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Postal
Address: E-mail: |
Year 2000 in Review Ska in 2000 on an international scale was pretty big. Current bands continued to play, old bands reformed, and new bands were popping up everywhere. The American scene had its foot firmly planted back at an underground, independent level seeing the demise of Moonska and the breaking up of many "3rd wave" bands. In different geographies ska continued to retain steady support. I don't think anyone is kidding themselves by thinking the steady growth we're seeing in the UK, Europe and Australia will lead to huge chart success, but it is encouraging. There's shows every week, fanzines are starting up, bands are touring and the Internet is being used to spread the word. It may just be me, but I've gotten the impression that the year 2000 has seen more traditional and 2-tone influences coming through rather than the ska/punk/pop of the few years before. Although, while saying that there are quite a few ska/punk bands going around, especially in the UK. In the Aussie scene there is a large number of bands, with a large number of styles, especially in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Although Sydney's Moonstomp didn't occur this year - Brisbane's Ska Wars: Return of The Rudeboy did and was an apparent success. Oiska! made their first trip to Sydney and The Last Hemeroids toured Melbourne to name just two. My prediction for 2001 is to see many Aussie ska bands crossing borders to share the great wealth of talent with some unsuspecting punters. I
may have been a bit slow in developing my taste and discovering some bands,
but hey I'm young, but I did discover some awesome bands that have been
playing a while now. New York's The Slackers are a great band that I loved
the first time I heard them, with their traditional sound and great song
writing talents. The Hotknives, would have to be my favourite UK band
this year - with their 2-tone/pop ska sound they get me dancing to their
tunes every time I listen to them. In the Australian ska ranks you couldn't
go past The Last Hemeroids whom I first saw early in the year in Kiama
or Oiska! In the way of albums you'd have to say Hepcat's "Push 'n Shove" would have to be close to the best - quality wise and also because it could be their last. I also quite enjoyed The Mighty Mighty Bosstones "Pay Attention" although you either love it or hate it really. The Slackers "Live at Ernesto's" must also get an honorable mention. In the way of swing - Royal Crown Revue's "Walk on Fire" is unequalled and with their intense touring schedule you have to respect them. On the other end of the scale The Porkers tried to be too much like Area 7 and the Bosstones, while getting the shit paid out of ska by uneducated presenters at Triple J. The best websites this year would have to include ska.about.com, but I do get sick of those whingeing Americans in the forum. Pulped.com gives you everything you need in the way of UK street culture and www.geocities.com/skatracey is good for Aussie ska and The Sydney Fukn Ska site now at www.geocities.com/iwantsydneyska is always good for a laugh. In addition to the websites there are some pretty good zines from the year 2000. You can't go past the ever informative , all Aussie "These Boots!" (www.geocities.com/theseboots66), Melbourne Zine "Skank Rock City", UK Street Newspaper Pulped (pulped.com) and to be honest I recommend you grab whatever you can and read it, because there's always something about the scene out there. Year 2001 here we come. Glen Smyth |
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