Overseas ska: A roundup of must-know representative bands

Two Tone ArmyThe Toasters

The Toasters – “Two Tone Army” Music Video

Seeing the title of the song featured here, “Two Tone Army,” many of you probably thought, “Ah, this must be part of the UK two-tone ska movement.” But The Toasters are in fact veteran pioneers of American ska, formed in New York City in 1981.

The frontman and only remaining original member, Robert “Bucket” Hingley, is a British-born Englishman who moved through various countries before settling in New York in the late 1970s.

After witnessing a concert by The Beat, one of the quintessential two-tone ska bands, he was inspired to form The Toasters.

Following the band’s formation, they started their own label, Moon Records, which later became Moon Ska Records—well known for releasing early Dance Hall Crashers material and works by Japan’s ska-core stalwarts Rude Bones.

While grounded in ska, The Toasters’ sound flexibly incorporates genres like pop, R&B, and calypso.

Reflecting their multi-ethnic lineup, they were embraced enthusiastically by audiences across both Black and white communities.

If you want to explore American ska before the ska-punk wave of the 1990s, definitely give their music a listen!

The Impression That I GetThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – The Impression That I Get (Official Music Video)

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were pioneers of American ska-core who abruptly announced their breakup in 2022, bringing an end to a long 39-year career.

Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts and formed in 1983, they were rooted in the U.

S.

hardcore punk scene while drawing heavy influence from the late-1970s British “2 Tone ska” movement—a musical backbone that clearly comes through in their sound.

They built their reputation by gigging in the underground scene and released their debut album, Devil’s Night Out, in 1989 on the esteemed local indie label Taang! Records.

Their sound—alternating between raw hardcore spirit and breezy 2 Tone ska—won them a devoted following, and in 1993 they made their major-label debut with their third album, Don’t Know How to Party.

Their fifth album, Let’s Face It, released in 1997, became the most successful work of their career, peaking at No.

27 on the Billboard chart, with the lead single The Impression That I Get hitting No.

1 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks.

As you can see from their music videos and promo photos, despite their hardcore punk roots, they stayed true to the 2 Tone ska tradition—sharp suits and all—and looked incredibly cool doing it!

Lip up FattyBadManners

BAD MANNERS – LIP UP FATTY

Among the British neo-ska bands that emerged from the late 1970s onward, Bad Manners are renowned as veteran stalwarts who, despite breaking up once, have continued performing for many years.

Centered around their striking frontman, Buster Bloodvessel—both the band’s sole original member and an imposing, shaven-headed figure—Bad Manners formed in 1976.

Although they weren’t signed to 2 Tone Records, they operated closely alongside the 2 Tone boom, appearing on television and in documentary films, and came to be recognized as one of the movement’s emblematic acts.

Just look at the cover of their classic 1980 debut album, Ska ’n’ B: the comical illustration of what seems to be Buster conveys a vibe unlike that of other bands.

Musically, even among their 2 Tone and neo-ska contemporaries, Bad Manners stood out for their especially catchy, poppy, and exuberant killer tunes.

There’s a touch of B-movie charm to them, but that too is part of their appeal.

If you want to set the nitpicking aside and just enjoy some brisk 2 Tone ska, be sure to check out Bad Manners!

The World Is NewSave Ferris

Save Ferris – The World Is New

Alongside No Doubt and Dance Hall Crashers, Save Ferris stands as one of the quintessential ska-punk bands with a female vocalist from the 1990s.

If you were an avid listener of Western music in the ’90s, you probably remember their lively ska-punk cover of Dexys Midnight Runners’ signature hit “Come on Eileen,” which became a success.

Save Ferris formed in 1995 in Orange County, California, and released their major-label debut album It Means Everything in 1997.

They followed it up with their second album, Modified, in 1999, but disbanded in 2003.

The band reunited in 2013, and in 2017 released a new EP, Checkered Past.

While they didn’t achieve massive commercial success, they were popular within the ska-punk scene, and many musicians openly cite them as an influence.

Frontwoman Monique Powell’s sultry, expressive, and soaring vocals are every bit as captivating as Gwen Stefani’s, and they’re a band that fans of No Doubt who haven’t listened to Save Ferris yet should definitely check out!

RatatatThe Skints

The Skints – Ratatat [Official Video – 1080HD]

Among the ska-to-reggae bands that debuted in the late 2000s, The Skints have been attracting particular attention.

Formed in London in 2007, The Skints started out with hardcore punk and ska punk, then shifted toward a sound steeped in reggae and dub, evolving into a hybrid outfit that also absorbs UK-born genres like grime.

Their distinctive style is sometimes called “tropical punk.” A hallmark of the band is that the lead vocals can change from song to song: not only does Marcia Richards—the sole female member—deliver a wide range of vocal styles, but the guitarist raps and the drummer showcases soulful vocals as well.

If you want to explore the latest generation of British ska in the lineage of 2 Tone, The Skints are essential listening.

No HopeMad Caddies

mad caddies no hope

Mad Caddies is a ska band formed in August 1995, consisting of six members: vocals/guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, and trombone.

In this track, the trumpet is especially prominent, making it a very compelling listen.

Their live musicianship and performance will undoubtedly keep you glued to the stage.

Take On MeReel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish – Take On Me

Reel Big Fish has covered the song “Take On Me,” originally released in 1985 by the Norwegian band a-ha.

You’ve probably heard it at least once.

It’s a track with an irresistible, catchy “pa-pa-pa-pa” phrase.