The English Beat put on a free outdoors show here in Boston a few days ago (sponsored by one of the local radio stations). I saw them do a great show in 83, so I couldn't pass up a chance to see whether they can still skank after 25 years. First checked out their website: turns out the only original member is Dave Wakeling. Not a good sign...too much like those oldies doo-wop shows on PBS. I get to the show and the audience is mostly middle-aged people dragging their kids along...oh sh*t, I realize they're no older than me. And then the band comes out...oh man, Dave Wakeling has a serious beer-belly! This is not looking promising.

But then they start playing and they sound great! There's a rush of people up to the front and the dancing starts. Some of it's kids and their parents...but you know, lots of those moms can still shake it pretty good! And then I notice that a bunch of the crowd is much younger...there's a big group of college age kids and they've got Doc Martens and Mighty Bosstone T-shirts and they're are REALLY into it, circle-jerking just like back in the day. How cool that they know their history: one of the early TwoTone bands! OK, Dave Wakeling is really cheesy between songs, but his voice sounds great. His young toaster has the Ranking Roger imitation down pat and the rest of the band can really cook. They tear through Twist and Crawl, Hands Off She's Mine, I Confess, and all their other hits. By the time they get to Mirror in the Bathroom everybody is either up dancing or jumping around in their seat wishing they were less inhibited. They end with Save it for Later with everybody singing along. They only played for about 70 minutes, and sure it was a greatest hits/oldies show, but you know, people had a really good time and the songs are still great. Dave Wakeling is 25 years older, but so am I, and he's still up there sweating up a storm and having a blast. I did, too.