¦ August 4, 2011
80's BRIT STARS "THE ENGLISH BEAT" TO PERFORM OCTOBER 16 LIVE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES IN LAS VEGAS
Presented by William Rast Racing to Benefit the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation

  Tickets are on sale for a special concert with The English Beat on Sunday, October 16 at the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The event is presented by William Rast, the New America Denim Culture brand founded by Justin Timberlake in 2005, and will benefit the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation (SSPF). William Rast Racing is the brand’s sport lifestyle line, and the winner of the 2011 Indianapolis 500.   For general admission ticket information, log on to www.houseofblues.com/lasvegas or email [email protected] or call 317-236-9999.  For flyer, including sponsorship information, click here.

Guests will be treated to a unique experience, as the band best known for hits such as “Save it For Later,” “Hands Off…She’s Mine” and “I Confess,” takes the stage at the House of Blues to help raise money to cure paralysis. In addition, the concert will be just hours after the final event of the 2011 IndyCar Series season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and many drivers are expected to be in attendance.

“The Concert to ‘Beat’ Paralysis is going to be a fantastic event,” said Sam Schmidt, founder of SSPF. “The English Beat is a band we all remember and love, so to have them as a partner to raise money to cure paralysis is great. Our friends at William Rast have been extremely generous as well and they have certainly committed significant resources to insure the evening is a rousing success. It should be a very special night that will definitely add a unique angle to the IndyCar Series finale weekend.”

Frank Kozik will design the concert poster for the event. Kozik is a world-famous graphic artist that has created posters for such bands as Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

About The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation:
The SSPF was started in 2000 by Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt shortly after a practice-run crash left him paralyzed from the chest down.  SSPF is leading the charge to cure paralysis by funding scientific research, medical treatment, rehabilitation and technological advances benefiting those with spinal cord injuries, stroke victims and people diagnosed with ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s diseases. In addition to initiating local and national advocacy efforts on behalf of those disabled, SSPF also funds national “Days at the Races” and “Run, Walk ‘N Wheelathon” programs. Foundation President and CEO, Ida Cahill is a member of the Spinal Cord Leaders Council.

About The English Beat:
One of the earliest and most important ska revivalist groups, Birmingham’s the Beat formed in 1978 (the band had to change its name to the English Beat in the U.S. to avoid confusion with Paul Collins’ band of the same name). The multiracial band carved a distinct sound through the use of alternating lead vocals by guitarist Dave Wakeling and punk toaster/rapper Ranking Roger, supported by a tight band consisting of Andy Cox (guitar), David Steele (bass), and Everett Moreton (drums). The addition of 50-year-old saxophonist Saxa, who originally played with Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker, gave the band credibility and fleshed out its sound. An opening spot for the Selecter led to the band’s signing to 2-Tone, where they released the hit single “Tears of a Clown,” a wonderful version of the Smokey Robinson classic. In 1980, the band decided to form its own 2-Tone-inspired label, Go-Feet (distributed by Arista). A string of hit singles followed in the U.K., including “Mirror in the Bathroom.” Their debut LP, I Just Can’t Stop It, combined the early hits with other pop/ska-oriented material. “Stand Down Margaret,” with its anti-Thatcher stance, found the band moving in a more political direction, leading to several benefit gigs for “radical” causes. Musically, the Beat slowed down the tempo for a more traditional reggae sound showcased on 1981′s Wha’ppen. This direction failed to bring the chart success of its predecessor. Featuring a more pop-oriented approach, 1982′s Special Beat Service helped the band increase its U.S. fan base through MTV exposure of “Save It for Later” and “I Confess,” but the bandmembers decided to call it quits early the following year. Wakeling and Ranking Roger went on to form General Public, and Cox and Steele formed Fine Young Cannibals.

About WILLIAM RAST:
William Rast, the ‘New America’ denim culture brand, was conceptualized and founded by Justin Timberlake in 2005.  The company is operated through subsidiaries of People’s Liberation, Inc. under management of CEO, Colin Dyne. Originally comprised of only denim, the brand has expanded into a complete lifestyle collection, including leathers, outerwear, wovens and knits as well as eyewear and footwear; known for delivering quality, fashion forward design, and premium fit. Grounded in the iconography of American denim heritage and biker culture, yet re-packaged and presented in a contemporary con¬text, William Rast has found its place on the floors of top-tier department stores and boutiques across the globe, and has become a staple for denim fans worldwide. William Rast Racing is the brand’s sport lifestyle line with a strong connection to the world of racing by bringing its New America esthetic and philosophy to iconic races and events. In 2011, William Rast not only announced a partnership with racing superstar Danica Patrick, but also won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race with the William Rast car piloted by Dan Wheldon. The company operates William Rast retail stores at Century City Mall in Los Angeles, Aventura Mall in Miami, Valley Fair Mall in San Jose and Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Palm Springs; as well as its webshop at www.williamrast.com.