Steel Pulse is a British roots reggae band from Birmingham, England They were the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for their 1986 album Babylon The BanditSteel Pulse originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, Birmingham, and comprised David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronnie McQueen (bass) However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards Formed in 1975, their debut 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 Love' for Anchor Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc: "Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing" Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records
Rise and Vibes Music Festival, Aztec, New Mexico, May 10-12
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