The Most Important (North/South) American Ska Bands.

[Skibz McCullock]

Although I have the strong desire to, I've decided NOT to post the usual trite "wut r ur favorite bandz?" thread and instead pose a rather thought-provoking question: who do you consider the most important American ska bands? "Important" could be in whatever regard, be it the most innovative, who had the most impact on what/whom, etc., etc..

To me, I believe that the most important band I've heard so far are The Slackers. I feel that they've reinvented American ska in the same way The Specials reinvented Jamaican ska. Although The Slackers play traditional Jamaican ska and reggae right down to the very last beat, their sound is totally and uniquely their own. I mean, the way that they weave R&B, country, and soul influence into Caribbean music is seamless: How often do you hear a reggae version of a Johnny Cash or Bon Jovi song and it actually sounds "right"? To top it off, they're excellent musicians and Vic Ruggiero's songwriting is perhaps some of the best in the genre. And since they're on the Hellcat label and are good friends with Rancid, they've really exposed a whole new, young generation to trad ska, and that alone is priceless.

So...yeah.

[chad]

i would have to say operation ivy because they were one of the first bands to combine hardcore punk and ska. tim and matt can play so well with each other, and they have been for a really long time. plus look at how many bands have covered an operation ivy song. they have influenced many bands.

[Skibz McCullock]

...but let us not forget how the BossToneS were on the 'ska-core' scene long before Op Ivy, and not only did they popularly introduce the concept of a horn section into a punk band, but also helped launch both ska-punk and third wave into the mainstream throughout the 90s.

However, the influence and sound of Op Ivy is much more prevalent in today's music than the Bosstones, so whatever.

[lalabooobs]

lets go bowling toasters scofflaws and SKANKIN PICKLE. i cant believe no one put skankin pickle. oh well.

[Aidan]

Choking Victim and Leftover Crack, for their awesome combinations of Death metal and ska-punk. Even metalheads jam to those guys.

[Skibz McCullock]

Wow! Another Siren Six! fan. I'm a huge fan of the band, both their early work and their later, more New Wave-inspired stuff. However, I don't really see their influence in any of the bands you mentioned; then again, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "power pop". The only band that I can think of that mixes ska with the traditional meaning of power pop is The Hippos.

To me, The Siren Six! was more of a mix between ska, mod revival, and second-wave emo/alternative rock (and damn good at it, too!).

[Edward]

Sorry for changing the subject, but I finally got a hold of the Leftover Crack.Citizen Fish split last week and I was blown away with Citizen Fish's cover of "Money"!!!

[lalabooobs]

leftover crack is the most over rated band ever. maybe not ever and they are good for a punk band its just that they aint no gods. and there lyrics are really repetitive its not that i like the cops its just 5 songs about cops would do.

[Edward]

I think Leftover Crack being over rated is a good thing. Even though a lot of their lyrics and presentation may come off as juvenile, they are a breath of fresh. Not only do they take a variety of styles and merge them together tastefully, but I really appreciate their speaking out against homophobia, racism, government corruption, and sexism. What I also like about Leftover Crack is that they have gotten a lot of teenagers that otherwise only would have listened to punk and metal into ska. On a side note, if any of you care and are not aware yet, Public Serpents(with Skwert from Choking Victim) have a few tracks on the upcoming "When the Bomb Drops" comp. Here is the myspace address if anyone is interested-
http://www.myspace.com/whenthebombsdropcompilation

[Brixton Beat]

Actually, I did mean to put NEW WAVE/power pop, incorporated with ska, as new wave is much more prevailant. Nice job catching that.

Voice With A Built In Promise has plenty of it (80's new wave / 90's power pop with elements of ska, and reggae, emo, etc). Also, for Animal Chin and LGB, they more mixed these styles in seperate tracks, rather than within individual tracks. At the time, reviewers, radio dj's, labels, and cd stores would often pitch these bands as "sounding like Siren Six!", or having "that new ska sound, like the Siren Six!"

Hunt down these songs for what I'm talking about:

The Siren Six! - C.O.N.F.U.S.I.O.N.
Slow Gherkin - Another In Your Life
The Hippos - Struggling
The Gadjits - Outsider
Let's Go Bowling - 'Round Town
Hollywood Rivals - Nebula
The Jamons - Playschool
The Pills - Real, Real Gone

I would love to put these examples on my page for everyone, but I'm having trouble getting any songs I upload to play... :/

[Aidan]

Hellz yeah man. What's the citizen fish lead vox guys's other band again...?

[Edward]

The Subhumans

[Doc]

I would have to say Op Ivy. why because the really did the ska punk fusion perfectly without horns. some bands really need a horn section to define the ska sound (which i have no problem with). but Op Ivy gave ska new edge and energy to the scene that punks and rudies all alike can unite and listen to some great music. also they influenced a bunch of 3rd wave ska bands like, Against All Authority, Common Rider, Choking Victim, The Johnstones and any ska punk fused bands.