The Specials’ guitarist explains why Lily Allen played a big part in the band re-forming, in The Guardian UK.
Tag Archive for 'ska'
Before Sublime (and all the bands after that seem to squeeze juicy ska reggae dub vibes from the California surf and sun!) The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies were cookin’ up some sunshine of their own in the rainy northwest town of Eugene, Oregon. Their name was a sort of deliberate confrontation with the hyper-PC reality of their surroundings, and it worked, garnering them plenty of controversy, critique, and, well, packed houses full of sweaty happy dancers! Here’s a taste of their musically sophisticated work – a charming song with epic reggae horns and panoramic vocal harmonies. Continue reading ‘Sweet Summer Sounds of The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies’
Yes, it’s true! The U.S. Post Office has authorized a postage stamp memorializing the Ska Shrine. And yes, you can buy these new issued stamps and help spread the word about Ska.
Musashi “Moose” Lethridge, Uptones guitarist and builder of the world’s first Ska Shrine, recently demonstrated Proper Shrine Use and Etiquette, to help publicize the Ska Shrine Ska4Ever Postage Stamp. On hand to witness the first Solo Ska Shrine Skankfest, were Official Ska Shrine Videographer Jake Small, and assistant Shrine builder and Ska Music DJ Eric Din.
After a solemn entrance, Moose called out tracks from the Uptones’ Skankin’ Foolz Unite CD and suddenly went into an all out skanking frenzy. His gravity-defying moves tested the physical limits of the Shrine, but it held together in all its two-tone glory even at skanking speeds of Mach 2 and beyond. Several spectators who got too close had to be carried out on stretchers, giggling uncontrollably. Continue reading ‘Moose Goes Postal 4 Ska!’
The newly opened ‘home of British music’ at The O2 has an AMAZING Ska showcase with, get this…original lyrics by Steel Pulse, The Specials and UB40, Lynval Golding’s suit, 2 Tony ‘Gad’ Robinson Aswad hats, Rock Against Racism footage and artifacts and loads of 2 Tone Records fan club material.
Find out more at www.britishmusicexperience.com
The “Ska Shrine” trend continues to grow
Skanking enthusiast, Miles Gehm has built a Mobile Ska Shrine in San Jose, California. Continue reading ‘Skanking Miles Creates A Second Ska Shrine!’
Reel Big Fish and The English Beat on tour together
That’s right, ska rock vets Reel Big Fish and two-tone ska legends The English Beat, along with Orlando, FL reggae/ska punks The Supervillains, are on tour together this summer. Reel Big Fish front man Aaron Barrett says the band is amped to be touring with one of its musical idols. Barrett explains, “We are so excited to be playing with one of our favorite bands of all time and one of the biggest influences on our music!! We LOVE the English Beat. This tour is a dream come true for us!” Continue reading ‘Reel Big Beat!’
There are various theories about how the word “ska” came to be. Here is a fascinating discussion that tries to get to the heart of the matter.
This just in! Famed concert Promoter Peps Jara was joined in mad skanking revelry at the Ska Shrine by Radiation Boy and Uptones guitarist and Ska Shrine builder, Moose Lethridge.
The spectacle was documented by cinematographer Jake Small, with assistance from noted skanking fool, Matthew King Kaufman.
Just found this excellent article about Monkey by Steve Palopoli on metroactive.com.
San Jose’s Monkey have a message for a new era
BARACK OBAMA: the ska president? That’s what it seems like to Curtis Meacham, guitarist, vocalist and head songwriter for San Jose’s longtime ska band Monkey. In the final days of the Bush administration, he explains, the music’s popularity was at an all-time low.
“We’ve been through some pretty rough times, where people just expressed their desire to either not be in the band or to not continually beat Continue reading ‘Pick of the week: Monkey – Agents of Change?’
