This one is kinda fun too. 

So, I gotta ask you this DP. My wife and I were having this conversation on the long ass drive back from DC a couple of months ago. But that one hit wonder from "Mighty Mighty Boss Tones" came on the radio, and I look at my wife and I am like, I fucking hate this song. So we got into a chat about the mid to late 90s, when "Ska" was a thing. People wearing the black and white shoes and all that kinda shit... And I wasn't into that kind of music at the time, so I was basically like, I don't know any real Ska. I just know the corny shit they played on the radio back in the day...

So, to that point. What is Ska? And is it still a thing? Or is that just a bygone era from back in the day? When I think of Ska, I think of pop-punk with horns in the music... Does that about sum it up?

So TRUE Ska, or pure Ska allegedly originated in Jamaica, but there's Ska bands from all around the world that date pretty far back, think 50's, before my time, it has bit of reggae influence, calpyso, dance hall, etc., to me TRUE Ska MUST have horns. There are other variations of "Ska" and is more along the lines of Punk rock with a Ska tempo or sound, light useage of horns or not at all, the more aggressive style is considered Ska Core.

If we're talking TRUE or PURE Ska, I think of bands like The Toasters for example.

Then we have The Specials, here's one of their more famous songs you may recognize. 

Here's one from the Skatalites, who have a bit of a rock steady style of Ska, some OG shit right here.

Now, if you're sick of hearing "The Impression I Get", AKA "Knock on Wood" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, you may like this song a bit more, it's one of my favorites from the early days. The Bosstones really have a great Ska band, it's the singer Dicky Barrett, who's grovely rough voice and often times heavy "core" sound brings in that punk rock blend, so you get pure Ska mixed with Ska Punk, depending on the song.

My introduction to both Ska and Surfing, happened about the same time, when I first saw the movie, "Back To The Beach". You may remember Fishbone, they aren't only Ska, but this song was the first "Ska" song I think I ever heard. 😎 

Skankin Pickle was popular when I was in highschool, pure Ska mostly.

And don't sleep on the Japanese, they love some Ska, hard to believe, but check it out.

Ska out of Melbourne, Australia.

Zach, here's one from San Diego in the 90's that I really liked.

Some more OG Ska. 

Madness - The Prince

This one is a classic as well.

The Selecter - On My Radio

The Mad Caddies was one of the better Ska Punk bands of our generation, heavy on the horns but mixes in a little Punk, one of my favs.

Another one was The Pietasters.

Can't leave out Reel Big Fish in the Ska Punk bands of our generation.

Also from the 90's, a local Ska Punk band that eventually made it pretty big, from Gainesville, FL, I've probably seen this band live more than any other band, they were always in town, I bring you, none other than, Less Than Jake! 

OK, back to some Classic Punk Rock tunes, I f'ing love this one!

Buzzcocks - Harmony In My Head

Thanks for the Ska breakdown. I really like that old school Jamaican stuff. I had no idea that they were the original influence. Good shit.