The local music scene is about to get a little louder with the introduction of a new ska band. Hailing from the small town of Hillview, this group of young musicians are ready to bring their unique blend of ska and punk to stages throughout the region. With members ranging in age from just 14 years old to 18, this talented bunch have been playing together since their middle school.
What is Ska Music
Ska is a genre of music that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s. The sound is characterized by its strong backbeat and upbeat rhythm, which is then often offset with horns. Ska has gone through many transformations over the years, evolving into different styles like punk ska, rocksteady, reggae, and even two-tone. It’s influence can be heard not only in Jamaica but all over the world.
Definition of ska band
A ska band is a group of musicians that play ska music. Ska bands typically have a lineup featuring electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboards and/or horns, and may also include additional percussion instruments like bongos or tambourines. The sound of the band is heavily driven by the upbeat rhythms of the rhythm section and often features tight horn harmonies to create a unique sound.
Characteristics of Ska Music
Rhythmic style
Ska music is very rhythmically-driven, with bass and drums providing a steady backbeat. The guitar usually follows the same pattern as the bass, while the horns provide additional accents. This creates an upbeat, almost “chugging” sound that is both danceable and infectious.
Use of horns
Horns are an integral part of ska music, and when used properly, they can create an incredibly catchy sound. Horns often play the melody line while other instruments provide a steady backbeat. Horn sections in ska bands typically consist of trumpets, trombones, and sometimes saxophones. The horns are often given the freedom to improvise, which can make for a more interesting sound.
Incorporation of other genres
Ska music has been influenced by a wide variety of genres over its history, and many ska bands incorporate elements from other genres into their sound. This includes elements of punk, rocksteady, reggae, jazz, and even hip-hop. By incorporating these influences, ska bands are able to create a unique and diverse sound that appeals to a wide range of audiences.
The Origins of Ska Music
Jamaican influences
Ska music has its roots firmly entrenched in Jamaican society and culture. During the late 1950s, musicians in Jamaica began to experiment with different styles of music, combining elements of different genres to create a distinctive sound that would ultimately become ska. This synthesis of traditional Jamaican styles such as mento, calypso, and jazz with more modern sounds like rhythm and blues gave birth to the ska sound.
Migration to the UK
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a large wave of Jamaican immigrants to the United Kingdom brought with them their culture and music, including ska. Ska quickly found an audience in the UK amongst working-class youth who were looking for an outlet for their energy and frustration. This enthusiasm for ska spurred on a new wave of interest in the genre, with bands embracing the sound and creating an entirely new style of ska music known as “two-tone”.
Popular Ska Bands
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are one of the most iconic ska bands of all time, and they are credited with laying the foundation for the genre. The group was formed in Jamaica in 1964 by Don Drummond and Lloyd Brevett, and consisted of some of the top studio musicians in Kingston at the time. The band’s sound combined elements of jazz, R&B, mento , and calypso, and is considered to be the cornerstone of ska music.
The Selecter
The Selecter are a two-tone ska band that were formed in Coventry, England in 1979. They were one of the most popular bands of the two-tone genre and were known for their energetic live performances and passionate lyrics. The Selecter’s sound is rooted in traditional Jamaican ska, but they combine this with elements of punk, rocksteady, reggae , and even hip-hop.
The Specials
The Specials are an influential British two-tone ska band that formed in Coventry, England in 1977. The group is known for their high-energy live performances and socially conscious lyrics, which often deal with issues of racism, poverty, and other social ills. Their sound combines elements of traditional Jamaican ska with punk rock and reggae to create a unique style that has been widely imitated.
Madness
Madness is an English ska band from London, England. Formed in 1976, the group originally had six members – Suggs, Mike Barson, Chris Foreman, Lee Thompson, Mark Bedford and Chas Smash. The band’s sound combines elements of traditional Jamaican ska with punk rock and new wave to create a distinctive and danceable style. Their songs often feature humorous lyrics and catchy melodies.
Ska Band Evolution
2 Tone era
The 2 Tone era was a period of time in the late 1970s and early 1980s when ska music experienced a resurgence in popularity. This was largely due to the success of 2 Tone Record’s grassroots record label, which released music by some of the most iconic ska bands of all time, including The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter. During this era, ska bands began to incorporate punk and new wave influences into their sound, giving rise to a new style of ska music known as “two-tone”.
Third wave ska
The Third Wave of Ska emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a more upbeat style of ska, incorporating elements of punk, reggae, hardcore, and even hip-hop. Bands such as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, and Sublime are credited with popularizing this new sound. These bands often featured highly energetic live performances and their sound had a more aggressive edge than the traditional two-tone bands of the previous decades.
Ska Band Influences
Reggae music
Reggae music has been a major influence on the development of ska music. Reggae is a genre of Jamaican music that incorporates elements of R&B, jazz, and calypso, among other musical styles. Key elements of reggae include the use of syncopated rhythms, offbeat accents, and heavy bass lines. Reggae music is often characterized by its laid-back vibe and mellow melodies.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a genre of music that emerged in the mid-1970s, characterized by its fast tempos, aggressive lyrics, and often political themes. Punk rock has been a major influence on ska music since the two genres share many aesthetics and musical characteristics. Punk rock bands typically use distorted guitars, loud drums, and often incorporate elements of saxophone or other horns into their sound , which is also evident in many ska bands.
Jazz
Jazz has had a profound influence on ska music. Jazz is an improvisational style of music that originated in New Orleans in the late 19th century and is characterized by its syncopated rhythms, bluesy harmonies, and use of improvisation. Ska bands often borrow elements from jazz to give their music more complexity and depth. Consequently, many ska bands incorporate horns into their sound and feature musicians with a jazz-like improvisational style.
Importance of Ska Bands
Influence on other genres
Ska bands have had a major influence on other musical genres. Ska music often incorporates elements of punk rock, reggae, and jazz, creating a unique sound that has been widely imitated. Many modern rock and pop bands have drawn inspiration from ska music and its incorporation of horns and complex rhythms. Additionally, ska bands have helped to cultivate an awareness of social issues in their music, encouraging listeners to think critically about the world around them.
Social and political impact
Ska bands have had a significant social and political impact, both in the UK and abroad. Ska music often contains lyrics that address topics such as racism, poverty, and class struggle. These messages are an important part of ska’s appeal, as fans can relate to the issues presented in the music. Furthermore, ska bands have often been at the forefront of social movements, using their music to spread awareness and advocate for change. Through their activism, ska bands have helped to shape public discourse on important topics and encouraged people to think more critically about the world around them.
Conclusion
Ska bands continue to have a strong influence on music
Ska bands continue to have a strong influence on music. Their blend of punk rock, reggae, and jazz influences has been widely imitated in modern genres such as pop punk and ska-punk. Additionally, their activism and political messages remain relevant today, inspiring fans to think critically about the world around them. As such, ska bands have had a profound impact on music and culture, and their influence will continue to be felt for years to come.
Future of ska music and ska bands.
The future of ska music and ska bands looks bright. As the genre continues to evolve and draw influence from other musical styles, its popularity is growing. Ska bands are becoming more visible in mainstream media, as their music is featured on television shows, movies, and radio stations. Additionally, ska bands are continuing to use their platform to speak out about political and social issues, inspiring fans to take action and become more engaged in their communities. With its unique blend of sounds, ska music is sure to remain a vibrant and influential force in the music industry for years to come.
