The English Beat, Fishbone

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More About

• Fishbone
• Dave Wakeling
• Angelo Moore
• Ska
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

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Prime instigators—and now survivors—of the ska revival movement of the new-wave era circa 1980, the English Beat and Fishbone share an affinity for tight-as-Scrooge McDuck musicianship, fiercely careening incarnations of the vintage Jamaican rhythm, and raucous spirit. Together on this so-called Spring Skaward tour, the itself-revived English Beat (pictured), still led by Dave Wakeling, is reportedly sporting new material due to be recorded this summer, while Fishbone, featuring original members Angelo Moore and Norwood Fisher, has just issued a DVD/CD (Live in Bordeaux) showing off their still electrifying blend of ska, punk rock, and funk. Based in industrial Birmingham, England, the Beat (the "English" bit was added in the states to avoid confusion with an L.A. power-pop band of the same name) rose from punk to be a key player in the 2-Tone movement and spawned a series of dance-floor-filling hits, including a version of Smokey Robinson's "Tears of a Clown," "Mirror in the Bathroom," and "Save It for Later." Fishbone, meanwhile, were riding a similar wave in L.A. with an even more eclectic sound that included jazz and the hard edges of black rock. The new live album revisits such hits as "Party at Ground Zero" and "Everyday Sunshine." Also on the bill is Shreveport's Outlaw Nation, a decade-old quartet that juggles reggae, ska, rock, hip hop, and funk on its assured debut, New Day, with both Wakeling and Moore sitting in on the sizzling "My Sweetness." 18+. (Photo by Mykal Burns)
Thu., March 4, 7 p.m., 2010