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.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
State of emergency
State of emergency
State of emergency
Emergency
Ready, aim, fire
From Brixton to cape town
From Handsworth to Uitenhage
Lawlessness on the rampage
Sticks and stones they're throwing
Set ablaze the buildings
Youthful minds are stirring
Time to make a change
Who they think they're fooling
No want no diverse doctrine
Forever we will strive
Fighting against apartheid
State of emergency
Never seen such urgency
State of emergency
Never seen such urgency
Forever we will strive
I never seen a thing like this before
How long can this go on
A riding riding ride the storm
Me tired me tired
Of being a stepping stone
To hell with words
And give me action
Sticks and stones they're throwing
Set ablaze the buildings
Youthful minds are stirring
Time to make a change
Who they think they're fooling
No want no diverse doctrine
Forever we will strive
Fighting against apartheid
State of emergency
Never seen such urgency
State of emergency
Never seen such urgency
Forever we will strive
The whole wide world is burning
Forever we will strive
Pring pring gun shot ring
From Brixton to cape town
Unrest all around
From Handsworth to Durban
No satisfaction
We will strive for freedom now
We will strive for freedom now
We will strive for freedom now
We will strive for freedom now
The Steel Pulse song "State of Emergency" is a call to action against the oppression experienced by black communities in countries such as South Africa and the UK. The repetitive use of the phrase "State of emergency" serves as a reminder of the dire situation that these communities are facing, where unrest and lawlessness have become the norm. The lyrics also highlight the frustration and anger felt by the community due to the lack of action being taken to address the apartheid policies.
The lines "Who they think they're fooling, No want no diverse doctrine" are symbolic of the resistance against the policies of apartheid and the notion of white superiority. The imagery of "sticks and stones they're throwing, set ablaze the buildings" is a powerful representation of the anger and frustration towards the difficulties and struggles faced by these communities. The phrase "Forever we will strive" is a call to never give up and continue the fight against injustice and discrimination.
The song additionally highlights the urgency of the situation in the lines "Never seen such urgency". The word "urgency" is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the need for immediate action to be taken. Overall, the song is a powerful call to action against the oppressive policies and discrimination experienced by black communities across the world.
Line by Line Meaning
State of emergency
The situation is critical and requires immediate attention.
State of emergency
The situation is critical and requires immediate attention.
State of emergency
The situation is critical and requires immediate attention.
State of emergency
The situation is critical and requires immediate attention.
Emergency
The situation is dire and urgent action must be taken.
Ready, aim, fire
Violence is escalating and becoming more intense.
From Brixton to cape town
The unrest is widespread and happening in various places.
Unrest all around
There is chaos and turmoil everywhere.
From Handsworth to Uitenhage
The situation is not limited to any specific area.
Lawlessness on the rampage
People are breaking the law en masse and without fear of consequence.
Sticks and stones they're throwing
Violent acts are being committed with basic weapons.
Set ablaze the buildings
Property is being destroyed and lives are in danger.
Youthful minds are stirring
Young people are getting involved and trying to bring about change.
Time to make a change
It is crucial that action is taken to rectify the problems at hand.
Who they think they're fooling
The authorities are not fooling anyone with their inaction.
No want no diverse doctrine
The people do not want diversity imposed upon them.
Forever we will strive
The people will never give up fighting for what they believe in.
Fighting against apartheid
The struggle is against the system of racial segregation and discrimination.
Never seen such urgency
The situation has never been this critical before.
Forever we will strive
The struggle for freedom will never cease.
I never seen a thing like this before
The severity of the situation is unprecedented.
How long can this go on
The people are questioning how much longer they must endure this suffering.
A riding riding ride the storm
The people are trying to persevere through the chaos and turmoil.
Me tired me tired
The people are exhausted from the struggle.
Of being a stepping stone
The people are tired of being taken advantage of and oppressed.
To hell with words
The people are tired of empty promises and want action to be taken.
And give me action
The people want concrete steps to be taken to alleviate the situation.
The whole wide world is burning
The unrest is not limited to one specific area but is a global issue.
Pring pring gun shot ring
The sound of gunshots ringing is a common occurrence.
From Handsworth to Durban
The unrest is happening in various places and is not limited to one area.
No satisfaction
The people are not content with the status quo and demand change.
We will strive for freedom now
The people are determined to fight for their freedom and will not rest until it is achieved.
We will strive for freedom now
The people are determined to fight for their freedom and will not rest until it is achieved.
We will strive for freedom now
The people are determined to fight for their freedom and will not rest until it is achieved.
We will strive for freedom now
The people are determined to fight for their freedom and will not rest until it is achieved.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
gabepizza
I used to love this album in college! I would play it all the time. Then I saw them at Bonnaroo in 06 or 07 and they basically played the exact same set
Reuel Carvalho Gagliano
Curiosidade sobre a frase de introdução dessa música: And now, from hands of Birmingham, put hands together, raise the voices to the air, and bring on. Steel Pulse !!!!
Tradução não ao pé da letra:
e agora, das mãos de Birmingham, juntem as mãos, levantem as vozes ao ar, e venham.
Graciano Pontes
Aprendi a gostar de Reggae ouvindo essa banda, e exatamente esss música, nessa versão, do show deles em Paris. Isso em 1998,99. Steel Pulse foda!
Alexandre Narcz
Steel Pulse Rastafari Centennial Live in Paris...
O melhor registro ao vivo da banda. Muito foda!!!
FernandO. Ras
CONCORDO!!!! MAN👊
Richard Murphy
À a
Jamal g
Music of peace and to calm you down all the way Steel Pulse!!!!!!!!!!!
FernandO. Ras
YES I
Nat Yassou
Toujours d actualité !!!! STATE OF EMERGENCY !!!
turnonstan
Great album!