
" Ska. Where does one begin?" - My friend Kyle Lebet. A lot of people have been wondering what ska is exactly. When I tell them that I like traditional, 2-tone, and 3rd wave, they just give me a blank stare. Well, for all you unenlightened ones, here is what ska is. Ska is a type of music that can be described as reggae, jazz, swing, and more recently punk, all swirled into one. It all started back a long time ago in Jamaica, where the local bands played their traditional island music and began experimenting with horns. This spawned a whole new type of music that eventually branched off into modern reggae and ska. This "ska" was pioneered by bands like Bob Marley and the Skatalites. In fact, it was Bob Marley's first band that coined the term rudeboy ( a person who likes tradtional and early ska ). anyhow, this style of ska spread over to Britain, where they came up with 2 tone. This is a more fast paced, horn driven ska that started the whole black-and-white thing you see guys wearin to shows. Bands like the Specials and Fishbone led the way for 2 tone. Then it came back over to America, where it got it's punk influences. Operation Ivy was one of the first punk bands to dabble in ska, and even though it had no horns, it led they way for other trailblazers like Voodoo Glow Skulls, Slapstick, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Now, all sorts of varieties of this 3rd wave ska are available, from the swing-oriented Cherry Poppin Daddies to the lighter, fun sounds of the Aquabats, down to the very hardcore Link 80. Lately, bands like Less Than Jake have been diluting ska to the point where it's lost it's true originality and sprit, but ska will remain a truly influential and fun type of music for everyone. QUESTIONS What's up with the suits, ties, and black-and-white thing? that was started back in the 2tone days and never really left. It's just a way to be original and tell the world " I'm a rudeboy!!" But whats a rudeboy? a boy/girl that like ska, mostly the early stuff and 2 tone. What makes ska different from all the other crap on the radio? listen to it. you can tell right away because it has horns, and in a lot of places, an upbeat guitar. What is "skanking"? the dance you do to ska. It's a lot like running in place, but kinda methodically. watch the people at shows, you pick it up fast. -----------note---------- yes you have heard this term before. it also means a nasty girl, like this--" that skanky Helga weighs 800 pounds and hasn't bathed in a week." well thats about if if u have anymore questions, frickin mail me!!!!!
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