The English Beat News

Some embrace a different ideal of cool. They ride Triumphs and Lambrettas, listen to underground music, and revere the past.

In the late 1970s, when Dave Wakeling was putting together the ska-rock band that would become known as the English Beat, he knew what he wanted - and what he didn't want.

More than thirty years on and Dave Wakeling looks like an energetic kid, skankin' out those hits.

Dave Wakeling and The English Beat will bring their sound to The State Theatre in Falls Church on Sunday, April 28 at 8 p.m. Living in Los Angeles, The English Beat's Dave Wakeling has enjoyed the beaches, the weather and coaching his kids in soccer.

The line up includes acoustic ska legend Chris Murray, and El Paso-born bands Liquid Cheese and Radio La Chusma.

Dave Wakeling has known fame as a founding member, lead singer and guitarist for British band the Beat, now called the English Beat in its American-based touring version.

As spring and early summer are approaching as sure as flowers bloom you can also expect a good crop of metal and punk shows to start being scheduled for venues in Richmond and the surrounding areas of Central Virginia.

Changes had been hinted at, but the 115-year-old, brand new Rochester Lilac Festival smells quite a bit like the old one.

What was your favorite concert? Why was it your favorite? Did they play all the songs you wanted to hear and bump right up against the venue's curfew? Did you get to meet the lead singer and get his autograph? For me, this was the case when my dad and I got tickets to see The English Beat in a small town called , Pa.

If it's high-adrenaline music you like, look no further than the Loft next Thursday.