Wakeling rides his own wave into Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

The story of ska is a journey spanning continents, beginning with a percussive extension of American rhythm and blues that developed into a uniquely Jamaican style of music under the Caribbean sun.

And the story of ska — with its circuitous passage from one island in the Caribbean to another island in the North Atlantic and back to America — is also the story of Dave Wakeling, lead singer of The English Beat. Wakeling and his band are the headliners this year at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Sunday in San Diego.

First, a quick look back: People tend to divide ska’s history into waves. The first wave came out of Jamaica in the ’50s (Prince Buster, The Skatalites), influencing later island sounds like reggae and rocksteady. The second wave hit the shores of the U.K. in the late ’60s and ’70s, with the advent of 2 Tone Records and bands like The Specials, Madness and Wakeling’s band The Beat.

Known as The English Beat in the U.S., The Beat’s debut album “I Just Can’t Stop It” (1981) produced second wave classics like “Mirror in the Bathroom” “Hands Off She’s Mine” and “Can’t Get Used To Losing You.”

Heavily influenced by The Beat and The Specials, the third wave spilled onto the beaches of the U.S. in the ’90s (Hepcat, Bim Skala Bim, Mighty Mighty Bosstones), giving birth to pop ska/reggae bands like Sublime and No Doubt.

After The English Beat’s breakup in 1983, the members splintered into three groups: Wakeling’s General Public, Fine Young Cannibals and The International Beat. Wakeling now resides in Southern California and performs under the name The English Beat though he’s the only original member in the outfit. You can see his band play a lot at the Belly Up (including two shows in Solana Beach June 12-13).

Moving from Concerts in the Green at Qualcomm Stadium last year (Pat Benatar headlined) to the finish line at Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Sunday, the headliner show for the marathon features The English Beat and is open to the public. The show is free. Previous headlining acts have included Ozomatli, Pinback, LIVE, Chris Isaak, Sugar Ray, SmashMouth, Chicago, Hootie & The Blowfish, Huey Lewis & The News and Pat Benatar.

Related:

AIDS doesn’t slow down San Diego marathoner

Father finds solace for heartbreak in marathon

2009 San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Guide

Vic Salazar: Marathon deserves better than the Q

Vic Salazar: Marathon as team sport

This year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon kicks off at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. The race follows a course beginning at Sixth Avenue and Robinson Street in Balboa Park, including a stretch on Interstate 163 before winding around the edges of San Diego Bay and through beach communities. The finish line sits at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. If traveling in the area, be aware that many of the streets will be closed along the course.

Bands on the run: A few bands to watch

Pitch Michael (Park Blvd & Presidents Way, mile 3.4 — 6:45-8:15 a.m.): This local band is focused around the songs and voice of Jonathan Pitcher, ranging from pretty pop (”You Complete Me” and “Happy Song”) to introspective bitter-sweetness (”Father’s Eyes” and “I Need You Goodbye”). With a new album packed with solid tunes, Pitcher has the goods to go a long way.

http://www.myspace.com/pitchmichael

Bedford Grove (Marine Corp Recruit Depot, finish line — 10:30-1 p.m.): Tapping into the infectious triumvirate of sly Fender Rhodes, soulful vocals and slinky horns, San Diego’s Bedford Grove adds the musical sophistication of jazz to funk and other danceable styles. Led by Marc Gould (aka Bedford Nelson) on keys and vocals, the band celebrated the release of its debut album “Welcome to Our Side of Town” last year.

http://www.myspace.com/bedfordgrove

Plane Without a Pilot — Vacation & Ingraham, mile 19.7 — 7:50-12:30 p.m.: San Diego punks Brian (vocals, guitar) and Kyle (vocals, bass) inject heavy dose of pop into their brand of punk music, a la another San Diego band: blink-182. The band released its debut full-length “It’s About Time” in 2008.

http://www.myspace.com/planewithoutapilot

Complete list of bands along the course:

Loss of Control — 6th & Robinson (mile 0.8) — 6:25-7:15 a.m.

Fistful of Leaves — University & Normal (mile 1.6) — 6:30-7:30 a.m.

NavyBand SW: Destroyers — Park Blvd. & Indiana (mile 1.9) — 6:35-7:45 a.m.

Tomcat Courtney & His Blues Busters — Park Blvd. & Morley (mile 2.4) — 6:40-8 a.m.

California Celts — Space Museum Pedestrian Bridge (mile 2.8) — 6:40-8 a.m.

Pitch Michael — Park Blvd & Presidents Way (mile 3.4) — 6:45-8:15 a.m.

West of Memphis — Petco Park (mile 4.4) — 6:45-8:30 a.m.

Castillo — N. Harbor Drive & Harbor Drive (mile 6.1) — 6:50-9 a.m.

Bayou Brothers — Broadway & State (mile 6.8) — 6:50-9:15 a.m.

The Bigfellas — 10th Ave & Ash St. (mile 7.8) — 7-9:30 a.m.

DJ Peril & DJ Jester — Hwy 163 & Park Blvd. (mile 8.5) — 7:05-9:45 a.m.

Naruwan Taiko Drumming — Hwy 163 & University Ave. (mile 10.6) — 7:10-10:30 a.m.

Dirty Leslie and Side Jobz — Fashion Valley Mall, Friars Rd. (mile 11.6) — 7:20-11 a.m.

So Long Davey! and Endoxi  — YMCA on Friars Road (mile 13.4) — 7:25-11:15 a.m.

Faraway Boys and The RNRs — West Morena Blvd.            (mile 14.4) — 7:30-11:30 a.m.

63eatles and Idle Train — Milton & Chicago (mile 15.4) — 7:35-noon

J. Dean and True Rhythm & Soul — Mission Bay Park Visitors Center (mile 16.3) — 7:40-12:15 p.m.

Moxy Bullets and goodbye Gadget — Mission Bay High School (mile 17.5) — 7:45-12:15 p.m.

NEVERWONDER and Plane Without a Pilot — Vacation & Ingraham (mile 19.7) — 7:50-12:30 p.m.

Strive Roots and Zen Robbi — Perez Cove at Mission Bay (mile 20.4) — 7:55-12:15 p.m.

Stepping Feet and The Jones Revival — Friars Frontage Road Exit (mile 22) — 7:55-1:30 p.m.

Fabulous Rudies and Without Warning (mile 22.4) — Friars Road — 7:55-1:30 p.m.

Danielle Tucker Band and Surreal Time — Pacific Highway (mile 23.5) — 8-2 p.m.

Dropjoy and Rhythm and the Method — Perry’s Café (mile 24) — 8-2:15 p.m.

Aepnia and Waiting 4 Wyatt — Enterprise and Pacific Hwy (mile 24.7) — 8:05-2:15 p.m.

34 Below and Prospect Hill — Marine Corp Recruit Depot (mile 25.6) — 8:10-2:45 p.m.

Bedford Grove — Marine Corp Recruit Depot (finish) — 10:30-1 p.m.

Bonus: Ryan Hiller Gaslamp Quarter

Chris Nixon is SDNN’s music editor.

Tags: SDNN

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