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Steel Pulse

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Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse in 2017
Steel Pulse in 2017
Background information
OriginBirmingham, England
GenresRoots reggae
Years active1975–present
Labels
Members
Past membersSee former members
Websitesteelpulse.com

Steel Pulse are a roots reggae band from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, England. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, and were composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ronald McQueen (bass); along with Basil's brother Colin briefly on drums and Mykaell Riley (vocals, percussion). Steel Pulse were the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.[1] Collectively the band has won one Grammy award with nine nominations.[2]

History

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Frontman David Hinds of Steel Pulse in concert in Antwerp, 2022.

Basil Gabbidon and David Hinds became inspired to form Steel Pulse after listening to Bob Marley and The Wailers' Catch a Fire.[1] The band formed in 1975; their debut single 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 Luv" for Anchor. They were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in Birmingham due to their Rastafarian beliefs. During the popularization of punk rock in the mid-1970's, Steel Pulse began to play punk venues such as the Hope and Anchor in London and The Electric Circus in Manchester in 1976.[1]

Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism organization and featuring in its first music festival in early 1978, they chose to tour with sympathetic elements of the punk movement,[1] including the Stranglers and XTC. Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records.

Island Records era (1977–1980)

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Their first release for Island was the "Ku Klux Klan" single, about the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage; the song was ranked the 460th-greatest song of all time in Rolling Stone's 2020 edition of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. By this time, their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn Brown (keyboards), Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett (drums), Alphonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Mykaell Riley (vocals). Their debut album, Handsworth Revolution (recorded in 1977 and released in early 1978), was part the evolution of roots reggae outside Jamaica. However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island Records had soured by the advent of their third album, Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever).

The band made their US concert debut at the Mudd Club in New York in 1980.

Tom Terrell, who would later serve as their manager, was instrumental in masterminding a Steel Pulse concert on the night of Bob Marley's funeral, which was broadcast live around the world from the 9:30 Club, 930 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., on 21 May 1981.

Wise Man Doctrine and Elektra era (1982–1985)

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In 1982 Steel Pulse formed their own label Wise Man Doctrine Records.[3] They also reached a distribution deal with Elektra Records for the US market.[1] They released True Democracy, distinguished by the Garvey-eulogizing 'Rally Round' cut.[4] A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis in 1984. However, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant.[5] Babylon the Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain "Not King James Version".

Steel Pulse released Babylon The Bandit in 1985, for which the band won a Grammy award.[1]

MCA Records era (1988–1997)

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Their next move was to MCA for State of Emergency (1988), which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor.[4]

Rastafari Centennial, Steel Pulse's first live record, was recorded live at the Elysee Montmartre in Paris, over three nights in January 1992, and dedicated to the hundred-year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie.[6] It was the first recording since the defection of Alphonso Martin, leaving the trio of Hinds, Nisbett and Selwyn. While they still faced criticism at the hands of British reggae fans, in the United States their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission in the Supreme Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastafarians in particular. The lawsuit was later dropped by Steel Pulse.

In 1989 the group contributed I Can't Stand it to the soundtrack of Spike Lee's film Do The Right Thing.[7]

In 1994 the group headlined some of the world's biggest reggae festivals including Reggae Sunsplash USA, Jamaican Sunsplash, Japan Splash and Northern California annual Reggae on the River Festival. In 1986, Steel Pulse contributed a version of "Franklin's Tower" on Pow Wow Records' Fire on the Mountain: Reggae Celebrates the Grateful Dead compilation. They recorded The Police's "Can't Stand Losing You" for a reggae compilation of Police tunes that appeared on the Ark 21 label. Rastanthology, a 17-song collection of Steel Pulse classics, was released on the band's own Wise Man Doctrine label in 1996.

Later years (1997–present)

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Frontman David Hinds in 2017

In 1997 the band released Rage and Fury.[4]

Until February 2001 it had been many years since Pulse had performed in their hometown of Birmingham. They decided to perform at the Ray Watts memorial concert, which was held at the Irish Centre. Pulse shared the stage with Watts' band, Beshara, along with other artists from Birmingham.[8]

In 2004 Steel Pulse returned to their militant roots with African Holocaust – their eleventh studio album. With guest appearances by Damian Marley, Capleton, and Tiken Jah Fakoly (on the track African Holocaust),[9] the album is a collection of protest and spiritual songs, including "Global Warning" (a dire warning about climate change), "Tyrant", a protest song against political corruption, and "No More Weapons", an anti-war song. Also featured on the album is a cover of the Bob Dylan song, "George Jackson".

In 2007 the band released a music video for the track "Door of No Return". The video was produced by Driftwood Pictures Ltd., and was shot on location in Senegal and New York City. The video was directed by Trishul Thejasvi and produced by Yoni Gal. The video had its world premier at the Times 51st BFI London Film Festival in October 2007.

In a 2013 interview with Midnight Raver, David Hinds indicated that a new studio album and documentary, tentatively titled Steel Pulse: The Definitive Story, would be released in 2014.[10] However, on 10 July 2014 Midnight Raver reported that, according to Hinds, both the studio album and documentary will be delayed until at least 2015.[11]

In anticipation of a new Steel Pulse album, the Roots Reggae Library has indexed two compilation albums of the latest Steel Pulse singles. The albums are called Positivity and Jah Way, both named after tracks on the albums.[12]

In October 2018 Steel Pulse announced their new album, the first in 14 years, Mass Manipulation, was released on Rootfire Cooperative[13] a non-traditional label which provides interest free loans and label services to independent musicians.[14] The single "Stop You Coming and Come" was released on 7 December. The album was nominated for the 2020 Grammy Awards.

On 22 March 2023 the Easy Star All-Stars released a cover of "Five Years" in collaboration with Steel Pulse, from their album Ziggy Stardub, a reggae reimagining of David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. A music video, directed by Robert Bartolome, was released on the same day.[15]

Former drummer Conrad Kelly died on 8 May 2024, at the age of 65.[16]

Awards and nominations

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A Grammy Award was given for their 1986 album Babylon the Bandit.[1] Steel Pulse has also been nominated for albums Victims (1991), Rastafari Centennial (1992), Rage and Fury (1998),[5] Living Legacy (2000).[5] and Mass Manipulation (2019).[17]

Grammy Awards

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The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Steel Pulse has received one awards out of nine nominations.[2]

Year Category Nominated work Result
1982 Best Ethnic Or Traditional Folk Recording "Reggae Sunsplash '81, A Tribute To Bob Marley" Nominated
1984 Best Reggae Recording 'Steppin' Out Nominated
1986 Best Reggae Recording "Babylon The Bandit" Won
1991 Best Reggae Album "Victim" Nominated
1993 Best Reggae Album "Rastafari Centennial/Live In Paris - Elysee Montmartre" Nominated
1998 Best Reggae Album "Rage and Fury" Nominated
2000 Best Reggae Album "Living Legacy" Nominated
2005 Best Reggae Album "African Holocaust" Nominated
2020 Best Reggae Album "Mass Manipulation" Nominated

Personnel

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Current members

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  • David Hinds – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1975–present)
  • Selwyn Brown – keyboards, backing vocals (1975–present)
  • Sidney Mills – keyboards, backing vocals (1988–present)
  • Wayne C# Clarke – drums (2005–present)
  • Amlak Tafari – bass (2005–present)
  • David Ellecirri Jr. - lead guitar (2012–present)
  • Stephen Bradley – trumpet (2017–present)
  • Zem Audu – saxophone (2017–present)
  • Baruch Hinds – rap and backing vocals (2017–present)

Former members

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Timeline

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Discography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Romanowski, Patricia; George-Warren, Holly, eds. (2005). The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll (Rev. and updated ed.). New York: Fireside. ISBN 0743292014. OCLC 271565137.
  2. ^ a b "Steel Pulse". grammy.com. National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  3. ^ Lewis, Sarah, ed. (15 February 1982). "Steel Pulse Launches Own Label" (PDF). Record Business. Vol. Four, no. 46. London: Record Business Pubs. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Steel Pulse". Discogs. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Campbell, Mary. "Steel Pulse Gets Reggae Grammy Nod". AP NEWS. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Steel Pulse - Rastafari Centennial (Live In Paris - Elysee Montmartre)". Discogs. 18 September 1993. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Various - (Music From) Do The Right Thing". Discogs. 18 September 1989. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Ray Watts Memorial", Enterprise, February 2001, p. 4.
  9. ^ "African Holocaust (2004)". Steel Pulse. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Natty Dread Marches on Washington". Midnight Raver. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  11. ^ "Steel Pulse album, documentary pushed to 2015". Midnight Raver. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Steel Pulse". roots-reggae-library.com. November 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Reggae "Shaman" David Hinds and the Legendary Steel Pulse Shine Light on Reggae's Future | Home - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". markets.post-gazette.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  14. ^ "Rootfire Cooperative Helps The Movement, Other Reggae Acts With No-Interest Loans". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  15. ^ "EASY STAR ALL-STARS RELEASE "FIVE YEARS" SINGLE + VIDEO FT. STEEL PULSE". Gratefulweb.com. 2023.
  16. ^ Cullinane, Alice (10 May 2024). "Tributes paid as former Steel Pulse drummer dies". BBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  17. ^ Campbell, Howard (2019) "'In with fighting chance' Archived 30 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine", Jamaica Observer, 22 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019
  18. ^ Bloom, Madison (22 March 2019). "Steel Pulse Announce First New Album in 15 years, Share New Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
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