Overseas ska: A roundup of must-know representative bands

New BloodJeremiah Ferrari

Jeramiah Ferrari – New Blood [Official Music Video 1080p HD]

The buzzworthy ska tune by the young indie reggae-pop band from the UK, Jeramiah Ferrari.

Among fans, it’s highly praised for its outstanding vocal quality and exceptional rock crossover sensibility.

It might just be a matter of time before they’re known worldwide.

Break Your Ankle PunkMephiskapheles

Mephiskapheles Official Music Video – Break Your Ankle Punk (1998)

Formed in New York’s East Village in 1991, ska band Mephiskapheles defined modern ska with their dark, original ska-fusion sound.

Their 1994 debut album, God Bless Satan, was licensed by Moon Ska Records and reached a wide audience.

In 1995 they embarked on a nationwide tour, and the following year they stayed active with three hit singles in Hawaii.

In 1997 they released the jazz-influenced album Maximum Perversion.

Since then, they’ve continued to draw attention with a style that fuses reggae, hardcore, and metal.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore a new form of dark, melodic ska.

SpiderwebsNo Doubt

No Doubt – Spiderwebs (Official Music Video)

No Doubt achieved worldwide success in the 1990s by mixing ska punk with a variety of genres through their own unique sensibility.

Their frontwoman, Gwen Stefani, is hugely popular as a solo artist as well, and because she’s known to be very fond of Japan and is well-loved there, many people might know Gwen even if they’re not familiar with No Doubt.

No Doubt was formed in 1986, originally centered around Gwen and her older brother, Eric Stefani.

After a few lineup changes, Adrian Young joined in 1989, and in 1994 Eric left the band, giving rise to the widely known four-piece lineup of No Doubt.

They spent a long time struggling without much commercial success, but finally broke through with their third album, Tragic Kingdom, released in 1995.

Gwen’s instantly recognizable vocal—sultry yet cute—and the band’s rock-solid ensemble produced pop-leaning songs grounded in ska and punk, with consistently strong results across the album.

For many rock fans, this might have been their first introduction to “ska.” From a ska perspective, I’d also highly recommend their 2001 album Rock Steady, which, as the title suggests, shows a strong affinity for reggae and ska.

But if you’ve never listened to No Doubt before, Tragic Kingdom is definitely the best place to start!

Would You Be Impressed?Streetlight Manifesto

“Would You Be Impressed?” By Streetlight Manifesto (Official Music Video)

Streetlight Manifesto is a ska punk band from New Jersey, USA.

Since their formation in 2002, they have continued to win over a passionate following with their distinctive style.

From their 2003 debut album, Everything Goes Numb, to Somewhere in the Between, their music is rooted in ska while incorporating diverse elements such as punk and indie rock, resulting in a compelling sound.

In 2010, they released 99 Songs of Revolution: Vol.

1, taking on a musical challenge by covering songs from other artists.

With energetic, catchy tracks and the vibrant flair of their horn section, their music appeals not only to ska punk fans but also to anyone looking to discover something new.

Brain DamageBim Skala Bim

Bim Skala Bim – “Brain Damage”

Bim Skala Bim, a Boston-based ska band formed in 1983, is known for its diverse musical styles.

As a key player in the third-wave ska revival, they are recognized for their pop/rock, punk/new wave, and ska revival sound.

Despite numerous lineup changes from their early years to the present, they have maintained a stable fan base.

They have released numerous studio albums, with the album “Bones” regarded as a historic work in Boston’s music scene.

The band has won multiple awards, including the Boston Music Award, and remains an important presence in the American ska scene.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to fully experience the appeal of ska.

She’s KeroseneThe Interrupters

The Interrupters – “She’s Kerosene”

Among the ska-punk bands that debuted in the 2010s, one of the most talked-about is The Interrupters.

In 2021, many people may have discovered them when their cover of Billie Eilish’s hit “Bad Guy” was featured in a Honda CIVIC commercial.

Fronted by the captivatingly husky-voiced Aimee Allen, the four-piece includes Kevin Bivona—who has toured and worked as an engineer with bands like Rancid and Transplants—and his brothers.

They’re a band whose talent and potential were recognized by none other than Tim Armstrong, Rancid’s charismatic frontman.

Since their album debut in 2014, they’ve steadily built popularity and name recognition through relentless live shows, releasing albums every two years.

The music video for “She’s Kerosene,” the lead single from their third album, Fight the Good Fight (2018), had surpassed 20 million views as of 2022, drawing significant attention.

In 2019, they delivered a fervent live performance on the grand stage of Summer Sonic, which was released in both audio and video as LIVE IN TOKYO! If you want to get to know their appeal—melodic yet powerful songs that blend ska, punk, and rock ’n’ roll with a touch of wistful melody—starting with this release might be a great idea.

Toop ToopCassius

Cassius – Toop Toop

“Toop Toop” by Cassius, a trio band from France, is an innovative ska-inspired tune that only a French house/indie dance duo-unit could deliver.

The placement of the programmed beats and the bassline make it a very satisfying track.