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David “Dread” Hinds, Steel Pulse’s lead vocalist, bandleader and principal songwriter, is currently available for interviews in order to promote shows in each city. Media Contact: Rani Shelah Moody (415) 312-8689

Formed in Birmingham, England in 1975, Steel Pulse became famous with tracks like “Handsworth Revolution,” “Soldiers,”Ku Klux Klan” “Jah Pickney,” “George Jackson” and “Taxi Driver,” which take on difficult conversations such as institutional discrimination based on class, race and ethnicity.

“After touring the world celebrating our 50th anniversary, we recognised that the common thread that had been dividing mankind has been racism,” says frontman David Hinds. “We saw it necessary to carry this mantle of what was established 50 years ago from the shores of Britain, and that is to combat this plight through music.”

“Reggae Against Racism Tour 2026 is all about Steel Pulse’s continued fight against the evils of racism in all its forms,” said Selwyn Brown, Steel Pulse co-founder, keyboardist and vocalist. “Through music,  we believe we can reach the hearts, minds and ears of the masses, encouraged in the knowledge that the majority of mankind recognises that the promise of a better world is best achieved by respect and love for all people, not hate based on the colour of your skin.”

The year 2025 marked the band’s 50th anniversary—five decades of producing socially conscious, uplifting music. The group stands as one of reggae’s most prolific, respected, and in-demand touring/recording acts of our time.

To all music lovers worldwide, Steel Pulse represents militancy and steadfastness in regard to unifying a world that has been torn apart by fanatics preaching hate.  Rally Round the Flag,” “Roller Skates,” “Stepping Out,” “Bodyguard,” “Peace Party”—these  popular songs pulsate and remain on the playlists spanning four generations.

Original members, David “Dread” Hinds (lead vocals, guitar) and Selwyn Brown (keyboards, vocals, melodica), are descendants of the “Windrush Generation” —the term given to the working class families who migrated to Britain from the Caribbean with big dreams and hopes of post-World War II job opportunities.

The journey began when Steel Pulse won the Best Reggae Band competition in their hometown, Handsworth. This victory gave them the right of passage to perform at their first punk rock venue, The Vortex, in London (1976).  But the journey didn’t stop there.

In 1978, the group was signed to Island Records after “being discovered” as an opening act for the legendary Burning Spear. That year was  crucial because they also embarked on a tour with one of their biggest influences; Bob Marley and the Wailers. From this success the critics and fans alike began calling them the "young Wailers." Steel Pulse became known for their mellifluous, Rasta-funky blend of roots reggae, spicily dubbed with R&B and rock.

Segueing into the Rock Against Racism movement of the 1980s, Steel Pulse toured  with bands like the Stranglers, the Adverts, and Ian Dury and the Blockheads. Following their breakthrough and crossover triumph in the U.S., the band toured with music icons such as Bob Dylan, Herbie Hancock, Robert Palmer, and one of their heroes, Carlos Santana.

Steel Pulse earned their first Grammy Award for their sixth album, Babylon the Bandit (1986), and since then received several Grammy nominations, including their most recent; Mass Manipulation, in 2020.

In 1988, a chance meeting with Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee at a benefit for the Jamaican victims of Hurricane Gilbert, led Steel Pulse to record the track “Can’t Stand the Heat” for the movie “Do The Right Thing”— a box office hit for Lee.

Their philanthropic contributions continued. Two years after the earthquake in Haiti (2010), the band performed to assist Partners in Health and S.E.L.F.(Solar Electric Light Fund), in raising funds to install solar panels at medical centers and schools. They released a song, “Hold On 4 Haiti,” with proceeds going to the cause.

In 1993, Steel Pulse reached another milestone by performing at President Bill Clinton’s inaugural celebration, in Washington, D.C.

After more than two years in pandemic lockdown, the band emerged stronger than ever, joining Rebellution on the U.S. Good Vibes Summer Tour.

In October 2024, the band made history once again, performing all the songs from their first Grammy nominated album, “Earth Crisis”, live for the first time at the International Arts Festival in New Orleans. The group also released a cover of Lucky Dube’s “Respect” that same year honouring the slain South African musician’s 60th birthday.

Led by Hinds and Brown, Steel Pulse’s touring lineup includes Amlak Tafari (bass), David Elecciri, Jr. (lead guitar), Wayne “C-Sharp” Clarke (drums) and Baruch Hinds (DJ/rapper).

STEEL PULSE DISCOGRAPHY

● Handsworth Revolution (1978)

● Tribute to the Martyrs (1979)

● Caught You /Reggae Fever (1980)

● True Democracy (1982)

● Earth Crisis (1984)

● Babylon the Bandit (1986) Grammy Award Winner – Best Reggae Album

● State of Emergency (1988)

● Victims (1991)j

● Rastafari Centennial - Live in Paris (Elysee Montmartre) (1992)

● Vex (1994)

● Living Legacy-Live  (1996)

● Rage and Fury (1997)

● African Holocaust (2004)

● Mass Manipulation (2019) Grammy Award Nominee - Best Reggae Album