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(1975 – present)
Probably the UK’s most highly-regarded roots reggae outfit, Steel Pulse originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, Birmingham, and comprised David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronnie McQueen (bass).
However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, ‘Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku” arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. They followed it with ‘Nyah Love’ for Anchor.
Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs. Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc.: “Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing”.
Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records. Their first release for Island was the ‘Ku Klux Klan’ 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn ‘Bumbo’ Brown (keyboards), Steve ‘Grizzly’ Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, ‘Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku” arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. They followed it with ‘Nyah Love’ for Anchor.
Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs. Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc.: “Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing”.
Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records. Their first release for Island was the ‘Ku Klux Klan’ 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn ‘Bumbo’ Brown (keyboards), Steve ‘Grizzly’ Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
Shouts:
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Top Albums
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Sound System: The Island Anthology (disc 1)
Steel Pulse
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Caught You
Steel Pulse Buy- Download Album
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Tribute To The Martyrs
Steel Pulse Buy- Download Album
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- Juno $9.29
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African Holocaust
Steel Pulse Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.49
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- Juno $10.99
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Shoutbox
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erickalejandro7 wrote:
man no sober!
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smee85 wrote:
new pics. please vote.
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ntvrasta wrote:
Babylon The Bandit
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bankaiAP wrote:
chill
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emapia wrote:
I even love their name.
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dunk32-2007 wrote:
Fucking great music at big chill festival!
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Irienow1 wrote:
New Steel Pulse photos at Performance Impressions - http://www.performanceimpressions.com/Steel_Pulse_2011/index.html
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silentduuuude wrote:
Such an awesome band! I just can´t stop listening to their music! Definitely gonna search for more of their records. True Democracy is a reggae masterpiece!
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IHugMoons wrote:
yesss
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Rod_S wrote:
Up there with the finest bands the UK has ever produced. Handsworth Revolution is one of the best albums of all time, absolutely faultless record. Sublime.
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tietots wrote:
steppin out foi chaapaadasso na virada
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regis08 wrote:
Show na Virada foi du caralhuuuu...Ass: o cara do chapéu de palha e da buzina! hauhauauhuahuhahau...quem não foi perdeuuuuu..............
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UJLN wrote:
Бабилан из фолин, блеать! (2) ^_^
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voitoistia wrote:
бабилон из фалин, блеать!
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Maggotleader666 wrote:
Babylon The Bandit ;>
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iisforivan wrote:
i wanna live in your house <3
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emapia wrote:
Ku Klux Clan rrreally deserves to be top track.
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lcsjudahlive wrote:
Steel Pulse, super, super, Roots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In my opinion, one of the bests of the Reggae Jah Bless!!
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daverave38 wrote:
from this David to your David from Charlotte TO Charlotte: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=330988169051
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daverave38 wrote:
To Caroline: here's the first half http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=330988169051
Videos
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Events
- Feb 21 Steel Pulse @ The National The National, Richmond VA, Richmond, United States
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Feb
22
Steel Pulse
9:30 Club, Washington DC, United States
4 going
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Feb
23
Steel Pulse
Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, United States
1 going
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Recent Activity
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KojoRchrdsn, elisaleebyjr, Gisafloyd and 13 other people added Steel Pulse to their libraries. 2 hours ago
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myacereporter added Steel Pulse to the lineup of Steel Pulse @ The National at The National. Tuesday afternoon
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BornOnTheMoon, arthur2039, RobertJunior and 4 other people added Steel Pulse to their libraries. Tuesday afternoon
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djkbru tagged Steel Pulse with ‘reggae’. Monday afternoon
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RCollins86 added Steel Pulse to RCollins86’s library. Monday afternoon
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blackstraphawco tagged Steel Pulse with ‘reggae’. Monday afternoon
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patpem, elle800rocket, ptolemyII and 21 other people added Steel Pulse to their libraries. Monday afternoon
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Drummer-1992 tagged Steel Pulse with ‘reggae’. last week
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munichman777, josemanuelcosta, optimal858 and 45 other people added Steel Pulse to their libraries. last week
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PorridgeGun wrote about Steel Pulse – True Democracy in Albums I listened to from beginning to end (August 2010). June 2011
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