Many of you have probably heard of ska before... though your view might be a little narrow because you've probably only heard stuff like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones or Reel Big Fish or something. Well let me first state that Ska has history that goes from waaaayyy far back. [b]OP IS A WORK IN PROGRESS BY THE WAY![/b]
[b]What is Ska?[/b]
GOOD QUESTION! Ska is a genre from Jamaica which evolved from American jazz and blues music. Some consider ska any sort of band which uses horns (including sax) a ska band but I don't really consider that true. In it's purist form Ska music usually has more emphasis on the upbeat of a measure which you can usually hear from the guitar. Ska has obviously evolved to be much more than that especially in the third wave bands, to the point where it's hard to distinguish the bands as Ska or not.
[b]The Roots[/b]
[b]-Prince Buster[/b]
Prince Buster was an awesome guy inspired by the jazz sounds coming from the US. He basically built the foundation for the Jamaican ska scene and is referenced and covered by many 2-tone bands in the future.
[img]http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/161723/Prince+Buster.jpg[/img]
Prince Buster - Judge Dread
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDfvXrMnJu0[/media]
Prince Buster - Al Capone
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaDx6_-WbLs[/media]
Prince Buster - Take it Easy
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdMVHCjOmBQ&feature=related[/media]
Ska was around before Reggae by the way.
[b]- The Skatalites[/b]
Probably my favorite ska band from the early years, mainly for their brass parts. They are surprisingly still around although I'm pretty sure none of the founders are still in the band. Some of their songs are also sometimes covered by 2-tone bands.
[img]http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/4006273/The+Skatalites+skatalites.jpg[/img]
The Skatalites - Guns of Navarone
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtESlTKBa4s&feature=related[/media]
The Skatalites - Latin Goes Ska
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7sKv6xAWBI[/media]
The Skatalites and Prince Buster - Al Capone (Because I like the song O.K?)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcU9ynjUXqs&feature=related[/media]
The Skatalites and Bob Marley - Simmer Down (Because who doesn't love Bob Marley?)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkMUu5yFoI8[/media]
[b]2-Tone Ska[/b]
The Brits on the forum may or may not be familiar with the 2 Tone ska bands as it started over in the UK. The reason it is called 2-Tone is because most UK based Ska bands were signed to The Specials keyboardists label "2-Tone Records." The Specials themselves are an amazing band with some awesome songs. You'll hear a bit about skinheads and racism in their music as skinheads (not to be confused with neo-nazi's) were a big part of the Ska scene. Racism is something The Specials and even a lot of punk bands of the time spoke out against and didn't like the fact it was associated with skinheads.
[b]-The Specials[/b]
[img]http://www.brooklynvegan.com/img/music2/thespecials.jpg[/img]
The Specials - A Message to You Rudy
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIoHSu5v1Mo[/media]
The Specials - Too Much Too Young
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MYBlSF_HTs&feature=related[/media]
The Specials - Gangsters ( Sound familiar? Throwback to Al Capone)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgCZN1rU5co[/media]
The Specials - Raquel (Because everything is awesome live if the band is any good)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wMY9H5Lprw[/media]
[b]-Madness[/b]
[img]http://madness7.comuv.com/images/madness_hi.jpg[/img]
Madness - One Step Beyond
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-uyWAe0NhQ[/media]
Madness - Night Boat To Cairo (Because the video is silly)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSTHMxBttlU&feature=related[/media]
Madness - House of Fun ( This song actually was pretty popular, the lyrics are pretty silly if you figure out what they're talking about.)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QnBccG_ChI&feature=related[/media]
[b]Third Wave Ska (Also the birth of most Ska-punk bands.)[/b]
This is where it gets really hard to write. Once ska hit the US it branched into a bunch of different bands with different sounds and different crowds. It all kind of started on the east coast with one of my favorite bands The Toasters and on the west coast with The Uptones (Who I unfortunately don't like very much.) Sadly a pretty good amount of Ska bands in the third wave are more pop/alternative now than they were when they started.
[b]-Operation Ivy[/b]
Operation Ivy was one of the first if not the first West Coast ska bands. They have a much bigger punk sound than The Toasters or really any other 2-Tone bands and I'm pretty sure they basically started the whole ska-punk sound. If you're wondering why Rancid sounds like Operation Ivy it's because Rancid was started by ex-Operation Ivy members :v:
[img]http://www.clashmusic.com/files/imagecache/big_node_view/files/rancid02_0.jpg[/img]
Operation Ivy - Unity
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VqD-vNImA0[/media]
Operation Ivy - Jaded
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbVuGoR-W9A&feature=related[/media]
Operation Ivy - Sound System
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dMVHxFzNK4&feature=related[/media]
[b]-The Toasters[/b]
I fucking love this band, especially their Skaboom! album. New York Fever and Don't Let The Bastards Grind You Down are both awesome albums as well. Hard to find some of their songs with good quality on youtube though. I know the Zune market has all of their albums for the most part though.
[img]http://images.clubzone.com/images/upload/2%28538%29.jpg[/img]
The Toasters - Radiation Skank
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i73Ug47zVVY[/media]
The Toasters - Now or Never
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4c72oT2Xls[/media]
The Toasters - 2 Tone Army (Get ready for nostalgia, The Toasters made most of the music for Kablam! back in the day.)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCKr4a7Euoo[/media]
The Toasters - East Side Beat
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rckHVlGi7mo[/media]
[b]-Streetlight Manifesto[/b]
[img]http://images.clubzone.com/images/upload/2%281003%29.jpg[/img]
This band I personally find is awesome because of their horn parts and songwriting. I do admit a lot of their songs are kinda depressing and they also sound very different from really any other ska bands.
Streetlight Manifesto - Failing Flailing
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAHBtbUNlqg[/media]
Streetlight Manifesto - The Receiving End of It All
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj7iBKoxIUQ[/media]
Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Went Numb
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XKs8TsY3XI[/media]
[b]-Reel Big Fish[/b]
[img]http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/files/2010/07/reelbigfish.jpg[/img]
These guys are pretty well known though I'm not a huge fan. I personally don't like the singer or the songwriting very much but many people really enjoy Reel Big Fish so I'll put some up anyway :v: .
Reel Big Fish - Sell Out
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL3Rj9IT4Mc[/media]
Reel Big Fish - Cheer Up
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcpGGoQLzVk&feature=related[/media]
Reel Big Fish - Beer
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOka58PEm-0[/media]
The rest of these I'm going to kind of mesh together as it's getting late and I have stuff to do in the morning :v:
[b]-Rancid[/b]
[img]http://mark-ong.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/rancid.jpg[/img]
Rancid - Daly City Train
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8oXts5hQCg[/media]
Rancid - Old Friend
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAtM9vPqkuo[/media]
Rancid - Time Bomb
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhKHAopx7D0[/media]
[b] The Aquabats[/b]
I should have referenced this guys earlier but I seem to be editing the OP whenever I'm overtired... Anyway, The Aquabats are a VERY different band in that recently they've catered more to the kid audience (Their frontman is the writer/co-founder/director of Yo Gabba Gabba! After all...) They originally weren't going for the family friendly route however, they originally donned their suits and took a fun attitude because they thought ska was getting too serious. Their still awesome though, if you don't think so as well you're a twat.
[img]http://www.statetheatreconcerts.com/blog/images/Aquabats.jpg[/img]
The Aquabats - Pinch and Roll
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsEqPjDuGpY[/media]
The Aquabats - Super Rad
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIqLz6LqMsU[/media]
Yeah...[img]http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/23588131/The+Aquabats+aquabats.gif[/img]
There are many other Ska bands out there that I have not had the pleasure of listening to... but that's what the megathread is for. Post whatever you want Ska related, post you playing trombone/trumpet/guitar/bass or whatever. I'm not sure how large the facepunch ska community is so any post is a welcome one! Feel free to add or correct facts and I'll change or add to the OP. I
Awesome ska thread. I like ska punk a lot.
I feel Common Rider and Operation Ivy should be here.
I approve of Ska. Good Genre.
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Just2Rusty;27274805]I feel Common Rider and Operation Ivy should be here.[/QUOTE]
Also, this
shut up
I love Madness.
Ska is the shit. Streetlight Manifesto is by far my favorite ska band, I love Point/counterpoint and 9mm and a three piece suit.
Point/counterpoint [media] [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgyZmERlzmQ[/url] [/media]
9mm [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gUgruSrkgg[/media]
Suburban Legends is another great ska band that should be in here.
I want more [media] [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ6XJf8e7YI[/url] [/media]
Love Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish, two of my favourite bands :h:
i'm digging the toasters
Does anyone listen to spanish ska?
Ska-p
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yahbbV_g_s[/media]
The Locos
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_te5zcOS_M[/media]
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=DualReaver;27281472]i'm digging the toasters[/QUOTE]
The Toasters are awesome. I definitely recommend Don't Let the Bastard Grind You Down album
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
Also, it's about time there was a ska megathread. I approve
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
Also,
The Suicide Machines
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WHPg3UuKyc[/media]
and
The Skatastrophes
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQrlg1IdXWg[/media]
[QUOTE=Just2Rusty;27274805]I feel Common Rider and Operation Ivy should be here.[/QUOTE]
I'm wondering how the hell I forgot to put Operation Ivy up there.
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Binsky;27283355]Does anyone listen to spanish ska?
Ska-p
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yahbbV_g_s[/media]
The Locos
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_te5zcOS_M[/media]
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
The Toasters are awesome. I definitely recommend Don't Let the Bastard Grind You Down album
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
Also, it's about time there was a ska megathread. I approve
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
Also,
The Suicide Machines
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WHPg3UuKyc[/media]
and
The Skatastrophes
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQrlg1IdXWg[/media][/QUOTE]
Never listened to Spanish ska before thanks!
No problem, the lyrics are actually pretty awesome if you know Spanish lol
Saw the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Boston on December 27th. It was fucking awesome :buddy:
Also,
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBCXX689BHA[/media]
:v:
[QUOTE=Octave;27287249]Saw the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Boston on December 27th. It was fucking awesome :buddy:
Also,
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBCXX689BHA[/media]
:v:[/QUOTE]
Haha I remember seeing that. I wish there were more ska horns around me sadly. I play trombone but I have yet to meet anyone but a saxophone at my University who listens to ska.
man the toasters are a lot of fun
:dance:
Are NOFX ska?
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
Also if this is a 'megathread' it isn't very good. You didn't describe what Ska actually is, or the culture behind it. Maybe even a wikipaste would suffice.
Second. Best. Genre. Ever.
Only Metal is superior.
I personally enjoy Reel Big Fish quite a lot.
''Don't Start a Band''
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPxlenE-kic[/media]
''Trendy''
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr8GKf71F64[/media]
''Party Down''
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_zfJbteqBY[/media]
The lyrics of party down don't make any sense.
[QUOTE=Zethiwag;27289123]Are NOFX ska?
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
Also if this is a 'megathread' it isn't very good. You didn't describe what Ska actually is, or the culture behind it. Maybe even a wikipaste would suffice.[/QUOTE]
I consider them more punk but they do have some ska songs.
On a side note I am seeing NOFX in February
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv2klHcBxRQ[/media]
Arrogant Sons of Bitches are a pretty jolly ska band too
[QUOTE=Zethiwag;27289123]Are NOFX ska?
[editline]8th January 2011[/editline]
Also if this is a 'megathread' it isn't very good. You didn't describe what Ska actually is, or the culture behind it. Maybe even a wikipaste would suffice.[/QUOTE]
While they have some horns in some of their songs I wouldn't really call them Ska. Like Binksy said, they're more punk. I'll fill in the culture bits of ska tomorrow, I've never really made a megathread before :v:
Dear ska, I love you.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F03gEzdLa2g[/media]
It's a joke, by the way.
I like streetlight manifesto.
Nice thread, will definitively look into second wave ska.
[QUOTE=chugmuffin;27280929]Ska is the shit. Streetlight Manifesto is by far my favorite ska band, I love Point/counterpoint and 9mm and a three piece suit.
Point/counterpoint [media] [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgyZmERlzmQ[/url] [/media]
9mm [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gUgruSrkgg[/media]
Suburban Legends is another great ska band that should be in here.
I want more [media] [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ6XJf8e7YI[/url] [/media][/QUOTE]
Just heard Point/Counterpoint the other day. I've been into Reel Big Fish, Rancid, etc. for a while. While they're more mainstream, more heard of ska bands, I really enjoy them. While Ska isn't my favorite genre, it is definitely a different style and has an awesome sound.
I'm on a huge [b]Bomb the Music Industry![/b] kick right now. Jeff Rosenstock, former Arrogant Sons of Bitches singer started them after they broke up. I can't wait for them to make their way out to AZ, because I'll totally be going to that show.
This song totally rips on Every Time I Die, because they thought one of their members got into ETID and was leaving them.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa8fEXuJ3gQ[/media]
I can't stop listening to this song by them, it's called The First Time I Met Sanawon, off their most recent release. It's just got such a great sound to it.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-lN7V4_Gx0[/media]
[url=http://bombthemusicindustry.tumblr.com/]Anyways, anybody that likes what they're hearing, you can download all their music for free off their website[/url]
Also, another one of my favorite ska bands, [b]The Planet Smashers[/b]
Unstoppable
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMBFi590CMk[/media]
Trip and Fall
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAKPzdLQZ0w&feature=related[/media]
Police the Nation
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDBGEbg96-8&feature=related[/media]
Raise Your Glass (My favorite by them)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG0E8rmGRE0&feature=related[/media]
[b]Big D and the Kids Table[/b] are rad
Noise Complaint
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I0GtIXvoDw[/media]
Shining On
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8oM_-K9rXY&feature=channel[/media]
My Girlfriend's On Drugs
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WObp7N9WQ2Y&feature=channel[/media]
[b]Sonic Boom 6[/b] is a pretty good one too, I saw them live with Big D back in 09 and really enjoyed their live show
Sound of a Revolution
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-4KokEQDXQ&feature=related[/media]
Piggy in the Middle
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1XalWiJt6g&feature=related[/media]
Arcade Perfect
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgjIXPCEK0k&feature=related[/media]
[b]Suicide Machines[/b]
High Anxiety
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xztvH3O-XrI[/media]
New Girl
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F80HFvJD63w&feature=related[/media]
Rose Garden (One of my favorite cover songs of all time)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu1sL2gk7Eo[/media]
Oh man OP, how could you forget the next two bands in a ska thread, they're mega mainstream (for ska)
[b]Goldfinger[/b] has always been up there with my favorite bands, they're energetic, and put on a great live show
Mable
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC2RQU-FP0M[/media]
Spokesman
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFjEDGrUZXs&feature=related[/media]
Rio (Hell yeah, Duran Duran cover)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dIpGMe7YWA[/media]
Ever since the early 2000's when Anthem came out, [b]Less Than Jake[/b] has been one of my favorite bands. Sure their newest releases really aren't that great, (In With the Out Crowd can be totally forgotten) but they have a pretty solid history of pretty damn good releases. They also put on a really, really good live show.
How's My Driving, Doug Hastings?
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ul4HepeG9A[/media]
History of A Boring Town
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r5M9qod37g[/media]
Plastic Cup Politics (ONLY NON LIVE VERSION, DON'T JUDGE ME)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_FcES-CIBM[/media]
Two words: Japanese Ska.
I know it sounds ridiculous, but a friend of mine found a band called Oreskaband (one word), and they're surprisingly good! Here, have a taste:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxWzhUq5H3o[/media]
[QUOTE=ewitwins;27364193]Two words: Japanese Ska.
I know it sounds ridiculous, but a friend of mine found a band called Oreskaband (one word), and they're surprisingly good! Here, have a taste:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxWzhUq5H3o[/media][/QUOTE]
The Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra is pretty great, too.
Incredible Crisis
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN28T8V4ZLs[/media]
Tetris
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNx4w7bU9Rc[/media]
Skadon
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2waGPwBGS8[/media]
Sweet Christ, thank you sir <3
Ska is my favorite genre. It's a pity that the fanbase has been labled as douchey and elitist.
[QUOTE=Octave;27287249]Saw the Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Boston on December 27th. It was fucking awesome :buddy: [/QUOTE]
I would pretty much do anything to attend to one of the Bosstones' throwdowns. The santa/blanta wall looked sweet.
Ahhh, I love ska.
I was in a band for, well, lets be honest, for maybe about three months before we broke up (reel big fish really know what the fuck they're talking about wink wink), and it was absolutely incredible.
HOWEVER. I have one thing to say for anyone who wants to be in a band. Make 100% sure that you aren't embarrassed to make mistakes, and ESPECIALLY that you're not afraid to get on-stage in front of lots of people you don't know (and are actually a tiny bit afraid of). I had both of these, and it completely fucked me over.
I play saxaphone, and the first time we played together at a gig? It was at a biker-bar called "The Elbow Room", and I was absolutely terrified. Why? Because on the drive over there I had convinced myself that bikers weren't going to like ska, and that they were going to listen to one song, crack their knuckles and then knock us around a bit. Don't make this mistake: go into every gig telling yourself, "fuck the audience, I'm here to have fun!". On a side-note, I was completely wrong about the audience. They absolutely loved us (considering how dirty some of our songs were), and we even had an old guy from the original ska movement come up to the stage and give our singer a $20 bill to play an encore.
It was alotta fun, but honestly? Most bands break up because of one thing: drama. Our guitarist decided that weed was going to be his lover, and he couldn't focus on shit. Long story short, he wrecked the band and moved to California :v:
[QUOTE=ewitwins;27364705]I play saxaphone[/QUOTE]
High five!
I've been trying to find a band to jam with for about two years now, but there is only quartets of horn players that are looking for a guitars/percussions/vocals.
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