The Mighty Mighty Ska Thread

[Kory]

These guys from 1989 maybe a little late for what you are after. More rocksteady.

That was good, but a little late, as you said. I'm mostly looking for people that were contemporaries of the Specials. Like, was there a 2 Tone-influenced ska scene in Bristol that we don't know about or something?

[Marky Dread]

These guys from 1989 maybe a little late for what you are after. More rocksteady.

That was good, but a little late, as you said. I'm mostly looking for people that were contemporaries of the Specials. Like, was there a 2 Tone-influenced ska scene in Bristol that we don't know about or something?

Not that I'm aware of mate. Lots of towns/cities would've had small unsigned bands that would play live but never made a record. The UK 70s ska thing only a real short period as bands like Madness went pop The Specials changed their sound by the second album. The Beat retained their ska/reggae feel but also added a pop element. Fashion and music trends changed incredibly quickly from the late 70s early 80s. Only the bands that went pop continued to have hits.

[Kory]

These guys from 1989 maybe a little late for what you are after. More rocksteady.

That was good, but a little late, as you said. I'm mostly looking for people that were contemporaries of the Specials. Like, was there a 2 Tone-influenced ska scene in Bristol that we don't know about or something?

Not that I'm aware of mate. Lots of towns/cities would've had small unsigned bands that would play live but never made a record. The UK 70s ska thing only a real short period as bands like Madness went pop The Specials changed their sound by the second album. The Beat retained their ska/reggae feel but also added a pop element. Fashion and music trends changed incredibly quickly from the late 70s early 80s. Only the bands that went pop continued to have hits.

Oh well. At least I found the Higsons on this journey. No real ska to speak of but they came up a couple times in searches and are kind of interesting.

[Marky Dread]

These guys from 1989 maybe a little late for what you are after. More rocksteady.

That was good, but a little late, as you said. I'm mostly looking for people that were contemporaries of the Specials. Like, was there a 2 Tone-influenced ska scene in Bristol that we don't know about or something?

Not that I'm aware of mate. Lots of towns/cities would've had small unsigned bands that would play live but never made a record. The UK 70s ska thing only a real short period as bands like Madness went pop The Specials changed their sound by the second album. The Beat retained their ska/reggae feel but also added a pop element. Fashion and music trends changed incredibly quickly from the late 70s early 80s. Only the bands that went pop continued to have hits.

Oh well. At least I found the Higsons on this journey. No real ska to speak of but they came up a couple times in searches and are kind of interesting.

I saw The Higsons a couple of times live they were excellent. Charlie Higson became a comedy writer for people like Harry Enfield and did The Fast Show.

[gkbill]

Hello,

The Higsons were more a hybrid of new wave/R&B/punk (only for the speed). Their one of my "wish I had seen them" bands.



A great show would have the Higsons opening for James Chance.

[Marky Dread]

Always liked the guys. Their debut single from 1987.

[Kory]

Always liked the guys. Their debut single from 1987.

Very cool, I like it!

[Marky Dread]

Always liked the guys. Their debut single from 1987.

Very cool, I like it!

Another band I saw live early on around 1988 I think. Great sound and energy. The first album is a fave for that 3rd wave of ska.

[gkbill]

Always liked the guys. Their debut single from 1987.

Very cool, I like it!

Another band I saw live early on around 1988 I think. Great sound and energy. The first album is a fave for that 3rd wave of ska.

Hello,

Agreed. These guys are really good. I've got two albums and both are really solid.

[Sparky]

[Flex]

Hey, it's the Cherry Poppin' Daddies covering Sound System:

[Kory]

Hey, it's the Cherry Poppin' Daddies covering Sound System:

Not unpleasant, but the singer sounds like he's having some trouble swinging the vocal phrasing at the tempo they're going.

[FarawayTowns]

These guys from 1989 maybe a little late for what you are after. More rocksteady.

That was good, but a little late, as you said. I'm mostly looking for people that were contemporaries of the Specials. Like, was there a 2 Tone-influenced ska scene in Bristol that we don't know about or something?

Not that I'm aware of mate. Lots of towns/cities would've had small unsigned bands that would play live but never made a record. The UK 70s ska thing only a real short period as bands like Madness went pop The Specials changed their sound by the second album. The Beat retained their ska/reggae feel but also added a pop element. Fashion and music trends changed incredibly quickly from the late 70s early 80s. Only the bands that went pop continued to have hits.

Late reply I've only just seen this. What Marky says is 100% correct.
I can vouch for Bristol and it definitely didn't have many 2 Tone influenced bands and if they existed they didn't record anything. The main ska sounding band n Bristol at the time were the Rimshots


For comprehensive details of the Bristol music scene of the era this is an excellent website. Coincidentally the owner of the label was lead singer in the Rimshots http://www.bristolarchiverecords.com/

This compilation that may als be of interest although covering a wider era than Two Tone
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/sta ... -1989-3cd/

[Flex]

Here's a long-ish piece about No Doubt's original front man, who committed suicide at the age of 18: https://www.spin.com/2024/02/john-spenc ... bt-legacy/

[revbob]

Here's a long-ish piece about No Doubt's original front man, who committed suicide at the age of 18: https://www.spin.com/2024/02/john-spenc ... bt-legacy/

Yeah I just read this, pretty interesting and tragic. I really knew/know nothing about the band other than Gwen Stefani being the singer etc.