One of the key bands of the U.K. ska revival in the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Beat masterfully balanced pop melodies with taut rhythms, becoming stars in Britain and gaining a substantial cult following in the United States. Based in Birmingham, England, the Beat released their debut single, “Tears of a Clown” b/w “Ranking Full Stop,” through the Specials’ 2-Tone label in 1979. The single reached the Top Ten in the U.K., leading to a deal with Arista to distribute their own Go Feet label. Their 1980 album, I Just Can’t Stop It, released by Sire in the United States, went gold in England, driven by the success of the single “Mirror in the Bathroom.” The band’s dynamic performances and clever mix of personal and political lyrics cemented their status as stars in their homeland.