NeoGAF

What is Ska? Wikipedia is a good place to start I guess. Check out the entry there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ska

Anyone else here listen to ska? I've been meaning to make a general ska discussion thread for a while now. Not sure how many people on GAF listen to the genre, but hopefully this thread will get some more people to take a listen and find something they enjoy. So post your favorite songs, albums, bands or any shows you are going to. Doesn't matter if it's the traditional, 2 Tone, 3rd wave, punk, jazz, soul or blues variety of ska. Any kind will do.

Since I'm guessing participation in the thread will be minimal, I'm going to try to post an album a day or so to listen to to keep the thread alive. If I can get even one person to start listening to ska then this thread will be worth it. There's still great music being made by new and old bands and I'd personally like to share music from the genre that goes beyond the well known bands like Reel Big Fish, Bosstones, Less Than Jake, Catch22/Streetlight Manifesto, etc.

I'm going to be using Spotify links for most everything so it would be best to sign up for that if you can. Get Spotify here. I'll try to post some YouTube links as well, but finding obscure ska band videos that are of good quality can be a real pain in the ass sometimes.

I have a large Spotify playlist that I've been working on for a while and most of the albums I'll be posting are represented there. So check it out. http://open.spotify.com/user/mrjelly...SAmBmKcRwAgZLw

So with that said, here's my first recommended album to listen to.



Mr. T-Bone and the Young Lions - Heroes.
Spotify Link: http://open.spotify.com/album/7vfjeficBhQ4RXDF7Gs7Kq

Mr. T-Bone and the Young Lions - Money
Mr. T-Bone and the Young Lions - Do My Best
Mr. T-Bone and The Young Lions - The President Of The Republic Of Bananas

Does Operation Ivy count?

Let's not.

I kid.

Greatest ska band there ever was and ever will be:

There was a period in my lifetime when Ska was the only genre of music that existed. I think the last ska album I bought was by Spring Heeled Jack (over 10 years ago). I have a sweet Skankin' Pickle shirt that is still in pretty damn good shape. So sure, I'm ready to listen to ska again.

Originally Posted by RawPower

Does Operation Ivy count?

They are a ska/punk band, so yes, they count. Awesome band too.

Originally Posted by Omegasquash

Let's not.

I kid.

I knew I would get replies like this :P That's why I started the thread. Hopefully people will check some of the bands out here and find something they like.

Was just listening to GNV FLA earlier this morning. Love ska. One of my friends/roommates from high school and college is in the ska band The Taj Motel Trio, which is a small east coast ska-punk group that's been around for about 10 years. They've never gotten very big, but ska is such a small genre overall that he knows most of the guys in Streetlight, The Toasters, etc.

Originally Posted by Wired All Wrong

They are a ska/punk band, so yes, they count. Awesome band too.

I figured they were more on the punk side. That's why I asked. XD

Spunge - Kicking Pigeons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZstUnhT6eI

There was a pretty large (in terms of number of people involved I think) ska band I heard once, but for my life of me I can't remember their name. Shame as I really liked the music.

Where's the Mustard Plug?

I fully endorse this thread.

I'm about to go to work, so I can't really post anything right now but I'll make a list of some stuff when I get home.

I love Ska but mostly real Jamaican Ska....

Owen Gray - Midnight Track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3zfhV6bwAM

Derrick & Patsy - Housewifes Choice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj6xFQic5D4

Alton Ellis - Girl I've Got A Date
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvzthjJI9Xg

Originally Posted by Azar

Was just listening to GNV FLA earlier this morning. Love ska. One of my friends/roommates from high school and college is in the ska band The Taj Motel Trio, which is a small east coast ska-punk group that's been around for about 10 years. They've never gotten very big, but ska is such a small genre overall that he knows most of the guys in Streetlight, The Toasters, etc.

That's pretty awesome. I've only heard a few songs from Taj Motel Trio, but what I heard was pretty good. They got a song on the Rock Band Network that I love playing.

I used to listen to ska more, mostly 1st and 3rd wave, kinda never got into 2 Tone except for the Specials.

The newest ska band I've heard is Streetlight Manifesto, but I've only listened to them on Youtube. I will probably pick up a cd soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo76ijhUqjE

Originally Posted by RawPower

I figured they were more on the punk side. That's why I asked. XD

Well actually, there was a genre known as '2 tone' that originated in the UK in the 70s. It's more a mix of Ska, punk, reggae, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Tone

Originally Posted by Maleficence

There was a pretty large (in terms of number of people involved I think) ska band I heard once, but for my life of me I can't remember their name. Shame as I really liked the music.

Found them! Haha didn't take that long on last.fm <3

Was streetlight Manifesto, but they're not quite as good as I remember them.

I liked The English Beat and Madness back in the 80s. The Specials were pretty popular too. Other than that, I've never really gotten into ska.

I went through a punk phase in the 90s. Delved into OpIvy, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger (i guess they weren't true ska though), etc. Can't stand it these days.

Might as well start with the best

Toots and the Maytals - 54-46 Was My Number

Ska is my favourite genre of music. As well as reggae.

The Slackers are my favourite band of all time.

Subscribed for later posting since I'm at work.

Originally Posted by Maleficence

Found them! Haha didn't take that long on last.fm <3

Was streetlight Manifesto, but they're not quite as good as I remember them.

I heard them recently after not listening to any ska for years, and I got excited but forgot to look into them further. They have a cd with all covers; I'll probably pick that up.

Hell of a hat you're sportin', jack.

I can't stand Ska. It really annoys me to the level that I leave the dancing area or the club when the DJ decides to play it. I don't know exactly what it is about it, maybe it's because I can't stand Raggae ether.

I don't usually listen to this kind of music, but the swedish band Hoffmaestro had a huge hit with Highway Man this summer here in Sweden, and wiki lists them as ska so I guess it fits here.

Hoffmaestro - Highway Man

Originally Posted by parrotbeak

I heard them recently after not listening to any ska for years, and I got excited but forgot to look into them further. They have a cd with all covers; I'll probably pick that up.

"Would you be impressed" is actually pretty good.

Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Impression That I Get

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2oTp3mBm1w

Heard it in Digimon the movie xD. I love this song. It's got a summery vibe to it.

Time to listen to some of these and see if I like anything else in this genre.

Still one of the most fun concerts ive ever been too

http://youtu.be/qmfd3GVoJMQ

Was a great night

I actually listened to a ton of Smash Mouth growing up, heh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th4UL9WuTNc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdALfXpYCLs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOwKo9tVO9U

I don't really know if this is what most people would consider Ska, but it's what I heard it was once (old smash mouth)

Fush Yu Mang is a great album. Used to listen to that all the time back in the day. Padrino is definitely the best Smash Mouth song.

I was just watching this Madness video so I may as well post it.

http://youtu.be/FF1IpBD8i2I

I never really dove into Ska. Other than The Specials and Madness and really popular acts.

Originally Posted by Dishwalla

My favorite ska record.

Ah yes, good old Spring Heeled Jack. I was just listening to Songs from Suburbia the other day. So much better than Static World View. Too bad they only made two albums.

Originally Posted by Sonki.

I never really dove into Ska. Other than The Specials and Madness and really popular acts.

Keep an eye on this thread then. I'll be posting an album or two a day to listen to. Hopefully something will catch your attention.

I went to see Reel Big Fish last night, we counting Ska-Punk? Also saw Madness in summer.

Fuck yeah ska.

Weird—no one's mentioned Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. They've been my favorite for a while, with an immense discography and a wide variety of different styles and fusions. Most of their work is instrumental, but the songs they do, however few, are usually well-written and feature some great singing. And, yes, they're Japanese, so there's some weirdness in the whole package. Still feels more refined and more genuine than anything ska-related today!

Originally Posted by Dragoon En Regalia

Weird—no one's mentioned Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. They've been my favorite for a while, with an immense discography and a wide variety of different styles and fusions. Most of their work is instrumental, but the songs they do, however few, are usually well-written and feature some great singing. And, yes, they're Japanese, so there's some weirdness in the whole package. Still feels more refined and more genuine than anything ska-related today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIi88qEH_SA

We have to run through US/UK ska before we move on to TSPO and Ore Ska Band and all that japanese ska

Originally Posted by soultron

If you're into Japanese ska, BAGHDAD CAFE THE Trenchtown is an easy recommendation to make. They're more reggae than anything though. But they're so easy to love. Unlike TSPO, there's a language barrier involved, unfortunately. I don't think they're very active these days, either, unfortunately. It's also really expensive to import their stuff. I'd die if I could find a way to easily afford one of their albums.

I like that. Thanks for sharing.

I'm not all that familiar with the Japanese ska scene, but I did notice it's hard purchase stuff like TSPO or Kemuri without spending a ton of money. I wish their stuff would be available digitally in the US.

Originally Posted by Wired All Wrong

I like that. Thanks for sharing.

I'm not all that familiar with the Japanese ska scene, but I did notice it's hard purchase stuff like TSPO or Kemuri without spending a ton of money. I wish their stuff would be available digitally in the US.

Yeah. Last time I checked, it's about $50/album to import Japanese-only releases of really hard to find stuff.

What you know bout that down south ska?!

http://youtu.be/pHTC4rsEqlg

Originally Posted by tm24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIi88qEH_SA

We have to run through US/UK ska before we move on to TSPO and Ore Ska Band and all that japanese ska

this is amazing.

Birmingham ska is best ska.

Originally Posted by Machine

I liked The English Beat and Madness back in the 80s. The Specials were pretty popular too. Other than that, I've never really gotten into ska.

Speaking of Madness I knew the drummer back in school!

He used to teach at my school.

Originally Posted by soultron

More Japanese reggae:
Dry & Heavy -- Love Explosion Check this song if you're really into dub reggae. The female vocals are awesome.
THE HEAVYMANNERS -- Breath for SPEAKER

Oh ya, I love Likkle Mai and Dry & Heavy. Some amazing stuff.

For fans of The Aggrolites, meet The Bullets.