The Selecter, a ska revival band from Coventry, England, formed in the late… Read Full Bio ↴The Selecter, a ska revival band from Coventry, England, formed in the late 1970s as one of the essential bands of the British ska movement. The profilic lead singer is Pauline Black. The Selecter are known for hits as 'On My Radio', 'Too Much Pressure', 'Missing Words', 'Three Minute Hero' and 'Celebrate The Bullet'. The Selecter featured a racially mixed line up, and the name of the band is a reference to the Jamaican word for a music selecter, known elsewhere as the DJ.
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The Selecter are a British ska revival band from Coventry, formed in the late 1970s as one of the essential bands of the British ska movement.
Much of what set apart The Selecter from many of the other ska bands at the time was the voice of Pauline Black. She had to disguise herself as a man in order for the band to get gigs, but once they did, there was no disguising her voice. Like other ska bands of this movement, The Selecter featured a racially mixed line up, and songs about violence, politics, marijuana, a fictional spy's theme song, James Bond, and reggae classics. The name of the band is a reference to the Jamaican word for a music selecter, known elsewhere as the DJ. Also typical to the style is the mix of one vocalist singing, and the other toasting in a Jamaican style, a precursor to rapping.
The Selecter's first recording Too Much Pressure was recorded at the end of 1979 and beginning of 1980 and issued on the pre-eminent 2 Tone/Chrysalis label. Their second recording Celebrate the Bullet was issued in 1981. Though the band has continued to regroup and reform on and off, most of the many recordings available are recompiled selections from these first two albums, either live or studio recordings. The Selecter's first two albums are essential British ska recordings.
Pauline Black has been the singer in The Selecter since its formation in 1979 when the band spearheaded the Two Tone movement alongside The Specials releasing the singles "The Selecter", "Three Minute Hero", "The Whisper", "Missing Words" and "On My Radio" as well as two albums; "Too Much Pressure" and "Celebrate The Bullet". The Selecter were also featured in the cult film Dance Craze. The band split in 1982, Pauline carved out a career in TV and theatre, appearing in dramas like The Vice, The Bill, Hearts and Minds and 2000 Acres of Sky. She won the 1991 Time Out award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the play All or Nothing At All and starred next to Christopher Lee in the schlock horror film The Funny Man. She reformed The Selecter in 1991 and has released several new albums and has toured all over the world.
Nick Welsh is probably best known for being the bassist in The Selecter and formerly Bad Manners but he has worked with some of the biggest names in Ska and Reggae, Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, Rico Rodriguez, Dave Barker and most recently Lee "Scratch" Perry with whom he received a Grammy Award Certificate for his work on the CD Jamaican ET which won The Best Reggae Category in 2002. Nick also writes music for TV which has been used world-wide on shows as diverse as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), The Osbournes and even adverts for Ariel soap powder.
Neol Davies the founder and writer of the classic hits returns with a brand new band in 2010.
neoldaviesakatheselecter plays the mainstage at Bestival 2011 with new album and remixes.
Original line-up
Pauline Black : vocals
Compton Amanor: guitar
Charley Anderson: bass guitar
Charley Bembridge: drums
Desmond Brown: Hammond keyboard
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur Hendrickson: vocals
Anderson and Brown left The Selecter in 1980. They were replaced by James Mackie: Hammond organ and Adam Williams: bass guitar
Reformed line-up: 1991
Pauline Black: vocals
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson - vocals
Martin Stewart: keyboards
Nick Welsh : bass
Perry Melius : drums
The Selecter 2010 lineup includes
Founder and songwriter Neol Davies- vocals/guitars
Lead Vocals- John Gibbons
Daniel Crosby- Drums
Andre Buyani- Bass
Tim Cansfield- Guitar
Victor Travino- Congas & Percussion
Dean Ross- Hammond Organ
Selecter Horns
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The Selecter are a British ska revival band from Coventry, formed in the late 1970s as one of the essential bands of the British ska movement.
Much of what set apart The Selecter from many of the other ska bands at the time was the voice of Pauline Black. She had to disguise herself as a man in order for the band to get gigs, but once they did, there was no disguising her voice. Like other ska bands of this movement, The Selecter featured a racially mixed line up, and songs about violence, politics, marijuana, a fictional spy's theme song, James Bond, and reggae classics. The name of the band is a reference to the Jamaican word for a music selecter, known elsewhere as the DJ. Also typical to the style is the mix of one vocalist singing, and the other toasting in a Jamaican style, a precursor to rapping.
The Selecter's first recording Too Much Pressure was recorded at the end of 1979 and beginning of 1980 and issued on the pre-eminent 2 Tone/Chrysalis label. Their second recording Celebrate the Bullet was issued in 1981. Though the band has continued to regroup and reform on and off, most of the many recordings available are recompiled selections from these first two albums, either live or studio recordings. The Selecter's first two albums are essential British ska recordings.
Pauline Black has been the singer in The Selecter since its formation in 1979 when the band spearheaded the Two Tone movement alongside The Specials releasing the singles "The Selecter", "Three Minute Hero", "The Whisper", "Missing Words" and "On My Radio" as well as two albums; "Too Much Pressure" and "Celebrate The Bullet". The Selecter were also featured in the cult film Dance Craze. The band split in 1982, Pauline carved out a career in TV and theatre, appearing in dramas like The Vice, The Bill, Hearts and Minds and 2000 Acres of Sky. She won the 1991 Time Out award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the play All or Nothing At All and starred next to Christopher Lee in the schlock horror film The Funny Man. She reformed The Selecter in 1991 and has released several new albums and has toured all over the world.
Nick Welsh is probably best known for being the bassist in The Selecter and formerly Bad Manners but he has worked with some of the biggest names in Ska and Reggae, Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, Rico Rodriguez, Dave Barker and most recently Lee "Scratch" Perry with whom he received a Grammy Award Certificate for his work on the CD Jamaican ET which won The Best Reggae Category in 2002. Nick also writes music for TV which has been used world-wide on shows as diverse as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), The Osbournes and even adverts for Ariel soap powder.
Neol Davies the founder and writer of the classic hits returns with a brand new band in 2010.
neoldaviesakatheselecter plays the mainstage at Bestival 2011 with new album and remixes.
Original line-up
Pauline Black : vocals
Compton Amanor: guitar
Charley Anderson: bass guitar
Charley Bembridge: drums
Desmond Brown: Hammond keyboard
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur Hendrickson: vocals
Anderson and Brown left The Selecter in 1980. They were replaced by James Mackie: Hammond organ and Adam Williams: bass guitar
Reformed line-up: 1991
Pauline Black: vocals
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson - vocals
Martin Stewart: keyboards
Nick Welsh : bass
Perry Melius : drums
The Selecter 2010 lineup includes
Founder and songwriter Neol Davies- vocals/guitars
Lead Vocals- John Gibbons
Daniel Crosby- Drums
Andre Buyani- Bass
Tim Cansfield- Guitar
Victor Travino- Congas & Percussion
Dean Ross- Hammond Organ
Selecter Horns
Frontline
The Selecter Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Frontline' by these artists:
13 Faces Constituion lost its ink They won't get away with this Ste…
ANTROPOID Maaaaaaan what you know about a cat like R? A dime…
Army of the Pharaohs [Doap Nixon] Uh, AOTP in this nigga. We don't rumble no…
Axell (What do you want me to say) (I love this beat)…
Big E-D Sometimes I look in the mirror and ask myself, what…
Big-E-D Woah Let's go (Drvmlord) Filled my cup three times, shit sti…
Captain Frontline, I want you. Frontline, I want you. Frontline, …
Catch Your Breath I feel Myself drifting away From you Deep down inside I was …
Chinaski I was riding shotgun sitting on the sky Sight-seeing for the…
D-Aye Sometimes I look in the mirror and ask myself, what…
Dahm. Ok, ok, ok, DMT No, not dimethyltryptamine It's Miles Powers…
Deny Won't take your shit Tired of every bit Your fascist path Wi…
DJ B-Front Ah yes thank you thank you thank you That was a..nother…
Don Carlos It's not like I'm walking alone into the valley of…
El Da Sensei Yo yo yo, huh hah Smooth diff' in this, why'all know…
El Da Sensei feat. Organized Konfusion Mike Zoot & F.T. Yo yo yo, huh hah Smooth diff' in this, why'all know…
Engel I think it's ridiculous that you still want to be…
F-T Yo yo yo, huh hah Smooth diff' in this, why'all know…
G-Families Is it because I view From a higher perspective Daily distrac…
Gavin Rossdale I haven't been to hell and back Cause baby I'm still…
Gavin Turek saw my day, when I saw ya Swept away, though I…
Goodie Mob Frontline Frontline Live from the frontline peep the signs …
Greg X. Volz I've crossed the line of danger, No place of refuge to…
Hujohn@Hotmail.Co.Uk ずっと考えてきたんだ 代わりなんて誰でもいい 諦めてしまえたから楽だし 傷つくことも減ったんだ でも何故だかさ 泣きた…
Idle Cure The Frontline Bring it on we′re ready You know what to do F…
J.C. Jess This one gon liberate Pull up and demonstrate Freedom is on …
Julius Cowdrey I feel lost in a world that Felt so easy yesterday What′s…
K.o.K. Front line trucks Big, big bucks Now I'm on they ass And now…
Kelela There's a place you hold I left behind, I'm finished Since…
Kottonmouth Kings These fly rhymes and high times are brought to you…
L.E.P. Bogus Boys Aight motherfucker.. Primo, a-heh a-hah, a-hey! Sssssss.. (…
L.E.P. Bogus Boys Feat. Dion Primo The lyrics to this song are coming soon Please bear with…
Ligion Give me one night and I'll make you feel good Pick…
Lil Poppa Kim J ballin' on these hoes, huh? Yung Ting, you goin'…
Mammút take me out tonight my eyes cast a shadow take me out…
Manges Fear and hate and stinking breath Boy, never lose your faith…
Mechanical Poet Wake up! Pieces of peace, chips of illusions. Dreams, which…
Miles H.I.G.H Is it because I view From a higher perspective Daily distrac…
Mo'kalamity We're on deadline We can't be blind Too much iniquity We hav…
Mo'kalamity And The Wizards We're on a deadline We can't be blind Too much iniquity We h…
Mo'Kalamity The Wizards We're on deadline We can't be blind Too much iniquity We hav…
Mr. Criminal Im talking Front line Mets hat Queens yea i rep that Get a…
No Temple Alright boys Line 'em up Over the top Over the top! Blood a…
O.C.C Aight motherfucker.. Primo, a-heh a-hah, a-hey! Sssssss.. (…
Onyx Turn this up, mane For the street's back For my niggas on…
Onyx feat. Raekwon Turn this up, mane For the street's back For my niggas o…
p-dub Aight motherfucker.. Primo, a-heh a-hah, a-hey! Sssssss.. (…
Pa Salieu They don't know about the block life Still doing mazza inna…
Paque Frontline, nigga, frontline Frontline, nigga, frontline You …
Pillar It's not like I'm walking alone into the valley of…
Princess Nyah Looking from their tower They laugh Of our world Stealing s…
Quasar Lost in the trenches, I only see my feet. In the…
Robert Post Cross the lake Don't give, just take Over on this side it's…
Sabrina Fallah The Frontline Hey, I never wanted it to be this way. And…
SahBabii Bah, ooh-ooh, ooh Ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh Oh, yeah I'm f…
Shaun Baker It started with the pain, you shut me up, Babe, you…
Sims (...thousand miles from home, an American army is fighting f…
SubNoize Souljaz (A.Ramlie)Bila aku terpandang wajah puan yang girang Aku dap…
T.Love Przez wojnę, przez pokój, przez noc Przez dżungle, przez bu…
Templars Don't wanna sound full of myself or rude But you ain't…
The Captain Frontline, I want you. Frontline, I want you. Frontline, …
The Manges Fear and hate and stinkin` breath, boy Never lose your faith…
The Pharcyde [Chorus x2] No time to relax, nowhere to run Living on the…
The Right Ons Oh, girl! You get me down on my knees I gotta…
The Templars Don't wanna sound full of myself or rude But you ain't…
The-Front Ah yes thank you thank you thank you That was a..nother…
THUDD Been trapped down here for too long Infestation of mortality…
Turbulence Want a natty pon mi front line And I will be…
WC "Man, Dub, I don't even think they even believe in…
Yaggfu Front Ah yes thank you thank you thank you That was a..nother…
We have lyrics for these tracks by The Selecter:
(Who Likes) Facing Situations Don't just sit there I'm bored and so are you All…
007 0-0-7 0-0-7 At ocean eleven And now rudeboys have a go wa…
01 Three Minute Hero They asked you if you're alright You say yes But all the…
Bad Dog Bad dog Don't get no biscuit Sad dog Don't get no more mo…
Black & Blue She never really had the chances That some of the kids…
Blind Leading the Blind The story's never been told The secret almost went cold So…
Bomb Scare I hear an urgent message From a panicking voice Start moving…
Bombscare I hear an urgent message From a panicking voice Start movi…
Bristol And Miami Cafe on the corner peeling painted sign Water in he vinegar…
California Screaming Once upon a time a king had a dream Then three…
Carry Go Bring Come All this carry go bring come my dear Bring misery All this…
Celebrate The Bullet Celebrate the bullet, Put your finger on the trigger, But …
Cool Blue Lady Cool blue lady sing your song Twist your heart out it…
Copasetic It was not copasetic, it was not right Those weapons that…
Cruel Britannia Paint you a picture Of how it can be But I'm not…
Danger I was only having some fun When they come and take…
Deep Water Deepwater, deepwater I'm in trouble and I'm up to my…
Deepwater Deepwater, deepwater I'm in trouble and I'm up to my neck…
Die Happy Close up the candy store Pull down the blinds No problems …
Everyday Everyday things are getting worse Everyday things are getti…
Facing Situations Don't just sit there I'm bored and so are you All…
Hairspray I met a girl I knew the other day I said…
Hearsay Small town people live small lives I swear they take you…
How Can I Win? Happiness isn't everything It takes a cynic to know Tell me …
I Want Justice I have been so blind to all the heartache and…
In My Radio Someone who loves me switched the radio on Someone who loves…
Johnny Too Bad Walking down the road With an old blade in your…
Keeping the Trees Clean Sticks and stones may break my bones But names will never…
Ladders When I wake up in the night I can't open my…
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah You keep telling me yes But you don´t mean it You keep…
Long Shot What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park What a…
Madness Madness, madness, they call it madness Madness, madness, the…
Madness Tuff Mix Madness, madness, they call it madness Madness, madness, th…
Missing Words Last night when I told you all that stuff About the…
Murder Murder Ooh Murder I said murder, ooh murder I said murder Th…
My Collie This is a government health warning Smoking can seriously d…
My Perfect World Time was I thought I'd lost my appetite Truth was Back then …
Neurotica I′m like a fish outta water I don't like it I don′t…
Neurotica! I'm like a fish outta water I don't like it I don't…
Never Said I Love You Paradise is really hard to find Satellites are working over…
Not So Tall I took a walk along a yellow street Where purple faces…
Oh My Radio Someone who loves me switched the radio on Someone who loves…
On My Radio (Live) refrain: I bought my baby a red radio He played it all…
Out On The Streets Out on the streets again Looking for something It just don…
Pressure Drop It is you, oh yeah It is you, oh yeah I said…
Prisoner Of Love Someone that I belong to Doesn't belong to me Someone who …
Red Reflections Stretched out on the sofa Making witty conversation Instan…
Rough Rider She was a rough rider A cool stroker A strong…
Selling Out Your Future Switching on the city lighting All the homes feel so secure…
Street Feeling My friend is cut with pain He's got to get it…
Sweet And Dandy Etty in a room a cry Mama say she must wipe…
Tell Me What's Wrong We were friends do you remember Not so long ago Each and…
The Avengers Theme Tony Stark, Iron Man Nick Fury, Has a Plan Big Shock, Pepper…
The Whisper I saw you coming but I ducked out the way Down…
Then She Did A cowboy whispered in her ear Anything I can do dear? His…
They Make Me Mad They used those fancy words to confuse your mind But since…
Three Minute Hero They asked you if you're alright You say yes But all the…
Three Minute Hero (live) They asked you if you're alright, You say yes, But all the…
Three-Minute Hero They asked you if you're alright You say yes But all the…
Time Hard Everyday things are getting worse Everyday things are gettin…
Too Much Pressure (Too much pressure) Too much pressure (Too much pressure) T…
Train to Skaville Train to Skaville Train to Skaville Chicke chicke chicke Be…
Vicky's Magic Garden Angora jumpers on the 10:15 Off to Brighton for the day Sh…
Washed Up And Left For Dead It's common knowledge there's always one exception Not quit…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@BeckieFatale
I absolutely love The Selecter! Cheers from Costa Rica!
@gaudd
Best live band ever and I've seen a few
@cesaraugustomedinamolina4197
Bendiciones para selecters y en especial a las voz femenina más brutal del Ska mundial, saludos desde Venezuela que buena vibra.
@noegallegos9121
Como siempre ..una super banda
@lynnasfindlay68
Clever clever video...those delivery people look mighty familiar!! 😎 x
@Andrew.Stuart
No better news than a new Selecter album...
@SkAcid
A new 'Specials' LP would be ;)
@Andrew.Stuart
Ah yes, indeed it would. I thought it was in the pipeline but alas...
@stretchclogg
Love this!
@xrayspex7777
LOVE IT!!