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.
Wild Goose Chase
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of creation
Would be nuclear power
And radiation
I thought judgement
Would come
When dem drop
And man was heading
For extinction with
With contraceptive pills
That was made to kill
Legal murder
They call abortion
I thought the invention
Of robots yes yeh
All forms of life
Would eventually stop
But now dem dog gone crazy
Mass producing test tube babies
Oil a wild goose chase
Laws of nature they just can't face
Ambition is to mash up the place
Who shall save the human race?
Chemicals in the food
To control population
intentions to build
A plastic nation
Cloning cats to have dogs
Human beings breeding hogs
On the moon in search of aliens
But now dem dog gone crazy
Mass producing test tube babies
On a wild goose chase
Laws of nature they just can't face
Ambition is to mash up the place
Who shall save the human race?
These times of science and technology
This world is an unconscious lavatory
Using my people as guinea pigs
I man a fight it spiritually
Soon the old will inject
Themselves to keep young
Ain't no telling what they do next
All I know that JAH must vex
0 righteous one keep in check
Thunder will roll and break wicked neck
On a wild goose chase
Laws of nature they just can't face
Ambition is to mash up the place
Tell me who shall save de HUMAN RACE?
In Wild Goose Chase, Steel Pulse is warning against the dangers of unchecked scientific advancement and the misuse of technology. The song's lyrics suggest that rather than traditional fears of nuclear warfare or the collapse of the ecosystem, the real threat lies in humanity's own tendency to play god. The first verse describes the singer's earlier beliefs that nuclear power and contraception would bring about the end of humanity, but now the real threat is seen as the wild and reckless use of technology.
The second verse touches on topics such as population control through chemical agents in food, plastic surgery to extend lifespan, genetic engineering of animals, and the obsession with finding extraterrestrial life. Steel Pulse argues that these pursuits are ultimately futile and misguided, and they will only lead to more problems that could threaten humanity's existence.
The song highlights the importance of a spiritual connection to nature and an understanding of the laws of nature. The chorus insists that we need to stop this wild goose chase and pay attention to our surroundings before it's too late. The final verse speaks of the consequences of ignoring these warnings, with thunder rolling to break the wicked and the righteous being the only ones who can keep humanity in check.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought the destruction
The singer had believed that the destruction of creation would come about as a result of nuclear power and radiation.
Of creation
The singer thought that all of creation would be destroyed.
Would be nuclear power
The singer felt that nuclear power would lead to the destruction of the planet.
And radiation
The artist believed radiation was included in the destructive effects of nuclear power.
I thought judgement
The artist had believed judgement day would come.
Would come
The singer believed judgement day would come to end mankind's time on Earth.
When dem drop
The singer was anticipating judgement day to happen when someone finally ...
De neutron bomb
...drops the neutron bomb.
And man was heading
The artist was convinced that humanity was headed for extinction.
For extinction with
Humanity was on the brink of falling into extinction.
With contraceptive pills
The use of contraceptive pills was thought to be hastening humanity's demise.
That was made to kill
The artist believed that the pills were made with the intention to kill people.
Legal murder
Abortion was viewed as a legal form of murder.
They call abortion
The term abortion was used to describe a formalized method of legal murder.
I thought the invention
The singer had believed that the advent of robots would bring an end to all forms of life.
Of robots yes yeh
Robots were believed to be the invention that would put an end to all biological life.
All forms of life
This refers to all living things on Earth that would be ended by robots.
Would eventually stop
The singer believed that robots would eventually put an end to all life on Earth.
But now dem dog gone crazy
The singer has now discovered that society has gone wild.
Mass producing test tube babies
People have now started to grow babies in test tubes en masse.
Oil a wild goose chase
The artist believes that using oil is like going on a wild goose chase because there are more sustainable options.
Laws of nature they just can't face
They are recklessly breaking well-established nature laws.
Ambition is to mash up the place
People's ambition is to destroy the natural world.
Who shall save the human race?
The artist asks this question as a call to action for finding a solution.
Chemicals in the food
The singer is referencing the use of chemicals in food processing in modern times.
To control population
Chemicals are ostensibly used to make human populations more manageable.
Intentions to build
Intensive conflicts over intentions are developing around the long-term use of chemicals in the farming industry.
A plastic nation
Plastic is being used everywhere instead of biodegradable materials.
Cloning cats to have dogs
The world is getting weirder and weirder, to the point of creating cats that can mimic the characteristics of a dog.
Human beings breeding hogs
People are starting to cross-breed humans and animals.
On the moon in search of aliens
People are spending vast amounts of resources searching for things that are probably not there.
These times of science and technology
The artist believes that the current era is defined by its technological advancement.
This world is an unconscious lavatory
The Earth is becoming like one big, polluted toilet.
Using my people as guinea pigs
The artist is accusing society of frivolously using people to experiment with new technologies, like lab rats.
I man a fight it spiritually
The singer seeks to fight against these developments in a spiritual or moral sense.
Soon the old will inject
Soon, there will be a desire to use new technologies to falsify youth.
Themselves to keep young
People will use technology to arrest their own aging process.
Ain't no telling what they do next
One can only imagine what will come next as technological advances continue at such a rapid pace.
All I know that JAH must vex
The singer believes that a higher power will be angered by the way that people are tampering with nature.
Righteous one keep in check
The artist urges the good people in society to keep an eye on questionable intents.
Thunder will roll and break wicked neck
Those who are doing wrong in society will be punished for defying the laws of nature.
Tell me who shall save de HUMAN RACE?
The singer again poses the question of who will save humanity from its present trajectory towards destruction.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Hinds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mikaire David
Listen closely, he's speaking facts 💯
TC
Well this is shockingly relevant today.
mellamokarinaa
frfr
Yvette B
And getting worse…
Matt Hazelton
And again today
Steve Ashley
Doesn't history repeat itself? If it does, it doesn't have to but people don't want to change until it's too late and it is probably too late at this point..
Jazz Shrooms Trap & Boom Bap
Very deep lyrics yo!!! This song is way ahead of its time, it's almost scary, if you compare the lyrics with the world today, steel pulse is my favorite group ever!
peter asmar
I grew up on these guys back in the 90s. I just sent this to all my friends so they can trip out on how relevant this is today
The Problem Must Be In Your Pants
They weren’t ahead of their time, rather humanity is continuing to fuck it up without learning.
222Lightning
and none of my coworkers have even heard of Steel Pulse when we talk about music. God bless the power of music......the great communicator. The lyrics are incredible....one must read them line by line.