Today’s philosophical question: When is a Hole not Hole, but Courtney Love plus a band? Same could be asked about The English Beat, playing a rescheduled show Thursday at the Paragon. This version of the popular late-1970s ska band features founding member Dave Wakelin, who now lives in the States—not to be confused with Ranking Roger’s UK group, The Beat. Seems that the original co-singers, with those equally silky voices, have found a way to amicably divide 2 Tone across the ocean. But really, does authenticity matter when you’re twisting and crawling? After energetic shows by Blondie and The B-52s, nostalgic hopes are high. Though can you still call them rude boys?
This article appears in May 13-19, 2010.