ska in the mainstream

[matty little]

im all up 4 people enjoying the ska scene but do u think ska would lose its way if ska got into the mainstream in terms of absoloute nob heeds liking it and claiming they liked ska from the start and also the artists losing their way because of them knowing that their records will sell so they wont try as hard to make good tunes just like what i think has happened to the indie scene?

[Mr. Mod]

Hello,

I think, Ska was already Mainstream in the 60s in Jamaica.
But i think, when the Ska would be mainstream, not in this Form or this sort of playing.
in Germany, there exist a Dancehall, or Reggaeton Band called "Seeed".
They also Play Ska, but with many Dancehall or Dub elements.
This Band is in Europ extremly Mainstream. But theyr also Distanced from the Skascene.
Another Band: Ska-P from Spain. In Europ extremly Mainstream for 1 year ago.
Every Kid ran around with Ska-P Shirts.

The Ska would be Mainstream, but not in the Traditional Form.

1. The Skins had just a Fucked Up Reputation, this is not Popular, when you know what i try to say;-)
2. The Ska would be Mainstream in Form of Ska-Punk, it wouldnt be trouble for me.

When the Traditional Ska would be Mainstream, it wouldnt be good for the Scene. See the Punkscene.
The Punks Dead,. it would be the Same, when the Traditional Ska is mainstream.:-)

Greets from the Mountains of Bern,

Mr. Mod

[matty little]

ta very much good answer fella but wat aboot dis country with the arsehole djs on radio at moment do u think ska will av its day?

[Mr. Mod]

Witch Asshole did you mean??

I dont understand your Post, sorry...

;-)

You know, in my Country, where the Asshole DJs on the Radio just play Countrymusic, the Ska not be loved, and every young guy say to me: " What??
you listened to Ska??
Thats just a Fucking music, just played at the Circus!!"
;-)

[matty little]

basically every dj through the day in england plays 90% shit music like indie and pop and shitty new rap stuff like 50 cent

[Mr. Mod]

So,

the Singer of the greatest Traditional Ska Band of Switzerland, Open Season from Bern, told me, that they have contacts to Ska Musicians in New York (The Toasters;-)).
In wich music scene do you know, that an Swiss Band can Play with one from New York, or an American Band plays with one from France, in a Little Club like we have in Bern or Thun.
When the Ska would be mainstream, its just over with thinks like these.
i like the Scene and i dont wanna be part of one Mainstream circus like the Indie or Pop, or Hip-Hop:-)

and P.S.: Indie isnt Shit;-)

Greets

Mr. Mod

[matty little]

i appreciate u not wantin 2 be part of mainstream circus but the fact of u saying indie isnt shit well id say about 70% of indie nowadays is shit not like stone roses or blur back in the day

[Amy]

okay, i can totally understand how you feel the music might degenerate as some of the lesser bands gain popularity and success and feel like they don't have to try so hard, but give those great bands some credit. you need to recognize that not everyone out there is doing it for the money and also that sometimes bands don't lose their way but you just aren't following them as they grow and fulfill their potential. maybe where they want to go with their music isn't necessarily where you would like them to go, but that's why they're the artists.
and as for you being so wound up about people who get into ska and "claiming they liked ska from the start", get over it. we can't ALL have liked ska the moment it was invented. some people just get introduced to things at different times in thier life. that doesn't necessarily mean that they are any less genuine about thier love for the music than someone who has loved it and known about it for years. i mean, i can understand if it was people who have heard the same songs for years and then just suddenly decide that they like it because it's now more popular, but i really think that it is more often the case that people just don't know what's out there.
and at the end of the day, a lot really depends on what your definition of mainstream is. i mean, a lot of people have liked ska for a loooong time and it's been around for ages, if your definition of mainstream is having people know about it and like it then that is different from a definition of mainstream where it's about how many records are sold and whether or not the songs make the Top 40 or whatever.

but all that's just my opinion and you're more than welcome to disagree,
- amy

PS- I too think that Indie is NOT shit. maybe you're just looking at the little turds that float up to the surface, dig deeper and i think you'll find that the real Indie has been hiding on you

[Rude City Riot]

Thank you Amy,

I could not have said it better, although you wrote almost exactly what I was feeling after reading the several posts above.

It is not about how many people like something or how popular a certain genre is, it is about whether or not YOU like it. Don't waste time judging others on what they like or don't. That accomplishes nothing and sets you up for disappointment.

As far as the "indie" is sh*t comment. I think that since the "Indie Label" model has become the best route to go in response to how the few major labels left standing have changed the tradional record company model - the result is that 500% more indie artists are now being heard and recognized and with that increased volume in Indie artist, there is bound to be an additional % of crap bands with lame songs. That doesn't mean indie is crap, just that you are hearing a lot more of it these days. If you look, you will find that there is an enormous amount of of really good new artists in all genres of music. The indie scene and outlets like cdbaby.com is allowing a vast # of new artists a way to get their music out. Yes, with this increased exposure, you are going to get more crap than before but it is because of the overall volume of new product being released.

On the other hand, we live in the free world and you can have as strong of an opinion as you want. Just don't let it close your mind to other possibilities and allow that all humans are different as a result of their influences and experiences.

I will shut up now, please remind me to do so whenever I sound like i am starting to preach.......

I enjoy these animated conversations but lets keep them civil and friendly. We are all in this together, lets not pick sides

cheers,

Dannoo

[Mr. Mod]

Hi Guys and Girls,

i go to the Quality of the Sound i listen.
Ska had a great Groove, when you can play it. and the Skascene is cool, how it is.
Indie is ones of this Music, i like to play only.
i Jamed many times with indie Musicians.
But the Scene of Ska is the Scene i like.
I aprehend Danger for the Skascen like it is today, when the Ska is Mainstream.
The Music is the Same...

Do you understand me?;-)

I dont feel me Aggressiv or that i want be an egoist, but this is my view.
In switzerland, it is propably an other Situation, as in Amerika.;-)

Greets and respect to each others,

Mr. Mod

[CurtW]

I can understand what you're sayin. I can remember when RBF and mighty mighty bostones were popular and all the stupid kids in my middle school saying they "invented" ska. you are going to meet those idiots in every music scene. But if you see ska becomeing mainstream, you'll be able to pick out the bands that are aiming to sell records to the masses and those selling records to the ska fans.


(all spelling and grammar mistakes are brought to you by America's Public Education system)

[Steven Denney Shafer II]

It would be nice to not have to explain it every time someone asks me what i listen to but on the other hand, it would bite to see it raped like rap, indie, or to a lesser extent punk (Green day).

I would hate to see ska develop its own poser section. but there would be more bands due to the popularity. But then a lot of those bands would be in it just for the money.

Very sticky. I can't honestly answer this question. I would love the higher amounts of shows, but hate the posers. Too many pros and cons.

[redlandsskakid]

i would have to say that i don't want it to get big. i love the scene the way it is. i don't want to see a really good ska band playing the big arenas with thousands of people like you would see at a Metallica concert. The shows are small and tickets are affordable for us poor folk. and plus you know when you see a ska kid that they are there for the music, not because they are trying to be cool.

it would be cool though to have ska on the radio, or not have to explain to people what the heck ska is.