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.
Earth Crisis
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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And the fullness thereof now
Gave man his love and they
Reward him with violence
And in these last days
Lend ears to what I say
Man in his ignorant state
Has signed and sealed his own fate
To quench eternal flames of hell
Doctrines of the fallen angels
To quench eternal flames of hell
Earth crisis Earth crisis
All this suffering
Earth crisis Earth crisis
Misguided people
They don't seem to care
They carry the symbol
Of the eagle and the bear
Across the globe
Far east to far west
High tax and cutbacks for military defence
Doctrines of the fallen angels
To quench eternal flames of hell
Doctrines of the fallen angels
To quench eternal flames of hell
Earth crisis Earth crisis
All this suffering
Earth crisis Earth crisis
Super powers have a plan
Undermining Third World man
Suck their lands of minerals
Creating famine and pestilence
You hear what I say hear what I say
The Earth is the Lord's
And the fullness thereof now
Gave man his love and they
Reward him with violence
And in these last days
Lend ears to what I say
Man in his ignorant state
Has signed and sealed his own fate in this
Earth crisis
In a Earth, in a Earth, in a dis ya time yah
Earth crisis, Earth crisis
You life in there hands just waiting to explode
Earth crisis
A touch of a button fingertip control
Earth crisis
It hardly surprising
Earth crisis
JAH kingdom rising
Earth crisis
All this suffering
The lyrics of Steel Pulse's song Earth Crisis show a sense of sadness and anger towards man's disregard for the wellbeing of the planet Earth. The lyrics analyze the current state of the Earth, and take a critical look at how man has been destructive towards the planet. The song points out that the Earth belongs to the Lord, and has given the power of love to humanity, but instead, humanity has used its power to inflict violence towards each other and the planet.
The lyrics also highlight the ignorance of humanity, who have signed and sealed their own fate, as they have fallen prey to doctrines of the fallen angels to quench eternal flames of hell. Furthermore, the song points out the superpowers' plan, where they undermine the third world man, suck their lands of minerals, and create famine and pestilence. This Earth Crisis is the result of man's disregard and lack of concern for the planet's wellbeing, and the song urges people to lend ears to what they say and make a change.
Overall, the lyrics of Steel Pulse's Earth Crisis beautifully capture the essence of the current state of the planet and encourage humanity to make a change before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
The Earth is the Lord's
The Earth belongs to no one, but rather to a higher power.
And the fullness thereof now
The Earth contains everything that humans need to survive.
Gave man his love and they
The Earth has provided humans with all that they need to live healthy and happy lives.
Reward him with violence
Humans have been mistreating the Earth by destroying it and causing harm to it.
And in these last days
In this current time period.
Lend ears to what I say
Listen carefully to the following words.
Man in his ignorant state
Humans, who are unaware and uninformed.
Has signed and sealed his own fate
Humans have caused their own destruction by their actions on the Earth.
Doctrines of the fallen angels
Beliefs that have been corrupted from their original state to fuel sinful behavior.
To quench eternal flames of hell
The misguided beliefs are being used to save humans from an afterlife of punishment and misery.
Earth crisis Earth crisis
The state of the Earth is currently in crisis.
All this suffering
The current crisis is causing the Earth and its inhabitants to suffer greatly.
Misguided people
Individuals who have been led astray.
They don't seem to care
These people seem to be indifferent to the destruction they are causing.
They carry the symbol
They proudly display the symbol.
Of the eagle and the bear
Symbols of countries that are responsible for much of the destruction.
Across the globe
All around the world.
Far east to far west
From the eastern side of the world to the western side.
High tax and cutbacks for military defence
Countries are prioritizing military spending over protecting their citizens and the Earth.
Super powers have a plan
Powerful countries have a strategy for exploiting other nations.
Undermining Third World man
Causing harm to people living in less wealthy nations.
Suck their lands of minerals
Extracting valuable resources from other countries.
Creating famine and pestilence
Destroying the environment and causing food shortages and disease.
You hear what I say hear what I say
Pay attention to what I am saying.
In a Earth, in a Earth, in a dis ya time yah
In this time period on Earth.
You life in there hands just waiting to explode
Your life is in the hands of those who are destroying the Earth, and disaster is imminent.
A touch of a button fingertip control
The destruction of the Earth can be caused by a single person with technological control.
It hardly surprising
It is not at all shocking.
JAH kingdom rising
A higher power is taking action and reclaiming the Earth from the destructive humans.
All this suffering
The current crisis on the Earth is causing much pain and hardship.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind