Born out of the second wave of ska that emerged from the epicenter of Coventry in England's West Midlands, the Selecter broke new musical ground and gained legendary status through their association with 2 Tone Records.

Still as vital as ever, the Selecter have continued touring and releasing albums. On their way to a show at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, The Selecter stopped into The Current's studios to perform a live set and to chat with David Campbell.

Front woman Pauline Black described how, in the late '70s, ska found an audience among punk rockers because people just "can't fail to dance to it." Black also explained how, on a much larger level, ska provided a powerful force against racism — by uniting people through music — in an era before multiculturalism was even a concept.

Now with an eye to the future, Black and the rest of the Selecter are making new songs while celebrating their back catalogue, and are looking ahead to how ska will continue to grow and to find new audiences.

Producer: Derrick Stevens; Engineer: Michael DeMark

Songs Performed

"James Bond"
"Three Minute Hero"
"Missing Words"

Gallery

Fullscreen SlidePrevious Slide

8 of 8

1 of 8

2 of 8

Next Slide