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.
Victims
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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While you a bubble
Pon dis ya riddim
I would like you to check yourself within
Open your mind and your heart
Limb by limb and part by part
Cause what you see
Is an angry man
Robbed of culture and his land
Left to toil the wilderness
Exploited by imperialists cause we are
CHORUS
Victims of the system
And we're fighting back
Imperialism
You're under attack
Oh oh oh
And we're fighting back
Oh oh
You're under attack
While you a bubble
Pon dis ya riddim
I would like you to check yourself within
Free up yourself from the claws
Of their rules and phoney laws
Cause we have found identity
To bring about our unity
Chains released from our minds
Colonialism left behind cause we are
CHORUS
Victims of the system
And we're fighting back
Imperialism
You're under attack
Oh oh oh
And we're fighting back
Oh oh
You're under attack
Pon de riddim bubbling
Storm of change is blowing
Yes we are demanding
We fighting back
We fighting back
We fighting back
Yes we fighting
And demanding
In "Victims of the System" by Steel Pulse, the lyrics depict a call to action against imperialism and colonialism. The song urges listeners to check themselves and free themselves from the claws of societal rules and laws. The lyrics suggest that the anger and frustration in people's hearts is the result of them being robbed of their culture and their land, exploited by imperialists. The song calls for unity to fight against the system and declares that imperialism is under attack.
The song's opening line, "while you a bubble pon dis ya riddim," references the pulsing reggae rhythm that the song is set to. The song uses the rhythm to convey the message that while people dance and enjoy the music, they must also open their minds and hearts to the political message behind the lyrics. The repetition of the line "we're fighting back" in the chorus illustrates the theme of resistance, resilience and determination to take back what was taken from them.
Steel Pulse is known for being a politically charged reggae band, and "Victims of the System" is no exception. The lyrics are inspired by the band's own experiences with oppression, racism, and colonialism in their native Jamaica and England. The song was released in 1979, during a time when many Caribbean immigrants living in the UK were experiencing discrimination and hardship. It has remained relevant and influential in modern times, inspiring other artists to speak out against social injustice and inequality.
Line by Line Meaning
While you a bubble
Pon dis ya riddim
I would like you to check yourself within
While you're enjoying the music, take a moment to reflect on yourself and your beliefs.
Open your mind and your heart
Limb by limb and part by part
Be open-minded and compassionate towards others, regardless of their background.
Cause what you see
Is an angry man
Robbed of culture and his land
Left to toil the wilderness
Exploited by imperialists cause we are
What you witness is an individual who has been stripped of their culture and personal property, forced to work tirelessly for imperialists.
CHORUS
Victims of the system
And we're fighting back
Imperialism
You're under attack
Oh oh oh
And we're fighting back
Oh oh
You're under attack
The group is oppressed by the existing power structure, but they're taking action to fight back against the tyranny.
Free up yourself from the claws
Of their rules and phoney laws
Cause we have found identity
To bring about our unity
Chains released from our minds
Colonialism left behind cause we are
Reject the laws and regulations of the oppressors, and instead, bond together as a united group that embraced their independent identity.
Pon de riddim bubbling
Storm of change is blowing
Yes we are demanding
With the rhythm of music in the background, the group acknowledges the revolution that is being ushered in and is calling for change.
We fighting back
We fighting back
We fighting back
Yes we fighting
And demanding
The group is reaffirming its notion of fighting the power structure and, as a united group, demanding change.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind