The English Beat was one of the best bands of the early ’80s, releasing three landmark albums — the amazing debut “I Just Can’t Stop It” and the cool follow-ups “Wha’ppen?” and “Special Beat Service” — which fans still cherish to this day.

Forty years later, the British ska act is still going strong under the leadership of energetic vocalist-guitarist Dave Wakeling, who is the sole original member left in the band.

No matter the lineup, though, it seems like Wakeling and Co. are always on tour, filling venues with both older fans who remember the group from its original days and newer listeners who might have first heard about the English Beat from their parents.

Fans of all ages can expect a good time at an English Beat, enjoying such classic numbers as “I Confess,” Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Save It for Later,” “Hands Off … She’s Mine,” “Too Nice to Talk To,” “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” “Stand Down Margaret” and “Tears of a Clown.”

The English Beat have five concerts coming up in the Bay Area, beginning this weekend. The band performs Jan. 19-20 at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park. DJ Harry Duncan is also on the bill. Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $41; guildtheatre.com.

The group also performs Jan. 21 at Cornerstone in Berkeley (9 p.m.; $30-$34; cornerstoneberkeley.com). Tickets are going fast for these shows.

The English Beat returns to the area next month for a Feb. 24 gig at the Raven Performing Arts Theater in Healdsburg (8 p.m.; $40; raventheater.org) and a Feb. 25 return to the Cornerstone ($30-$34; cornerstoneberkeley.com).