Considered by many as nothing more than an offshoot of the better-known '80s British outfit the English Beat, General Public still enjoyed several substantial hits on their own during their short career. Immediately after the split of the ska-pop outfit the English Beat in 1983, former members Dave Wakeling (vocals, born February 19, 1956) and... [+] Read More

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When the Beat (known as the English Beat in the U.S. only) split in 1983, it came as a surprise to guitarist Dave Cox and bassist David Steele. The first time they realized that the group's vocalists, Ranking Roger and Dave Wakelin, had gone off to form a group without them was when their accountant phoned to finalize the divorce. While the... [+] Read More

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Along with the Specials, Madness were one of the leading bands of the ska revival of the late '70s and early '80s. As their career progressed, Madness branched away from their trademark "nutty sound" and incorporated large elements of Motown, soul, and British pop. Although the band managed one crossover American hit in 1983, the band remained a... [+] Read More

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Best-known as the singer/toaster and co-frontman of the English Beat and General Public, Ranking Roger was born Roger Charlery in Birmingham, England, on February 21, 1961, and became a punk rock fan as a teenager. He joined ska revival pioneers the English Beat in 1978, where he teamed with singer Dave Wakeling to give the group a unique... [+] Read More

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Rude Punch is a high energy Reggae/Rock band that was formed in May of 2006. Their music is a unique blend of soothing reggae vibes and in your face rock and roll that truley sets these guys apart. Rude Punch consists of Brady Jager-lead vocals and guitar, Robb Laake-Bass and Adam Tucker-back up vocals and drums, all in their early 20's and... [+] Read More

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One of the earliest and most important ska revivalist groups, Birmingham's the Beat formed in 1978 (the band had to change their name to the English Beat in the U.S. to avoid confusion with Paul Collins' band of the same name). The multiracial band carved a distinct sound through the use of alternating lead vocals by guitarist Dave Wakeling and... [+] Read More

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True innovators of the punk era, the Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude, and taking on a more focused and informed political and social stance than their predecessors and peers.

The band was originally formed in Coventry, in 1977, as... [+] Read More

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An early West Coast ska band which mixed R&B covers with reggae rhythms and recorded with England's Stiff Records, the Untouchables debuted in 1984 with Live & Let Dance. The group comprised of vocalist Chuck Askerneese, guitarist and vocalist Clyde Grimes, bassist Derek Breakfield, keyboard player Brewster, and an alternating crew of... [+] Read More

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