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By the early 1980s, influenced by 2 Tone, ska bands began forming throughout the United States.The Uptones from Berkeley, California and The Toasters from New York City, both formed in 1981, were among the first active ska bands in North America, both credited with laying the groundwork for American ska and establishing scenes in their respective regions. While many of the early American ska bands continued in the musical traditions set by 2 Tone and the mod revival, bands such as Fishbone, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Operation Ivy pioneered the American ska punk subgenre, a fusion of ska and punk rock which typically downplayed ska’s R&B influence in favor of faster tempos and guitar distortion.
Two hotspots for the United States’ burgeoning ska scenes were New York City and Orange County, California. In New York, Toasters frontman Robert “Bucket” Hingley formed independent label Moon Ska Records in 1983. The Orange County ska scene was a breeding ground for ska punk and more contemporary pop-influenced ska music. It was here that the term “third wave ska” was coined and popularized by Tazy Phyllips (host of the Ska Parade radio show) to describe the new wave of ska-influenced bands which were steadily gaining notoriety.
The mid-1990s saw a considerable rise in ska music’s underground popularity.Over the next few years, a string of notable ska and ska-influenced singles became hits on mainstream radio. By 1996, third wave ska was one of the most popular forms of alternative music in the United States.
By the late 1990s, mainstream interest in third wave ska bands waned as other music genres gained momentum
In This Episode:
The Allstonians – Another Night
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble – John & James
The Toasters – Don’t Blame Me
Steady Earnest – Hold ‘em Back
Unsteady – What Kind of Fool
Johnny Socko – (Do The) Post-Modernist Ska
The Scofflaws – William Shatner
Bruce Lee Band – Go Feet Go
New York Citizens – Sticky Situation
Mock Turtle Soup – Frustration
Spring Heeled Jack – Running Man (Lookin’ Thru The Mirror)
Skinnerbox – Twisted and Bent
Checkered Cabs – Hopelessness
Mephiskapheles – Centre of The…
The Slackers – I Still Love You
Save Ferris – Under 21
Let’s Go Bowling – Spy Market
Dance Hall Crashers – Shelley (Acoustic)
The Blue Meanies – Accelleration 5000
MU330 – Spilled My Drink
