Gettin' started with Ska (blues, funk, punk, reggae, rock)

Rainard Jalen · 08-06-2006, 01:14 PM

Hey guys. I'm kinda unfamiliar with ska music, especially more modern ska. So, I was wondering if some of you could provide me with a good starting point as far as the current scene goes. Who are the major bands of the moment and what are a few songs worth checking out to familiarize myself with the genre?

Cheers.

- Jalen

Alo · 08-06-2006, 02:30 PM

Less than jake is really popular.

And Okploide is one of my personal favorites.

swim · 08-06-2006, 02:44 PM

Streetlight Manifesto- Everything Goes Numb, get that album.

Rainard Jalen · 08-07-2006, 12:18 PM

Thanks for that. It'd also be nice if y'all could tell me of some of your favorite major ska tracks over the past 10 years so I can check them out.

war_rabbit · 08-07-2006, 11:32 PM

Favorite Ska Tracks

Catch 22 -- The Decembrists' Song
Streetlight Manifesto -- Keasby Nights (original Catch 22 song)
Authority Zero -- One More Minute
Mad Caddies -- Drinking for 11
Reel Big Fish -- One Hit Wonderful
The Flatliners -- Fred's Got Slacks
El Marko -- Liberdad
Pelados De 500 -- Los Estudiantes

the last 2 are pretty obscure but a good web surfer can easily
find em

Rainard Jalen · 08-09-2006, 06:40 AM

From listening to some of these tracks, it seems to me that the definition of ska is fairly loose and ambiguous. Some of them could just as easily be classified as rock/punk with horns.

From what I can tell, the most distinguishing feature of a "real" ska track is the reggae-style backbeats.

The Dave · 08-09-2006, 09:38 AM

A great ska band is Ska Is Dead, they where influential in bringing ska music back.

_Spinning_ · 08-09-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainard Jalen

From listening to some of these tracks, it seems to me that the definition of ska is fairly loose and ambiguous. Some of them could just as easily be classified as rock/punk with horns.

From what I can tell, the most distinguishing feature of a "real" ska track is the reggae-style backbeats.

Go listen to some Two/Tone orignal Ska...like The Selecter or The Slackers...

That'll give you a feel for what it originated as at least...

JumpUp · 10-13-2006, 02:44 PM

The Skatalites, The foundation Ska band, this is where it all began! The album 'Foundation Ska' is a must for all fans of SKA

(I know it's not current or modern, but it's the best!

)

One Love!

Rasta Digger · 11-17-2006, 07:23 PM

Listen to Lightyear. That's really all anyone needs to know.

Other than that, here are some other bands and albums you might want to try.

The Cat Empire - Two Shoes, such a good album, insanely happy, catchy, and refreshingly new.

Adequate Seven - Songs Of Innocence And Of Experience. Really good funk-ska. Their new album Here On Earth is pretty damn good too, if a little more poppy.

King Prawn - Got The Thirst, it's just fantastic. Fail to enjoy this and you clearly have no ears or sense of humour.

If you're going to go with Less Than Jake, go with Hello Rockview or Losing Streak. At a push, Pezcore. Don't get their newer stuff, or you'll think they suck. They didn't, they just do now... ...avoid the purveyor of ultimate filth, Anthem, at all costs.

Catch 22 - Keasbey Nights. Just listen to it. Try Alone In A Crowd if you enjoy this.

Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Goes Numb. Get it. It's great. Don't get their version of Keasbey Nights though, its nowhere near as good as the original Catch 22 album.

If you like acoustic stuff, try The King Blues - Under The Fog. It's not ska, but it's heavily ska-influenced. They are the finest musical socio-political analyists ever. "Chimp In A Three Piece Suit" is the greatest Bush/Blair rant ever, and "Mr. Music Man"... ...you'll understand if you hear them.

Take it easy, and enjoy your ska.

08-06-2006, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rainard Jalen Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,221	Gettin' started with Ska Hey guys. I'm kinda unfamiliar with ska music, especially more modern ska. So, I was wondering if some of you could provide me with a good starting point as far as the current scene goes. Who are the major bands of the moment and what are a few songs worth checking out to familiarize myself with the genre? Cheers. - Jalen

08-06-2006, 02:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Alo Scarf Join Date: May 2006 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 715	Less than jake is really popular. And Okploide is one of my personal favorites. __________________ I rocked my shoelaces untied

08-06-2006, 02:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
swim dontcareaboutyou Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5,188	Streetlight Manifesto- Everything Goes Numb, get that album. __________________ http://nakednaps.bandcamp.com/

08-07-2006, 11:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
war_rabbit F**K Bunnies !! Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 19	Favorite Ska Tracks Catch 22 -- The Decembrists' Song Streetlight Manifesto -- Keasby Nights (original Catch 22 song) Authority Zero -- One More Minute Mad Caddies -- Drinking for 11 Reel Big Fish -- One Hit Wonderful The Flatliners -- Fred's Got Slacks El Marko -- Liberdad Pelados De 500 -- Los Estudiantes the last 2 are pretty obscure but a good web surfer can easily find em __________________ Bono on stage in Glasgow: "Every time ... I clap my hands ... a child in Africa ... starves to death ..." Glaswegian: "Stop **in' doing it, then!" "I imagine a good goth date would be a meal of pork chops roasted in the blood and fesis of the animal." - The Dave**

10-13-2006, 02:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
JumpUp Groupie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bristol Posts: 6	The Skatalites, The foundation Ska band, this is where it all began! The album 'Foundation Ska' is a must for all fans of SKA (I know it's not current or modern, but it's the best! ) One Love! __________________ 'The Music of Our Hearts is Roots Music' www.ukreggaeguide.co.uk WMP http://66.90.103.189/8106/listen.asx Real Player http://66.90.103.189/8106/listen.ram http://www.ukreggaeguide.co.uk/forum...forum.php?f=22

08-07-2006, 12:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rainard Jalen Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,221	Thanks for that. It'd also be nice if y'all could tell me of some of your favorite major ska tracks over the past 10 years so I can check them out.

08-09-2006, 06:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rainard Jalen Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2,221	From listening to some of these tracks, it seems to me that the definition of ska is fairly loose and ambiguous. Some of them could just as easily be classified as rock/punk with horns. From what I can tell, the most distinguishing feature of a "real" ska track is the reggae-style backbeats.

08-09-2006, 09:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
The Dave Me and The Major Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,830	A great ska band is Ska Is Dead, they where influential in bringing ska music back.

11-17-2006, 07:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rasta Digger Groupie Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chester Uni. Posts: 2	Listen to Lightyear. That's really all anyone needs to know. Other than that, here are some other bands and albums you might want to try. The Cat Empire - Two Shoes, such a good album, insanely happy, catchy, and refreshingly new. Adequate Seven - Songs Of Innocence And Of Experience. Really good funk-ska. Their new album Here On Earth is pretty damn good too, if a little more poppy. King Prawn - Got The Thirst, it's just fantastic. Fail to enjoy this and you clearly have no ears or sense of humour. If you're going to go with Less Than Jake, go with Hello Rockview or Losing Streak. At a push, Pezcore. Don't get their newer stuff, or you'll think they suck. They didn't, they just do now... ...avoid the purveyor of ultimate filth, Anthem, at all costs. Catch 22 - Keasbey Nights. Just listen to it. Try Alone In A Crowd if you enjoy this. Streetlight Manifesto - Everything Goes Numb. Get it. It's great. Don't get their version of Keasbey Nights though, its nowhere near as good as the original Catch 22 album. If you like acoustic stuff, try The King Blues - Under The Fog. It's not ska, but it's heavily ska-influenced. They are the finest musical socio-political analyists ever. "Chimp In A Three Piece Suit" is the greatest Bush/Blair rant ever, and "Mr. Music Man"... ...you'll understand if you hear them. Take it easy, and enjoy your ska.