The Beat

The Beat

The Beat are a ska and two-tone band from Birmingham, United Kingdom, formed in 1978 and active again from 1979 to the present. They are also known in North America as The English Beat and in Australia as The British Beat. Their music brings together ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock, and their line-up includes Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger, Andy Cox, David Steele, Everett Morton and Saxa, also known as Lionel Augustus Martin.

Early albums and singles

The group releases three studio albums in the early 1980s: I Just Can't Stop It, Wha'ppen? and Special Beat Service. Their best-known singles include “Mirror in the Bathroom”, “Too Nice to Talk To”, “Can’t Get Used to Losing You”, “Hands Off, She’s Mine” and “All Out to Get You”.

Reputation and later activity

The Beat build a strong following in the UK, Australia and the United States. In Australia, they gain exposure through Triple J and the television programme Countdown, while in the U.S. they develop a presence on college radio. After the group’s break-up, Wakeling and Roger form General Public, while Cox and Steele go on to form Fine Young Cannibals with Roland Gift.

Related projects and collaborations

Members of the band often appear with The Specials, including on “Free Nelson Mandela”. In the early 1990s, Roger joins members of The Specials in The Special Beat, which releases two live albums. In 2003, the original line-up apart from Cox and Steele, with Ranking Junior added on vocals, plays a one-off show at the Royal Festival Hall. From 2005, the band reforms with Roger, Blockhead and Morton from the original line-up, and Ranking Junior also on vocals. Wakeling also continues to tour as The English Beat with an all-star ska backing band, performing songs from The English Beat, General Public and his solo material.