(¯`·.¸(¯`·.¸syracuse ska scene ~ music¸.·´¯)¸.·´¯)

Shows - Bands - Music - Basics - Scooters - Mailing List - Forum
Venues - Scene - History - Shopping - Links - Guestbook - Contact

Music of Ska
Introductions to Ska Music - Upstate New York - United States - International - Webcasts - Labels

Introductions to Ska Music

The Skatalites (mp3 file) -- Nice introduction to the history and music of the band best known for popularizing the music in the early 60s. [9/03]
Toots and the Maytals (mp3 file) -- Well done piece summarizing the early history and music of this popular and legendary ska band. [9/03]
The Slackers (mp3 file) -- This was recorded live during their interview on National Public Radio where they explain the ska sound, why they play it and perform a couple of songs in the studio. [9/03]
The Specials (mp3 & wma files) -- Numerous songs, most live, of the legendary UK originators of 2-Tone ska. [12/03]

Upstate New York

The Benefits (Syracuse University ska-rock): myspace [10/05]
Frank Stepanek (Syracuse reggae-rock): myspace [10/05]
John Brown's Body (Ithaca roots reggae-dub): myspace live mp3s [10/05]
Magic Goat (Syracuse ska-rock): myspace [10/05]
The Ops (Buffalo reggae-ska-dub): myspace [10/05]
Razbari Sumthing (Syracuse ska-rock): myspace [10/05]
Straighter Than Pete (Syracuse award-winning ska-punk): myspace [10/05]

United States

MP3.com Ska Chart -- Ska songs by primarily American artists in ranked popularity order. Heavy emphasis on ska-punk. [2/02]
Ska About.com MP3 Library -- Large variety of styles and sources. [2/02]
Stubborn Records -- Downloadable MP3 files for many different bands, playing various styles, though mostly traditional. [4/02]
The Slackers (mp3 files) -- Songs and videos for this popular roots style ska band. [9/03]
The Toasters (mp3 files) -- Mostly from live shows by this American ska pioneer band. [9/03]
Chris Murray -- This artist formerly known as "Venice Shoreline Chris" has staked out a niche in the ska world by promoting "acoustic ska" through constant worldwide touring and now 2 full length studio albums. His first album prompted serious discussion about the very nature of what constitutes ska music. [2/02]

International

Roland Alphonso -- Classic early ska artist that was both a member of the Skatalites and had a very distinguished solo career (Jamaica) downloadable mp3 files [8/02]
Desorden Publico -- (Venezuela) downloadable mp3 files [4/02]
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs -- (Argentina) wave, midi & real audio files [4/02]
MP3.com.au -- Australian ska bands listed. Check out the reggae section also. [8/04]
Ska Power -- Good listing of bands, mp3 files, etc. for the Italian ska scene. [Italian] [3/02]
Ska Wars -- Comprehensive guide to ska, reggae and rocksteady in Scandanavia. [Swedish] [2/02]
FixCat -- Comprehensive fan's guide to all aspects of Mexican ska in North America. [Spanish] [2/02]
Loquesea.com -- Latin American ska with heavy emphasis on Mexico in particular. [Spanish] [2/02]
Sonico.com -- Latin American ska. Choose either reggae-ska or punk-ska. [English, Spanish, Portuguese] [2/02]
Pork Pie Audio Clips -- Selections from Pork Pie Records releases, which heavily emphasizes German ska bands (though mostly singing in English). [English, German] [2/02]
Independent MP3s -- Mostly features mp3 files of Eastern European ska bands, especially in Poland. [Polish] [3/02]
The Hotknives -- A very popular 4 piece ska band from England that uses an organ instead of horns, along with strong song writing, for a very impressive result. [2/02]
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra -- Also known by the nickname "Skapara", this world famous ska-jazz band from Japan is truly exceptional in how they mix the sounds of the Skatalites and other 60's ska artists with modern jazz improvisation techniques. Check out the sound clips section for just a taste. [2/02]
Disco Rancio -- This obscure artist from Argentina is simply one in a long line of those attempting "electronic ska", but this seems to be more successful than most. An interesting and yet controversial approach. [2/02]

Webcasts

24/7:

Skaville USA runs 24/7 on Live 365 -- DJ Augustus runs this site which tends to favor bouncier 2-Tone type ska from Europe. [10/03]
Ska*Anarchy runs 24/7 on Live 365 -- DJ Augustus runs this site also with a heavier emphasis on popular American ska bands from the late 90s. [10/03]

Monday:
Ska Party every Monday 6-7pm (ET) on CUIT 89.5 FM (Toronto, Canada) -- A heavy emphasis is placed on local, Canadian and independent talent. [9/03]

Tuesday:
Kingston Beat Sunday live show repeated every Tuesday 8-11pm (ET) on WXXE 90.5 FM (Syracuse NY) -- Playing an extremely wide variety of ska from all over the world, with a heavy emphasis on newer material. Check out recent playlists for a better idea of artists covered. [3/05]

Wednesday:
Rocket Trip Ska Trip every Thursday 2-5am (CT) on KFAI 90.3 FM (Minneapolis/St Paul, MN) -- Seems to emphasize the older artists and old school sounds. [9/03]

Thursday:
Ska Core Authority every Thursday from 3-4pm (ET) on CHUO 89.1 FM (Ottawa ON) -- Playing various forms of ska. [7/05]

Friday:
Soundcheck every Friday at 5pm (PT) on CFUV 101.9 FM (Victoria BC) -- Playing ska, punk and surf. [10/03]
Ska's The Limit every Friday 8-10pm (CT) on KDHX 88.1 FM (St Louis, MO) -- Playing a mixture decidedly leaning towards older artists, since 1991. Check out the playlists for a better idea of a typical show. [2/05]

Saturday:
IthaSka every Saturday from 10pm-midnight (ET) on WVBR 93.5 FM (Ithaca, NY) -- Mix of all styles of ska with indie rock. [3/05]
Not So Sensible Ska Show every Saturday from 7-8:30pm (16 hrs ahead of ET) on PBS 106.7 FM (Melbourne, Australia) -- Interesting mix of international ska. [12/03]

Sunday:
Everything Off-Beat every Sunday 6-7pm (CT) on WLUW 88.7 FM (Chicago IL) -- Chuck Wren has been doing this show since 1989. [9/03]
Kingston Beat every Sunday 6-9pm (ET) on WXXE 90.5 FM (Syracuse NY) -- Playing an extremely wide variety of ska from all over the world, with a heavy emphasis on newer material. Check out recent playlists for a better idea of artists covered. [3/05]

Labels

Megalith Records (NYC, USA) -- The Toasters, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, Westbound Train and more. This is the new label from Buck of the Toasters and it plans to explode in 2003, it's first year of operation. This is the long-awaited followup to Moon Ska Records. [5/03]
Grover Records (Germany) -- This label is the home for Dr Ring-Ding, The Hotknives, Eastern Standard Time and many other bands. Since its founding in 1993, this has now become the dominant ska only label in Europe and it looks to expand its influence to the USA as well, as they enthusiastically sign American ska bands. They also have a subsidiary label, Elmo Records, for budget releases; book tours through their Moskito Promotions subsidiary; and do a brisk mailorder business with their amazingly exhaustive catalog. If you love ska, you need to know these folks. [1/04]
Stomp Records (Montreal, Canada) -- Home to the Planet Smashers, The Kingpins, Subb and more, this is easily the most dominant ska label in Canada, though they do have other genres as well. In 2003, they intend to seriously infiltrate the American market and therefore are looking to sign USA ska bands. [1/04]
Bacteria Buffet Records (Winnipeg, Canada) -- Home to the The Barrymores, The Afterbeat, JFK & The Conspirators and more, they are the primary ska label for the thriving Manitoba ska scene. [2/05]
Jump Up Records (Chicago, USA) -- Home to Deal's Gone Bad, First Grade Crush, The Know How and many others, this is the dominant ska label in the midwest USA, though they have diversified somewhat into other genres as well. Probably best known for their very deep online catalog of international ska. They also book ska shows in Chicago and operate a long-running ska radio show, "Everything Off Beat" [1/04]
Victory Records (Chicago, USA) -- Home to Voodoo Glow Skulls, Streetlight Manifesto and Catch 22, among others. Their original focus was mostly hardcore bands, but they've been steadily branching out. [1/04]
Side One Dummy Records (Los Angeles, USA) -- Home to Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Suicide Machines and more. Aggressive new label looking to sign new artists and promote bands. [1/04]
Stubborn Records (NYC, USA) -- Stubborn All-Stars, Rocker-T, Radiation Kings, etc.
Converge Records (NYC, USA) -- NY Ska-Jazz Ensemble, The Rudy Crew, Kruud, etc.
Heartbeat (Boston, USA) -- Ken Boothe, The Skatalites, Ethiopians, etc.
Bib Records (Boston, USA) -- Bim Skala Bim, Johnny Socko, Steady Earnest, etc.
Fork In Hand Records (Boston, USA) -- Big D & the Kids Table, The Allstonians, The Sellouts, etc.
Shanachie Records (Boston, USA) -- Skavoovie & the Epitones, John Brown's Body, Skandalous Allstars, etc.
Beatville Records (DC, USA) -- The Robustos, Eastern Standard Time, The Coldspot Eight, etc.
Community Records (New Orleans, LA, USA) -- Fatter Than Albert, Stuck Lucky, We Are The Union, etc. New ska heavy DIY label. [1/08]
Kick Save Records (St Louis, MO, USA) -- The B-3s, Heavy Step, The Secondhands,
Fat Wreck Chords (San Francisco, CA, USA) -- Less Than Jake, Mad Caddies, Dance Hall Crashers, etc.
Asian Man Records (San Jose, CA, USA) -- MU330, Johnny Socko, Blue Meanies, etc.
Hellcat Records (Los Angeles CA, USA) -- The Slackers, David Hillyard, The Pietasters, etc.
Steady Beat Recordings (Los Angeles CA, USA) -- Irie Beats, SeeSpot, Ocean 11, etc.
Shantytown Records (Whittier CA, USA) -- Home to the Isrealites, Joe Ferry and the Dub Street Rockers. They are committed to only producing and promoting traditional ska music.
Taang! Records (San Diego, CA, USA) -- Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Buck O Nine, Ex-Cathedra, etc.
Radiola Records (Brazil) -- Firebug, Kongo, Satelite Kingston, etc.
Trojan Records (UK) -- Desmond Dekker, Ken Boothe, Tommy McCook, etc.
Moon Ska Europe Records (UK) -- King Prawn, Ex-Cathedra, [spunge], etc. [3/05]
Do The Dog Records (UK) -- Smoke Like A Fish, Rebelation, Too Many Crooks, etc. [1/06]
Pork Pie Records (Germany) -- Bluekilla, The Busters, No Sports, etc. [1/06]
Wolverine Records (Germany) -- Frau Doktor, Dem Brooklyn Bums, Human Hamster Hybrids, etc. [3/05]
NOCO Records (France) -- Skarface, Skaferlatine, Planet Smashers, etc.
Leech Records (Switzerland) -- Kalles Kaviar, Peacocks, Nguru, etc.
Skanky 'Lil Records (Netherlands) -- Mark Foggo, The Rough Kutz, The Babyshakers, etc.
Brixton Records (Spain) -- Basque Dub Foundation, The Starlites, The Pepper Pots, etc. [1/06]
Tralla Records (Spain) -- Amusic Skazz Band, Komando Moriles, Skaparrid, etc.
Rude Records (Italy) -- Franziska, Sin Papeles, Violent Tomatoes, etc.
DIW Phalanx Records (Japan) -- Blue Beat Players, Rude Bones, Oi-Skall Mates, etc.
Claxion Records (Japan) -- Oi-Skall Mates, Pez Stomp, Dance Craze, etc.
Sound System Records (Australia) -- The Porkers, The Allnighters, Dr Raju, etc.
Croakroom Records (South Africa) -- Fuzigish, Leek, Vendetta Cartel, etc. [5/03]

Shows - Bands - Music - Basics - Scooters - Mailing List - Forum
Venues - Scene - History - Shopping - Links - Guestbook - Contact