UK ska legends The Selecter join UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Damien Dempsey and The Beatles Dub Club for a show at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on 24 August. We asked Pauline Black of The Selecter the BIG questions . . .
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Tickets from €59.90 on sale now.
Pauline was one of very few women in the 2-tone scene and is often referred to as the Queen of Ska.
The Selecter's hits include Three Minute Hero, Missing Words, Too Much Pressure and On My Radio and they supported Blur at London’s Wembley Stadium in the summer of 2023.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Lead Singer in 2-tone band The Selecter since 1979 until present day. Author of 2-tone memoir Black By Design, published by Serpent’s Tail. Filmmaker: co-writer and executive producer of Pauline Black: A 2-tone Story - award winning documentary film, released at London Film Festival in October 2024.
How would you describe your music?
2-tone music - Punk/ska reggae. The 2-tone movement embraced many different youth tribes - skinheads, mods, punks, rude boys and rude girls, who all enjoyed a love of ska music. In 1979, the more conscious elements of those movements came together to fight racism, sexism, economic inequality and homophobia, all of which were rife in society at that time.
Who are your musical inspirations?
The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Toots and The Maytals, Billie Holiday, X-Ray Spex.
First gig you ever attended?
The legendary US rock band MC5 at the Lanchester Polytechnic Main Hall in Coventry in 1979.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Long Shot Kick De Bucket by The Pioneers.
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What’s your favourite song right now?
Mythical Kings & Iguanas by Dory Previn.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name" - Sympathy For The Devil by The Rolling Stones.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our website.
Alan Corr
