In 1979, a group of disaffected youth from Birmingham, England was looking for a way out of the welfare state in which they lived. With the threat of nuclear disaster, double-digit unemployment and no hope for the future, the youth decided to take matters into their own hands. They were black and white, suffering together and their only rays of hope came from the transplanted reggae, dancehall and rock steady beats of Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals and Prince Buster. Out of the ashes of this scene rose a movement riding on the back of the punk scene; that movement was ska.
The English Beat, and fellow bands The Specials and Madness, came onto the scene dressed sharp, with snazzy vintage clothing and sunglasses.They set the tone (or Two Tone) which has persevered and become a 30 year legacy.
On November 12,lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Dave Wakeling and a new English Beat will skank onto the stage of Akron’s Musica showcasing their tunes, including “Mirror in a Bathroom,” “Save It For Later,” “I Confess” and “Tenderness.”
While on the current 170-city US tour, Wakeling has found his cutting edge brand of ska reaching a new generation of young ska enthusiast while giving his old fans another spin to The Beat.
“One of the most interesting legs was the six weeks this summer with Reel Big Fish where we got to play to a huge teenage audience as well as our own. Many of them had never heard of us but thought we were fantastic. They danced the whole time and then new songs seemed to go down really well,” Wakeling says with enthusiasm.
During this second wave of the tour, the band’s original single, “Tears of A Clown,” was re-released on a Two Tone compilation featuring The Specials, Madness and The Selecter. The Beat’s cover was a revved up version of the 60s hit by Smokey Robinson. It was one of several songs that fused soul, reggae, pop and punk on The Beat’s debut record, “Just Can’t Stand It” in 1980.“Special Beat Service” in 1982.
Since The English Beat’s inception during late 70’s depression, the world has come full circle and again finds itself adrift with financial woes, wars and a recession. Meanwhile the band’s message has perservered.
Did similar world conditions help create The English Beat’s resurgence? Is the band in charge of brining the masses again out of the doldrums?
“Yeah, I think so. I hadn’t thought of that before,” admits Wakeling. “We’re recessionary music. I think what has happened is that people only remember the social issues when they feel the pinch.”
The English Beat began in 1979 and originally consisted of Wakeling, Andy Cox on guitar, David Steele on bass, Everett Morton on drums, Saxa on saxophone and Ranking roger as the toaster.
They had a number of top-20 hits in England and their fan base grew as they toured with the likes of The Clash, The Police and others.
In the early 80’s, The Beat went in a new direction when Wakeling started a new band, General Public. They achieved minor hit status in the UK of the debut LP “All the Rage.” But it was later that year the single “Tenderness” was a Top-40 hit in both Canada and in the US. Other albums, “Hand to Mouth” and “Rub it Better” followed. Wakeling also recorded a solo album “No Warning.”
It was in the late 80s, after the breakup of General Public, that a life change came to Wakeling.
“IRS Records wanted me to come to CA to record, and I met the love of my life and started a family. The Kids have friends, so we are not allowed to move.” LA has become his adopted home for more than 20 years.
Another milestone was reached in 2006 when Wakeling trademark Vox teardrop guitar was put in display at the Rock and roll Hall of Fame alongside guitars of fellow lefties, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain.
“I was thrilled until I got back home and somebody said, ‘uh, didn’t know if you knew it but they put you between two dead guys from Seattle.’ But it does mean a lot to me.”
The new Beat lineup includes drummer Rhythm Elkins, bass player Wayne Lothian, toaster Antonee First Class, keyboardist Raynier Jacildo and saxophone player Nat Love. Through his different band configurations, Wakeling has played Akron and Cleveland numerous time and he has a soft spot in his heart for the Rubber City.
“I was very excited [to play Akron] because I was like, ‘You know where we are going today, lads…birthplace of Chrissie Hynde and Devo. This is a big music town; we’ve got to put it out tonight, buddies. This is the Birmingham of America.”
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