Bad Manners, Rhoda Dakar, et The English Beat

Formed in 1976 while members were still studying together at Woodberry Down Comprehensive School in North London, Bad Manners became one of the notable ska revival bands of the ‘80s. Frontman and vocalist Buster Bloodvessel, born Douglas Trendle, joined Louis Cook on guitar, David Farren on bass, Martin Stewart on keyboard, Brain Tutti on drums, Gus Herman on trumpet, Chris Kane on saxophone, and Andrew Marson on saxophone.

Drawing inspiration from late seventies ska bands including The Specials, Bad Manners soon became a notorious act known for their novel antics and frontman Bloodvessel’s long tongue and shaved head, and who ended up getting the band banned from the UK’s Top of the Pops. In 1980 the Bad Manners signed to Magnet Records and made appearances on the TV shows “Tiswas”, “The British Music Awards” in 1981 and “Cheggers Plays Pop”.

Despite being associated with the 2 Tone movement, the band never actually signed to 2 Tone Records, although were one of six bands to feature on the legendary documentary film “Dance Craze” in 1981. The bands first three albums have all been certified silver, 1980’s “Ska ’n’ B” and “Loonee Tunes!”, and “Gosh It’s… Bad Manners” in 1981. The latter of which proved to be the band’s most popular release reaching No. 18 in the UK album chart. Following the release of their fourth album “Forging Ahead” in 1982, Bad Manners departed from Magnet Records and moved to Portrait records through which they released their 1985 album “Mental Notes”. Following the release as they did with their previous albums, Bad Manners toured continuously around the world however, due to falling sales and acclaim, decided to disband in 1987.

Bad Manners returned and subsequently released “Return of the Ugly” in 1989, “Fat Sound” in 1992, “Heavy Petting” in 1997 and “Stupidity” in 2003. Along with album releases the band has released a stack of singles, of which notable hits include “My Girl Lollipop”, “Lip Up Fatty”, “Can Can” and “Special Brew”.

The original lineup of The Beat were together for just five years, splitting in 1984 after meeting with both critical and commercial success with their blend of ska, reggae and 2 tone. In that time, they toured with some of the biggest musical names on the planet, including R.E.M., The Specials, David Bowie, Talking Heads, The Clash and The Police. Since the breakup, they’ve performed together just once - in 2003 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. VH1’s Bands Reunited television show tried, unsuccessfully, to make the reunion a permanently going concern, but instead, the two singers from the original band - Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger - have fronted their own versions of the group.

Wakeling is the singer in The English Beat, who have continued to tour and record. They contributed a couple of brand new songs to a Scooby-Doo cartoon in 2013, and announced plans in 2014 for a new album the following year, set to be titled For Crying Out Loud. It is set to be paid for via crowdfunding - in particular, PledgeMusic - and will be their first proper release since summer 2012, when they dropped a box set titled The Complete Beat. Rhythm Epkins, Matt Morrish, Kevin Lum and Larry Young round out the current lineup of The English Beat.