Steel Pulse

  • Birmingham, England
    hometown
  • Reggae
    genre
  • 1975
    started
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About Steel Pulse

Official Site: http://steel-pulse.com/ | @steelpulse | facebook.com/pages/Steel-Pulse/20173929089


Steel Pulse were one of Britain's greatest reggae bands, rivaled only by Aswad in terms of creative and commercial success. Generally a protest-minded Rastafarian outfit, Steel Pulse started out playing authentic roots reggae with touches of jazz and Latin music, and earned a substantial audience among white U.K. punks as well. Their 1978 debut, Handsworth Revolution, is still regarded by many critics as a landmark and a high point of British reggae. As the '80s wore on, slick synthesizers and elements of dance and urban R&B gradually crept into their sound, even as their subject matter stayed on the militant side. By the late '80s, Steel Pulse had won a Grammy and were working full-fledged crossover territory, but never reached the same degree of commercial acceptance as Aswad or Inner Circle. They subsequently returned to a tough-minded, rootsy sound that nonetheless made concessions to contemporary trends with touches of dancehall and hip-hop.

Steel Pulse were formed in 1975 in Birmingham, England, specifically the ghetto area of Handsworth. The founding members were schoolmates David Hinds (the primary songwriter as well as the lead singer and guitarist), Basil Gabbidon (guitar), and Ronnie "Stepper" McQueen (bass). All of them came from poor West Indian immigrant families, and none had much musical experience. They took some time to improve their technical proficiency, often on Rasta-slanted material by Bob Marley and Burning Spear. McQueen suggested the group name, after a racehorse, and they soon fleshed out the lineup with drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett, keyboardist/vocalist Selwyn "Bumbo" Brown, percussionist/vocalist Alphonso "Fonso" Martin, and vocalist Michael Riley.

Steel Pulse initially had difficulty finding live gigs, as club owners were reluctant to give them a platform for their "subversive" Rastafarian politics. Luckily, the punk movement was opening up new avenues for music all over Britain, and also finding a spiritual kinship with protest reggae. Thus, the group wound up as an opening act for punk and new wave bands like the Clash, the Stranglers, Generation X, the Police, and XTC, and built a broad-based audience in the process. In keeping with the spirit of the times, Steel Pulse developed a theatrical stage show that leavened their social commentary with satirical humor; many of the members dressed in costumes that mocked traditional British archetypes (Riley was a vicar, McQueen a bowler-wearing aristocrat, Martin a coach footman, etc.). The band issued two singles -- "Kibudu, Mansetta and Abuku" and "Nyah Love" -- on small independent labels, then came to the attention of Island Records after opening for Burning Spear.

Steel Pulse's first single for Island was the classic "Ku Klux Klan," which happened to lend itself well to the band's highly visual, costume-heavy concerts. It appeared on their 1978 debut album, Handsworth Revolution, which was soon hailed as a classic of British reggae by many fans and critics, thanks to songs like the title track, "Macka Splaff," "Prodigal Son," and "Soldiers." Riley departed before the follow-up, 1979's Tribute to the Martyrs, which featured other key early singles in "Sound System" and "Babylon Makes the Rules," and solidified the band's reputation for uncompromising political ferocity. That reputation went out the window on 1980's Caught You, a more pop-oriented set devoted to dance tracks and lovers rock. By that point, Steel Pulse were keen on trying to crack the American market, and went on tour over Island's objections. Caught You was issued in the States as Reggae Fever, but failed to break the group, and they soon parted ways with Island.

Steel Pulse moved on to Elektra/Asylum, which released an LP version of their headlining set at the 1981 Reggae Sunsplash Festival. Their studio debut was 1982's True Democracy, a generally acclaimed set that balanced bright, accessible production with a return to social consciousness. It became their first charting LP in America, making both the pop and R&B listings. The slicker follow-up, Earth Crisis, was released in 1984 and featured producer Jimmy "Senyah" Haynes subbing on guitar and bass for founding members Gabbidon and McQueen, both of whom were gone by the end of the recording sessions. They were replaced by guitarist Carlton Bryan and bassist Alvin Ewen for 1986's Babylon the Bandit, another Haynes-produced effort that ranked as the group's most polished, synth-centered record to date. Although it featured the powerful "Not King James Version" and won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, it sold poorly and alienated some of the band's older fans; as a result, Elektra soon dropped them.

Steel Pulse resurfaced on MCA in 1988 with State of Emergency, their most explicitly crossover-oriented album yet. They also contributed the track "Can't Stand It" to the soundtrack of Spike Lee's classic Do the Right Thing. In 1991, they released another heavily commercial album, the Grammy-nominated Victims, which featured the single "Taxi Driver." Backing up the song's views, Steel Pulse filed a class-action lawsuit against the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, charging that drivers discriminated against blacks and particularly Rastafarians. Founding member Fonso Martin left that year, reducing Steel Pulse to a core trio of Hinds, Nisbett, and Brown. Their backing band still featured Ewen and was elsewhere anchored by guitarist Clifford "Moonie" Pusey, keyboardist Sidney Mills, and drummer/percussionist Conrad Kelly.

The 1992 live album Rastafari Centennial marked the beginning of a return to the group's musical roots, and earned another Grammy nomination. The following year, they performed at Bill Clinton's inaugural celebration, the first reggae band to appear at such an event. 1994's studio album Vex completed Steel Pulse's re-embrace of classic roots reggae, though it also nodded to contemporary dancehall with several guest toasters and a digital-flavored production. 1997's Rage and Fury continued in a similar vein, and was nominated for a Grammy. In 1999, the group released another collection of live performances, Living Legacy. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

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Music

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  • Reaching Out
    steel-pulse
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    Reaching Out
  • Said You Was An Angel
    steel-pulse
    Video
    Said You Was An Angel
  • Taxi Driver
    steel-pulse
    Video
    Taxi Driver
  • 40071
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    • Steppin' Out (LP Version)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/0/5/2/6/6/165566250.mp3
    • Roller Skates (LP Version)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/9/5/4/6/165864592.mp3
    • Wild Goose Chase (LP Version)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/4/0/7/6/165567047.mp3
    • Bodyguard (LP Version)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/8/4/1/4/6/165864148.mp3
    • Your House
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/5/1/5/1/5/185051515.mp3
    • Find It...Quick
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/1/1/1/5/185051116.mp3

News

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  • Steel Pulse
    STS9, Steel Pulse, Railroad Eath and Victor Wooten Join Summer Camp Lineup
    www.jambands.com
    , Steez, The Bridge, Dangermuffin, Heatbox, Waterstreet and Chicago Farmer. moe., Umphrey's McGee, Gov't Mule, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Avett ...
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  • Steel Pulse
    Steel Pulse Announces Tour Dates
    www.jambands.com
    While at work on a new album, Reggae group Steel Pulse have announced a series of tour dates. The brief tour kicks off on July 20 at the Paradise in B...
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  • Steel Pulse
    Jam Cruise Concludes With Galactic, Steel Pulse, KDTU, ALO, TLG...
    www.jambands.com
    a few acoustic songs including Bob Dylan's "When I Paint My Masterpiece," Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes" and Butthole Surfers' "Pep...
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  • Steel Pulse
    Steel Pulse Celebrate Obama in 'Paint It Black' - Song Premiere
    www.rollingstone.com
    Steel Pulse Richard Carlton The Grammy-winning British reggae band Steel Pulse have returned with "Paint It Black," a new single that embraces the ban...
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  • Steel Pulse
    Steel Pulse Celebrate Obama in 'Paint It Black' - Song Premiere
    music.yahoo.com
    RELATED CONTENTView Photo Steel Pulse Celebrate Obama in 'Paint It Black' - Song PremiereView Photo Steel Pulse Celebrate Obama in 'Paint It Black' - ...
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  • Steel Pulse
    High Sierra: Primus, Thievery Corporation, Steel Pulse, moe., Leftover Salmon & More
    www.jambands.com
    Primus, Thievery Corporation, moe., Steel Pulse, Leftover Salmon, The Greyboy Allstars, John Scofield Überjam Band, Emanicpator, The Infamous Stringdu...
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Tour Dates

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  • Jun 2 Sunday
    Virginia Beach, VA, US 5th Street Beach Stage
    Buy Ticket
  • Jun 7 Friday
    Angels Camp, CA, US Calaveras County Fairgrounds
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  • Jun 7 Friday
    Angels Camp, CA, US Calaveras County Fairgrounds
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  • Jun 7 Friday
    New York, NY, US Randall's Island
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  • Jun 7 Friday
    Angels Camp, CA, US Calaveras County Fairgrounds
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  • Jun 7 Friday
    Angels Camp, CA, US Calaveras County Fairgrounds
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  • Jun 15 Saturday
    Chattanooga, TN, US 21st Century Waterpark on Riverfront
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  • Jun 15 Saturday
    Las Vegas, NV, US Clark County Government Center Amphitheater
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  • Jun 15 Saturday
    Las Vegas, NV, US Clark County Government Amphitheater
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  • Jul 5 Friday
    Quincy, CA, US Unknown venue
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  • Jul 5 Friday
    Saratoga, CA, US Mountain Winery
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  • Jul 13 Saturday
    Costa Mesa, CA, US Pacific Amphitheatre
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  • Jul 13 Saturday
    Costa Mesa, CA, US Pacific Amphitheatre
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  • Aug 2 Friday
    Saint-Nazaire, France Le Port
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  • Aug 2 Friday
    Saint-Nazaire, France Le Port
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  • Aug 2 Friday
    Aulnoye-Aymeries, France Le Jardin
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  • Aug 3 Saturday
    Saint-Nazaire, France Le Port
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  • Aug 30 Friday
    Paso Robles, CA, US Vina Robles Amphitheatre
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  • Oct 4 Friday
    Brest, France La Carène
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  • Oct 5 Saturday
    Paris, France Le Trianon
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  • Oct 6 Sunday
    La Rochelle, France La Sirene
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  • Oct 8 Tuesday
    Cognac, France Les Anciens Abattoirs
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  • Oct 9 Wednesday
    Ramonville St Agne, France Le Bikini
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  • Oct 10 Thursday
    Nîmes, France Paloma
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  • Oct 11 Friday
    Six Fours Les Plages, France Espace André Malraux
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  • Oct 13 Sunday
    Saint-Étienne, France Le Fil
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  • Oct 15 Tuesday
    Dijon, France La Vapeur
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  • Oct 16 Wednesday
    Strasbourg, France La Laiterie
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  • Oct 17 Thursday
    Reims, France La Cartonnerie
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Discography

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Next Page
  • African Holocaust (2004)
    Steel Pulse
    African Holocaust (2004)
    Wise Man Doctrine
  • Rage and Fury (1997)
    Steel Pulse
    Rage and Fury (1997)
    Mesa Reggae
  • Vex (1994)
    Steel Pulse
    Vex (1994)
    MCA Records
  • Rastafari Centennial: Live in Paris - Elysee Montmartre (1992)
    Steel Pulse
    Rastafari Centennial: Live in Paris - Elysee Montmartre (1992)
    MCA Records
  • Victims (1991)
    Steel Pulse
    Victims (1991)
    MCA Records
  • State of Emergency (1988)
    Steel Pulse
    State of Emergency (1988)
    Universal Special Products
  • Babylon the Bandit (1985)
    Steel Pulse
    Babylon the Bandit (1985)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • Earth Crisis (1984)
    Steel Pulse
    Earth Crisis (1984)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • True Democracy (1982)
    Steel Pulse
    True Democracy (1982)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • Reggae Sunsplash '81 (1982)
    Steel Pulse
    Reggae Sunsplash '81 (1982)
    Elektra
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