GALA'S claim for Ska capital of Scotland will be strengthened next month with the welcome return of The Beat.

Dave Wakeling's band were amongst the 2-Tone front-runners when it exploded onto the scene in the early 1980s.

With a unique energy, pure melody, passion and politics, it’s impossible to forget the genius of UK Top 10 singles Mirror in the Bathroom, Hands Off She’s Mine and Too Nice To Talk To before they disbanded in 1983.

Since reforming The English Beat, Wakeling has brought the ska legends to Galashiels three times in as many years.

And they are ready for another sell-out show at the Volunteer Hall as part of a nationwide tour.

Dave, who now lives in America, said: "“I am very excited to be coming back to Galashiels to play and to get to introduce the songs from our upcoming new album.

"We have been in summer training, with shows with UB40, B52s, Culture Club and Train, and the band is in tip top form and ready to rock, steady.” Dave Wakeling

The English Beat will play an extensive run of UK dates including shows in Liverpool, Newcastle, Cardiff, and London, and Dave’s hometown and the birthplace of many Beat lyrics and classics, Birmingham.

The band has been busy in the studio working on their first new album in 30 years, Here We Go Love, due for release next February.

The English Beat will play at the Volunteer Hall on Sunday, September 25.

Support is from Urang Matang.

Ticket - priced at £16.50 and £11 for under 14s - are available from Ents 24.com