Fresno Famous

The English Beat (Dave Wakelings band), they played every hit song they had except Rotating Heads.

any New Wave or 80's Ska fan must own two of their four LP releases: 'I Just Can't Stop It', 'Special Beat Service'

they also performed some of General Public's hits like 'Tenderness'

Ranking Roger was not their but Dave Wakeling dominated the night with his distinctive singing voice, making comments regarding some of the songs performed.

regarding the rest of the original band well if you remember when the English Beat called it quit in mid 83, the band split in to General Public and the other half formed
Fine Young Cannibals.

was that too quick of a review?

yes the starline was packed there was a line formed in front over and hour before the doors were set to open, people were dancing to every song, from the front packed in crowd near the stage to the rear of the Starline, you could see heads bobbing around to the beat of the music. Watch for some of your local bloggers posting photos snapped during the show. On another note local band Tu-Tone performed for the first time in two years, and have been around since 1994, I think I may have seen them once before because I remember their Reggae Ska cover of A-ha's Take On Me, even though I think there up beat cover of the Cure's 'just Like Heaven' was much better. Tu-Tone seemed to have a slow start but towards the end they had their funky sound together, and if they can do that again you should see them performing live again soon in the local venues. With the English Beat's sold out crowd and last years Lets Go Bowling performance you will see more Ska shows at the Starline. Hey it's been sometime since Fishbone has performed live in Fresno.

If you missed this show, you missed a really good time, it was almost a who's who of the Tower / Fresno Hipster Scene, with even ex-fresnans driving in from out of town just to be there, and see old friends.

Yes the English Beat and General Public did perform once before in Fresno, I know for sure General Public did a show at the Star Palace, and I know the Special Beat played once at the Wilson Theater. So if you missed this and are lucky maybe they will return once more in the future.