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The Beat goes on at The Crypt


Published on Monday 21 December 2009 16:35

If ska tinged Coventry was all about The Specials, then Birmingham of the late 1970s and early 80s was all about The Beat.

Ignore reggae fusion lightweights UB40. And Slade were from Wolverhampton. No, if you were young, brum and into music you followed The Beat.

Formed in 1978 amid the ska explosion pioneered in nearby Coventry, The Beat evolved during a period of high unemployment and social upheaval – a mood they would both encapsulate in their music and offer a good-time remedy to in their live performances.

Ranking Roger, one of the band's vocalists, added a Jamaican vocal flavour to their sound with his toasting style alongside Jamaican saxophonist Saxa's authentic Jamaican ska instrumentals.

The band's first release was a musical statement of intent. There cover of the classic Smokey Robinson ditty Tears of a Clown was both well received and a sign of things to come.

A stack of notable singles followed, including Can't Get Used to Losing You, Hands Off She's Mine, Best Friend and of course the iconic Mirror in the Bathroom.

Since those early heady days in the Birmingham backwaters a lot has changed. Tours supporting the likes of The Clash, David Bowie, The Police and Talking Heads came and went and, in the early 1990s, Roger joined members of the band's Coventry contempories The Specials to form Special Beat.

In this guise they not only supported the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament but collaborated recording Nelson Mandela in a bid to lobby for the South African's release.

The band broke up in 1983 but have remained in the hearts of ska head and soul boys ever since.

Now, with a new line-up including Hastings' own Wesley Magoogan, the triumphant toaster Ranking Roger and his son Ranking Junior, The Beat are back to doing what they do best.

Ranking Junior, who previously toasted on The Ordinary Boys hit single Boys will be Boys, has breathed new life into old classics by adding a more modern twist.

The Beat mean many things to many people. One thing all their fans are agreed on though is their pedigree as a live band.

The Beat are at The Crypty on Sunday (December 27). Tickets 10.


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