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.
A Who Responsible
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some say the earth
Will keep on turning
Dread times are near
And I'm not joking I a warning
As we continue that same old moaning
The chosen race just keep on begging yeh
And I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Mother's joy turn to
Pain and hollering
Weeping for their babes and sucklings
Spirits of the innocent wandering
Sufferation everlasting
But I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Oh Papa dem chest keeps on burning
Fist clench tight a grit dem teeth
And blood is boiling
The price is high yet they keep on paying
The little bundles of love
They are all missing
And I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Brothers and sisters
This plight we're facing
Get involved problems to solved
Yourselves concerning
Divided we are so
One by one we are falling
The front line of the battle is hottest
Your duties calling
I demand to know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Talking down south Atlanta killings
Talking down south Deptford bombings
Talking down south Azania coming
They'll cut your hearts out
And I'm not joking
Turn no blind eye brothers be willing
Yeh the front line of the battle is hottest
Your duties calling
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song A Who Responsible delve into the struggles and sufferings of marginalized communities. The song begs the question, "who is responsible" for these injustices? The chorus repeats this question, highlighting the overarching theme of lack of accountability and responsibility. The first verse begins with a warning that dread times are near, alluding to the impending pain and suffering that will continue if we don't address these systemic issues. The "chosen race" referred to in the lyrics may be a metaphor for those in positions of power who continuously beg for more and ignore the plight of those in need. The second verse directly references the pain of mothers who are weeping for their children and the suffering of the innocent. The third verse shifts to speak directly to the listener, urging them to get involved and take action, as the "front line of the battle is hottest" and "your duties calling." In essence, the song is a call to action for all of us to identify and take responsibility for creating a more just and equitable world.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say the earth
Will keep on turning
Despite the struggles and challenges we face, life and the world will go on.
Dread times are near
And I'm not joking I a warning
Difficult and worrying times are approaching, and this is not a joke or exaggeration.
As we continue that same old moaning
The chosen race just keep on begging yeh
And I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Despite our complaints and petitions, the marginalized and oppressed keep suffering, and the singer wants to know who is responsible for their plight, as they seem to disregard their suffering entirely.
Mother's joy turn to
Pain and hollering
Weeping for their babes and sucklings
Spirits of the innocent wandering
Sufferation everlasting
But I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Mothers experience agony and despair as they witness the suffering and death of their innocent children, and the artist wants to know who is responsible for this suffering, as they seem indifferent to it.
Oh Papa dem chest keeps on burning
Fist clench tight a grit dem teeth
And blood is boiling
The price is high yet they keep on paying
The little bundles of love
They are all missing
And I wanna know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
Fathers experience intense anger and pain as they witness the sacrifice of their loved ones, and the artist wants to know who is responsible for their loss, as they seem not to care.
Brothers and sisters
This plight we're facing
Get involved problems to solved
Yourselves concerning
Divided we are so
One by one we are falling
The front line of the battle is hottest
Your duties calling
I demand to know who's responsible?
They don't give a damn no
The singer urges unity and involvement to solve the problems they're facing, as they are falling one by one, and the front line of the battle is the most challenging, and they demand to know who is responsible for their suffering, as they seem unconcerned.
Talking down south Atlanta killings
Talking down south Deptford bombings
Talking down south Azania coming
They'll cut your hearts out
And I'm not joking
Turn no blind eye brothers be willing
Yeh the front line of the battle is hottest
Your duties calling
The singer mentions violent incidents in different parts of the world and warns that the cruelty is real and not an exaggeration, urging people not to turn a blind eye or ignore it. They then repeat that the front line of the battle is the hottest, and the duty to act is calling.
Contributed by Maria H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Inner Worlds
Was lucky to have grown up listening to Steel Pulse. More than 30 years later, message is still valid and relevant.
Igor Amokian
I was just saying that…from 80s - 2021….blessings.
Lawrence Njawe
My very first Steel Pulse recording I bought on cassette back in the days in the mid 80s. With virtually no money on me that day, I literally starved myself just to have it.....ha ha ha!!!
Nubian Sis
After so many years, this still sounds good
Stormy weather
Certainly contemporary
daniel medina
......sounds* even better*.
Brendon Cariah
ONE OF THEIR BEST!!!!
Alvin Patterson
One of the great reggae bands conscious lyrics its sad we don't have more of this kind of music today I grew up on this kind of music today's youth don't have these teachings
Samb Aby
Les jeunes écoutent du rap et ne comprennent rien
Samb Aby
J'ai été a 1 concert a Paris , c était 1 bon groupe