Overseas ska: A roundup of must-know representative bands

Why Can’t We Be FriendsSmash Mouth

Smash Mouth – Why Can’t We Be Friends

Smash Mouth’s “Why Can’t We Be Friends” became globally famous through the Shrek soundtrack.

However, even before that, they were a band that played excellent ska.

The member Steve Harwell also has a background of having previously belonged to a rap group.

Anywhere You Wanna GoThe Bennies

The Bennies – Anywhere You Wanna Go

The Bennies are a ska band from Australia.

They tour around the world and are considered heroes in Australia.

You could call them a completely new kind of ska band, blending modern dance rock with ska punk in their performances.

They also reportedly visit Japan on a regular basis.

Take FiveNew York Ska-Jazz Ensemble

North East Ska*Jazz Orchestra – “Take Five”

The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, which pursues a fusion of ska and jazz, is an American band formed in 1994.

Their music is characterized by a unique style that combines Jamaican ska and reggae with American jazz and R&B—danceable yet imbued with jazz’s complexity and improvisation.

Since their formation, they have released 15 albums and toured worldwide, including Europe, the United States, and South America.

Their songs have been used on MTV, in television programs on Nickelodeon, and in a nationwide Campbell’s Soup commercial, earning them support from a wide audience.

They’re highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy both ska and jazz.

Consequential ApathyRX Bandits

RX Bandits – Consequential Apathy (Live)

The American four-piece band Rx Bandits is said to be a group with a high level of quality in every aspect—their performance as a punk-ska band, vocal ability, and originality in arrangements.

Their lyrics carry strong messages, which many listeners find captivating and become fans because of.

Burnin’ LoveThe Porkers

Burnin’ Love

The Porkers are an Australian ska punk band, which is rare for the ska scene.

“Burnin’ Love” means a blazing love, and it carries the nuance that everything heats up with your kiss.

Love songs done as ska tunes are great, aren’t they?

New GirlThe Suicide Machines

The Suicide Machines – New Girl

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, The Suicide Machines are an indispensable band when discussing US ska punk.

Even in Japan, many musicians in ska-punk-leaning bands say they started because of the band’s influence; they’re respected as legends of the genre.

Formed in 1991, they spent several years in the indie scene before releasing their first major-label album, Destruction by Definition, in 1995.

Their sound, which fuses raw punk with lively ska, made waves not only in the U.

S.

but, as mentioned, also among punk fans in Japan.

Their 1998 second album, the highly acclaimed Battle Hymns, consists mostly of aggressive short tunes under two minutes, showcasing a hardcore-leaning take on skacore.

If you want to enjoy their skacore side, the standout track Give from that album is highly recommended.

By the way, their self-titled third album from 2000 emphasizes a power-pop sound influenced by bands like The Beatles.

It’s a release where you can enjoy another facet of the band, but those expecting their ska punk or hardcore punk side should take note!

Hoosier LoveMU330

MU330 Hoosier Love

The ska-core band “MU330.” As they call themselves a “psycho ska band,” their style mixes psycho and ska.

I can’t really explain what makes it “psycho,” but since some of their songs are a bit twisted, I think that’s the psycho part.