The band formed in Birgmingham, England in 1978, inspired by the reggae, soul, pop, and punk sounds percolating all around them. They briefly hooked up with the legendary ska label 2-Tone, before releasing three landmark albums that saw them move beyond ska and into world beat, classic pop, and beyond. After they broke up, ex-members continued to have hits in General Public and Fine Young Cannibals. Also available, the band"s first-ever box set, the 5-CD set: The Compete Beat.