THE SELECT

On tour: yes

1979, 2-Tone (a sound between new punk and ska) is booming: The Specials have just released their famous “Gangster”. On side B appears a certain song “The Selecter” (written and performed by Neol Davis and John Bradbury). The group doesn't even exist yet! Very quickly, The Selecter took shape: Neol Davies on lead guitar, Compton Amanor on rhythm, Desmond Brown on keyboard and Pauline Black on vocals. To which are added the dreadlocked bassist, Charley Anderson, and the rudeboy Charley H Bembridge. All from the Coventry reggae and soul scene. July 21, 79, first concert at London's Electric Ballroom with The Specials and Madness: something huge has just been born... In October, "On my radio" reached the Top Ten, in November it appeared in the Top Of The Tops and the group leaves for a sold out 2Tone Tour Of Britain. February 80, their first album “Too much pressure” (it went gold) exploded in sales and even surpassed The Specials. Their favorite song “3 Minute Hero” becomes a true 2-Tone anthem, like “Gangster”. Their ska groove is carried by the Hammond organ of Desmond Brown, the raspy guitars of Néol and sublimated, above all, by the charismatic voice and the emblematic presence of Pauline Black. Overwhelmed by the 2-Tone effect, caught in the whirlwind and the pressure of success, the group left 2-Tone in July 80. Desmond Brown and Charley Anderson left the group, "Celebrate the bullet" was a fiasco, then Pauline in turn abandons the ship. Radio silence for 10 years. 90, Nick Welsh and Martin Stewart of the Bad Manners invite Pauline Black on one of their dates. At first skeptical, the beautiful black woman decides to get back on stage and reforms The Selecter. With Neol Davies, Nick and Martin from Bad Manners, Gaps Hendrickson and of course Pauline. The group resumes touring furiously and releases a comeback album “Happy album” which combines the bases 2-Tone ska with 90's sounds. Unexpected and successful! They toured in Europe, USA, Canada... After the departure of Noêl Davies, The Selecter found its cruising speed with Paul Seacroft on guitar and John Bradburrry (ex-Specials) on drums. Since then, there have been “Hairspray” (95), “The Very Best of Selecter” (97) and “Cruel Britannia” (98) and tours around the world.
The SELECTER are one of those legendary groups to (re)see on stage, led by Pauline Black who is always sexy and explosive. Mixture of ska revival, 2-Tone, old Jamaican sounds, reggae but also current sounds supported by a warm communicative energy!