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.

[Edward]

I still need to pick up that Common Rider cd at Rasputin Records.. Isn't Jesse Michaels from Operation Ivy in Common Rider??

[Brixton Beat]

Dude... pick it up!

Seriously, Common Rider is freakin' rad. And yes, Jesse was the lead singer and guitar.