Music Banter - The Pros And Cons Of Modern Ska

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- - The Pros And Cons Of Modern Ska (https://www.musicbanter.com/reggae-ska/1724-pros-cons-modern-ska.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megzer

I luv strung out! i only have one album though but its deadly!
But any advice on cd's to get in America?? Its so hard to get them here. And they cost loads cause they're specially imported.
Let me know,

I would have no idea, i would be interested to know how much the average cd costs though in the states. cause i come from Australia and a new album is about $32.00 AU, which would be something like $18.00US

Anyways, what strung out album do you have, i got em all, and they all rule!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megzer

Were you around for the old gigs??
Cool! Sounds good though apart from the skinheads. My mates in england now and he said he's bought lots of ska cds so i acant wait to listen to them when he gets back. And im goin to america soon any suggestions of cds i might like to get. They're a bitch to get here.

Hi Megzer

I was a teenager in the early 1980s and I was crazy about the music, but I must confess I didn't go to any of the gigs. I know about the violence because I read it in the music press, and some of the bands themselves admitted that there was a problem with an element among their fans. Also, some of the ska 'fans' in the school I went to were thugs. Some were even racist/fascist, which is weird considering that ska was originally a black music. A lot of people didn't know that ska came directly from Jamaica. Some thought it was a British offshoot of reggae or some kind of blend of reggae and punk. Others didn't even know it had any link with reggae or Jamaica.

Most of the trouble makers were only into ska because it was the 'in thing' at the time. When it went out of fashion they moved on to something else. They were not true fans. After second wave ska died out, a hardcore of the skinheads embraced Oi (a form of punk music with a skinhead fan base). Most of the others stopped being skinheads and became 'casuals' (who wore mainstream designer clothing and carried on the tradition of football hooliganism). I have to say that not all skinheads are bad. I've met some who are really cool, including one who is a mate of mine. There is even a movement called Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice (SHARP).

I'm not really sure what ska CDs you could check out in the USA. Look for anything on the Moon Ska label. They are USA-based and do a lot of ska compilations. They'll also be cheaper over there because they're not imported.

Prince Burridge

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChN1

hi both, if i can come into the conversation, i have the feeling there's a "3rd wave of ska" in the 90's, taht's the revival we're in, and it's true some of the bands inside are just rock-punky bands with a saxophone; especially in France where i'm from there's a revival of reggae ska music at the moment, with several "options", more rock like "La Ruda Salska" and more "Roots" like "Jim Murple Memorial".
For the US part i wouldn't call bands like Slackers and Hepcat "lack depth, feeling and power", even if they cannot be called "first generation" either...
the third wave of Ska is very linked here with all protestation movements, against the war, against globalization, G8, GMO, against Bush... well it's sort of a generation with strong feelings of freedom and what links them is more the claim in lyrics than the roots of Ska, that explains how some bands are called ska for just including a trumpet in the band...
So i'd rather classify the bands by the feeling of ska they have than by year. Lend an ear to "Jim Murple Memorial" and you'll know Rootska's not dead ;)

hope i'm clear, forgive my english as it's not my mother tongue
ChN1

Hi ChN1

When I said a lot of modern ska is shallow, I was referring to the music rather than the lyrics. A band could have very meaningful lyrics but the music could still be shallow.

I don't like to bring ethnicity into it, but one of the things I love about ska is its 'Afro-Caribbeanness' (though I am white myself). Most of the modern ska bands are white, and therefore don't have direct experience of Afro-Caribbean life, and maybe this is reflected in their playing. I would also say that those among the modern bands who are inspired by second wave ska take their cue too much from Madness. They would perhaps do better to pay more attention to other second wave bands such as The Specials, Bad Manners, The Beat, The Selecter and The Bodysnatchers (all of whom sounded more 'Caribbean' than Madness).

I'm not saying all modern ska bands are crap. Some such as The Splittters (a British band) and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are brilliant. Even ska-punk is growing on me. It's just that usually, when I listen to a CD of modern ska, I end up feeling disappointed.

Prince Burridge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow Card

Hey!
I'll tell what they cost next week! Hehe! In Ireland ska cds usually cost around 25euros, thats around $30. Yay! ITs such a rip off. Oh well.

I have American Paradox by the way. There are no more albums in the shops here so what are the names of the others? And how many are there? Is there any other bands like them that I should check out? Sorry bout all the questions, just curious!

Thanks,

heya, the albums i can think of at the moment are : 'Anotherr Day In Paradise', 'Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues' , 'Crossroads & Illusions' , 'The Skinny Years Before We Got Fat', 'Twisted By Design' (my favourite), 'Element Of Sonic Defiance', 'An American Paradox'
I think thats all of em.

Ok, other bands ey...um you should diffinatly (if you havent already) check out 'Thrice'
one of the raddest bands ever!!!! and check out 'rise against'

most of todays ska is more punk than ska. but their are the bands that keep it closer to the trad roots and twotone sound. which i always like. but the new stuff is basically punk and doesnt really fit into the definition of ska, but is put there due to the the upbeats and horns. some of it is good, dont get me wrong i like it. but i have grown awaya from the punky stuff.