Overseas ska: A roundup of must-know representative bands

What Goes Around Comes AroundCatch 22

What Goes Around Comes Around

Formed in 1996, the American ska band Catch 22 is reputed to be quite skilled performers.

This song tells the story of a couple who committed multiple murders during a cross-country drinking spree, and in the end, they succumb to their inner demons and kill the man.

BlindThe Planet Smashers

The Planet Smashers – Blind

The Planet Smashers, a ska punk band from Canada, are a leading act of third-wave ska formed in Montreal in 1993.

They released their debut album in 1995 and then toured across Canada, expanding into the United States in 1996.

Their music has gained international popularity, appearing in Japanese anime and Canadian television programs.

Known for their live performances, they draw over 1,000 attendees at shows in North America and Japan.

Their explosive blend of ska, punk, and reggae is highly recommended for those seeking danceable, high-energy music.

My TownBuck-O-Nine

Buck-O-Nine – My Town

Hailing from San Diego, USA, Buck-O-Nine is one of the bands that defined the ska-punk scene of the ’90s.

Since forming in 1991, they’ve continued to perform for many years, drawing attention with their unique sound that fuses elements of second-wave ska, punk, and metal.

Their classic album “Twenty-Eight Teeth,” released in April 1997, sold over 200,000 copies and reached the top of Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.

Singles from the album received heavy rotation on radio stations across the U.

S.

, propelling them into the ranks of popular bands.

They’ve also found success touring worldwide, including Japan, and have earned high praise overseas—headlining in Canada alongside The Suicide Machines, among others.

If you’re looking for the breezy rush of ska-punk and the raw energy of punk rock, this is a band you should definitely check out.

Tune Me OutMU330

MU330 – “Tune Me Out” Asian Man Records

Let me introduce the appeal of MU330, a ska-punk band formed in 1988 from St.

Louis, Missouri.

Calling themselves “Psycho Ska,” they’re known for high-energy ska-punk that incorporates brass instruments like trumpet and trombone.

Since their 1991 debut album Salamander Stew, they’ve released numerous works including Press and Chumps on Parade.

They made a major contribution to the third-wave ska-punk boom of the mid-1990s and gained popularity in Japan as well.

In 1998, they even released a Japan-exclusive best-of album, Best of MU330, showcasing their active presence both domestically and internationally.

Packed with humor and energy, their music is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the fusion of ska and punk.

Chase the SunThe O.C. Supertones

The O.C. Supertones “Chase the Sun” Music Video

The O.

C.

Supertones are an American Christian ska band formed in the early 1990s.

Based in Orange County, California, they are known as pioneers who helped drive the ska revival.

Their albums Supertones Strike Back (1997) and Chase the Sun (1999) achieved success on the Billboard charts and were nominated for Dove Awards, Christian music’s notable honors.

Building on ska while incorporating elements of pop rock and punk, their music is said to have influenced hundreds of thousands of people through tours across the United States and around the world.

Dedicated to spreading a Christian message, their songs are recommended for those who want the fun of ska along with lyrics that resonate with the heart.

Party at Ground ZeroFishbone

Fishbone – Party At Ground Zero

Well known for their band logo resembling a “fishbone,” true to their name, Fishbone are seasoned veterans formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1979.

Their sound spans ska, reggae, funk, alternative rock, and even heavy metal—an early embodiment of the “mixture” style—and they’re a towering presence openly cited as an influence by many bands.

They enjoy strong popularity in Japan as well: their live performances at Fuji Rock and numerous other festivals, as well as their headlining shows, never fail to whip audiences into a frenzy.

Remarkably precocious, the members were in middle school when the band formed.

They moved to a major label in 1983 and made their full-fledged debut two years later with the EP Fishbone.

One listen to the classic single Party at Ground Zero and you can’t help but smile at its irresistibly catchy, feel-good ska vibe.

Their second album, Truth and Soul, released in 1988, introduced metal-grade guitar work, bringing their mixed-genre sound into sharper focus.

Their cover of Curtis Mayfield’s classic Freddie’s Dead, included on the same album, is also hugely popular.

Although their last original studio album was 2006’s Still Stuck in Your Throat, they’re still active today—catch them live if you get the chance!

Save It For LaterThe Beat

English Beat: “Save It For Later”

With an impeccably straightforward band name that’s impossibly cool, The Beat—born in Birmingham, England—made their mark in spectacular fashion.

Because a band with the same name already existed, they were known as “the English Beat” in the U.

S.

and Canada, and as “the British Beat” in Australia.

In 1979, they released their debut single, a cover of Smokey Robinson’s classic “Tears of a Clown,” on The Specials’ label 2 Tone.

It shot to No.

6 on the UK charts and catapulted them into popularity.

In 1980, they issued their debut album, “I Just Can’t Stop It,” on their own Go-Feet label, which reached No.

3 on the UK charts.

Often mentioned alongside The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter, The Beat’s sound is distinguished by a lighter punk influence compared to their peers, leaning heavily into authentic ska and rocksteady while incorporating elements of Latin and soul.

Among the neo-ska movement, they remained the most faithful to their roots while also responding to the new wave era with a sound all their own.

Their three original albums are essential listening not only for anyone interested in ska, but also for those who want to delve deeper into ’80s British new wave.