24
PURE M Magazine
BEAT
THE
Interview by Stacy Walsh
T
he Beat, formed in Birmingham, England, in
1978, are one of the biggest bands of the 2tone movement. The band is known for their
string of hits – “Mirror in the Bathroom”, “Can’t Get
Used to Losing You”, “Hands Off, She’s Mine” and
their rendition of Smokey Robinson’s “Tears of a
Clown”. The Beat has toured alongside the likes of
The Clash, The Police, Talking Heads, The
Pretenders and The Specials.
The Beat played an important role in the British
music scene during the 1980’s, in having a British
audience adapt to a genre. Back on the scene for 12
years now, The Beat are stronger than ever. They are
one of the most popular recording and live acts in
the UK.
The current line up features Ranking Roger and
Ranking Junior on vocals, Fuzz Townshend on
drums, and Andy Pearson, Matt Godwin, Steve
Harper and Bobby Bird on bass, saxophone and
guitars.
I chatted with the legendary Ranking Roger about
their release of “Rock The Casbah” for
Strummerville, a little bit of Beat history and their
upcoming show in The Academy, Dublin.