Is it heresy to say I actually like General Public better than The English Beat?

Well, both acts — each featuring Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger and hugely influential in the great two tone movement of the early '80s — are pretty wonderful. This is particularly resonant since the English Beat hits the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den for a free show on Saturday.

However, the situation is further complicated: The Wolf Den version of the band is based in the U.S. and fronted by Wakeling and should not to be confused with a separate British lineup — The Beat — fronted by Ranking Roger. It's a shame the two aren't sharing stages anymore, but I'm convinced Wakeling's band will be smokin' good. And, yes, expect "Mirror in the Bathroom," "Twist and Crawl" and "Hands Off, She's Mine" — and don't be surprised to hear General Public's "Tenderness" or even "Hot You're Cool."

The English Beat, 8 p.m. Saturday, Mohegan Sun Wolf Den; free; 1-800-745-3000.