RGG March 2016 - p.28
One of the biggest bands of the 2-Tone
movement, The Beat present a wall of sound
that transcends time and ska fusion rhythms to
ignite a crowd. The 2016 line-up features
Ranking Roger and Ranking Junior on vocals
with Oscar Harrison on drums, Andy Pearson
and Steve Harper on guitars.
The Beat are known the world over for a string
of hit singles, including "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". Their songs of peace,
love and unity fuse ska, pop, reggae and punk
rock and their dynamic live show.
The Beat formed in Birmingham in 1978, part
of the West Midlands ska revival scene that
also produced The Specials and The Selecter,
whilst London saw the formation of Madness
and The Bodysnatchers.
Their first single was an arresting version of
Smokey Robinson’s “Tears Of A Clown”, given
a completely new feel, and was backed with
"....a band at the top of their game"
Louder than War
“…..The Beat. Who needs the brave new world
when the old school is still this good?”
Sunday Mirror
APRIL
23
their own composition “Ranking Full Stop”.
Released in a one-off deal on Jerry Dammers’
Chrysalis-backed 2-Tone label, the single
stormed into the Top 10 in December 1979, and
saw the band appear twice on Top Of The
Pops. Backed by Arista, the band formed their
own label Go-Feet Records.. The first release
in February 1980 was another Top 10 hit,
“Hands Off... She’s Mine”, and was the first of
twelve chart singles for the band on Go-Feet.
The band released three albums “I Just Can’t
Stop It” (1980), “Wha’ppen” (1981) and
“Special Beat Service” (1982), which contained
many tracks that demonstrated their more
politicised and socially-conscious leanings.
We have a pair of tickets to give away
for this gig at The Rainbow
Warehouse on 23rd April. Just send an email
with ‘Beat’ in the subject title to be in with a
chance of winning to:
