) which I have long since lost...*sigh*

[crash calloway]

Lovely stuff, and I agree about 'you just can't stop' as the one to have, although I have never been able to cope with this name nonsense, so far as I'm concerned they'll always just be 'The Beat'. Did you know that John Peel rated them as one of his favourite bands?

[Bruce K.]

Great post. Back when I was a student and very short on spending cash, "I Just Can't Stop It" was one of the few records I ever bought NEW (I usually restricted myself to used and the great cutouts at Toonerville Trolley) just from hearing a few of the songs playing on the store stereo.

I loved it to death. Couldn't get anyone else to go on board.

That record in particular and the English Beat in general I found far superior that the other two-tone bands I sampled. Specials seemed a little too uptight/un-relaxed for me. But that's just one man's opinion.

Thanks again,

Bruce K.