Dave Wakeling: Two Tone Jedi

I don't know how he does it, but Dave Wakeling from the English Beat is still going strong after 30 years of live gigging! We (The Uptones) had the honor of playing with them last night in Oakland, at the Uptown night club.

The house was jam packed! A testament to the new thriving music seen in the Uptown district of Oakland, California. Yes they all came out last night. Around 11pm The English Beat started and I swear it should have been raining sweat and melodies. Their sound was spot on with the unusual balmy weather we had last night in the SF Bay Area. A tropical indoor event, filled with dancing, skanking and smiling people.

During The English Beat's 3rd number, I saw Julio the bouncer sqeeze into the front row to break up a little drama. He escorted someone out, but five minutes later the dude returned. And nothing happened as a result. Just more dancing and fun. Wakeling has this effect on people. His positive energy is contageous. And his commitment to making people happy with ska music is relentless.

I'm just gonna have to say he must be a Jedi, or something. He's got that old school magic about him that the newer entertainers of today just don't have.

We play with them again October 23rd in Santa Rosa.

I'll have a more in depth review of that one.

Mooska