Ska for life

It seems only yesterday that The Selecter were sharing the limelight with The Levellers on Bristol’s O2 Academy stage. And yet, next month, the legendary ska troupe are back for a high-energy gig across town at the Fleece.

Founded in Coventry in 1979, The Selecter have gone through many lineup changes – and, according to singer Pauline Black, the current selection of musicians is the best yet. “The current lineup is our best ever,” says the sometime BBC6 music DJ who once subbed for the late, great John Peel, adding: “The Selecter are the best ska band in the world. Our fanbase is growing all the time.”

The current bill, born when The Selecter re-formed five years ago, sees Black and Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson taking centre stage, with the support of a motley bunch of brilliantly individual musicians of all ages. This tour sees the band unveiling material from their new album Subculture, alongside better-known numbers from the back catalogue. The album title, incidentally, was no accident, symbolising the band’s appeal to a whole range of subcultures including mods, punks, Northern Soulers and skinheads. A Selecter gig certainly makes for interesting people-watching.

Never afraid to say what they think via provocative songs such as Too Much Pressure and On My Radio, The Selecter are one of a rare contingent of contemporary bands tackling political issues head-on. “We are great believers in calling things as we see them,” says Pauline. “We realise that ska and 2 Tone was an umbrella for many subcultures. This feeling of inclusivity is reflected in Subculture, which seeks to celebrate our diverse musical influences – from social to calypso, reggae to electronica – and to reflect the concerns and tastes of the subcultures that embrace those influences.”

Penned at the height of Margaret Thatcher’s tenure, Too Much Pressure was an anthem for disaffected youth – and a track which, like The Selecter’s own lineup, crossed racial divides and gave a voice to a forgotten generation. These days, the band are still tackling taboos. “Our songs are unafraid to discuss the current situation in the Middle East, the intricacies of sexual politics, or the violence of social unrest,” says Pauline. Asked who she views as their peers, Pauline cites The Clash and The Wailers. But there is one issue they don’t fancy tackling in their lyrics – and that’s unrequited love.

The band, whose name is based on the Jamaican word for disc jockey, have always found the Bristol crowd a welcoming one – and this is one love that’s definitely not unrequited. “Bristol is musically excellent,” says Pauline. “I’ve always been a fan of Bristol bands on the reggae scene, like Talisman, Massive Attack and Portishead.”

One of the most remarkable things about The Selecter is their ability to slot into a range of bills – from folk festivals to dance lineups, or even supporting the likes of No Doubt and, more recently, The Levellers (on a tour also graced by Bristol’s She Makes War – see feature overleaf).

“It was brilliant being on tour with The Levellers,” Pauline recalls. “It was amazing to see how our two different kinds of music gelled with audiences and complemented each other. Everybody had a great time.” 

Dancing is a massive part of the band’s live offering, turning each and every gig into one big party. Pauline says: “The Selecter sound is uniquely broad and dancing is imperative. 2 Tone music tickles the souls of the feet and the brain cells at the same time. We dare an audience not to dance!”

The Selecter play The Fleece on March 21. For more info visit: www.thefleece.co.uk/event/selecter/