Karma Police

Steel Pulse founders David Hinds and Selwyn Brown are music industry survivors. The Grammy Award winning UK duo are “positive spirits” who are committed to grassroots reggae and fighting for equality and justice.

David Hinds has fronted Steel Pulse for more than 30 years and has shared the stage with some of the most influential artists of all time, including Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan.

He performed at The White House in 1993 and was a vocal supporter of Barack Obama before he was elected US President in 2008.

“We're dedicated to what we started out doing in the first place. It's all about being aware of your surroundings socially and politically,” Hinds says of the group's longevity.

“I'm writing songs for a new album and I still think that way.

“We're still on the road to discovery. There's a lot of people who haven't discovered reggae. We've been knocking around the US for 27 years almost and there's a lot of America that isn't familiar with the ins and outs of the music politically.”

Hinds has seen the world and the music industry change around him in a career that has spanned more than 15 albums.

“People in the hippie period just didn't give a damn about money, it was all about peace and love and harmony for the world.

“Nowadays people are saying it because it sounds good, but really the fatter your back pocket is the better. People think, 'if me talking about peace and love puts Greenbacks in my pocket to buy a house in Beverly Hills, then let me live with that'.

“I'm sorry to say that's how it is, there's just a few people who are sticking to their guns.”

Hinds is looking forward to returning to Australia for the first time in 16 years as part of Raggamuffin on January 30.

“I remember the first show we did in Brisbane and then we went further down south and I absolutely loved it. My only qualm about the Australian shows is that it's taken us so long to get back.

“People have said to me that maybe reggae music isn't as popular in Australia, so I'm waiting to see the reaction when we come back.”

Steel Pulse play Raggamuffin at the Brisbane Riverstage on January 30. Other acts include Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Sly and Robbie and Julian Marley.