Ranking Roger

Singer — Birmingham

01Profile

A Ranking Roger Photo

03Interview

What is your name? Where are you from?
My name is Ranking Roger and I’m from Birmingham.

What do you do? 
I am the frontman for the band called The bEAT.

Describe your style in three words?
Punky reggae ska.

How should your music be listened to?
With headphones to get the real depth.

What do you miss about home when you’re on tour? 
My privacy, and my bed.

What British music icons inspire your sound today? 
None really today, in the yesteryears bands like Velvet Underground, Toots and the Maytals, Lee Perry, Talking heads, The Monkees. There were many but those are just a few.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat? 
'Pick Up The Pieces' by the Average White Band, it was the first record I ever brought.

A song from your favourite album? 
'Row Fisherman Row' off the album Heart of the Congo’s by The Congo’s.

A Song you wish you had written?
'Sexual Healing' by Marvin Gaye What a voice, what a vibe.

A song lyric that has inspired you? 
'Looks Is Deceiving' by The Gladiators. 
Never judge a book by its cover.

Four bands you are listening to now, and why? 

Meat Beat Manifesto
As I love their ambient dub stuff and love the way they experiment with sounds.

The Clash
As they always will be influential. 

Burning Spear
For his brilliant lessons in history. 

The Skints
Love their vibe and think the harmonies are great.

03Interview

What is your name? Where are you from?
My name is Ranking Roger and I’m from Birmingham.

What do you do? 
I am the frontman for the band called The bEAT.

Describe your style in three words?
Punky reggae ska.

How should your music be listened to?
With headphones to get the real depth.

What do you miss about home when you’re on tour? 
My privacy, and my bed.

What British music icons inspire your sound today? 
None really today, in the yesteryears bands like Velvet Underground, Toots and the Maytals, Lee Perry, Talking heads, The Monkees. There were many but those are just a few.

04Playlist Notes

What was the first song you played on repeat? 
'Pick Up The Pieces' by the Average White Band, it was the first record I ever brought.

A song from your favourite album? 
'Row Fisherman Row' off the album Heart of the Congo’s by The Congo’s.

A Song you wish you had written?
'Sexual Healing' by Marvin Gaye What a voice, what a vibe.

A song lyric that has inspired you? 
'Looks Is Deceiving' by The Gladiators. 
Never judge a book by its cover.

Four bands you are listening to now, and why? 

Meat Beat Manifesto
As I love their ambient dub stuff and love the way they experiment with sounds.

The Clash
As they always will be influential. 

Burning Spear
For his brilliant lessons in history. 

The Skints
Love their vibe and think the harmonies are great.

 

05Videos

The Beat ft. Ranking Roger | Who's Dat Looking (2019)

The Beat ft. Ranking Roger | Walking On The Wrong Side (2016)

The Beat | Mirror In The Bathroom (1980)

"The Beat, The Specials, The Selecter and Madness, we united a generation of kids and taught them not to fight, to try and get on no matter who you are."

Ranking Roger Interview with Fred Perry Subculture (2013)