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

Less than jake is really popular.

And Okploide is one of my personal favorites. :)

Streetlight Manifesto- Everything Goes Numb, get that album.

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.

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

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.

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

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...

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! :love: :love: )

One Love!

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.