Four Decades of Ska: The Infectious Beat That Keeps Coming Back

Ska music, characterized by its upbeat rhythm and distinctive off-beat accents, has proven to be one of the music genres that simply refuses to fade away. With its roots planted in the vibrant culture of Jamaica, ska emerged from a fusion of 1950s R&B, jump blues, and the island's traditional mento and calypso music. As it evolved through the 1960s, it became intertwined with Kingston's 'Rude Boy' subculture and made its way across the ocean, influencing and winning over the British mods.

The mid-1970s punk explosion in Britain breathed new life into the genre leading to the second wave of ska often referred to as '2 Tone.' Spearheaded by Jerry Dammers of The Specials, this revival was akin to Motown's impact on soul and R&B. Fast forward to the 1990s, the United States experienced its own surge of ska enthusiasm, dubbed the third wave, with bands like Sublime, No Doubt, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones leading the charge.

Unlike traditional rock which emphasizes the second and fourth beats, ska is known for its 'skank' or upstroke, focusing on the 'off-beat' of the rhythm. This produces a lively bounce that sets ska apart, as famously described by Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin. Where R&B would have a 'chink-ka' rhythm, ska would flip it into a 'ka-chink' beat.

Decades of Ska Hits

By 1979, The Specials were making waves in the ska scene with their chart-busting single 'A Message to You Rudy,' a cover of Dandy Livingstone's 1967 tune. Incorporating Rico Rodriguez's original trombone riffs, the song became an anti-racism anthem and a global hit. The band's distinctive style, a blend of skinhead fashion and black-and-white mod aesthetics, coupled with the success of their self-titled album produced by Elvis Costello, cemented their place in ska history.

Moving towards the opposite coast of the Atlantic, the Los Angeles-based band Fishbone took the 1980s by storm. Their fusion of ska with funk sensibilities, as exemplified in their initial release 'Party at Ground Zero,' marked the band's unique spot within the genre, drawing inspiration from British ska act The Selector and expanding the reach of ska.

The 1990s saw No Doubt injecting fresh energy into ska with hits like 'Spiderwebs.' With its compelling narrative of a harassment by a persistent admirer, the track from their breakthrough album 'Tragic Kingdom' showcases Gwen Stefani's songwriting prowess and the band's evolving sound that earned it international success.

In the early 2000s, Streetlight Manifesto emerged with Tomas Kalnoky leading the way to a more mature expression of ska. Their debut album featured 'Here's to Life,' a song that dialogues with the tumultuous lives of literary giants like Hemingway and Camus, reflecting on themes of life and resilience.

Ska, Music, Revival