Roots Archives Forum

Irie everyone! InI got a question to be answered: why, oh why did di great roots-reggae rockers straight from di UK, Capital Letters just quit after two awesome albums? Allright, they did di EP Bread and water, but still, why? Dem deserved di same career as their bredrens from Britain: Aswad, Steel Pulse etc....
Do someone know what happened to dis group?

Jah bless!!

their name

Irie selecta bing! It cant be easy being a smartass like u! Apparently Im not as well-read as u are, so can u tell me what NAME they changed to maybe?

I think that he means their name was the reason they fell out... not very appealing.

correct me if i am wrong selecta bing

Sorry Funky I was being a smarty and YES Truths I was suggesting THEIR NAME is why they may not have had success.
I think names (words) are very important and silly or vague or confusing names just stuff up your chances.
BUT sometimes the most memorable names can aid success ......it swings both ways

Who will ever forget MILLI VANILLI, KAJA GOO GOO
WA WA NEE and BOW WOW WOW..Flock of Seagulls and......

awesome band, they deserve a much wider audience like their fellow bredrens of:aswad,steel pulse, black slate, and reggae regulars.

Yes, selecta bing. Captial Letters is a very ambiguous name. One of my favorite odd ball names is 'Well Pleased & Satisfied'. When I first saw them on a compilation album, I didn't know if that was the song or the artist. However, Give Thanks & Praisies is a tight album.
Respect.

Irie! Hmmm... thats sad to hear, just because they choose a corny name their career was destroyed!
Yeah, and Milli bloody Vanilli could sell records like hell!! Theres no justice in the world!

Scritti Politti is another shitty name!

Strange that a name could break a band, i mean especially in reggae when people shouldnt (dont?) care about the names its more about the music. Are you sure its because of the name?

"The band Capital Letters was most remembered by their hit single ‘Smoking My Ganga’, this track was a top ten hit in England and Europe and was one of greensleaves records first U.K. reggae signings in the late 70’s.The single was followed up by the album ‘Headline News’ which brought about many tours in Europe and the U.K."

I think that knocks the name theory on the head as, if that isn't success, I don't know what is.

This is a more likely reason (I am guessing here, by the way) that they stayed together for a relatively short period;

"...many tours in Europe and the U.K.".......with an 8 piece band!!! - http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/54/photos

I would say that has to have it's consequences.

From the Greenbeat Music site;

"Teacher has been singing for nearly 30 years, during that time he has sung for many different bands most noticeable Capital Letters......
After spending a couple of years in Ethiopia, Teacher decided to spend nearly four years in the middle east (Palestine and Israel). Living in these countries have given Teacher a greater insight as to how the residents live and have had to cope with various issues that occur in their day to day life, issues that we only see on the news or read about. His song writing demonstrates these experiences at first hand.

Teacher is currently working on a solo album for Greenbeat Music. Two of the tracks have been contributed to the Greenbeat Music various artist album ‘ NEW AGE ROOTS’ – THE MOVEMENT. The lyrical content of these tracks highlight many issues and serve for us to question ourselves about what is going on in the world today."

Incidentally, I have emailed Teacher c/o Greenbeat Music. I'll let you know if he responds.