Weekend Needle Drop-52 Weeks 52 Albums
The Beat-I Just Can’t Stop It May 1980
The Beat(English Beat in the US) are a 2Tone SKA Pop band from the UK. I just Can’t Stop It was the first release by the Band on Go Feet in the UK and Sire in the US. Rolling Stone called the release “wild and threatening, sexy and sharp.” Even listening to it 36 years later, the record still sounds fresh. I own the original US version released on Sire and also one on IRS. My record collection also boast of several 12″ singles on Go Feet.
One of the things I really liked about the Beat was the dual vocals of Dave Wakling(Guitar Vocals) and Ranking Roger(Vocals)who would later form General Public, along with the unique Saxophone tone of Saxa(who originally played with Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker). With additional musicians Everett Morton(Drums) and David Steele(Bass), Andy Cox(Guitar) who later went on to form Fine Young Cannibals.
Several of the bands songs have made it into our pop lexicon through movies “Mirror in the Bathroom” was used in Groose Point Blank and RocknRolla and “Hands off…She’s Mine” in 50 First Dates. The album reached #3 in the UK and #142 in the US.
An Instrumental version of the song “Rotating Heads” with the tittle “March of the Swivelheads” of of Special Beat Service was used in the end credits of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. “Save It for Later” was used in the film Kingpin and Hot Tub Timemachine.
The English Beat performed at Hero’s a few years back and is schedule to perform at Ironstone Winery August 6th opening for Train and will be returning to Modesto in December to do a special performance at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Audiences are treated to all the hits of the English Beat along with the singles from General Public. Remember to wear your dancing shoes because you will feel the beat and will start to move your feet.
