Concerts

Soak up the ska revival sounds of The English Beat in Medford

Dave Wakeling will bring his catalog of classics to Chevalier Theatre on March 30.

By Blake Maddux

2 minutes to read

The English Beat – or The Beat, as they were known in England, where they were unlikely to be confused with Paul Collins’s American band of the same name – were one of the most successful artists of the late ’70s British ska revival that included The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter.

The sextet’s first album, 1980’s “I Just Can’t Stop It,” included the two-part song “Whine and Grine/Stand Down Margaret.” By condemning Britain’s Iron Lady in song so early into her tenure, the group beat The Specials and outspoken fellow Brits Billy Bragg, Morrissey, and Elvis Costello to the punch by anywhere from one to nine years.

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The debut by this band of Brummies also featured “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Twist & Crawl,” “Best Friend,” and their version of Prince Buster’s “Rough Rider.” (And – on certain versions – their UK top 10 cover of Smokey Robinson’s “Tears of a Clown.”)

The Beat’s follow-ups sparkled with cuts such as “Too Nice To Talk To,” “Drowning,” “Get-a-Job,” and “Doors of Your Heart” from 1981’s “Wha’ppen?,” and “I Confess,” “End of the Party,” “Ackee 1-2-3,” and “Save It For Later” from 1982’s “Special Beat Service.” The last of these songs is particularly of note, as it elicited a query for lead singer Dave Wakeling from Pete Townshend and David Gilmour, who were having trouble figuring out its correct guitar tuning. (Townshend also included it in his solo setlists and on a live album.) Moreover, Pearl Jam frequently segued from “Better Man” into “Save It For Later” when on tour.

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The Beat went their separate ways in 1983. Wakeling and bandmate Ranking Roger formed General Public, who had a hit with “Tenderness” in 1984, and guitarist Andy Cox and bassist David Steele cofounded Fine Young Cannibals, who scored two No. 1 singles and a chart-topping album in 1989.

Wakeling has toured the U.S. annually since 2001, often booking upwards of 100 shows per year, as either The Beat Starring Dave Wakeling or The English Beat. In 2018, Wakeling released “Here We Go Love!” under his legendary band’s name.

The English Beat was originally scheduled to appear at Chevalier Theatre last November with fellow early-80s British contemporaries The Fixx. However, COVID concerns prompted Wakeling to postpone several shows. Their Boston-area date was initially rescheduled for March 30 at The Wilbur only be moved to where they were originally scheduled to appear with The Fixx.

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