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.
Macka Splaff
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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I just feel blockup on you
Hey bum bu
Hey Jah stab
Hey size nine
Hey grey seed
Is like seh grizzly ah folly
Him smoke off the collie
So, ma it, grizzly
Mash It!!!
Mister collie, collie collie man
Me want some herbs to smoke tonight
Mister collie, collie collie man
Me want some herbs to smoke tonight
Feeling high, high high
Feeling down, down down
Feeling high, high high
Feeling down, down down
Feeling high, high high
Feeling down, down down
Mister collie, collie collie man
Me want some herbs to smoke tonight
Mister collie, collie collie man
Marijuana smoke tonight
Mister collie man
Want some herbs to smoke tonight
Mister collie man
Ganja smoke tonight
Feeling high ... (chorus)
Mister collie man, plant of Jah Jah
Smoke tonight
Feeling high (chorus)
Block up feelings ire in I self
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song Macka Splaff are centered around the desire for marijuana and the effects it produces. The song begins with several names being mentioned, including "grizzly" and "collie," which are both slang terms for marijuana. The singer wants to smoke some herbs tonight, and repeatedly asks for "collie collie man," which refers to a marijuana dealer or supplier. The chorus repeats the words "feeling high" and "feeling down," possibly indicating the up-and-down effects of being under the influence of drugs.
The song paints a picture of someone who is deeply entrenched in drug culture and relies on marijuana to escape their problems. The use of marijuana is romanticized, with the singer describing it as a "plant of Jah Jah" and expressing a desire to feel the "block up feelings ire" within themselves. However, the repetition of "feeling down" in the chorus hints at the downsides of drug use.
Overall, the lyrics to Macka Splaff glorify drug use while also acknowledging its negative aspects. It is a commentary on the complicated relationship between people and drugs, and the way in which drugs can provide temporary relief while ultimately causing harm.
Line by Line Meaning
Hi
Greeting, acknowledging someone's presence
I just feel blockup on you
I feel a strong emotion or attachment towards you
Hey bum bu
Exclamation indicating enthusiasm or excitement
Hey Jah stab
Reference to the power of God
Hey size nine
Reference to shoe size, possibly implying someone's physical abilities
Hey grey seed
Unknown reference, possibly to a plant or object
Is like seh grizzly ah folly
Comparing someone to a bear and suggesting foolishness or recklessness
Him smoke off the collie
He is smoking marijuana
So, ma it, grizzly
Continuation of the bear comparison, possibly urging someone to take action
Mash It!!!
Call to action, urging someone to make a move
Mister collie, collie collie man
Reference to someone who supplies marijuana
Me want some herbs to smoke tonight
Expressing desire to smoke marijuana
Marijuana smoke tonight
Repeating desire to smoke marijuana
Feeling high, high high
Describing the feeling of being under the influence of marijuana
Feeling down, down down
Describing the contrasting feeling of coming down from being high
Mister collie man
Repeating reference to the marijuana supplier
Ganja smoke tonight
Repeating desire to smoke marijuana
Mister collie man, plant of Jah Jah
Suggesting a spiritual connection to marijuana
Smoke tonight
Repeating desire to smoke marijuana
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SELWYN DELRAINZE BROWN, BASIL GLENDON GABBIDON, DAVID ROBERT HINDS, ALPHONSO MARTIN, RONNIE MCQUEEN, STEPHEN VINCENT NISBETT, MICHAEL RILEY
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