Ska nostalgia/ regionalism

Greetings internet, Sean here;

We're in the arduous process of getting our next record mixed and mastered. Dr. Christopher Valyou PhD (Dr. V!) is hard at work on the artwork. Come back soon for crucial updates on a what will be very important record for Twenty-Eleven. While you're here don't forget to check out the free music downloads! In the meantime, I've been listening to a lot of my old Ska records:

I found Ska music (or maybe Ska music found me) in 1995 with two kick-butt Boston bands, Steady Earnest and The Mighty Mighty BossTones.

First off, is Steady Earnest's outstanding record Out of Line. This band featured Dan from Bim Skala Bim on vocals and some of the guys from the Allstonians and played up-tempo soulful horn-ey Ska. They sound a bit like Bim, just not as cheesy and lack Vinny's trombone (this is a good thing). Here's a great video from '94 (so many goatees...) with the 1st track off that record, "Off and Running":

They put out a solid ep (Take it, Take it, TAKE IT feat. the awesome songs "Skin it Up"- ("and pass it 'long the way..."- this one's for you, Chris) and "Take you to the Ball") and another full-legth (Dr. Earnest's Nerve Steadying Spirits), both great, but neither as great as Out of Line.

Next up, the BossTones's 1st record Devil's Night Out. What can I say, a major, major influence for my guitar style; Seriously awesome, totally original mash up of American hardcore, heavy metal, punk rock, Jamaican reggae, and 2-Tone Ska- all plaid suits, Doc Marten's, tight goatees, chubby dudes (except Johnny Vegas!), and noise noise noise! Here's a totally cruddy '91 show video featuring one of my favorite songs, "Cowboy Coffee" from their 2nd record More Noise & Other Disturbances:

Obviously these guys from Boston hit it big in the later 90's. These days they're still making records (Guitarist Nate Albert left a coupla records ago), and there is some really great music there. For my money, you can't beat the early stuff so I'd start there if you want to get your mind fucking exploded.