Bright Moments Posted February 4, 2005 Report Posted February 4, 2005 i've wanted to start this thread for a while now. i dig ska and i am sure more than a few of you do too! anyway, this is the place to discuss ska, the good, the bad and the ugly! toasters, skatalites, lets go bowling, me first and the gimme gimmies..... lets cover them all! i'll start with "The Checkered Cabs" - their one release "Remember" on where else - the late great Moon ska records - was released in 1998 (although the music was recorded between 1995 and 1997. this group (out of D.C.) features a female lead vocalist named Caz Gardiner and boy can she SING!!! some great straight ahead ska here including a covers of La Bamba, Can't Hurry Love and Perfidia! RECOMMENDED!!! o.k., come on in - the water's fine! Quote
danasgoodstuff Posted February 4, 2005 Report Posted February 4, 2005 Love ska for about the first 15-20 minutes, then that relentless groove starts to drive me bonkers. And how could you call yourselves the Checkered Cabs and not have a picture of a Checker Marathon Taxi Cab on the cover? Quote
WD45 Posted February 4, 2005 Report Posted February 4, 2005 Moon Ska had to be one of the most prolific labels of the modern era. At the record store where I used to work, we had a guy that was a huge ska fan. He would make these orders with this distributor in Chicago for hundreds of dollars worth of ska and punk-ska 7"s and CDs, driving the boss nuts. The stuff would sell out in the next weekend. The kids ate the stuff up. There were a couple of neat titles on Moon Ska by the Ska-Jazz ensemble. They did some Sonny Rollins tunes and some other hep stuff. I like the two-tone stuff and the earlier, grittier stuff straight outta Jamaica. Skatallites are fab! There was a comp of some of their dub plates released a couple of years back: Quote
John B Posted February 4, 2005 Report Posted February 4, 2005 toasters, skatalites, lets go bowling, me first and the gimme gimmies..... lets cover them all! Back in the day I saw all of these bands live, many a time but, man, did I burn out on ska. Too much of the same beat over and over again, I guess. Other bands I really dug at the time were the Pietasters, Skavoovie & the Epitones, the Skunks, the Allstonians, etc... I still have a live Toasters boot on disc if you are interested in a copy. Let me know. Quote
Indestructible! Posted February 4, 2005 Report Posted February 4, 2005 At the record store where I used to work, we had a guy that was a huge ska fan. He would make these orders with this distributor in Chicago for hundreds of dollars worth of ska and punk-ska 7"s and CDs, driving the boss nuts. Hey BM et al., Great thread! I used to have a radio show back in the day ('97-'01) in New York called "The Six and Seven Books of Ska", so you know I'm definitely a ska/rocksteady/reggae fan! The Chekered Cabs! A great band out of D.C., and Caz Gardner's voice was pretty amazing for the ska world. Unfortunately, I never really dug that Moon Records release, as it didn't capture the quality of the Checkered Cabs live shows. And, Remember was actually released on Ska Satellite records, a low-budget branch of Moon... not that Moon's releases were all that "high-budget" to begin with! Check out the absolutely brutal mastering on the Slacker's "Better Late Than Never" or Isaac Green and the Skalar's "Skoolin' With..." recordings, for example! But hell yeah, Mr. Hingley (Bucket) did right by starting up Moon Ska Records!!! The idea was sound, trying to do an artists collective, and many of Moon's releases are classics of ska's "Third Wave". Their store over on Avenue B was also pretty cool! It's too bad the label had to go under here in the United States, all thanks to their theiving "manager" who embezzled a HUGE amount of money from Bucket/Moon!!! Such a bastard, that Noah!!! And WD45, was that distributor in Chicago Jump Up!? Chuck Wren sure has done a hell of a job there, and is still growing strong!!! My favorites? From the "Third Wave" (U.S. only): Hepcat, the Slackers, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, Stubborn All-Stars, (Isaac Green and) The Skalars, the Pilfers, the Adjusters, Dave Hillyard & the Rocksteady Seven, the Usuals, the Skoidats, Go Jimmy Go, Chris Murray, Victor Rice, the Scofflaws, the Pietasters, the Bluebeats, Let's Go Bowling, the Toasters, Skavoovie & The Epitones, Skinnerbox, the Allstonians, the Insteps, Buford O'Sullivan, Justin Dillavou, Mephiskapheles, Mobtown, the Aggrolites, Irie Beats, Radiation Kings, See Spot, Rathskeller, King Django (Jeff Baker).... And what the hell, I'll admit to these others too... Less Than Jake, Slapstick, Telegraph, the Broadways, Tuesday, Supermarket All-Stars, MU330, Spring Heeled Jack, Can't Say, Animal Chin, the Readymen.... Favorite non-U.S. bands (Third Wave only) include: Dr. Ring Ding & the Senior All-Stars, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Blue Beat Players, Jazz Jamaica, Rude Bones, Coke Head Hipsters (hah!), Los Pies Negros, the Trojans (Gaz Mayall).... And, saving the best for last, of course... THE SKATALITES! Going strong for over 40 years! Peace and love to those still with us (Lloyd Brevitt, Lloyd Knibbs, Lester Sterling, Johnny Morton, Lord Tanamo, Doreen Schaffer) and those who've moved to a higher plane (Jackie Mittoo, Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso)..... there's nothing quite like seeing the Skatalites live, and hearing that "10, 9, ....1 -- Freedom!" kick off the set! My first love, though, is the "original" 1960's Jamaican ska! More on that in a later post.... Great thread!!! Cheers, Shane Quote
Bright Moments Posted February 4, 2005 Author Report Posted February 4, 2005 ALLRIGHT SHANE!!!!! We have a genuine Ska Guru with us!!!! i can't find anything else by the checkered cabs or their lead singer caz gardiner. do you know of any other releases or boots? what became of caz? Dr. Ring Ding is featured on this Toasters Live in London cd (caution-not essential, for completests only)! Quote
Indestructible! Posted February 5, 2005 Report Posted February 5, 2005 ALLRIGHT SHANE!!!!! We have a genuine Ska Guru with us!!!! i can't find anything else by the checkered cabs or their lead singer caz gardiner. do you know of any other releases or boots? what became of caz? Hi BM, I'm pretty sure that the Checkered Cabs have a couple of vinyl EP's/singles out there, but I don't think anything else has made it on to CD other than Remember... I think they do have a tune or two out there on compilation CD's (Ska Down Her Way, for example), and I know Caz sings one song with the Pietasters on their Strapped Live! CD... that's a good CD to get, IMHO! I don't know what became of Caz, or the Checkered Cabs for that matter. I guess I could say the same thing for 95% of the ska bands that formed between 1995-2001, especially those that tried to capitalize on the Mighty Mighty Bosstones popularity in 1996-97. I hope she's still singing with someone out there. I'll see what I can find out! I'll check on boots with some of my friends and let you know what I can offer. Yeah, Dr. Ring Ding!!! Richie is one of the most amazing guys I've ever met! You would never in a million years link that voice to the overweight, white German man that he is! He's got some skills, for sure! WD45 - I should've guessed it was Cargo! Man, that company has distributed some good stuff over the years... especially all the punk I used to listen to when I was a kid back in the early '80s. You guys see any live ska shows lately? I'm a bit lucky here in Los Angeles, since we get the occasional show in town. And, Chris Murray (fka Venice Shoreline Chris) has a weekly gig at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood called the Bluebeat Lounge), where a lot of bands show up to play... some good times there! Cheers, Shane Quote
Bright Moments Posted October 17, 2006 Author Report Posted October 17, 2006 this is the latest email from megalith records: the toasters RULE!!! Hello everyone! It's that time of year again, it gets cold outside and the Toasters come to town to heat things up! The Toasters will be heading out for this fall's Ska Brawl tour with a nice array of supporting bands. Including The Phenomenauts, The Supervillians, Deal's Gone Bad, The Pietasters and even playing a date with Let's Go Bowling and The English Beat! Be sure to check the website out for opening band details and further information on shows near you. http://www.toasters.org/shows Also be sure to check out this years Three Floors Of Ska shows in both NYC and in HOLLYWOOD!! That's right, the East Coast invades the West Coast this November! On the Megalith Records home front, we have just encountered our first band break up. Los Skarnales have thrown in the towel, but have no fear, The Trenchtown Texans are there to pick up the pieces. What started as a side project for a few members of the band (mainly Ryan on keys and Beans on drums) has now turned into a full time effort. The band will be hitting the road in the next few weeks to take over for this already booked Los Skarnales tour! They will be performing at the Three Floors Of Ska show as well, so be sure to make it out to their shows. It's unfortunate as this was the first band on the label to enter a second pressing! We also released this album in Europe. We are sure the Trenchtown Texans will be a great replacement for Los Skarnales and we give them our full support in their efforts on bringing to the mass some Texas SKA! Look for the new Deal's Gone Bad album to be available for pre-order soon! As well as the new Hub City Stompers, The BiG and Babylove And The Van Dangos!!! Lots of great new ska coming your way from Megalith Records this fall! Ska Brawl Toasters Dates : 10/27 - Axis - Boston, MA 10/28 - Knitting Factory - New York, NY 10/29 - Knitting Factory - New York, NY 10/30 - SUNY Purchase - Purchase, NY 10/31 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC 11/01 - Lawrenceville Moose - Pittsburgh, PA 11/02 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH 11/03 - Club Bijou - Toledo, OH 11/04 - Miramar Theatre - Milwaukee, WI 11/05 - Riot Festival - Chicago, IL 11/06 - Triple Rock Social Club - Minneapolis, MN 11/09 - Sidetrack Cafe - Edmonton, AB 11/10 - Frank Sisson's Casino - Calgary, AB 11/11 - Habitat - Vancouver, BC 11/12 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA 11/13 - Rock n Roll Pizza - Portland, OR 11/14 - Wow Hall - Eugene, OR 11/15 - Tower Theatre - Fresno, CA 11/16 - 12 Galaxies - San Francisco, CA 11/17 - Showcase Theatre - Corona, CA 11/18 - Knitting Factory - Hollywood, CA 11/19 - Jillian's - Las Vegas, NV 11/20 - The Depot - Salt Lake City, UT 11/21 - Aggie Theatre - Ft. Collins, CO 11/22 - Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO 11/24 - Grand Emporium - Kansas City, MO 11/25 - Creepy Crawl - St. Louis, MO 11/26 - City Hall - Nashville, TN (Jager Tour w/ Slightly Stoopid, Pepper) 11/27 - The Nick - Birmingham, AL 11/28 - Beta Bar - Tallahassee, FL 11/29 - State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL 11/30 - Jackrabbits - Jacksonville, FL 12/01 - Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL 12/02 - Common Grounds - Gainesville, FL 12/03 - The Social - Orlando, FL 12/04 - Smith's Olde Bar - Atlanta, GA 12/05 - New Brookland Tavern - Columbia, SC 12/06 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA 12/07 - The Haunt - Ithaca, NY 12/08 - Ol' Main Inn - Buffalo, NY (w/ Zebrahead / Authority Zero) 12/09 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON 12/10 - Cafe Campus - Montreal, QC 12/11 - Central Connecticut State University - New Britain, CT 12/12 - School of Rock - S. Hackensack, NJ 12/13 - Sherman Theatre - E. Str oudsburg, PA 12/14 - Red Square - Albany, NY 12/15 - Trackside Teen Center - Wilton, CT 12/16 - Asbury Lanes - Asbury Park, NJ -- megalith recordsc/o jeremy w patton1529 sunrise circlenorman, ok73071cell 405.641.8114http://www.toasters.orghttp://www.megalithrecords.comhttp://www.jiantwebproductions.com Quote
Indestructible! Posted October 17, 2006 Report Posted October 17, 2006 this is the latest email from megalith records: the toasters RULE!!! Hello everyone! It's that time of year again, it gets cold outside and the Toasters come to town to heat things up! The Toasters will be heading out for this fall's Ska Brawl tour with a nice array of supporting bands. Including The Phenomenauts, The Supervillians, Deal's Gone Bad, The Pietasters and even playing a date with Let's Go Bowling and The English Beat! Be sure to check the website out for opening band details and further information on shows near you. http://www.toasters.org/shows Also be sure to check out this years Three Floors Of Ska shows in both NYC and in HOLLYWOOD!! That's right, the East Coast invades the West Coast this November! Look for the new Deal's Gone Bad album to be available for pre-order soon! As well as the new Hub City Stompers, The BiG and Babylove And The Van Dangos!!! Lots of great new ska coming your way from Megalith Records this fall! Ska Brawl Toasters Dates : 11/18 - Knitting Factory - Hollywood, CA Hi BM, Thanks for the update. You're right... the Toasters do rule! It's nice to see some other good bands supporting that tour as well. A great big HELL YEAH to the Pietasters, Let's Go Bowling, and Deal's Gone Bad (a nice mix of East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast ska styles right there)! I'm going to miss that 3 Floors of Ska show at the Knitting Factory here in L.A., as I'm off to see the Rolling Stones that night (probably the last time they'll play here before one of them dies, so I want to see them one more time... I know Clementine would kick my ass if he reads this!). But, I'm not too upset, because the night after (Nov. 19) is an awesome show... The Skatalites, The Aggrolites, and the Roundabouts are playing the El Rey. What more needs to be said about the "Originators" of the music... although I think they are down to only two original members left. The Aggrolites are fucking amazing (think Toots meets James Brown), and The Roundabouts are a local act... they are OK... sure wish Chris Murray was on the bill instead though. Keepin' the SKA alive! Cheers, Shane Quote
Humbert Humbert Posted October 18, 2006 Report Posted October 18, 2006 I'm a bit lucky here in Los Angeles, since we get the occasional show in town. And, Chris Murray (fka Venice Shoreline Chris) has a weekly gig at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood called the Bluebeat Lounge), where a lot of bands show up to play... some good times there! Well whatta ya know - I've played there twice with my ska band, within the last couple years. Ever hear of 1337? And by the way, the new Tokyo Ska Paradise Orcestra album is quite good, yes indeed. Andrew Austin Quote
Indestructible! Posted October 18, 2006 Report Posted October 18, 2006 I'm a bit lucky here in Los Angeles, since we get the occasional show in town. And, Chris Murray (fka Venice Shoreline Chris) has a weekly gig at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood called the Bluebeat Lounge), where a lot of bands show up to play... some good times there! Well whatta ya know - I've played there twice with my ska band, within the last couple years. Ever hear of 1337? And by the way, the new Tokyo Ska Paradise Orcestra album is quite good, yes indeed. Andrew Austin Hi Andrew, I haven't caught 1337 at a show... you'll have to let me/us know when you're playing in town, and I'll check your band out! What type of ska do you play? You are so right about TSPO's new album! They had a couple of clunker albums over the years, but they are a damn fine band. Their live shows are great... so much energy! LEET indeed! Cheers, Shane Quote
Bright Moments Posted April 16, 2008 Author Report Posted April 16, 2008 latest from megalith records and the toasters: Hello everyone, The Toasters start their 2008 EURO TOUR in 2 days... Here is a run down off all the shows, for more details visit the calendar. Also, be sure to check out all the great Deal's Gone Bad US Tour dates as well! These guys are all over the map, so go to a ska show! The Toasters will be touring with Babylove And The Van Dangos April 17th - May 14th, then with Fast Food Orchestra for the rest of the dates. Both bands have brand new albums out. Fast Food Orchestra's Urban Menu is available now, with Babylove's Lover's Choice to be available June 30th. Also, if you visit Megalith Records .com right now, you will see the workings of the new site already underway. If you wish to post on the forum, please use the login boxes at the top and request a new password for better security. The site is still under works and will continue to change visually over the next few months, so bear with us! We have some new albums on the horizon as well, looks for new releases from The Deskarats, 3 Minute Warning, Don Segundo and more, all in physical pressings, plus many many many more digital releases coming every month, such as SuperHiks, Freddy Loco, St. Petersburg Ska Jazz Review Live, RiceRokit, Toasters Frankenska, Fast Food Orchestra's first 2 albums and much more! These all come just in time for our newest deal, MVD (Music Video Distribution) has just released a 2002 live CBGBs recording of The Toasters, with these release we have sparked a deal to get Megalith Records titles into their distribution catalog. This means, in the next few months, stores all around North America will be able to place wholesale orders to get our cds in their stores! There is not a lot of ska music in the stores these days, so we hope to get some positive placement out there. Be sure to tell your local music shops to carry the MVD catalog... Here are The Toasters shows, it's almost summer, go have some fun! April 17 Belgium Bruxelles La Rotonde 18 Holland Eindhoven Rambler 19 Holland Dordrecht Bibelot 20 Holland Zandaam De Kade 21 Germany Koln Mtc 22 Germany Berlin So36 23 Poland Gdynia Ucho 24 Poland Krakow Imbir 25 Germany Magdeburg Sackfabrik 26 Ch Chur Palazzo 27 Ch Basel Schiff 28 Ch Winterthur Gaswerk 29 France Montpellier Secret Place 30 France Avignon Passagers Du Zinc May 1 France Paris La Belleviklloise 2 France Dunkerque 4 Ecluses 3 France Mulhouse Normatrouff 4 Germany Muenster Gleis 22 5 Germany Rostock Mau 6 Denmark Copenhagen Global 7 Germany Flensburg Volksbad 8 Germany Essen Zeche Karl 9 Germany Soest Schlachthof 10 Belgium Meerhout Groezrock 11 Germany Braunschweig Drachenflug 12 Germany Stuttgart Kulturhausarena 13 Germany Erlangen E-Werk 14 Cz Praha Futurum 15 Slovakia Bratislava Randal 16 Hungary Budapest Pecsa 17 Germany Passau/Dietersdorf Blamage 18 Austria Vienna B72 19 Germany Munich Feierwerk 20 Slovenia Illirska Mknz 21 Croatia Rijeka Club Stereo 22 Slovenia Ljubljana Menza Pri Kuritu 23 Italy Chiaveli Di Mortigliano Festintenda 24 Germany Augsburg Kantine 25 Germany Frankfurt Nachtleben Quote
Van Basten II Posted April 16, 2008 Report Posted April 16, 2008 (edited) One of my favourite ska band when i was a younger lad was the Montreal based band Me Mom and Morgentaler Edited April 16, 2008 by Van Basten II Quote
WorldB3 Posted April 16, 2008 Report Posted April 16, 2008 (edited) In High School in the 80's I was in a Ska type band (yes, I am old), it was fun. At the time I loved the English Beat and the Specials. Even though they weren't Ska I also loved the Clash when they brought Ska and Dub elements into their music. I couldn't stand most of the late 90's Ska revival bands at least the really popular stuff like No Doubt and Mighty Mighty Boss Tones. These days I stick to the late 60's to late 70's Jamaican stuff (I love most Ska, Roots and Dub from around that time). Edited April 16, 2008 by WorldB3 Quote
Indestructible! Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 (edited) These days I stick to the late 60's to late 70's Jamaican stuff (I love most Ska, Roots and Dub from around that time). WB3, Have you checked out these guys from your neck of the woods? They do some pretty nice skinhead reggae, and their live shows are pretty tough! I'm a big fan of the 60's and 70's stuff as well (ska, rocksteady, roots, skinhead reggae, etc.), but I do have to point out some absolutely KILLER new albums that have just recently been released by: The Caroloregians - Pum Pum Hotel: Stingers ATX - This Time Around: The Slackers - Self Medication: Dave Hillyard - Plays Hits of Jackpot: Some good, good stuff coming out, including the new Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra... and soon the new Chris Murray Combo will hit, along with an album of brand new stuff from a reformed See Spot (finally!). A lot of the contemporary/current ska, to put it bluntly... sucks! But there are some great bands out there playing the hell out of the music! I'll post more new stuff later! Good to see some fans of ska/rocksteady/reggae/dub on this board! Cheers, Shane Edited April 17, 2008 by Indestructible! Quote
Alexander Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 The only Ska I have is this box set, but it's a good 'un! Quote
WorldB3 Posted April 17, 2008 Report Posted April 17, 2008 (edited) macka fat baby!!!! Last Train To Skaville and Keyboard King Of Studio One are both ESSENTIAL. Jackie Mittoo was the coolest. Edited April 17, 2008 by WorldB3 Quote
Bright Moments Posted January 9, 2010 Author Report Posted January 9, 2010 and King Edwards was pretty cool too!!! Quote
Bright Moments Posted January 9, 2010 Author Report Posted January 9, 2010 Another thread can be found here. yes - but this is the "official" ska corner! Quote
Bright Moments Posted January 12, 2012 Author Report Posted January 12, 2012 enjoying this atm!!! Quote
Bright Moments Posted December 19, 2012 Author Report Posted December 19, 2012 now enjoying this one with a terrific cover of Duke's Caravan - called "Skaravan!!" Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.