The Selecter offers its "String Theory" (Created May 8, 2013)

How many bands can say they got their big start not on a hit single, but instead on a purely instrumental track? The Selecter can and did, helping out England's Specials for their own debut and spinning off the name into a band.

Formed in 1979, The Selecter features a diverse line-up backed by the songs of Neol Davies, the voice of Pauline Black and Desmond Brown tickling the keys of the Hammond organ. They also had Crompton Amanor and Charles Bainbridge on drums, and Charlie Anderson on bass helping to round out a lineup bolstered by a name which is the Jamaican word for disc jockey.

The band's 1980 album debut featured renowned ska trombonist Rico Rodriguez and was the catalyst to a string of successful singles, including "On My Radio," "Three Minute Hero" and "Missing Words." Despite those songs climbing the charts, Black left in 1981 and recorded her own material before concentrating mostly of acting. She served as a hostess on a game show and was nominated for a Time Out Award for Best Actress in 1990 thanks to her portrayal of Billie Holiday, but ultimately rejoined The Selecter.

It was 1991 by the time a ska revival in London gained traction, and a re-formation of the band culminated in the release of their first new material in more than a decade. Still, Black also continued to perform and release under The Selecter name until 2006, and fans were confused over the competing lineups as late as 2011. That's when Black applied for the trademark and secured the name.

In 2013, The Selecter released a new studio album entitled "String Theory."