The Beat

The Beat was an English New Wave/ska-reggae band from Birmingham that debuted with a single on 2 Tone Records in 1979, followed by three albums on self-press Go-Feet Records between 1980 and 1982. The albums were issued on I.R.S. in the U.S., where the band was alternately billed as “The English Beat.” The frontal pair of Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger subsequently recorded two albums as General Public. Bassist David Steele and guitarist Andy Cox later teamed with vocalist Roland Gift in the Fine Young Cannibals, achieving global success during the late 1980s.

Members: Dave Wakeling (vocals, guitar), Andy Cox (guitar), David Steele (bass), Everett Moreton (drums), Ranking Roger (vocals), Saxa (saxophone)

Formation

The Beat assembled in Birmingham in late 1978 as a four-piece consisting of singer/guitarist Dave Wakeling, guitarist Andy Cox, bassist David Steele, and drummer Everett Moreton, all newcomers to the scene. On March 31, 1979, they made their live debut at the Mattador Club as the opening act for the Dum Dum Boyz, a punk band fronted by Ranking Roger. That night, The Beat — introduced as “the hottest thing since the Pennsylvania meltdown” in reference to the then-recent Three Mile Island nuclear disaster — impressed Roger, who soon joined the band as co-singer and toaster.

The Beat honed their mix of reggae, ska, and New Wave rock while on tour with another up-and-comer, The Selecter. This led to a deal with Two Tone, the ska label started by Selecter associates The Specials. The Beat’s debut single was a cover of The Miracles‘ “Tears of a Clown” (b/w “Ranking Full Stop”), released November 19, 1979. Just prior to recording, the band added Jamaican saxophonist Saxa (b. 1930), whose background included gigs with Laurel Aitken, Prince Buster, and Desmond Dekker.

In December 1979, The Beat started their own label, Go-Feet, distributed by Arista. Its first release was the February 1980 single “Hands Off…She’s Mine” (b/w “Twist and Crawl”), followed that April by “Mirror in the Bathroom” (b/w “Jackpot”).

I Just Can’t Stop It

The Beat released their first album, I Just Can’t Stop It, on May 23, 1980, on Go-Feet (UK, Australia) and Sire (US).

“Tears of a Clown”/”Ranking Full Stop”
Released: 30 November 1979

“Hands Off…She’s Mine”/”Twist and Crawl”
Released: 14 February 1980

“Mirror in the Bathroom”
Released: 25 April 1980

“Best Friend”/”Stand Down Margaret”
Released: 8 August 1980

Wha’ppen?

The Beat released their second album, Wha’ppen?, on May 8, 1981, on Go-Feet and Sire.

“Drowning”/”All Out to Get You”
Released: 10 April 1981

“Doors of Your Heart”
Released: 12 June 1981

Special Beat Service

The Beat released their third album, Special Beat Service, on October 1, 1982, on Go-Feet and I.R.S. (US).

“Save It for Later”
Released: 2 April 1982

“Jeanette”
Released: 3 September 1982

“I Confess”
Released: 26 November 1982

Discography:

• I Just Can’t Stop It (1980)
• Wha’ppen? (1981)
• Special Beat Service (1982)

Sources:

• Discogs: The Beat
• English B Albums Directory (page 2)
• 45worlds: The Beat
  
• 45cat: The Beat