The Ska Revival Is Here, But Ska Never Really Went Away

Washington Post ^ | June 18, 2021 | Zachary Lipez

[nickcarraway]

The evidence that we are in the midst of a ska revival is plentiful. ­Indie-punk phenomenon Jeff Rosenstock managed a critical hit with “Ska Dream,” a reimagining of his 2020 album “No Dream.” The genre thrives online, where the Ska Tune Network has more than 200,000 subscribers and ska cover versions rake in the views, including a version of Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” by Los Angeles band the Interrupters that has 5 million and counting. This year sees the release of two major books, one a 400-page oral history of American ska and the other a spirited defense of the often-maligned genre. And with We Are the Union, there’s a band with genuine breakout potential; the group’s new album focuses on singer Reade Wolcott coming out as a trans woman.

There’s only one argument against the idea that we’re in the midst of a ska revival, and it’s a simple one — ska never went away.

The classic British ska outfits that first brought upstroke guitar playing to the Billboard charts have existed in various stages of restoration, anniversary celebration and short-lived hiatuses since the first George Bush was in the White House. Bands like Less Than Jake, Fishbone and the Slackers found varying levels of success in the ’90s and never stopped touring and never fired their horn sections. Ska disappeared from the radio in the ’90s, giving way to the much less upbeat sounds of nu-metal, but right on cue 20 or so years after that, we’re all rushing to catch up with what the rude boys, rude girls and rude non-binaries have known all along.

“I see it as a continuation. I mean, rock continues — nobody talks about rock revivals, do they?” says Pauline Black, singer of the Selecter, the British ska band that recorded the

[corkoman]

Dance Craze - crazy fun live version album of the London ska bands of 1978-79.

[Fiji Hill]

Rise, Jamaica, Rise! Independence Time Is Here!--Al T. Joe (1962)

[Pappy Smear]

Here is a bit from the great but short lived TV show "Police Squad" with Leslie Nielsen. There was a shoeshine guy who always had tips on stuff. In this bit, Dick Clark stops by to ask about ska music. Appropriate for this thread.

Johnny, whadaya know about ska?

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

A 1983 Ska cover of a 1963 song by Andy Williams

“Can’t Get Used To Losing You”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMoSy0UmtZ4

[SERE_DOC]

Christian SKA bands Supertones, Five Iron Frenzy, not many but out there.

[Prov1322]

These guys were just amazing live..

The O.C. Supertones - Who Could It Be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxbaKuAf-OE

[nickcarraway]

No to be a nitpicker, but 1980.

[Yardstick]

Wow, that band is super tight. Most of the ska I’m familiar with is a sloppy mess.

[Boogieman]

Nah, Ska is what the kids in the high school band horn section did if they didn’t want to go to college for music and study jazz or classical :)