Archive-name: music/ska-faq
Last-modified: $Date: 1993/09/27 02:20:56 $
Version: $Revision: 1.8 $

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              FAQ for alt.music.ska

 In response to all of those ``Isn't ska some dance form of reggae?''
 questions, I present the following historical background to the
 music we call ska, gleaned from liner notes I have lying
 about the place, various postings to alt.music.ska, and sundry
 emailings with helpful ska fans.

 This is $Revision: 1.8 $ , posted to alt.music.ska, news.answers,
 alt.answers, rec.music.info and alt.skinheads.  I plan to post
 this FAQ every two weeks, at least until it is quasi-stable.
 The FAQ file is also available for anonymous ftp on the archive site
 rtfm.mit.edu as the file `pub/usenet/news.answers/music/ska-faq'.

 Disclaimer:  I am not a musician, nor do I play one on TV.
 Neither am I a musical historian.  I do love ska music, so I offer this
 material unto the public domain.

 Acks:
        Michael Cancilla (mcancill@polyslo.calpoly.edu) posted a long list
 of ska bands that I have incorporated into this FAQ.  That list has grown
 to list over 300 bands!  Mike Fragassi (mfragass@ucs.indiana.edu) emailed
 me about 10k in response to my request for more info and is still at it.
 Thanks Mikes!  Thanks also to everyone else in a.m.s and other reaches of
 netspace who sent me info.

        Dance harder!
        Tomas Willis (tomas@cae.wisc.edu)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Table of Contents:
 o What is ska music?
 o Where did ska come from?
 o What is _first-wave_ ska?  Second-wave ska? Third-wave ska?
 o What is ska-core?
 o What is a _rude boy_?
    + Why did Prince wear that ``Rude Boy'' button all the time?
 o What is with the narrow-brim hats, dark suits and narrow ties?  How come
        some of these ska bands look like the Blues Brothers?
 o What about _reggae_?
 o Oi! What about skinheads?
 o Where can I hear ska on the radio?
 o Is anyone doing ska video?
 o Are there any ska movies?
 o Are there any books about ska?
 o What are some ska-related 'zines (fan-created magazines)?
 o How do I get a ska email-based mailing list?
 o What are the names of some ska bands?
 o Can I write to any of these bands?
 o What are addresses of some record labels producing ska discs?
 o Are there some mail order stores that carry ska?
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q> What is _ska_ music?

A> Ska is dance music, first and foremost.  Ska was a Jamaican dance music
that swept out of Jamaica in the early 1960s to shake the butts of
working- and middle-class Jamaicans before going on, via the West Indian
immigrant connection, to the UK, and then on to the world.  In the UK, ska
was also known as _blue beat_ music.  _Rocksteady_, and later, _reggae_
sprang from the loins of ska in the late 1960s.  Mid-1970s and 1980s/1990s
revivals of this popular dance form have kept this music alive and fun
through the present.

For the musically inclined, here is a description of the rhythmic structure
of ska:
        ``Musically, Ska is a fusion of Jamaican mento rhythm with r&b,
        with the drum coming in on the 2nd and 4th beats, and the guitar
        emphasizing the up of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th beats.  The drum
        therefore is carrying the blues and swing beats of the American
        music, and the guitar expressing the mento sound.''
        [SB(JJ)]

Ska features a strong bass and drum rhythm section, guitars, keyboards
and brass.  _I_ say, the bigger the ska band, the better.

Q> Where did ska come from?

A> In the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica _rhythm & blues_ sounds from
the African-American experience in America were adapted by Jamaican
musicians and blended with traditional Jamaican _mento_, spiced with jazz,
as well as _ya-ya_, _calypso_ and other island sounds and cranked out of
dance hall systems and mobile sound systems mounted on huge trucks.

In the late 1950s Jamaica was about to gain independence from Great
Britain, and pioneering Jamaican record producer Clement ``Coxsone'' Dodd,
no doubt in a spirit of nationalism and a desire to get down, called on
his musicians to create a danceable uniquely Jamaican sound.  Cluet
Johnson (Clue J) ran the ``hardest-driving dance and recording band''
developing this sound in Jamaica and went about the town greeting his
friends as ``Skavoovie.'' [SB(JJ)] From this greeting, the name of the
music naturally developed into ``ska.'' In late 1960 and 1961 bands
recording for Dodd laid down the first truly ska tracks, distinct from
calypso, r&b, jazz and American and British pop sounds.  There developed
``a unique Jamaican jazz culture where the melody of horns fused with the
drums in a free form music which was mellifluous and rebellious.''[RAR,
p.126] Thus, ska became Jamaica's first indigenous popular music form.  A
hit at home, ska reigned supreme in Jamaica for many years:  ``The National
Dance,'' indeed.

Ska came to England with immigrants in the early 1960s.  Known in the UK
briefly as ``Jamaican Blues,'' ska inspired the formation of the Blue Beat
record company, providing yet another name for the ska sound: _blue beat_.
Ska gained popularity in the UK with the _Mod_ scene, leading to the
residual association of small-brimmed trilby (hats) and scooters with ska
music. [HSBR] Trojan Records was still releasing ska hits into the UK top
10 as late as 1969 or 1970, but by that time _rock-steady_ and _reggae_
were waxing as ska waned, for a while, at least.

Q> What is _first-wave_ ska?  Second-wave ska? Third-wave ska?

A> These sound like musicology terms to me.  These terms are used by some
to describe ska music coming from three different time periods separated by
gaps in the popularity of the music.  Roughly speaking, first-wave ska
began in late 1960 in Jamaica and lasted until the late 1960s in Jamaica
and England (as blue beat), by which time its popularity had declined in
favor of ska offspring rock-steady and reggae.  Seminal first-wave
Jamaican ska artists include the Skatalites, Laurel Aitken, Prince Buster,
Derrick Morgan and Desmond Dekker.  Second-wave ska flourished in the
late-1970s and very early 1980s and saw the emergence of popular groups
such as the Specials, the (English) Beat, Madness and the like in England.
Second-wave ska is strongly associated with the 2 Tone scene [1979--1981]
in the UK, as shown in the movie _Dance Craze_.  Two-tone ska is faster,
tighter and uses more horns than some older Jamaican ska.  Third-wave ska
is a late-1980s/early- 1990s revival of ska, involving such bands as Weaker
Youth Ensemble, the Allstonians, Bim Skala Bones, the Voodoo Glow Skulls,
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and The Toasters.

Q> What is ska-core?

A> Yet another label.  Ska-core is either hardcore/punk-influenced ska or
ska-influenced hardcore music.  Or a fiction. Compared to traditional ska,
ska-core is faster and harder.  Voodoo Glow Skulls and Operation Ivy are
commonly called ska-core bands.

Q> What is a _rude boy_?  Why did Prince wear that ``Rude Boy'' button all
the time?

A>  A rude boy is not just an impolite male child.  The street-cool toughs
of Kingstown, Jamaica, dressed nattily in the latest and hep-est threads
were known as `rude boys' and they ruled the Kingstown dance halls. (Read
`rude' as `chill' or `dope' or, if you are older, `cool' or `reet').  The
term spread to the UK, and was revived by second-wave ska fans in the UK.

Real-life Caribbean historian Horace Campbell writes, in ``Rasta and
Resistance'':
        ``Between 1964 and 1967 a subculture of angry youths developed in
the [Jamaican] society.  Answering to the psuedonym _Rude Bwoy_ [sic] and
searching for for avenues of self-expression and recognition, these
unemployed youths were quickly integrated into the [ganga] export trade,
many of them as enforcers.
        ...these young people created terror among working people, such
that they were feared by both citizens and police.''[RAR, p. 111]
        The [bracketed] comments are mine.

Referring to Desmond Dekker's ``Rude Boy Train,'' ``007,'' and other songs
describing rude boys, `Melody Maker' defined the term as ``a sort of cool
super-hooligan.' [DD] Dekker sings:
        ``Them a loot
          Them a shoot
          Then a wail
          At Shanty Town
          When rude boy deh 'pon probation
          Then rude boy a bomb up the town.'' [DD]
Obviously, the people your mother warned you about.  Consider Jimmy Cliff's
character in the film ``The Harder They Come.''

As for Prince, the answer is not so clear.  Maybe he likes ska.

Q> What is with the narrow-brim hats, dark suits and narrow ties?  How come
some of these ska bands look like the Blues Brothers?

A>      It is rude boy fashion from Jamaica in the 1960s.
Jamie in NYC (mowder@axp1.acf.nyu.edu) writes:
        About ska fashion:
        Maybe the ``dark suit and pork-pie hat'' thing comes from people
        trying to look like Jerry Dammers from those old Specials album
        covers. And _he_ was probably trying to look like ``Walt Jabsco,''
        the cartoon guy from the 2 Tone label design.   And Walt was (so
        I've read) modeled after the way Peter Tosh looked on the cover
        of the _Wailing Wailers_ album from Studio One.

        So, I guess all these ``Blues Brothers'' types are actually trying
        to look like Peter Tosh from 1965!

Q> What about _reggae_?

A> Reggae music is an offshoot of ska developed in the late 1960s.  Reggae
was developed out of _rocksteady_ music, a music developed by early ska
vocalists (e.g. Laurel Aitken, Derrick Morgan, Desmond Dekker) as
audiences demanded a more ``steady'' beat [TKS] and perhaps less
all-instrumental music.  Note that many reggae stars got their start as
ska musicians.  Notable examples are Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh,
Rita Marley Anderson, Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker. As the fast
beat of ska mellowed through rock-steady, it gradually led to the
creation of reggae.

Note that reggae has not always been inextricably linked to Rastafarian
culture.  The British band UB40, loosely associated with second-wave ska,
offers the following thoughts about the origins of reggae in their all-
cover tribute album, ``Labour of Love:''
      ``This is a selection of songs.  They represent an era. An era,
        after the first skinhead wave, when black boys were still rude
        boys and only hippies wore their hair long.  They represent
        reggae when it was first called by that name.  Reggae before
        it was discovered by cops, sociologists and TV producers.
        Before it was claimed by lefties, liberals, punks and rastas.
        Reggae was just another dance music and most D.J.' still
        sniggered at it.

        In those days, reggae appealed not to the intellect or the
        social conscience, but to the heart and hips.''
        [LL]

(Side note for UB40 fans:  UB40 covers Tony Tribe's 1969 version of
``Red, Red Wine,'' but this song was written by _Neil Diamond_.)

Q> Oi!  What about skanking skinheads?

A> Skinheads, originally, come out of the same culture as ska.  Just look
at early Sixties pictures of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer ---
they have no hair!  Skinhead culture spread more widely in the late
Sixties as more and more Jamaicans went to the UK and influenced the White
youth culture there.  These old UK bald-heads were rude.  Since the first
skinheads were Blacks, it makes all those Nazi skinhead types seem pretty
ignorant, eh?  It's a good thing they are in the minority.  For more info
see the FAQ for alt.skinheads by Sid Sowder.

Q> Where can I hear ska on the radio?

A> Not enough radio shows play ska.  Here are some (sorted by call letters):

        Skaboom!
        Hosted by Michael Cancilla and ``Uncle'' Larry Rodenborn
        California Polytechnic
        KCPR-FM, 91.3
        San Luis Obispo, CA USA
        5--7pm, Wednesday

        Sid Sowder (ssowder@silver.ucs.indiana.edu)
        Rude Rik
        KLWD 94.3 Cable FM
        College Station, TX 77840

        The Rude Review
        KSPC-FM
        Claremont, CA USA
        runs during the school year

        Jeremy U (Mostly punk, but some ska.)
        KTSB
        Austin, TX USA

        The Ska Parade
        Hosted by Bradford Stein
        KUCI-FM, 88.9
        Irvine, CA USA
        12--3pm, Saturday
        featuring live on-air shows

        Skankin' Round The World
        Hosted by Mike Elliot
        KUSF-FM, 90.3
        Los Altos, CA USA
        3--5pm every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month

        Hosted by Dougly
        WMEB-FM, 91.9
        ME, USA
        12--3pm, Mondays

        The Sally Brown Ska Show
        Hosted by Rude Girl Voovie, with David ``Allroy'' Sarno
        WMUA-FM, 91.1
        Amherst, MA USA
        7--9:30

        Chuck Wren's ska show
        WNUR-FM, 89.5
        Chicago, IL USA
        9--10pm, Sundays
        (Get the WNUR ska newsletter!)

        WQAX
        Bloomington, IN  USA
        contact altradio@indiana.edu

        Hosted by Marla S. Lender
        WRUW-FM, 91.1
        Cleveland, OH USA
        12--3pm

        The Ska Hour
        Hosted by Todd Strauss and Steve Ensdorf
        WSPN-FM, 91.1
        Skidmore College
        Saratoga Springs, NY USA
        12--1 am Wednesdays

        Rock Steady Columbia
        Hosted by Brian Proust (aka Roland Bonner) and Robbie van Winkle
        WUSC-FM, 90.5
        Columbia, SC USA
        5--6pm Sundays

        Ska on Boston College Radio
        90.3-FM
        Boston, MA USA
        5--6pm, Thursday (during the school year)

        Kickin' Skalistics
        Hosted by Jesse Miner
        Macalester College (?)
        St. Paul, MN USA


Q> Is anyone doing ska video?

A> Yes.  Bradford Stein has finished a West Coast ska-umentary called ``The
Ska Parade.'' The 30 minute video includes interviews and performances of
Let's Go Bowling, Donkey Show, Skeletones and Jump With Joey.  [RPM]
  Contact him at
        A to Y Productions
        25 Via Lucca, Apt. G 112
        Ervine, CA 92715 USA

  Recently, Aldis Strazdins started a new ska documentary, focusing on
Midwestern (US) ska bands, called ``Last Train:  Ska in the Heartland.''
The Pacers, the Elevators, Lot Boy Steele and Weaker Youth Ensemble are
expected to appear, at least.  You can contact keho@midway.uchicago.edu.
More news as it develops.

Q> Are there any feature-length ska movies?

A> Yes.  There is a great concert film by Joe Massot about ska in 1980
Britain called `Dance Craze.' It features live footage of Bad Manners, The
(English) Beak, The Bodysnatchers, Madness, The Specials, The Selector.
Rico Rodriques, trombonist from the Skatalites, plays horns with The
Specials.  You can order the video from Beat Hotel Records, Berkely, MI,
(313) 544-2485 (and probably other places, too).

Q> Are there any books about ska?

A> Here are some mentioned on the net.

[The info is sketchy, so if you have more complete infomation, please send
it to me.  Tomas]

``The Two Tone Book For Rude Boys,'' about the 1979--1981 British ska
scene.

``The Two Tone Story,'' (possibly) by George Marshall.

``Skinheads,'' has some info on ska.  An American printing from 1986 was
mentioned.

Also, Campbell recommends the two-part series called ``Blue Beat and Ska,''
Melody Maker, May 12 and May 19, 1979, London. [RAR]


Q> What are some ska-related 'zines (fan-created magazines)?

A> Here is the info I have:

Carla Ronci Scooter Zine:
        Chris Tharp sent me the following note about this new zine:
        ``You see, me and R.S. (resident skinhead)
have begun a scooter zine that is chalk full of ska stuff like interviews
with the skatterbrains and King Apparatus.  Our main focus is on scooters;
however, ska is an essential component of the Carla Ronci Scooter Zine
(who's Carla Ronci? she may become the patron saint of the scooter).''
        Want more Info? Contact 3135408@qucon@queensu.ca or
                Chris Tharp (Tharp@biol.gis.quessnu.ca).
FBI:
        A 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        F.B.I.
        c/o Marc T
        AP Co 19170
        08080 Barcelona, Spain
        $25 a year.

Hot Shot:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        Hot Shot
        c/o Dudley
        86 Ninian Road
        Roath, Cardiff CF2 5EP, UK

The Incognito Review:
        Mike F.  sez:  ``About 24 pages of text & pictures, well laid out.
Good reviews section.  Radio show, zine, and band addresses; lots of band
interviews.''
        The Incognito Review,
        P.O. Box 1091, Palatine, IL 60078
        Within the USA: $2/issue, $8/year
        Outside the USA: $3/issue, $12/year.

James Bond:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        James Bond
        c/o Apartado de Correos 1106
        08204 Sabadell, Spain

Mad Planet:
        Mad Planet (by Sarah Dyer)
        New York
        543 Van Duzer Street
        Staten Island, NY 10304
        $1, approximately tri-monthly

Moo Juice:
        A newsletter --- not quite sure it's even ska.
        Moo Juice
        1353 N. Ashland Ave Apt 2D
        Chicago,IL 60622

Moon Records Newsletter:
        Moon Records of NYC has a newsletter/catalog.  Send a SASE for the
newsletter to:
        Moon Records
        P.O. Box 1412
        Cooper Station
        New York, NY 10276 USA

The Nutcase:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        The Nutcase
        c/o Lecureuil Paskal
        61 Rue Des Forges
        44330 Vallet, France
        - write for info, include SASE.

Rocksteady Columbia Newsletter:
        This is the newsletter of the WUSC ska show of Robbie Van Winkle &
        Roland Bonner.
        Rocksteady Columbia newsletter
        1035 Comanchee Trail, Apt. K-2,
        W. Columbia, SC 29169

Pulp:
        `Pulp' is the new and improved hardcopy version of `RPM,' by
Dave ``Allroy'' Sarno.  `Pulp' will remain based on ska, but will expand to
cover a wider
variety of music.  He is also offering a 7'' ska record club.  You can
reach Allroy at:
        PULP
        P.O. Box 2771
        Amherst, MA 01004

RPM:
        Currently available, and electronically distributed is a skazine
called `RPM.' It has been posted to alt.skinhead by David ``Allroy'' Sarno
(sarno@titan.ucs.umass.edu) and is chock full of reviews from fans from all
over.  Get it.  You can also reach Allroy at
        P.O. Box 2771
        Amherst, MA 01004

Rude:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        Rude
        26a Craven Rd
        Newbury, Berks, RG14 5NE, UK
        - $10 USA for 5 issues

Rude Review:
        Absolutely no info here but the address.
        Rude Review
        2340 Craine, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Skinhead Times:
        By George Marshall.  $1.00.  Maybe available from Moon Records,
NYC.

Tighten Up:
        A ska and oi ``skinzine''
        Tighten Up
        c/o Udo Vogt
        Haupstr 144
        W-5102
        Wurselen  GERMANY
        Subscription costs $4 and 2 International Reply Coupons

Skactualities:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        Skactualities
        c/o Frederic Dornier
        Edenhall N.H.
        11 Lyndhurst Gardens,
        London NW3 5NS, UK
        - $6 per issue.

The Ska Flame:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        The Ska Flame
        Unit 7
        Cable St. Wook
        Cable St.
        Notham, Southampton,
        Hants, SO1 1RJ, UK

Skankersore:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        Skankersore
        96 Woodhill Rd
        Newtown, PA 19840, USA

Skalicious:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        Skalicious
        5352 Woodford Dr.
        Birmingham AL 35242, USA

Watch Your Step:
        Another 'zine that I have only sketchy info about is:
        Watch Your Step
        Get Smart Productions
        191 Fifth Ave, apt 2-L
        Brooklyn, NY 11217
        - uncertain schedule

WNUR Ska Newsletter:
     This skazine has no set schedule and it comes out every 2--3 months.
It is about 1--2 dense pages of new release and reissue information,
plus concert news for the Chicago area.
        WNUR Ska Newsletter
        (aka Searching (for Ska!))
        c/o Chuck Wren,
        WNUR 89.3-FM
        1905 Sheridan Rd.
        Evanston, IL  60208, USA
        - Price:  Free.  Outside of the USA, send a few SASEs.

Work Rest and Play:
        Work Rest and Play
        1 Clonard Road, Sandyford Road
        Dublin 16, Ireland
        - 5 pounds for some (?) issues

Zoot:
        One skazine named `Zoot' apparently went out of business a few
years ago.

Mike Fragassi (mfragass@ucs.indiana.edu), who supplied much of this
info advises:
             I have personally not yet tried any of these, except for the
        WNUR newsletter, from which I have gotten the addresses of all of
        the rest. Some of these seem to be info-sheets for a given band.
        Others are more comprehensive (Rude & F.B.I., for instance, are
        highly recommended).  All zines should be assumed to be written
        in the language of the country they come from.  Prices are the most
        recent info, again obtained from Chuck Wren's newsletter; neither me
        nor he nor anyone who handed you a copy of this FAQ are responsible
        for mail screw-ups or unreturned money; if in doubt, send a SASE first.

Q> How do I get a ska email-based mailing list?

A> ``Monkey Man,'' The EMail Ska Distribution list, is available from
Joel Eisner.  Joel's hopes for ``Monkey Man'' are:
        The sole purpose of the newsletter is to unite people interested
        in SKA and the SKA culture, past and present, since the popular
        media time and time again over looks this important musical
        form.
        Finally, I only ask three things:
                1. Send me your e-mail address (if I don't have it)
                2. Send some e-mail  (I am not going to write this whole thing
alone)
                3. Spread the word
        Thank you,
        Joel Eisner  (eisner@primate.wisc.edu)
        1223 Capitol Ct
        Madison, WI  53715

Already over 50 people are signed up.  Contact Joel and get involved today.
Tell your Usenet-less friends!

Q> What are the names of some ska bands?

A> (Names culled from various sources, especially Michael Cancilla
(mcancill@polyslo.calpoly.edu) and some others on a.m.s.  Thanks to
everyone who sends me info.  We now list over 300 bands!)

[Note bene:
 I would like to expand the content here. Something like

 Bandname               (Location) {Style} [time period]
 e.g.
 Fubars, The            (Verona) {Funky ska} [1989--1992]

 So, please help!  Send me any info you have for this little project,
 which I think will make this band list much more informative.]

100 Men                 (UK)
A-Kings                 (New York City) {Modern ska}
Adams, Aubrey           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Aitken, Bobby           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Aitken, Laurel          (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Akrylykz                (UK) {2 Tone (Roland Gift)} [1980]
Alcapone, Dennis        (Jamaica)
Allsorts, The           (Australia)
Allstonians, The        (Boston) [--present]
Alphonso, Rolando       (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Anderson, Frank         (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Andy and Joey           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Apollo 7                (UK)
Arpioni                 (Italy) [Current]
Author K and the Originals
Bad Manners             (UK) {2 Tone} [late 1970s--1980s]
Bakesy's Midday Joggers (UK)
Banana Boat             (Spain)
Banditos, The
Beat, The (English)     (UK) {2 Tone} [late 1970s--mid 1980s]
Beat Soup               (Boston)
Beurk's Band            (France)
Bigger Thomas
Bim Skala Bim           (Boston)
Blechreiz               (Germany)
Blue Chateau            (Germany)
Blue Meanies, The       (Chicago) [Current]
Bluekilla               (Germany)
Bob and Marcia
Bodysnatchers, The      (UK) {2 Tone} [1980]
Boilers, The            (NY)
Bombassa Beed           (Germany)
Booth, Ken              (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Bop Harvey              (Rhode Island) {debateable}
Boris Gardner           (Jamaica) {Old School}
Bowler Boys             (Austin, Texas)
Boxboys, The            (Los Angeles) [late 1970s]
Boy O Boy
Braces, The             (Germany)
Brooks, Baba            (Jamaica) {Old School}
Brownies, The           (San Jose, CA) {ska-core} [Current]
Bruisers, The
Buck-o-Nine             (California)
Bunny and Skitter       (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Burma Jam               (Richmond, Virginia)
Buster's All Stars      (UK) {all-star Band with Bad Manners and others}
Busters, The            (German)
Butlers, The            (German)
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Cairo East              (London) {Madness covers} [Current]
Camper Van Beethoven    (California) {early albums only}
Capone & The Bullets    (Scotland)
Carlos Malcom & the Afro Caribs
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Carre Blanc Pour Serie Noir
                        (France)
Casino Royale
Charmers, The           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Checkered Cabs          (Washington, D.C.) {Second-wave-ish}
Checkmates, The         (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Citizen Fish            (UK)
Citizens, The
City Kids               (New York City) {Modern ska}
Clancy Eccles           (Jamaica) {Old School}
Claredonians            (Jamaica) {Old School}
Club, The               (UK) {former Loafers members}
Clue J and His Blues Blasters (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Collins, Dave and Ansel
Connotations
Cornell Campbell        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Crazy 8's               (Oregon)
Crucial DBC             (Santa Barbara, California)
Daddies, The            (Eugene, Oregon)
Dance Hall Crashers     (Berkeley)
Dandy                   {Old School, original "Rudi, Message to You"}
Dave's Big Deluxe       (Tuscon, Arizona) [Current]
Dekker, Desmond         (Jamiaca) {Old School - Master} [1960s--]
Delroy Wilson           (Jamaica) {Old School}
Deltones, The           (UK) {2 Tone}
Desmond Dekker and the Aces
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Desorden Publico        (Venezuela)
Dillon, Phyllis         (Jamaica) {Old School}
Donkey Show             (Los Angeles)
Dr. Calypso             (Spain)
Dr. No                  (France)
Drummond, Don           (Jamaica) {Old School - Master}
Duffus, Shenley         (Jamaica) {Old School}
Earth Citizen           (South Africa?) {ska/punk}
East Of Eden
El Bosso & The Ping Pongs
                        (Germany)
Elevators, The          (Milwaukee)
Ellis, Alton            (Jamaica) {Old School}
Ellis, Bobby
English Beat            (UK - 2Tone, US name for The Beat)
Epitones, The           (Boston) [Current]
Eskarabajo              (Puerto Rico?)
Etch-A-Sketch           (Ann Arbor, MI)
Ethiopians              {old school, "Train to Skaville"}
Exceptions, The         (Detroit) {metal/punk/ska} [Current]
F-Troop                 (Australia)
Fabulosos Cadillacs     (South America)
Featherheads, The       (South Oxhey, Herfordshire, UK) [Current]
Fishbone                (California) {funk/ska/metal/MTV}
                                [Currently not performing ska]
Floor Kiss              (NYC)
Forest Hillbillies, The (UK)
Fratelli Di Soledad     (Italy)
Freedom of Expression   (Nashville, Tennessee)
Frits, The              (Germany) [Current]
Fun Republic            (Germany) {former Skaos members}
Funicello, Annette      (Disneyland) {the ``Jamaica Ska'' song} [late 1960s]
Gal's Panic             (Austin, TX)
Galaxy of Prizes
Gangbusters             (Los Angeles)
Gangster Fun            (Detroit) [Current]
Gaylads, The            (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
General Public          (UK) {pop/ska, former Beat members} [mid 1980s]
Glory, The
Graduate, The           {Current Tears for Fears members}
Grown-Ups, The          (Northern Texas) [Current]
Guava Groove
Happy Campers, The      (Massachusetts)
Harry J and His Allstars (Jamaica) [60's]
Heavy Manners           (Chicago) [early 80's]
Her Majesty's Secret Service
                        (Milwaukee) [1980s]
HL Syndikat             (Germany)
Harriott, Derek
Hepcat                  (Los Angeles)
Hersang and the City Slickers
                        (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Hihats                  (Boston)
Hoodlum Empire          (San Francisco) [Current]
Hoovers, The            (San Francisco) [late 1970s]
Hopping Penguns         (Canada)
Hot Knives, The         (UK)
I. H. Ska               (Germany)
Insatiable              (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Insteps, The
Intensified             (Forkenstone, Kent, UK) [Current]
International Beat, The
International Jet Set   (Milwaukee) [late 1980s--?]
Invaders, The           (Milwaukee)
Imperials               (Los Angeles)
Israelites              (California)
Java Dog                (Michigan) [Current]
Jesus Christ Superska   (New Haven, Connecticut) [Current]
Jiving Juniors, The     (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Johnny Moore
Johnny Socko            (Bloomington, Indiana)
Johnson, Cluet (Clue J) (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s
Judge Dread             (UK) {ska/dub}
Jump With Joey          (Los Angeles)
Just Kidding
Justin Hines and the Dominos
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Kelly, Pat
Kill Me
King Apparatus          (Toronto, Canada)
King Hammond            (UK)
Kingstonians, The
Klink Hammer            (Holland) [Current]
Knockouts, The          (Spain)
Komando Moriles         (Spain)
Kortatu                 (Basque Country)
La Piche                (Japan) {punk/ska}
Latenotes, The          (Australia)
Lawsuit                 (California)
Legal Gender
Les Bubars              (France)
Les Ejectes             (France)
Les Frelons
Les Giovannis           (France)
Les Internes            (France)
Les Miserables          (Massachusetts)
Les Saxas               (France)
Let's Go Bowling        (Fresno, California)
Let's Quit              (Holland)
Liquidators             (San Francisco)
Livingston, Dandy
Loafers                 (UK)
Lodgers                 (Germany)
Loonee Toons            (UK)
Los Fabulosos Cadilacs  (Venezuela)
Los Rudiments           (San Francisco)
Lot Boy Steele
Machtoc                 (France)
Mad Cow                 (UK) {funk/ska}
Mad Monster Sound       (Germany) {ska/oi}
Madness                 (UK) {2 Tone}
Malarians, The          (Spain)
Mano Negra              (Puerto Rico?)
Mark Foggo's Skasters   (Holland)
Marley, Bob             (Jamaica) {Ska, then rock-steady, then reggae
superstar}
                                [1960s--1980s]
Marley, Rita            (Jamaica) {Ska, then rock-steady, then reggae}
                                [1960s--1980s]
Maroon Town             (Massachusetts)
Martin Dupont & His Gitane Mais
                        (France)
Maytals, The            (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
McCook, Tommy           (Jamiaca) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Me, Mom, and Morgen Taylor
                        (Canada) {fomerly `Me, Mom and Morgenthaler'} [Current]
Mealticket              (California)
Melodians, The          (Jamaica) {Old School}
Mento Buru              (Bakersfield, CA) {Traditional, kinda} [Current]
Mephiskapheles          (Boston/NY)
Messer Banzani          (Germany)
Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Boston) {ska-influenced} [Current]
Mighty Vikings          (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Mission Impossible      (Massachusetts)
Mister Bungle
Mobsters, The           (Italy)
Morgan, Derric          (Jamaica) {Old School}
Morris, Eric
Mr. Cranky              (Boston)
Mr. Review
M.S.Q.
MU330                   (St. Louis)   [--present]
Murphy's Law
Mustard Plug            (Grand Rapids, Michigan) {ska/funk/metal} [Current]
My Name                 (Tacoma, WA) {punk/ska/funk} [Current]
Nails, The              (Denver) [late 1970s]
Napoleon Solo           (Denmark)
Native Sun              {Bigger Thomas}
Natural Rhythm
Neurones En Folie       (France)
Ngobo Ngobo             (Germany) {Old Style} [Current]
No Doubt                (Los Angeles)
No Sports               (Germany)
NOFX                    (California)
Noir                    (France)
Now, The                {More Mod}
Nutty Boys              (UK) {former Madness members}
NY Citizens             {NY Citizens were previously Legal Gender}
Oddly Enough            (Massachusetts)
Offs, The               (San Francisco) {ska/punk?} [late 1970s]
One Eye Open            [Current]
Opel, Jackie            (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Operation Ivy           (Berkeley) {Sca-core} [1980's]
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso (Brazil) {skambalypso} [1980s--present]
Out of Order            [Current]
Pacers, The             (Milwaukee) [199x--present]
Paragons                {Old School; "Tide is High"}
Pelukera Perez          (Spain)
Perfect Thyroid         (NY) {ska/funk} [Current]
Perkins, Lascelles      (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Perry, Lee "Scratch"    (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Persiana Jones          (Italy)
Piala                   (Japan) {rock/thrash/ska}
Pick It Up              (France)
Pie Tasters             (Washington, D.C.)
Pigbag                  (UK)
Pioneers, The           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Piranas                 (UK) [early 80s]
Plate O' Shrimp         (Massachusetts)
Pork Hunts, The         (Australia)
Potato                  (Spain)
Potato Five, The        (UK)
Prince Buster           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Public Service          (Philadelphia)
Question, The           {More Mod}
Refrescos, The          (Spain)
Regatta 69              (Pennsylvania)
Reply
Rhyth-o-Matics          (San Francisco) {Afro-Caribbean/Ska}
Rico                    (Jamaica/UK)
Riffs, The              (UK)
Rock Steady Posse       (San Luis Obispo, CA) {Ska/reggae} [Current]
Rolondo and the Soul Brothers
Romeo, Max
Rude Boys, The
Rude-O-Rama             (Boston) [late 1980s]
Rudeness 8
Rudeness Empire         (Holland)
Rudiments, The
Rulers, The             (Jamaica) {Old School}
Saxawaman               (France)
Scarper                 (UK)
Scene, The              (NY)
Scooby and the Skamatics
                        (Michigan)
Scofflaws, The          (NY)
Second Step             (New York City)
Secret Cajun Band       (St. Louis, MO) [Current]
Selecter, The           (UK) {2 Tone} [197x--1981]
Sharp Sound Connection
Shot Black and White    (NY)
Shy Five                (Massachusetts)
Simaryp                 (Jamaica) {Old School; They do the `skinhead girl'
tune}
Siz Feet Under          (Connecticut)
Ska Flames, The         (Tokyo) {New Ska in the old style}
Ska Trek                (Germany)
Skablins                (Pittsburg) [Current]
Skaboom                 (UK)
Skadanks,The
Skaferlatine            (France)
Skadows
Skaface                 (Toronto, Canada)
Skaltere Club           (Germany)
Skarabajos              (Spain)
Skarred By Ska          (Massachusetts)
Skankhead               (California)
Skankin' Pickle         (San Francisco Bay Area)
Skanxters, The          (UK)
Skaos                   (Germany)
Skapelle                (Germany)
Skarface                (France)
Skatet                  (Minnesota) {60s-style}
Skatala                 (Spain) {punk/ska}
Skapa                   (Wellington, New Zealand)
Skapone                 (Chicago) {traditional-style,
                                contains former members of State of
                                Emergency} [Current]
Skappele
Skatalites              (Jamaica; now Boston area) {_The_ Old School ska
                                band;, Tommy McCook, Don Drummond, Roland
Alphonso,
                                Baba Brooks} [1964--1965, and present]
Skatet
Skatilater              (New Zealand)
Skatrek
Skatterbrains, The      (Ottawa)
Skavoovie               (Boston) [Current]
Skeletones              (Anaheim/Riverside, California) [Current]
Skinner Box             {The Boilers}
Skooby and the Skamatics
                        (Houghton, MI) {Ska-Engery} [1992--93]
Skunks, The             (Washington, D.C.)
Slackers, The           (New York City) [Current]
Slap & Tickle           (Colorado) [Current]
Slickers, The
Songhai                 (Spain) {Afro-reggae-ska}
Soul Brothers, The      (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Soul Vendors, The       (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Soulmates, The
Special Beat, The       (UK) {Specials and The Beat, 2 Tone}
Specials, The           (UK) {_THE_ 2Tone band, Jerry Dammers founded 2 Tone}
                                [1978--1984]
Special A.K.A, The      (UK) {a.k.a. The Specials} [1978--]
Specs, The              (California) [Current]
Sprawl                  (Houston) {ska/psycho-funk} [Current]
Spring Heeled Jack      (Connecticut) [Current]
Spy Eye                 (Italy)
Square Roots            (San Francisco bay area) [Current]
State Of Emergency      (Chicago) {now Skapone}
Statics, The
Steadys, The
Steady Earnest          (Boston) {includes members of Bim Skala Bim, others}
                                [Current]
Stranger Cole           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Stretch Armstrong       (Provo, Utah)
Sugar & Spice           (Germany) {all female}
Swan Lake               {a la Madness}
Swim Herschel Swim      (Provo, Utah)
T-Shirts                (Sweden)  [early 1980s]
Tantra Monsters         (Hawaii)
Ten Cent Fun            (St. Paul, Minnesota) [1992--present]
Tension Friends         (Spain)
Three Tops, The
Toasters, The           (NY) {pretty much head Moon Records}
Tom Collins and The Cocktail Shakers
                        (Michigan)
Tommy McCook and the Supersonics
                        (Jamaica) {Old Style/Rocksteady}
Too Many Crooks         (London) {third wave} [Current]
Too True                (NY)
Thumper                 (Boston)
Tiny Hat Orchestra      (Seattle)
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
                        (Japan)
Toots Hibbert           (Jamaica)
  Toots and the Flames          {Old School, pre-Maytals}
  Toots & the Maytals           {Old school, "Pressure Drop", "Monkey Man"}
Tosh, Peter             (Jamaica) {Old School}
Trenchtown
Tribe, Tony             (Jamaica) [1960s]
Trojans                 (UK)
Twist Offs              (Cleveland)
Undercover S.K.A.       (San Francisco) {all covers} [Current]
Unsteady                (California) {ex-Gangbusters members}
Untouchables, The       (Los Angeles) {esp. earlier work}
Upbeats, The            (California)
Upsetters               (Jamaica) {Old School, Lee Perry}
Uptown Rulers, The      (Illinois) [mid 1980's]
Urban Blight            (NY)
Urge, The               (St. Louis) {Ska/punk/funk}
Ventilators, The        (Switzerland) [Current]
Venus In Furs           (Houston, TX) [1990--present]
Verska Vis              (France)
Village Beat
VooDoo Glow Skulls      (Riverside, California) {ska-core} [--present]
W8ters                  (Holland)
Wailers, The            (Jamaica) {originally Bob Marley, Peter Tosh,
                                Bunny Wailer}
Weaker Youth Ensemble   (Madison, Wisconsin) [--present]
Wild Kingdom            (Milwaukee) {ska/funk} [1980s--1992]
Wise, Duke              (Jamaica) {Old School}
Yebo                    (Germany) {traditional style}

Q>  Can I write to any of these bands?

A>  Why not?  Here are some addresses (unverified!) of some bands:

        100 Men
        18 Westend Ave
        Bentley, Doncaster
        South Yorkshire, DW5 9RG, UK
        - send "a large SASE" for `100 Men Newsletter'

        The Allstonians
        c/o Jeremy Mushlin
        599 Cambridge Street
        Allston, MAS 02134 USA

        Bad Manners
        33 Springhill
        London E59 BY, UK

        Boy O Boy
        P.O. BOX 666
        Richmond VA 23205

        Bim Skala Bim
        P.O. Box 441606
        Somerville, MA 02144 USA

        Boston Stranglers SC
        c/o Greg Woodbury
        51 Melcher Street, Apt. 9
        Boston, MA 02210 USA

        Desorden Publico Fan Club
        c/o Ingrid Dreissig
        Aptdo 66820
        Caracas 1061-A VENEZUALA
        albums and other merchandise are available

        The Featherheads
        244A Gosforth Lane
        South Oxhey, Herfordshire
        WD1 6PA ENGLAND

        Gals Panic
        P.O. Box 8717
        Austin, TX 78713-8717 USA

        Intensified
        82 Church Road
        Forkenstone, Kent
        CT20 3EN, ENGLAND

        Mephaskapheles
        c/o Get Smart Productions
        191 Fifth Ave, apt 2-L
        Brooklyn, NY 11217 USA

        Mustard Plug
        P.O. Box 1140
        Grand Rapids, MI 49501
        (616) 774-7152 (Dave)

        The Pacers
        6442 W. Pierner Place
        Milwaukee, WI  53223 USA

        Skablins
        c/o Jump Up Records
        P.O. Box 1721
        York, PA 17405

        Skankin' Pickel
        c/o Gerry Lundquist
        3827 Mabel Ave.
        Castro Valley CA 94546 USA
        gerry@gakhaus.attmail.com

        Skapone
        1327 Parkside
        Park Ridge, IL 60068

        The Skunks
        (202) 728-SKA1

        Skinnerbox
        c/o Stubborn Records
        504 Grand Street #F52
        New York, NY 10002 USA

        Sprawl
        2140 Lexington
        Houston, TX  77098 USA

        Stretch Armstrong
        c/o Bob Walter
        2255 N. University Pkwy #15
        Provo, UT 94604

        Ten Cent Fun
        c/o Jesse Miner
        1588 Dayton Ave. #10
        St. Paul, MN 55104 USA
        (612) 645-3630
        jminer@macalstr.edu

        Voodoo Glow Skulls
        6871 Eagle Rock Dr
        Riverside, CA 92505 USA

        Weaker Youth Ensemble
        c/o John Powell
        Madison, WI 5370x USA
        powellj@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu


Q> What are addresses of some record labels producing ska discs?

A> The following list is by no means exhaustive, merely based on the
things lying about my house and recent postings to alt.music.ska.
I have not made any effort to verify these addresses.

        Bondage International
        17, Rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris

        BIB Records
        c/o Bim Skala Bim
        P.O. Box 441606
        Somerville, MA 02144 USA

        Capitol/EMI Latin
        (Several of the So.American/Spanish groups can be
         found in the "Latin" or "World" music sections of
         larger record stores, released by this label.)

        Check Records
        P.O. Box 3042
        London  NW5  1EQ
        Tel 071-281-5690

        Dojo Limited (UK)
        P.O. Box 157
        Sittingbourne
        Kent, ME10 3SD, UK
        (Modern European ska compilations; recent releases of Desmond Dekker;
         bluebeat compilations; remastering Prince Buster; more)

        Heartbeat
        Poli-Rhythm, Ltd.
        One Camp Street
        Cambridge, MA 02140 USA

        Mango (UK/US - a division of Island)
       (Has many Jamaican ska compilations, and
         some recent albums from the "old school", like Toots Hibbert.
         Like Capitol/EMI Latin, this label should be easily found in the
         reggae section of any large record store.)

        Moon Records
        P.O. Box 1412
        Cooper Station
        New York, NY 10276 USA
        (201) 857-7044
        (fax) 857-7160

        Next Step (UK - formerly Rhythm Foundation)
        15 Trilleck Ave.
        Hereford, HR2 7HX, UK
       (Modern - including Japan's Ska Flames - and classics compilations.)

        Pork Pie Records
        Forster St. 4/5
        1000 Berlin 36 GERMANY
       (No Sports, Fun Republic, The Frits, other German & European bands)

        Raw Energy Records
        65 Front St. West
        Suite 0116-42
        Toronto, Ontario M5J 1E6 CANADA
       (Public Service, King Apparatus)

        Rhino Records
        2225 Colorado Avenue
        Santa Monica, CA 90404-3555 USA
        Toll-free number: 1-800-432-0020


        Signal Sound System Records
        c/o Greg McWhorter
        P.O. Box 1861
        Victorville, CA 92392
       (carries Voodoo Glow Skulls)

        Square Records
        P.O. Box 1926
        Harvard Square Station
        Cambridge, MA 02238 USA

        Trojan (UK)
        Iwyman House 34
        39 Camden Road
        London NW1 91E UK
        FAX: 071 267 6746
       (A classic blue beat label. Send SASE for catalog.)

        Unicorn Records
        191 Seven Sisters Road
        Finsbury Park
        London N4 3NG  UK
        01-281 2821
       (Unicorn is now defunct.)

        Unicorn France
        11 allee J.-B. Clement
        78570 Andresey  FRANCE
       (Unicorn is now defunct.)

        Unicorn Deutschland
        P\"ucklerstrasse 22
        1000 Berlin 36  GERMANY
       (Unicorn is now defunct.)

        Weser Label
        Am Fuchsberg 2
        2800 bremen, 21 GERMANY

Q> Are there some record stores that carry ska?

A> Some record stores that specialize in ska or at least have a decent stock:
   (Many of these stores will do mail order.  Call or send a SASE first.)

        Better Days Records
        1591 Bardstown Rd.
        Louisville, KY 40205 USA
        (502) 456-2394

        Boudisque
        Amsterdam (The NETHERLANDS)

        CD Bar
        Toronto, Ontario  CANADA
        (800) 663-1616
        Does lots of mail order business.

        Coxsone's Music City
        3135 Fulton St.
        Brooklyn, NY  11208 USA
        Phone:  (718) 277-4166
        [Clement `Coxsone' Dodd is the original ska producer.
          They seem to keep ska behind the counter, so
          you will have to ask for it.]
        Daddy Kool
        9 Berwick Street
        London W1v 3rg  UK
        Tel 071-437-3535

        The Face
        24 Granton Street
        London W1V 1LA
        Tel 071 734-5868
        Fax 071 2878723

        iNFINITY nETWORK
        c/o Backstreet Abortions
        P.O. Box 51465
        Raedene 2124, Johannesburg  SOUTH AFRICA
        (These guys are mail-order only.  They carry hardcore bands with
        [anti-fasist] political content to their lyrics, and some ska-core.)

        RAS Records Mailorder
        P.O. Box 42517
        Washington DC 20015 USA
        (301) 588-5135
        [RAS records has a big catalog with ska and rock-steady:
         Ask for Charlie or Smitty.]

        Reckless Records
        Chicago, IL USA

        Roundup Records
        P.O. Box 154, Dept. HB
        N. Cambridge, MA  02140  USA
        (800) 44-DISCS
        [Carries Heartbeat titles and maybe more.]

        Smash Records
        Constitution Ave.
        Washington, DC  USA

        Taaang Records
        Cambridge, MA USA
        (great selection but pricey)

        Vinyl Ink
        Silver Spring, MD  USA

        Wax Trax (Denver)
        Denver, Colorado USA

        WOM
        Munich, GERMANY

Recommended Reading:
        The liner notes to [SB] are particularly rich, with extensive text
and great photographs.  Also, the notes for [C25] and [DD] are quite
informational.

        Also, check into the alt.skinheads and rec.music.reggae Usenet
groups for related topics.

Cited Sources:
[SB] ``Ska Bonanza: The Studio One Years,'' Various Artists, Heartbeat
        CD: HB 86/87, (1992).  Liner notes by Julian Jingles (JJ) and
        Chris Wilson (CW).
[C25] ``Celebration: Twenty Five Years Of Trojan Records,'' Various Artists,
        Trojan Records CDTRD 413, (1991).  Liner notes by Laurence
        Cane-Honeysett.
[DD] ``The Best of Desmond Dekker: Rockin' Steady,'' Desmond Dekker,
        Rhino Records R2 70271, (1992).  Liner notes by Harry Young.
[LL] ``Labour of Love,'' UB40, Virgin/A&M Records, CD4980, (1983).
       Liner notes by the band.
[HSBR] ``The History of Ska, Blue Beat and Reggae,'' Various Artists,
        Esoldun S.A.R.L./Blue Beat REG 101, (1992).  Liner notes by
        Delroy Sion Eccles.
[TKS] ``Two Knights of Ska: Derrick and Laurel,'' Derrick Morgan and
        Laurel Aitken, Unicorn Records PHZD-61, (1992).  Liner notes
        anonymous.
[RAR] ``Rasta and Resistance,'' by Horace Campbell, Africa World Press,
        Inc., P.O. Box 1892, Trenton, New Jersey 08607, USA, (1987).
[RPM] ``RPM'' A Ska museletter.  (See the fanzine section.)

Uncited Sources:
[AMS]  alt.music.ska, various postings. This has become the largest source
        of info for this FAQ.

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