Parents of young children or fans of cartoons in general may want to tune in to this afternoon’s installment of “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” on the Cartoon Network: Today’s episode, “Dance of the Undead,” celebrates 2 Tone-era ska music and features two songs recorded just for the show by Dave Wakeling.
The two albums from short-lived chart toppers Fine Young Cannibals — comprised of singer Roland Gift and former English Beat members Andy Cox and David Steele — will be reissued later this month by Demon Music Group’s Edsel imprint as expanded 2CD sets featuring bonus B-sides, remixes and non-album tracks.
Beacon Audio recently launched a new video interview series and one of their latest installments features Dave Wakeling of The English Beat, who, in this five-minute clip, discusses the longevity of the Beat, how he learned to play guitar completely wrong (he’s right-handed, but plays as a lefty) and his favorite part of a concert.
First announced as a bonus for pre-ordering the ‘Complete Bea’t box set, a package documenting The English Beat’s appearances at the two massive US Festivals in 1982 and 1983 — with both sets in full on DVD, and a CD featuring highlights from each appearance — will be released separately this September.
This week’s new releases include expanded reissues of all three of The Beat’s original albums, plus a new CD of Duke Ellington interpretations from Joe Jackson (‘The Duke’), an alleged expanded reissue of Ministry’s 1983 synthpop debut ‘With Sympathy’ and the CD and digital releases of ‘The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends.’
In this week’s link round-up we find Lloyd Cole writing about David Bowie’s ‘Low,’ plus interviews with Jim Reid of the recently reunited Jesus and Mary Chain, Ivan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats, Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger of The Beat (aka The English Beat) and New Wave piano man Joe Jackson.
There’s a flurry of activity coming from The English Beat — or as they’re more properly known, The Beat — as Shout! Factory this week announced plans to release both a new single-disc best-of and a 5CD box set featuring the band’s three albums and two discs of bonus material.
Q&A: Daniel Ash on Love and Rockets’ reunion, his new band — and figuring out how to play “So Alive” 
Q&A: Chris Frantz talks Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and new book ‘Remain in Love’ 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate’s first new album in nearly 30 years 
Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’ 
Q&A: Peter Murphy on ‘Ninth,’ Bauhaus’ break-up, reuniting Dalis Car 
Q&A: Joey Santiago on Pixies’ ‘Doolittle’ tour, possible ‘Surfer Rosa’ shows, new album talk 
Q&A: Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon on new album, changing the world with music 
Q&A: Peter Hook talks ‘Unknown Pleasures’ tour, re-recording Joy Division 