British band was one of the keystone acts of ska's second wave, spawned General Public and Fine Young Cannibals.
The Beat (dubbed English Beat in the US due to conflict with an American band) began as part of Britain's early-1980s second-wave ska movement, which was also influenced by punk. Eventually, the band expanded to include pop, R&B, and other influences. Too short-lived, the Beat eventually splintered off into General Public and Fine Young Cannibals.












