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September 29, 2011 8:12 PM Subscribe
Ska/two-tone recommendations?
I'm starting to get more into ska, even though I have loved two-tone since I was about fourteen, it's time to expand. I'm looking for bands to get into along the rocksteady-ska-two tone-hip hop/rap spectrum, upbeat and good words (i.e. I don't know if this is impossible, but I don't want to be listening about cannabis 24/7, and sometimes two-tone tends to be about, like, alcohol and breaking up with your girlfriend or something). A woman singer would be AWESOME. I especially want more two-tone (second wave ska); first wave is cool but some of it is a little slow, and I find third-wave kind of American 80's punk compared to 1977 punk...it's just not the same.
Here are some bands I already listen to:
Older
Desmond Dekker (I especially like "Unity"...this would be an example of good lyrics, it makes me happy..."U-N-I-T-Y is unity")
Justin Hinds & the Dominoes (I like "Save a Bread"..."Who makes the world go round / You don't know")
Bob Marley & the Wailers (I only have the album The Wailing Wailers...I enjoy "Rude Boy")
Newer
These are my two very favorite ska bands:
The Specials
The Selecter (I love the Selecter...I love Pauline Black; she is so amazing I can't even handle it. I don't even have a favorite song; I could listen to anything by them.)
(I don't like The Toasters or The English Beat...don't know why.)
The Bodysnatchers although they're slightly too peppy for me. Seriously, nothing compares to The Selecter.
Even Newer(?)
Madness (They are hit and miss, but I like "Wings of a Dove" and "One Step Beyond")
Bad Brains (Getting into punk I guess, but my favorite song is "I Luv I Jah"...I like the lyrics..."I luv I luv I Jah, gotta keep my PMA"...I like how covertly religious some of these songs are)
The Clash...I remember kids in high school arguing about whether their "ska" album was really ska or not, but no matter. I like the album Combat Rock.
Super New
Matisyahu et al. (He has some wise things to say)
Eprhyme (He is awesome; I like how he gets away with sounding like the Prince of Bel-Air)
As you can see, the only thing that's close to "hip-hop" that I listen to is religious Jewish hip-hop, which I find awesome, but I know that's a total niche genre.
Anyway, thanks!
I'm starting to get more into ska, even though I have loved two-tone since I was about fourteen, it's time to expand. I'm looking for bands to get into along the rocksteady-ska-two tone-hip hop/rap spectrum, upbeat and good words (i.e. I don't know if this is impossible, but I don't want to be listening about cannabis 24/7, and sometimes two-tone tends to be about, like, alcohol and breaking up with your girlfriend or something). A woman singer would be AWESOME. I especially want more two-tone (second wave ska); first wave is cool but some of it is a little slow, and I find third-wave kind of American 80's punk compared to 1977 punk...it's just not the same.
Here are some bands I already listen to:
Older
Desmond Dekker (I especially like "Unity"...this would be an example of good lyrics, it makes me happy..."U-N-I-T-Y is unity")
Justin Hinds & the Dominoes (I like "Save a Bread"..."Who makes the world go round / You don't know")
Bob Marley & the Wailers (I only have the album The Wailing Wailers...I enjoy "Rude Boy")
Newer
These are my two very favorite ska bands:
The Specials
The Selecter (I love the Selecter...I love Pauline Black; she is so amazing I can't even handle it. I don't even have a favorite song; I could listen to anything by them.)
(I don't like The Toasters or The English Beat...don't know why.)
The Bodysnatchers although they're slightly too peppy for me. Seriously, nothing compares to The Selecter.
Even Newer(?)
Madness (They are hit and miss, but I like "Wings of a Dove" and "One Step Beyond")
Bad Brains (Getting into punk I guess, but my favorite song is "I Luv I Jah"...I like the lyrics..."I luv I luv I Jah, gotta keep my PMA"...I like how covertly religious some of these songs are)
The Clash...I remember kids in high school arguing about whether their "ska" album was really ska or not, but no matter. I like the album Combat Rock.
Super New
Matisyahu et al. (He has some wise things to say)
Eprhyme (He is awesome; I like how he gets away with sounding like the Prince of Bel-Air)
As you can see, the only thing that's close to "hip-hop" that I listen to is religious Jewish hip-hop, which I find awesome, but I know that's a total niche genre.
Anyway, thanks!
I haven't listened to much Mighty Mighty Bosstones over all, but Royal Oil gets me every time.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 8:26 PM on September 29, 2011
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 8:26 PM on September 29, 2011
Prince buster, while a classic, kind of sucks. I hate to say that because I loved him when I was 14-20, but his music just isn't very good.
Some great bands I still listen to
skavoovie and the epitones- fat footin' and ripe
hepcat- scientific
laurel aiken- the blue beat years
some of the old pietaster is also alright, before they started to sound like the mighty mighty bosstones.
posted by TheBones at 8:27 PM on September 29, 2011
Some great bands I still listen to
skavoovie and the epitones- fat footin' and ripe
hepcat- scientific
laurel aiken- the blue beat years
some of the old pietaster is also alright, before they started to sound like the mighty mighty bosstones.
posted by TheBones at 8:27 PM on September 29, 2011
Austin's KOOP radio has a great show on Sundays from noon to 2:00 PM called Jamaican Gold. You can listen online here (or at 91.7 FM if you're in the area.) Always lots of good stuff.
posted by sanko at 8:29 PM on September 29, 2011
posted by sanko at 8:29 PM on September 29, 2011
You might check out the Planet Smashers, Less Than Jake, and Streetlight Manifesto.
posted by ChuraChura at 8:40 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ChuraChura at 8:40 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
You mentioned Desmond Dekker; do you have the The Harder They Come soundtrack? If not, you really should, even though it's probably a bit less peppy than you're asking for.
posted by cog_nate at 8:41 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by cog_nate at 8:41 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
On the older end, Rico Rodriguez is pretty amazing. He plays a mean Trombone. Trojan put out a two disc set called Trombone Man a while back, it combined several of his releases, well worth listening to.
posted by gyusan at 8:43 PM on September 29, 2011
posted by gyusan at 8:43 PM on September 29, 2011
It's been a while since I thought of this stuff, but the Dance Hall Crashers seem to be exactly what you're looking for. Not just female-led, but doubly so. And when they were good, they were damn good.
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:44 PM on September 29, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:44 PM on September 29, 2011 [2 favorites]
Have you listened to any Aggrolites? They can be hit and miss. Here's Jimmy Jack
You didn't mention The Slackers, who are still actively touring. (Tonight) Awesome band live, with a very mellow and beat-heavy sound.
Chris Murray is similarly sweet live with a smooth, clear voice--here's his Rocksteady.
Seconding Hepcat.
posted by therewolf at 8:46 PM on September 29, 2011
You didn't mention The Slackers, who are still actively touring. (Tonight) Awesome band live, with a very mellow and beat-heavy sound.
Chris Murray is similarly sweet live with a smooth, clear voice--here's his Rocksteady.
Seconding Hepcat.
posted by therewolf at 8:46 PM on September 29, 2011
I'd check out Hepcat and The Pietasters.
posted by pwb503 at 8:46 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by pwb503 at 8:46 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh! How could I forget GOGO 13, whose members went on to form the Aquabats and others. (Myspace) They still perform. The lead singer Parker Jacobs' brother is MC Bat Commander, and there is a sweet female sax player, Erin. Disclosure: I do know some of them, but after I was a fan of their music.
Oh and lest we forget, beware the presence of too many horns.
posted by therewolf at 8:56 PM on September 29, 2011
Oh and lest we forget, beware the presence of too many horns.
posted by therewolf at 8:56 PM on September 29, 2011
Hard to find but The Uptones were a band from Berkeley High School in the early eighties.
posted by humboldt32 at 9:02 PM on September 29, 2011
posted by humboldt32 at 9:02 PM on September 29, 2011
The Trojan Ska box sets are a great way to find artists worth exploring.
Growing up in Buffalo, I loved David Watts and the Great Train Robbery - Slick Little Girl is still a favourite. Oh man, to be in a church basement, Elk's Lodge or school dance with them again...
posted by peagood at 9:07 PM on September 29, 2011
Growing up in Buffalo, I loved David Watts and the Great Train Robbery - Slick Little Girl is still a favourite. Oh man, to be in a church basement, Elk's Lodge or school dance with them again...
posted by peagood at 9:07 PM on September 29, 2011
Ocean 11 (for a female vocalist), although recordings can be hard to get ahold of you can google and get a sample via YouTube, saw them a bunch of times live while growing up in Southern California. For more traditional, The Skatalites of course and Hepcat (especially live, amazing.)
posted by Asherah at 9:29 PM on September 29, 2011
posted by Asherah at 9:29 PM on September 29, 2011
See if you can get a copy of This Are 2Tone (iirc). It's a good smattering of uk ska from that era.
posted by hanoixan at 9:35 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by hanoixan at 9:35 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
As far as older, what about Alton and Hortense Ellis? I would also second some of the Trojan box sets. And if you're going to get anywhere near ska-punk, you need to listen to Operation Ivy. (I'd take them over Dancehall Crashers, Reel Big Fish, or the Bosstones any day of the week.)
posted by kendrak at 10:07 PM on September 29, 2011
posted by kendrak at 10:07 PM on September 29, 2011
I'd definitely recommend some Suburban Legends if you're into the Reel Big Fish/Planet Smashers/Aquabats style.
posted by TheMidnightHobo at 10:17 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by TheMidnightHobo at 10:17 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
There is plenty of amazing third wave ska that isn't just SoCal Bossclones. Europe was pumping out some truly spectacular ska in the nineties.
An excellent place to start would be Tudor Records' "Skampler" compilations, which run the full gamut -- skanking guitars aside, no two acts are remotely alike -- and are almost completely awesome.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:18 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
An excellent place to start would be Tudor Records' "Skampler" compilations, which run the full gamut -- skanking guitars aside, no two acts are remotely alike -- and are almost completely awesome.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:18 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
mephiskapheles; though they are a "satanic ska band" the lyrics aren't really a bumber
posted by cupcake1337 at 11:48 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by cupcake1337 at 11:48 PM on September 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
Seconding the Dance Hall Crashers recommendation. They are third wave, but not too punky. Not just one, but two female vocalists, singing awesome songs about picnics and Shelley.
You've also got Save Ferris, who's big thing was their cover of Come on Eileen, but they've got several albums out there.
The Pinstripes started out with a male singer, but have switched to a female vocalist. Or maybe that's the other way around. Great stuff (with either singer).
If you want to go just a little bit further afield, for awesome Ska happiness, just add Japanese high school girls: Ore No Ska Band (My ska band). They've been pretty succesful (for a Japanese band) in the States, playing a lot of summer tours in the last couple years. Great backstory, too. The short version, a bunch of eighteen year olds had a band, and got kind of famous, decided to stick together instead of go off to college, and made a go of it.
There's also Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, who've been going strong for years. Good stuff if you can find it.
If you don't mind the punk stuff quite so much, and are really looking for some awesomely positive ska, check out Kemuri. Sadly, they broke up a couple years back, but they've got some phenomenal music, a good amount with English lyrics. Check out Heartbeat, PMA, In the Perfect Silence, and Ato-Ichinen.
posted by Ghidorah at 12:06 AM on September 30, 2011
You've also got Save Ferris, who's big thing was their cover of Come on Eileen, but they've got several albums out there.
The Pinstripes started out with a male singer, but have switched to a female vocalist. Or maybe that's the other way around. Great stuff (with either singer).
If you want to go just a little bit further afield, for awesome Ska happiness, just add Japanese high school girls: Ore No Ska Band (My ska band). They've been pretty succesful (for a Japanese band) in the States, playing a lot of summer tours in the last couple years. Great backstory, too. The short version, a bunch of eighteen year olds had a band, and got kind of famous, decided to stick together instead of go off to college, and made a go of it.
There's also Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, who've been going strong for years. Good stuff if you can find it.
If you don't mind the punk stuff quite so much, and are really looking for some awesomely positive ska, check out Kemuri. Sadly, they broke up a couple years back, but they've got some phenomenal music, a good amount with English lyrics. Check out Heartbeat, PMA, In the Perfect Silence, and Ato-Ichinen.
posted by Ghidorah at 12:06 AM on September 30, 2011
You need to listen to a radio show on WMBR out of Cambridge, MA called "Generoso's Bovine Ska and Rocksteady". It's mainly focused on Jamaican mento, ska, and rocksteady music (you won't hear the Bosstones). The host really, really knows his stuff and you will be exposed to tons of great music. You can stream WMBR live on the internet, the show is on from midnight until 2am EST on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
You can also listen to recordings of the two most recent shows here:
http://wmbr.mit.edu/www/sched-tue
Enjoy.
posted by outlaw of averages at 12:59 AM on September 30, 2011
You can also listen to recordings of the two most recent shows here:
http://wmbr.mit.edu/www/sched-tue
Enjoy.
posted by outlaw of averages at 12:59 AM on September 30, 2011
If you like the Specials, you might also want to check out the spin-off bands, namely,
Special AKA and
Fun Boy Three
posted by vacapinta at 1:33 AM on September 30, 2011
Special AKA and
Fun Boy Three
posted by vacapinta at 1:33 AM on September 30, 2011
Most of my recs already gone (Specials, Bad Manners, Madness) except The Beat.
Also, Amy Winehouse surprised me by having a couple of ska numbers on Back to Black.
posted by arzakh at 3:57 AM on September 30, 2011
Also, Amy Winehouse surprised me by having a couple of ska numbers on Back to Black.
posted by arzakh at 3:57 AM on September 30, 2011
If you can find a Busters album, they're a lot of fun: try a sample on their (German language) home page or their MySpace page.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:31 AM on September 30, 2011
posted by wenestvedt at 6:31 AM on September 30, 2011
Someone mentioned Fat Freddy's Drop a couple of weeks ago, and they're pretty good. Check out their YouTube channel.
posted by wenestvedt at 6:35 AM on September 30, 2011
posted by wenestvedt at 6:35 AM on September 30, 2011
Seconding Kendrack, THE band that started SKA/Punk movement of the nineties is Operation Ivy. While not really a cover, their song "Unity" is a subtle hat-tip to Desmond Dekkar and is a landmark of the genre. It's very lo-fi, very reminiscent of the original punk spirit, and very, very fun.
posted by teriyaki_tornado at 7:29 AM on September 30, 2011
posted by teriyaki_tornado at 7:29 AM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: For female vocalists, check out Feel Like Jumping: Best of Studio One Women. I also recommend "Vigerton Two and Other Boss Reggae Instrumentals" to anyone who will listen...one of the best reggae albums ever.
posted by Otis at 9:14 AM on September 30, 2011
posted by Otis at 9:14 AM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: Not at all two tone, but somewhat rootsey and ska-ish is Toots and The Maytals. Definitely skank-worthy (if a bit slower) and with a positive vibe.
posted by No Shmoobles at 9:55 AM on September 30, 2011
posted by No Shmoobles at 9:55 AM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: So many great bands have been mentioned and so many haven't been mentioned. My favorite ska periods are the original Jamaican, 2Tone, the post 2Tone/Pre & early 3rd wave ska from England & Germany. Way too many bands to mention, but there are some excellent , mainly European, compilations from the late 80s/early 90s to check out so you can find out what bands you like and which you don't:
-The Skandal compilations off Germany's Pork Pie Records are all amazing.
-The compilations off of Skank Records & Dojo records (Licensed to Ska, Ska for Ska's Sake, Max the Dog).
-The Skankin' Round The World comps
-early comps off of Moon Records
And, here's a few bands that haven't been mentioned that should be mentioned: Derrick Morgan (Jamaica), New York Citizens (NYC ska), The Riffs (Engand), BaBa Brooks (Jamaica), Frits (Germany), Mr. Review (Germany), The Trojans (England), The Potato 5 (England) ... this could go on forever
posted by toddst at 11:45 AM on September 30, 2011
-The Skandal compilations off Germany's Pork Pie Records are all amazing.
-The compilations off of Skank Records & Dojo records (Licensed to Ska, Ska for Ska's Sake, Max the Dog).
-The Skankin' Round The World comps
-early comps off of Moon Records
And, here's a few bands that haven't been mentioned that should be mentioned: Derrick Morgan (Jamaica), New York Citizens (NYC ska), The Riffs (Engand), BaBa Brooks (Jamaica), Frits (Germany), Mr. Review (Germany), The Trojans (England), The Potato 5 (England) ... this could go on forever
posted by toddst at 11:45 AM on September 30, 2011
Possibly totally off-the-wall, but I'm a huge fan of Seanchai & The Unity Squad (and Chris from the band's earlier 'do' Paddy-a-Go-Go)
Not straight what you're looking for and a lot of politics thrown in, but if you're looking for niche, Irish/punk/reggae/ska/trad is about as Niche as you get. Each record has a little bit of everything, but it's hard not to want to skank along when it really gets going. And then break into a jig if that's your thing.
posted by pupdog at 1:44 PM on September 30, 2011
Not straight what you're looking for and a lot of politics thrown in, but if you're looking for niche, Irish/punk/reggae/ska/trad is about as Niche as you get. Each record has a little bit of everything, but it's hard not to want to skank along when it really gets going. And then break into a jig if that's your thing.
posted by pupdog at 1:44 PM on September 30, 2011
They've already been mentioned, but worth repeating:
Hepcat
The Slackers
I'll add:
Stubborn All Stars Tin Spam
The Scofflaws Paul Getty
posted by Requiax at 4:45 PM on September 30, 2011
Hepcat
The Slackers
I'll add:
Stubborn All Stars Tin Spam
The Scofflaws Paul Getty
posted by Requiax at 4:45 PM on September 30, 2011
Response by poster: Sorry, I don't know if I mentioned I really dislike third wave. It's just too much.
But thanks for the suggestions so far, I've accumulated a couple of new bands to listen to!
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 4:57 PM on September 30, 2011
But thanks for the suggestions so far, I've accumulated a couple of new bands to listen to!
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 4:57 PM on September 30, 2011
I second the Mighty2 Boss-Tones, also try the Voodoo Glow Skulls, Against All Authority, Boba Fett Youth and Slapstick.
posted by gregg at 11:26 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by gregg at 11:26 PM on September 30, 2011
Don't discount all 3rd wave ska. As several people mentioned, you should really check out the Slackers & Hepcat.
Also, earlier, I forgot to list Dr. Ring Ding & His Senior Allstars. The album Dandimite is amazing. Huge old ska influence with some hip hop aspects too (lets just call it toasting). And, check out the album he did with Lord Tanamo (from the Skatalites).
posted by toddst at 9:13 AM on October 1, 2011
Also, earlier, I forgot to list Dr. Ring Ding & His Senior Allstars. The album Dandimite is amazing. Huge old ska influence with some hip hop aspects too (lets just call it toasting). And, check out the album he did with Lord Tanamo (from the Skatalites).
posted by toddst at 9:13 AM on October 1, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
He is the best.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:19 PM on September 29, 2011