The English Beat returns to Bend

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 21, 2016

Normally when three different versions of a defunct band are on the road at the same time — each with a different original member — you expect some bad blood. Not from Dave Wakeling, guitarist/vocalist of British two-tone ska revivalists The Beat, which originally toured and released three studio records from 1978 to 1983. These days the affable musician fronts The English Beat, the U.S.-based version of the band (in Britain, there’s The Beat featuring Ranking Roger, the band’s other lead vocalist, and drummer Everett Morton tours with Beat Goes Bang). All three versions seem happy to coexist and tour within their respective areas of the world. And wouldn’t you know it, all three are prepping new albums. Expect Wakeling’s English Beat to drop “Here We Go Love” sometime this fall. Catch some new tunes — not to mention favorites such as “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “Save it for Later” — when the band performs at Munch & Music tonight.

The English Beat, with Lower 48: 5:30 tonight; free; Munch & Music at Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd., Bend; munchandmusic.com.

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