Can anyone recommend me any good ska bands?

[James K. Polk]

So I've looked around the music forum, and haven't found anything like this. If I'm missing a thread talking about this, sorry.

So, I like ska. The problem is, I don't have a lot of it. I'd like to get deeper into ska, but I don't really know where to start. Can anybody recommend good ska bands to me? It doesn't matter what style. This is what I have so far, to give you kind of an idea of what I'm into now.

The Aquabats
Fishbone
Less than Jake
Madness
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Reel Big Fish
Save Ferris
The Specials
Streetlight Manifesto

[Martin]

Well I prefer what you might consider more mainstream and older Ska: when I listen to it of course.

The Specials, Madness etc.

[Dimi]

I don't listen to much ska but I do recommend you listen to some of the mainstream stuff as FFGuru mentioned. Sometimes, the mainstream stuff isn't all that good but I definitely think you should check out No Doubt, Sublime, and Operation Ivy. No Doubt and Sublime seem a bit more "ska-core" in a way. But they're pretty good in my opinion.

[Che]

If you go to www.pandora.com you can put all those bands in and the site will find similar music according to your tastes. When it brings up a new song, you can rate it thumbs up or down and it'll keep creating more of your music personality. It's pretty sweet.

And it has like every song ever made. I've yet to try to find a song on there and they not have it. (and it's free!)

[Telegraph]

Skankin' Pickle: A ska-punk band from the late 80's-early 90's that were pretty sweet. They had a bit of funk and punk goin' on, too. I think they were mostly self-funded, too. Mike Park went on to run "Asian Man Records," a label that a number of ska bands have signed to.

The Chinkees: Mike Park's band after Skankin' Pickle. I don't think they're around anymore, as per Mike Park has started a solo career, apparently.

MU330: Ska Punk band who had a few albums on Asian Man Records. They can be a lot of fun.

The Pietasters: A bit more on the traditional ska side, this band is also sweet, and a lot of fun.

The Mad Caddies: Their sound has changed a bit over time. Their second and third album had an almost metal sound to it, but their latest album is kinda swingish (which has always been present, I guess, actually.) I highly recommend the album "Duck and Cover."

The Scholars/Telegraph: There were a few bands back in the day that went by the name "Skalars," "Scholars," or some variation of (I'm not sure of this one's exact spelling.) This particular band later went on to be known "Telegraph." I have their best of from the years they went by "The Scholars," and they're pretty awesome. They have a lot of fast, punk-like stuff, and they remind me a lot of Less Than Jake, in particular the lead singer. I'm not sure if they're still around or not.

If you don't mind listening to CHRISTIAN music (Oh noes!) I would also recommend:

Five Iron Frenzy: Basically one of my favorite bands ever. Before Five Iron, like three of them were in a metal band, and the influence shows a little bit. They had a large following of fans, not just christian. Reese Roper is the man. Even though he's a little bit crazy (aren't we all?)

The Insyderz: Ska-core band. They have some pretty worshippy stuff, but they also have some pretty heavy stuff mixed in there. They spent a night hanging out with Dennis Rodman one time, so they have a song about him, too.

One band who has influenced a number of ska bands, but who aren't ska: Oingo Boingo, and before that, "The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo." Danny Elfman fronted this band. They rock, even if they're a bit 80's. Anyhoo...

Wuv, Yer Mom

[James K. Polk]

Originally Posted by Dimarik

I don't listen to much ska but I do recommend you listen to some of the mainstream stuff as FFGuru mentioned. Sometimes, the mainstream stuff isn't all that good but I definitely think you should check out No Doubt, Sublime, and Operation Ivy. No Doubt and Sublime seem a bit more "ska-core" in a way. But they're pretty good in my opinion.

The thing about No Doubt is, I used to be totally into them, they had some great cd's (Tragic Kingdom, etc.) but they're newer stuff was WAY too poppy for me. Now Gwen Stefani has what I consider to be an awful solo career. But I'll definitely go back into their older stuff. Thanks!

And Taco, your list was really cool, and in depth. I'll make sure to check out those bands. (Christian music is not a problem for me.)