[tweetmeme]After years of touring under the English Beat banner, frontman Dave Wakeling now is turning his attention to recording brand-new music, launching a PledgeMusic campaign to help crowdfund a new record that would be the Beat’s first since 1982′s Special Beat Service.
Wakeling’s campaign is currently at 36 percent of its unspecified goal, with 50 days remaining. As with any such crowdfunding campaign, fans can donate varying levels of cash, and receive varying incentives in exchange, from CDs, vinyl and T-shirts to a phone call and voicemail from Wakeling ($200), a jam session with Wakeling ($500) and a ride on the Beat’s tour bus for two U.S. dates ($1,500).
Additionally, 10 percent of any money raised above the goal will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.
He writes:
I am the most excited anyone has ever been about our PledgeMusic campaign! I have always enjoyed interacting with the band’s fans, and this Pledge campaign provides us with a tremendous opportunity for even greater hi jinks and connection!
Over the next coming weeks and months, we will take you through the laughter and joy, the pain and fear of making a pop record, from early dark brooding fumblings to its final triumphant and glorious release! Ahhh!
Will it be like making sausage or political compromise, or will people behave because there are cameras around?! Haha! Become a part of this adventure and find out, by being an artistic benefactor, a modern day Medici to this monumental project!
The songs have been hand picked from a cauldron of passion, cuddled for endless nights, then tested for connectivity in front of selected crowds, and are now ready to be fully realized and revealed! I would be as pleased as punch if you would join us on this journey….
POWER TO THE PEOPLE…!
A portion of your Pledge will go to Doctors without Borders, a wonderful group that bring comfort around the world, wherever needed. Compassion in the face of cruelty, courage in the face of fear, we are proud to stand with them.
Thanks and see you soon,
Love,
Dave Wakeling
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Any new album issued under the Beat’s name would be the first in 32 years. The band released three albums — 1980′s I Just Can’t Stop It, 1981′s Wha’ppen? and 1982′s Special Beat Service — during its original incarnation. Wakeling’s current version of the band, however, does not feature Ranking Roger or any of the band’s other original members.
You can also hear some early demos of the new music on Wakeling’s PledgeMusic page.
Plus, tour dates galore below.
LINK:
The English Beat tour dates:
June 25: Port City Music Hall Portland, ME
June 26: Johnny D’s Boston, MA
June 27: Stephen Talkhouse Amagansett, NY
June 28: City Winery New York, NY
June 29: City Winery New York, NY
July 2: City Winery Chicago, IL
July 3: City Winery Chicago, IL
July 7: Duck Room St. Louis, MO
July 13: Orange County Fair Costa Mesa, CA
July 17: Live 105’s Block Party San Jose, CA
July 18: City Winery Napa Napa, CA
July 19: City Winery Napa Napa, CA
July 22: Jenks Club Allenhurst, NJ
July 23: Bergen Performing Arts Center Englewood, NJ
July 25: Stephen Talkhouse Amangansett, NY
Aug. 1: Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Aug. 2: Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Aug. 8: The Canyon Club Agoura Hills, CA
Aug. 9: Pershing Square, Los Angeles, CA (Free show)
Aug. 13: Triple Door Seattle, WA
Aug. 14: Triple Door Seattle, WA
Aug. 15: Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
Aug. 23: Reggae on the Rocks, Red Rocks Amphitheatre Denver, CO
Aug. 31: ’80s Rewind Fest Lincoln, CA
Sept. 7: The Magic Bag Ferndale, MI
Sept. 12: Bottle & Cork Dewey Beach, DE
Sept. 26: Coach House San Juan Capistrano, CA
Oct. 9: Lake Perris Community Fair Perris, CA
Dec. 31: The Coach House San Juan Capistrano, CA
