The English Beat

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More About

• Dave Wakeling
• Ranking Roger
• Lynval Golding
• Racial Issues
• Food and Cooking

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Personnel-wise, this isn't the same Beat you knew and loved—and danced manically to—back in the '80s. There's just one original member, Dave Wakeling (guitar/vocals), who formed General Public with co-frontman Ranking Roger when the Beat fell apart in 1983 (guitar/bass duo Andy Cox and David Steele became two-thirds of Fine Young Cannibals). There's been no shortage of solo projects, collaborations, one-offs, partial reunions and Beat tribute bands since, with Wakeling—now based in L.A., not the UK—fronting this six-piece for the past few years. But no matter the lineup, the sound is timeless. The Beat's politically charged, socially conscious lyrics, with a message of peace and racial unity, have lost none of their relevance nearly 30 years on, and the music—rooted in ska and spiked with saxophone, with elements of reggae, punk, soul, and pop—compels you to move. Keep an eye out for Specials rhythm guitarist Lynval Golding, who lives in Gig Harbor and has been known to take the stage when the Beat play locally.
Thu., Dec. 4, 8 p.m., 2008