Posted on: October 29, 2010 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

In the midst of a cluster of weekend shows in their homebase of California, Two-Tone ska legends THE ENGLISH BEAT are beginning to look forward and prepare for a swing of shows of the East Coast. But before they pack things up and shoot Eastward, they’ll be celebrating the Celtic celebration of end of Harvest Season on “Samhain,” better known these days as its more commercial offspring, “Halloween.” “I enjoy celebrating samhain because it explains what on earth we are doing on Halloween,” laughs lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Wakeling. “I like all the festivals based on the turns of nature like the Winter and Summer Solstice! There is something elemental about them that feels more comfortable and more evolved from the modern world we live in.”

For English Beat, they’ll be kicking up the plows on October 31st at Los Angeles’ Henry Fonda Theatre to partake in the Gaelic celebration. “I will probably wear a costume,” he continues, “but it can be hard to sing and play guitar well. In previous years, I have worn my normal stage clothes and said my costume was that of a Confused Middle-Aged Rock Star!” Their East Coast swing begins on Dec. 8th in Annapolis, MD and includes dates in Brooklyn, Hoboken, Connecticut, and more (dates below).

The English Beat’s irresistible blend of ska, reggae, and punk has made them undeniable stars throughout the last three decades and, in fact, this year marks the 30th Anniversary of their 1980 debut I Just Can’t Stop It. As a testament of their longetivity, their music has been heard recently in Hot Tub Time Machine (“Save It for Later”), Shrek Forever After (“Click Click”) and even in Target commercials (“Tenderness” as their post-English Beat break up band, General Public). Among the other uber-memorable hits include “Mirror In The Bathroom”, “I Confess”, “Doors of Your Heart”, and “Tears of a Clown” among many others.

As a major part of the two-tone ska music revolution of the late 70s and early 80s, alongside their stablemates The Specials, Madness, and The Selector, the musical juggernaut that is lead vocalist Dave Wakeling hasn’t lost any momentum in songwriting. He and his bandmates managed to find time between endless touring to lay down demos for their forthcoming release (planned for 2011). Their new songs such as “The Love You Give Lasts Forever”, “How Can You Stand There” and “Said We Would Never Die” are quickly becoming fan favorites and live staples.

This isn’t just any ska band, English Beat is THE ska band!

THE ENGLISH BEAT
Tour Dates

Oct 29 House Of Blues Anaheim, CA
Oct 30 Saint Rocke Hermosa Beach, CA
Oct 31 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Nov 05 Fishlips Bakersfield, CA
Nov 06 Romano’s Concert Lounge Riverside, CA
Nov 12 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Nov 13 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Nov 19 SLO Brewing Company San Luis Obispo, CA

Nov 20 SoHo Santa Barbara, CA
Dec 08 Ramshead On Stage Annapolis, MD
Dec 09 Bell House Brooklyn, NY
Dec 10 Fairfield Theatre – Stage One Fairfield, CT
Dec 11 Fairfield Theatre – Stage One Fairfield, CT
Dec 12 Infinity Hall Norfolk, CT
Dec 14 Maxwell’s Hoboken, NJ
Dec 15 Tupelo Music Hall Londonderry, NH
Dec 16 Tupelo Music Hall White River Junction, VT
Feb 4 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Feb 5 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA

Leave a Comment