Twist and Crawl with The English Beat at the Showbox

There’s nothing like a burst of old-school dance pop–played by real human beings on real instruments and sung by non-auto-tuned grown-ups over legal drinking age–to whisk away the mid-week slog. So tonight’s English Beat show at the Showbox at the Market should be one heck of a tonic.

The Beat’s brand of second-wave ska mixed with songwriting-to-die-for is back in vogue of late, with their ageless hit, “Save it for Later,” surfacing on the Hot Tub Time Machine soundtrack and lead singer Dave Wakeling recording a solo acoustic version of his new song, “The Love You Give,” as a benefit for Acoustic for Autism. Oh, and the band’s got a new album due out soon, too.

Wakeling remains the only original member in his current incarnation of the band, but he’s surrounded himself with some truly great players who deliver the songs in the tightest, sweetest sonic package you could ask for.

He’s also a funny guy and a terrific interview subject (cue link to the SunBreak’s extensive 2010 interview with him). Best of all, you won’t have to worry about the draconian curfew situation that cut short the band’s Bumbershoot set  last September.

Doors open at 8 p.m., and a few day-of-show tickets ($25 each) may still be available.