Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 23, 1986
Joe Sokohl
Last night, General Public proved to 500 Richmonders at the Empire Theater that not-so-mainstream bands can play here successfully.
General Public incorporates a diversity of reggae, 1960s soul music, hard core and especially ska. Ska originated before reggae in Jamaica during the early `60s, but the British music scene revived it strongly in the late 1970s. Based on this music, singer/Syn-air drummer Ranking Roger and guitarist/ vocalist Dave Wakeling created the Beat, later known as the English Beat. Though that band was critically acclaimed, Roger and Wakeling disbanded it and formed General Public. The band released its first album in 1984 and has just released "Hand to Mouth."
The show was filled with exuberance from the start. Roger constantly danced while playing and during others' solos. He ran from one side of the stage to the other, he jumped from the riser to the main stage, and he even stood on the speaker stacks during the encore.
Wakeling was the other star of the band's show. His wavering vocal style is unique in today's music. He provided excellent counterpoint with Roger in "A Matter of Fact," a combination of rap and mainstream rock. The musicians played for an hour and a half, pausing only momentarily between songs. They barely got off stage after "Tenderness," when the audience clamored for more -- which the band gave. Ultimately, General Public is somewhat misnamed. This music appeals to a small but growing following, of which Richmond should figure strongly.
Opening the show, Boston's the Buddy System produced an enjoyable "syntho-pop" performance. This four-piece band combined alternative dance music, 1970s heavy metal and sharp dynamics to serve up a dish of new rock `n' roll. Though the band does not break any musical ground, the Buddy System does play solid, tight music.