The English Beat

**THIS IS A STANDING ONLY SHOW!  THERE WILL BE VERY LIMITED SEATING IN THE RESERVED SECTION W/ HIGH TOP TABLES IN THE BACK**

One tempestuous weekend in March 1979 was not only the date of the Three Mile Island nuclear incident, but also, in Birmingham, England, the very first show by a nascent band known as The Beat. Introduced as “the hottest thing since the Pennsylvania meltdown”, the band had a sense that the next few years could well be explosive! The Beat hailed from working class, industrial Birmingham, England. When The Beat rushed on to the music scene in 1979, it was a time of social, political and musical upheaval. Into this storm came The Beat, trying to calm the waters with their simple message of love and unity set to a great dance beat.

That ember was nursed back into a roaring flame in February 2003, when a dream came true for many Beat fans as the band reunited for a UK tour, culminating in a sold out command performance at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall! It was a wonderful night for the band and their fans.

Consummate showman that he is, Dave Wakeling has continued to keep The Beat alive and strong. How could he not? Dave continues to tour the world as The English Beat with an amazing all-star ska backing band playing all the hits of The Beat, General Public, and his new songs.

You just can’t stop The Beat!

“… [Dave] Wakeling and his crew played 90 minutes worth of hits, deep cuts, some General Public chestnuts and a few new songs… every song was met with recognition and applause.” – River Front Times

“[The English Beat are] more popular now than ever.” – San Francisco Chronicle

[Dave Wakeling] has assembled an incredible band and is playing his hits with the same raucous enthusiasm that made The English Beat one of the biggest acts of the New Wave Era… Every time they play, The Brew [San Luis Obispo, CA] is packed to the gills with an audience bouncing in unison.” – SLO New Times

“People were spilling out the doors by the time [English Beat] went on stage and the palpable joy was in the air when they started… With lyrics about unity, peace, love and partying, and a beat that’s guaranteed to get you out of your seat, their music will always be dancetastic.” – The New York Examiner

The River Club Music Hall is located at 78 Border St.,Scituate,Ma.For ticket info call 339-236-6786 or visit our website at www.theriverclubmusichall.com

In 2011, Alex Stern recognized a problem of his own creation: He was in a reggae band that was firmly committed to writing within its genre, but, his songs were grounded in a fascination with late 70’s Power-Pop and New Wave. He was simultaneously in a New Wave band that objected to his insistence on a singularly Jamaican syncopation. He formed The Pomps with an ear towards an amalgam of the 2 styles, and a hope that it would be a solution.

Few bands get their lineup correct from the jump, but, the initial team of Jameson Hollis (bass), Rick Smith (Drums), and Casey Gruttadauria (Organ) endures to this day. The group got a running start by playing warehouse parties, opening for modern ska heroes, and even scoring a little bit of love in the hometown (Boston) press.

In the midst of this, the group’s momentums was slightly impeded by demand for the members’ individual skills: Hollis brought his bass around the world with Have Nots, Stern became the permanent guitarist for Big D and the Kids Table, and Casey and Rick were called for hundreds of local sessions and shows. Still, the band mustered 2 high quality releases, and continued to build even without sustained availability.

2015 finds our Pomps re-assembled and ready to release their best record yet for the new (and ultra-selective) Rarebreed Recording Company . Indie Rock is Dying treats its listener to 6 A-sides of self-styled “Island Power-Pop”. “Downbeat Diner” is an adderall-fueled pul of Hawaii-noir. “All My Guns” is a portrait of the Sandy Hook- Era “responsible gun-owner” that every parent fears, while the title track describes the special hell that is being a ska fanatic while living in a house full of underemployed tastemakers. Surprise closer “How to Lure People” sets up a beach chair in the previously unoccupied zone between Crowded House and Sly and Robbie.

Problem. Solved.