The Beat, Rebelation, Playing Away.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 29th November 2008.

Upbeat Promotions rolled back the years as they brought a living legend of British ska to the level 2 stage. Tonight Ranking Roger (vocalist and toaster) brings his reincarnation of THE BEAT to Esquires for the first time.

From Birmingham and formed in 1978, the original line-up ruled Radio 1 airplay, Top Of The Pops, and every bit of newsprint consistently from the winter of 1979 to the summer of 1981. In those times of racial tension and high unemployment, The Beat fused their brand of ska with a punk ethos. Their first two albums ‘Just Can't Stop It’ and ‘Wha'ppen’ both went top 5, and although they remained a band until 1983, the top ten singles dried up. It was then that they splintered into different bands.

However, in these troubled times both economically and socially, it seems that The Beat's music that spoke volumes all those years ago still seems very relevant today. They were, and still are, a very political band whose main targets are those ignorant people who still make an issue of someone's skin colour. Taking up the baton of the 21st century Beat is Ranking Roger's son, who naturally is called Ranking Junior! But it is still the old man who is the face of a generation and the continuing focus for the vast majority of the crowd tonight. It's a gig thats simply dripping with nostalgia, along of course with all the sweat and lager that is copiously spilt in the 75 minute set!

Ranking Roger is a much respected figure, but he does not forget his friends, the men that matter. He gives out a shout to the much missed Clash frontman that's brief but poignant. "For Joe Strummer, a mate". The Beat dedicate ‘Rock the Casbah’ as a fitting tribute, while Neville Staples (of The Specials) also gets a mention. They had hits with tunes that have now become so popular that it's hard to remember a time when they didn't exist. From the first line of ‘Hands off - she's mine’ to the last strains of ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’, tonight is a total reflection and celebration of The Beat. The songs still remain fresh in the memory, especially the latter and everybody 'mouths along' to the big summer hit of 1980 "Mirror in the bathroom, Please talk free, The door is locked, Just you and me, Can I take you to a restaurant, Thats got glass tables, You can watch yourself, While you are eating".

The Beat's 'love' song of ‘Too Nice to Talk to’ is followed by the ultimate eighties statement of it's day ‘Stand Down Margaret’. Such a steep variation of styles. The skanking public get their chance as their first chart hit ‘Tears of a Clown’ gets everybody moving. As level 2 is so full it does become a bit difficult and a touch hazardous, even for us folks at the back of the room! A two song encore is cheered and warmly applauded at its end. So with the clock fast approaching midnight, it's time for the party to continue downstairs. A mention must be made of Ranking Roger, who stopped to talk and reminisce with so many of his fans at the end of the gig. Again it's appreciated, and a nice touch from a top man.

Support is consummately filled by REBELATION. This nine piece musically chill the room with their cool ska sounds. They are, however, angry enough to perform a great and hard hitting song called ‘Politics’. The band say that they must play it. It's cutting edge music.

Young ska band PLAYING AWAY kept their nerve well in front of, what was for them, a daunting crowd. Although looking better than they sounded, it was their most confident performance yet. Hopefully 2009 will be a progressive year for them on the local scene. We need more young ska acts and the enthusiasm that they show is to be applauded.