Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse is a British roots reggae band from Birmingham, England. They were t… Read Full Bio ↴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 Bandit.
Steel 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. Their first release for Island was the 'Ku Klux Klan' 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island had soured by the advent of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever). They switched to Elektra, and unveiled their most consistent collection of songs since their debut with True Democracy, distinguished by the Garveyeulogising 'Rally Around' cut.
A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis. Unfortunately, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant. Babylon Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain the anthemic 'Not King james Version', which was a powerful indictment on the omission of black people and history from certain versions of the Bible.
Their next move was id Hinds of Steel Pulse to MCA for State Of Emergency, which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor. Though it was a significantly happier compromise, it still paled before any of their earlier albums.
Rastafari Centennial was recorded live at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris, and dedicated to the hundred year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie. It was the first recording since the defection of Fonso Martin, leaving the trio of David Hinds, Steve Nisbett and Selwyn Brown.
While they still faced inverted snobbery at the hands of British reggae fans, in America their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission in the Supreme High Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastas in particular.
Drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett (15 March 1948 – 18 January 2018) died in 2018.
The band are still recording and touring.
Steel 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. Their first release for Island was the 'Ku Klux Klan' 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island had soured by the advent of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever). They switched to Elektra, and unveiled their most consistent collection of songs since their debut with True Democracy, distinguished by the Garveyeulogising 'Rally Around' cut.
A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis. Unfortunately, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant. Babylon Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain the anthemic 'Not King james Version', which was a powerful indictment on the omission of black people and history from certain versions of the Bible.
Their next move was id Hinds of Steel Pulse to MCA for State Of Emergency, which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor. Though it was a significantly happier compromise, it still paled before any of their earlier albums.
Rastafari Centennial was recorded live at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris, and dedicated to the hundred year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie. It was the first recording since the defection of Fonso Martin, leaving the trio of David Hinds, Steve Nisbett and Selwyn Brown.
While they still faced inverted snobbery at the hands of British reggae fans, in America their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission in the Supreme High Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastas in particular.
Drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett (15 March 1948 – 18 January 2018) died in 2018.
The band are still recording and touring.
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Steel Pulse Lyrics
05 In My Life Reasons why it's you and I.......hey! Restless dreams and s…
A Who Responsible And the struggle goes on--- Some say the earth Will keep…
African Holocaust African Holocaust I and I have survived the past African H…
Babylon Makes The Rules (2) A weh dem a go do when the time…
Babylon the Bandit David Hinds FEEL LIKE I feel like a gunslinger Just a wait …
Back To My Roots Woe, Na, Na, Na. Hey, Yeh, Yeh, Oh, Yeh. This is to…
Bad Man Dem dread seh Dem dread seh Dem dread seh Dem dread seh No m…
Bare Necessities They call it bare necessities, the simple bare necessities …
Better Days Uptight, every thing is all right Outta sight, it's all righ…
Biko's Kindred Lament The night Steve Biko died I cried and I cried The…
Black and Proud David Hinds Feel Alright Tribute to my nation CHORUS Say I…
Black and White Oppressors BLACK AND WHITE OPPRESSORS Roots music You can’t refuse it …
Black Enough Shooway ooway shooway Shooway ooway shooway Am I black enu…
Black Enough? Shooway ooway shooway Shooway ooway shooway Am I black e…
Blame On Me David Hinds No time to linger They'll point their finger I'm…
Blasphemy (5) Selah When facts rocks fiction Always cause friction Ye…
Blazing Fire When I rise up everyday 'pon my bending knees I…
Blessed Is the Man David Hinds Blessed Is The Man That Walketh Not In The Coun…
Blues Dance Raid Muzik a bubble not looking for trouble Some shekels fe I…
Bodyguard Every time you meet the public You get scared and you…
Bootstraps David Hinds Forward ever Backward never Stick together And l…
Born Fe Rebel The Blood of Marcus Blood of Malcolm Goes running through my…
Born Fi Rebel The Blood of Marcus Blood of Malcolm Goes running through …
Brown Eyed Girl Hey, where did we go Days when the rains came ? Down…
Burning Flame Wow! They say one man's meat is another man's poison But I'v…
Can It's time to put away our Guns and ammunition We can do…
Can't Stand Losing You Ive called you so many times today And I guess its…
Caught You Dancing You were standing there When I first laid eyes upon you You…
Chant A Psalm Rejoice rejoice Good tidings I bring you Hear ye a message t…
chant a psalm (lp version Rejoice rejoice Good tidings I bring you Hear ye a message…
Cry Cry Blood (When we gonna wake up?) Who the hell do they think…
Darker Than Blue Ready right now, Ready right now Ready right now, Ready righ…
Dead End Circuit CHORUS Dead end circuit dead end circuit Dead end circuit Co…
Dem A Wolf There they go a point dem finger Whilst three a dem…
Dirty H2O Set sail from the island shores Told of the streets that…
Disco Drop Out My energy's high now The vibe is just right I've got this…
Don't Be Afraid Selwyn D. Brown I gave my pledge to you And I never…
Don't Give In Your goal looks to be far away Way out of your…
Don't Shoot DON’T SHOOT (Got My Hands Up) I’m choking and can’t…
Door Of No Return I've returned through the door of no return On Goree Island …
Drug Squad Drug Squad Ain't got nothing to declare My luggage in my ha…
Dub Marcus Say (C) 1982 Pulse Music Ltd All songs written by David Hinds Ex…
Dub To My Roots Woe, Na, Na, Na. Hey, Yeh, Yeh, Oh, Yeh. This is to…
Dub' Marcus Say (C) 1982 Pulse Music Ltd All songs written by David Hinds Ex…
Dudes They say love is blind But right before my eyes When I…
Earth Crisis The Earth is the Lord's And the fullness thereof now Gave ma…
Emotional Prisoner David Hinds Yeah! Hear my story Rage and fury I've been use…
Endangered Species A slack we slack, it's keeping us back A slack we…
Evermore Ya told me your love Would be would be secure Ya told…
Feel The Passion I can feel the passion Of your love love love Your warm…
Find It Quick I can't believe what I see Mankind so incomplete yeh Violen…
Free The Land We wanna free the land We wanna free the land We wanna…
Gang Warfare Gun shot fly around In dis a warfare Gang Warfare Messing u…
George Jackson I woke up this morning, Tears were in my bed They…
Global Warning Hey, make a change yea Today That's what I say, that's what…
Grab A Girlfriend Everybody grab a girlfriend And make the dancehall rock toni…
Grab Education CHORUS Spa dap spap spa dap spa let me (scat) Spa dap…
Handsworth Revolution I say the people of Handsworth Knows that one hand wash…
Harassment Roots Roots Harassment is the mark of the beast in the…
Heart Of Stone Heart of stone got no soul Want I fe beg fe…
Higher Love HIGHER LOVE (RASTA LOVE), featuring Baruch Hinds Verse 1 G…
Higher Than High O father Take me where I can sing unto you O when the…
Hijacking Hijacking no skylarking Hijacking no skylarking A journey c…
House of Love Selwyn Brown We've had our differences Now it's time to patc…
Human Trafficking HUMAN TRAFFICKING Good God! A fight we must win Good God! A…
I-Spy David Hinds I Spy With My Little Eye Raggamuffin Him A Turn…
In A Me Life Reasons why it's you and I.......hey! Restless dreams and s…
Islands Unite Wo oh now Unite all the islands unite And fight the wicked…
Jah Pickney All and all, all and scat... Jah Jah Jah Pickney show them…
Justice in Jena Everyday (every-everyday) no justice Everyday yeah (every-ev…
Kick That Habit We know the system is one big jive We’ve got to…
KKK in the Jungle Walking along just kicking stones Minding my own business I …
KuKluxKlan Walking along just kicking stones Minding my own business …
Leggo Beast Leggo beast lips of flattery eyes of lust Leggo beast she…
Love This Reggae Music Reggae music is my favourite feeling It keeps me rocking to…
Love Walks Out David Hinds What's wrong Wrong with you, my sweet You used …
Macka Splaff Hi I just feel blockup on you Hey bum bu Hey Jah stab Hey…
Make Us A Nation Yes we are, we gonna make us a nation That's based…
Man No Sober Woooh! Man no sober The drunkard he staggers around The alle…
Mass Manipulation MASS MANIPULATION These are the days of quick decision Ge…
Melting Pot Runnings in the ghetto well hot CHORUS I know Babylon for a…
Money I don't love you baby The things you do for money It…
Must Be A Way Now that we've reached the new millennium Let's stop a while…
N.A.T.T.Y. N.A.T.T.Y. Give me an N Give me an A Give me a…
Nations Of The World NATIONS OF THE WORLD Hey e yeah hey ye yeah I say…
New World Order I'm in an angry mood, yeah. Got an attitude, oh yeah. Things…
No Justice No Peace The law is back to front yeah! Up side down yeah…
No More Weapons Ouch! We don't really need x 2 Yeah! No No There's no…
No Satan Side NO SATAN SIDE It's gonna be Rasta to stop the rape…
Not King James Version A dis ya version A no King James version 'Cause out of…
Nyahbinghi Voyage Kindred trod on Israel Kindred trod on Israel Look around yo…
P.U.S.H PUSH PUSH PUSH Give me P.U.S. and H. Universal love abandon …
P.U.S.H. PUSH PUSH PUSH Give me P.U.S. and H. Universal love abando…
Peace Party Peace Party David Hinds JAH say now Unite now JAH say Yeah …
Prediction Prediction, prediction foretold Prediction, yeah, from the d…
Prodigal Son Woy! Desperation has return Sodom and Gomorrah no deh yah so…
Rally Round Rally round the flag Rally round the red Gold black and gr…
Ravers Woops outside your head Woops outside your head Crucial and …
Reggae Fever Reggae music sends me in a fever My blood pressure high Yet…
Revolution I say the people of Handsworth Knows that one hand wash…
Rize Rise, rise (oh yeah), time to get up and rise Rise,…
Role Model David Hinds CHORUS In the belly of the beast in dis ya…
Roller Skates Out on the corner With my roller skates Having fun with the…
Rollerskates Out on the corner With my roller skates Having fun with th…
Rumors Rings on your fingers Bells on my toe, yet I hear…
Rumours Rings on your fingers Bells on my toe, yet I hear…
Said You Was An Angel Said you was an angel You put my life in danger You…
Save Black Music David Hinds They tricked us with trinkets and beads And tri…
Settle the Score David Hinds I wake up in the morning and I Flash my…
Shining Night time is growing old New breezes kinda cool So raise up…
Soldiers Dutallee! Dutallee! Dutallee! Dutallee! And when soldiers c…
Soul Of My Soul We've got our lives to live So let's make a start One…
Sound Check If anything should mash up my head Sah Play the music…
Sound System Dig the music Mr. DJ Sound system (sound system) Heavy rhyt…
Spiritualize It Now listen up, listen good to me And what I see…
State Of Emergency State of emergency State of emergency State of emergency Sta…
Stay With The Rhythm Ladies and Gentlemen This is your Station Master speaking We…
Steal A Kiss Oh I've been watching you From my bedroom window Your bodyli…
Steppin Out Huh, flashy jam Steppin' out, steppin' out Steppin' out, st…
Stepping Out Steppin' out, steppin' out Steppin' out, steppin' out Open…
Stop You Coming And Come Amasaganalo Yeah Amasaganalo Stop you coming and come Sto…
Sugar Daddy David Hinds So you like to tease the fellas And getting som…
Taxi Now hear this crowd of people I man well vex And just…
Taxi Driver .mp3 Now hear this crowd of people I man well vex And just…
Thank the Rebels A day for consolidation Let's build us a brand new nation…
The Final Call THE FINAL CALL Verse I It is a pity That things are so…
The Real Terrorist David Hinds I've got an axe to grind and I've I've got…
There Must Be a Way Now that we've reached the new millennium Let's stop a while…
Throne Of Gold She's my Queen I'm her King man No love no deh like…
Tightrope Deliver me, oh, my father From the down pressers set me…
Tribute To The Martyrs It was a hard task To take on To make us all…
Tyrant If Dem a Tyrant Kick dem out Hallelujah Jump and shout U…
Uncle George George Jackson, George The day I heard George Jackson died …
Unseen Guest I survive Jah Jah watch over I . . . Evil, what…
Victims Victims Of The System While you a bubble Pon dis ya riddim …
We Can Do It It's time to put away our Guns and ammunition We can do…
When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman When you're in love with a beautiful woman, it's hard; When…
Whirlwind Romance David Hinds Pretty lady standing there I'm telling you that…
Wild Goose Chase I thought the destructione Of creation Would be nuclear powe…
World Gone Mad WORLD GONE MAD (featuring Baruch Hinds) Spa nap spa spa na…
Worth His Weight In Gold Yo, yo Be here now Rally round the flag Rally round the red…
Worth His Weight In Gold (Rall CHORUS Rally round the flag Rally round the red Gold blac…
Worth His Weight in Gold (Rally Round) CHORUS ------ Rally round the flag Rally round the red Gold…
X Ressurection David Hinds Malcolm X Malcolm X Born in imaha Nebraska May 1…
You Can't Always Get What You Want You can't always get what you want You can't always get…
Your House Your love is a life for I Realized that so much When…