selecter

Selecter, commonly written The Selecter, is a British ska band formed in Coventry in 1979, emerging from the late-1970s UK ska revival and the broader 2 Tone movement. The group combined brisk ska rhythms with pop-oriented melodies and socially conscious lyrics, helping to popularize ska beyond Jamaica and into mainstream UK music lines of the era. Fronted by Pauline Black, the band also featured guitarist Neol Davies among its early members, with a rotating lineup that has continued to evolve over the years.

The Selecter achieved rapid recognition in the early 1980s. Their debut album Too Much Pressure, issued in 1980, is widely regarded as a landmark of the 2 Tone era and helped establish ska’s presence in the UK charts. The band’s energetic live performances and tight horn arrangements became a hallmark of their sound, and their recordings contributed to the enduring appeal of ska among new generations of listeners.

Over time The Selecter went through multiple personnel changes and periods of inactivity, followed by reunions and touring during subsequent decades. Despite these changes, the group has maintained a presence in the ska revival and festival circuits, continuing to influence later acts within the genre. The Selecter’s legacy rests on its role in shaping the 2 Tone sound and bringing ska to a broader audience at the height of its early popularity.