New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ STEEL PULSE Official Website) - STEEL PULSE has been perfecting their original and distinctly high- energy style of reggae music for a quarter of a century. As the only British reggae group to win a Grammy Award (for Babylon the Bandit in 1985), their international success continues to inspire audiences of both new and long-dedicated fans. It has also earned them subsequent Grammy nominations for Victims, Rastafari Centennial, Rage & Fury and for Living Legacy, in 2000.
Their music is an extension of their roots. Always rebels with a cause, the vanguard tends to be where they are. Spike Lee met the group at a fundraising function and soon selected 'Can't Stand The Heat,' written by STEEL PULSE founder and lead vocalist David Hinds, for his film Do The Right Thing.
STEEL PULSE's powerful performances have recently been hailed as occasion to contemplate political art's effectiveness by The New York Times.
"We're never gonna be the aristocracy's favorite band," says co-founder Selwyn Brown with a grin. Nevertheless, in 1993, STEEL PULSE's musical message of hope, education and activism paved the way for an invitation by the Clinton Administration for the group to become the first reggae artists to perform during inaugural festivities in Washington, DC.
The reggae super-group has performed live with Sting, lnxs, Santana, Robert Palmer, Herbie Hancock, Bob Dylan and the band's own idols, Bob Marley & the Wailers - among many others. Cameo appearances by the likes of Jay Leno, Branford Marsalis and Robert Townsend have graced their videos.
Hinds grew up through these musical transitions, hearing blue-beat, jazz, ska and then rock-steady, which soon developed into reggae; the first music of the era to deliver direct political messages. The universality of these messages became the foundation of STEEL PULSE's artistry.
STEEL PULSE had a reputation as Birmingham's most original new reggae band, with Selwyn Brown Showing U for gigs playing a 1950's melodica until he could afford a real keyboard. The punk music scene was also erupting, and groups such as Generation X frequently chose STEEL PULSE to open their shows.
Handsworth became the backdrop for the 'Rock Against Racism' movement, and for STEEL PULSE's first popular album, Handsworth Revolution (Island, 1978).
"There's nobody out there right now with a political voice like Bob Marley had in the late 1970s," says Hinds. "If we bought one of his albums, we were guaranteed ten tracks of education." STEEL PULSE also credits the Gil Scott Heron, The Crusaders, Grover Washington, John Handy, War, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack among their musical influences. Several STEEL PULSE members are strict observers of Rastafarian spiritual beliefs, and the group's message of universal love has remained steadfast throughout the recent world political climate. 'We deal with positive spirits. That means putting aside the guns, the drugs and all the things that are ailments of society. The change we have noticed is in our audiences - they've become even more receptive to everything we've said, especially when we introduce Build A Nation and Global Warning," Hinds notes, referring to two new songs the group is set to release on their forthcoming album, African Holocaust (Sanctuary Records).
STEEL PULSE tours worldwide with an eight-piece ensemble including co- founder Selwyn Brown on vocals and keyboards, Clifford "Moonie" Pusey on lead guitar, Alvin Ewen on bass, Sidney Mills on keyboards and Conrad Kelly on drums and percussion. Beloved ex-drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nesbitt's health has continued to prevent him from touring with STEEL PULSE since the 2001 Living Legacy Tour.
