Artist description Incredible blend of fun, upbeat, dancable ska and brit pop.

Music Style Ska/Brit Pop

Musical Influences The English Beat, General Public

Similar Artists The English Beat, General Public

Artist History One tempestuous weekend in March 1979 was not only the date of the ThreeMile Island nuclear incident, but also, in Birmingham, England, the firstshow ever by The (English) beat. Introduced as "the hottest thing since thePennsylvania meltdown!", Dave Wakeling had a sense that the next few yearscould well be explosive! BY Christmas of that year, the Beat were ridinghigh in the UK charts, with their first single, a skanking remake of SmokeyRobinson's "Tears of a Clown."In the next five years The Beat made three albums, "I Just Can't Stop It","Wh'appen", and "Special Beat Service", scoring hits with tunes that havenow become classics, such as "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Save it for Later"and "I Confess." The band played shows around the world, played the USFestival twice, and paired up for some particularly notable tour with ThePolice, REM, The Clash, The Talking Heads, The Pretenders, and The Specials.On July 4th, 1984, Dave declared his independence from The Beat, and formedGeneral Public, bringing along his co-front man from The Beat, RankingRoger. The band quickly went into action, helping adolescents lose theirvirginity in the backs of cars with hits like "Tenderness", "So Hot You'reCool", and "Never You Done That!"After two albums, "All the Rage", and "Hand to Mouth", Dave took a break. Asolo album, "No Warning", brought Dave back into the airwaves with thesingle "I Want More", but his main passion was a new job working for theenvironmental organization, Greenpeace. Working as a liaison to theentertainment industry, Dave helped put together the first ever totallysolar powered album, "Alternative NRG", including live tracks from U2, REM,Sonic Youth, Jesus and Mary Chain, and many others.His soul suitably cleansed, and his feet again itching for the stage, Davereformed General Public in 1994. The single "I'll Take You There" became atop 40 hit and a number one Dance hit, and was used extensively by PresidentClinton to whip up the crowd during his campaign. No, Dave didn't getinvited to the Inaugural Ball in appreciation, but it wasn't through lack oftrying!For the last couple of years, Dave has been writing new tunes, carefullyputting a band together, and playing the club circuit mainly in SouthernCalifornia. Now, with the release by London Records of The Beat cataloguein October 1999, Dave is embarking on a tour around the US with what hequietly likes to describe as "The Best Band in the World!" After recentlyopening for Hootie and the Blowfish, the band were personally invited totour the Western states with them in September 1999. In October andNovember, the band will be touring nationwide to celebrate the re-release ofThe Beat catalogue.

Group Members Dave Wakeling - rhythm guitar and vocalsGil Sharone - drumsRani Sharone - bassJohn Roy(Unsteady) - sax and vocalsKevin Williams - (Bonedaddies) guitar and vocals

Location Pacific Palsades, CA - USA

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