Hailing from working-class Birmingham, England, Dave and The English Beat entered the music scene in the 1979. When The English Beat rushed on to the music scene in 1979, it was a time of social, political and musical upheaval. Into this storm came they came, trying to calm the waters with their simple message of love and unity set to a great dance Beat. Tongue firmly in cheek, feet on the ground and eyes on the future, Dave takes the stage time and again, touring across the States, Canada, the UK and beyond. He does it for two reasons: First, he loves to play music, period. Second, his job here on Earth is to bring a message of love, unity and a steady, rhythmic groove of danceable songs with a message to the masses. Fans see him as an icon and to the young bands coming up he's the elder statesman of ska. His swooning croon has been covered by such rock luminaries as Peter Townshend, Eddie Vedder and Elvis Costello. He's repeatedly referred to in the press now as a "legacy artist" and an "icon": he's wasn't quite sure what it all meant and thought he might be entitled to some extra initials after his name (he wasn't). However, he learned what those terms actually mean early in 2006 when, much to his surprise, bemusement, and eternal joy, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame contacted him and asked him for his trademark Vox teardrop guitar, to bed displayed in a place of honour alongside the axes of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. Truly a wonderful and humbling experience for a working class boy from Brum! Dave is currently entering a musical renaissance, and fresh off this legacy moment, Dave is planning on going into the studio to lay down two new albums. Dave also continues to tour as The English Beat, as he had done for the last three decades, with an amazing all-star ska backing band playing the hits of The English Beat, General Public, and his new songs. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be blown away by the ever-changing King of Ska!
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/62043.html
