The Selecter 1980
Introduction
Late 1979/early 1980 the 2 Tone ska-revival raged across the UK. Europe’s mainland would soon follow. Following the successful debut single On My Radio, The Selecter released their debut album in 1980.
The Special A.K.A. – Gangsters
The Selecter
In 1977/1978 Neol Davies and John Bradbury (complemented with Barry Jones) recorded a song called Kingston Affair. After Bradbury had joined The Specials the song was released as The Selecter on the B-side of The Specials’ debut single Gangsters.
Following the success of the Gangsters single Davies founded the band The Selecter. The original line-up was completed after Davies met singer Pauline Black in July 1979.
The Selecter – On My Radio
After a few weeks of practice the band was already performing shows, some with The Specials, and had signed a contract with the recently founded 2 Tone Records. Utilizing a £1,000 budget The Selecter recorded their debut single On My Radio, which was released on October 5, 1979. It immediately shot into the top 10 of the UK charts, an unprecedented success.
Next, the band went on tour with The Specials and Madness, who had both recently released their respective debut albums(The Specials and One Step Beyond…). The so-called 2 Tone Tour was incredibly popular. The unparalleled rise of the 2 Tone ska revival was perfectly demonstrated on November 8, 1979, when all 3 bands performed on the English Top Of The Pops music show.
Of course the band was required to deliver more music. Record company Chrysalis (which distributed 2 Tone Records material) expected a full album. From December 1979 to January 1980 The Selecter was a regular accupant of a studio in their home town Coventry (the same studio The Specials and Madness had used for their debut albums). The Specials’ Rico Rodriguez and Dick Cuthell added horns.
The Selecter – Too Much Pressure
Too Much Pressure
On February 15, 1980, The Selecter released their debut album entitled Too Much Pressure. The album contains both original material and ska and reggae covers, essentially copying the method used on The Specials debut album.
While recording the album, the band just played their regular live-set in the studio, demonstrating how good the band was in-tune with each other, which is rather remarkable given the fact the band was formed just six months prior.
As on many of the other 2 Tone ska musical outings, Too Much Pressure was a combination of punk, ska and reggae and socially conscious lyrics. Singer Pauline Black stands out with her voice and self-assured performance. Black was a focal point for the band anyway, being one of the few leading women in the 2 Tone scene. Equally remarkable was the fact that The Selecter consisted of black musicians. The only white person was founder Davies.
All the more striking that the 2 One 2 Tour tour, which supported the album, confronted the band with racism and violence, a problem many 2 Tone faced.
Review
The album perfectly captures The Selecter’s essence. The band sounds inspired, driven and young. The only downside is the sound, which sounds really tinny at times. But the music is great, even though it was not the best the ska revival had to offer, it most certainly was worthwhile.
The Selecter – Too Much Pressure – Singles (Dutch pressing, ‘Heroe’ misspelt)
Singles
The album spawned two singles.
- Three Minute Hero
(released in February 1980) - Missing Words
(released in March 1980)
The Selecter – Too Much Pressure – Back cover
Songs
All songs written by Neol Davies, unless stated otherwise.
- Three Minute Hero
- Everyday (Time Hard) (Sydney Crooks, Jackie Robinson, George Agard)
- They Make Me Mad (Pauline Black, Lawton Brown)
- Missing Words
- Danger (The Selecter)
- Street Feeling
- My Collie (Not a Dog) (Robert Spencer, Johnny Roberts)
- Too Much Pressure
- Murder (Leon & Owen)
- Out On The Streets
- Carry Go Bring Come (Justin Hinds)
- Black and Blue (Pauline Black)
- James Bond (Monty Norman)
Outside of the UK the album was complemented with the single On My Radio. In The Netherlands the song was placed as the first song on the album’s B-side.
The Selecter – Live 1980
Musicians
- Pauline Black – vocals
- Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson – vocals
- Neol Davies – guitar
- Compton Amanor – guitar
- Desmond Brown – Hammond organ
- Charley Anderson – bass
- Charley “H” Bembridge – drums
With help from:
- Joe Reynolds – saxophone on Three Minute Hero
- Dick Cuthell – trumpet on Carry Go Bring Come
- Rico Rodriguez – trombone on Carry Go Bring Come, Black and Blue
The Selecter – Too Much Pressure – Promo
After Too Much Pressure
Following the release of the debut album two members quickly left the band to pursue their own dreams. After the release of the band’s second album, Celebrate The Bullet, in February 1981, Pauline Black left the band, essentially signaling the end of The Selecter.
In 1981 the band could also be heard and seen in the soundtrack and documentary Dance Craze. In the coming years The Selecter, in varying formations, would perform and even release music, which generally didn’t make a lasting impact. The Selecter will always be remembered for that one album: Too Much Pressure.
In closing
What’s your take on The Selecter and Too Much Pressure? Let me know!
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Too Much Pressure: The Selecter’s debut album. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
