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From: tomas@psycco.msae.wisc.edu (Tomas Charlie Willis)
Newsgroups: alt.music.ska,alt.skinheads,rec.music.info,alt.answers,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: IGNORE FAQ: Ska (alt.music.ska) Frequently Asked Questions: Part 2
Followup-To: alt.music.ska
Date: Thu, 18 Aug 94 13:13:07 CST
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Summary: Answers to frequently-asked questions about ska music.
Keywords: ska,rock-steady,bluebeat,FAQ,Jamaica
Xref: solano.community.net alt.music.ska:5003 alt.skinheads:10900 rec.music.info:4249 alt.answers:4002 rec.answers:6794 news.answers:27042

Archive-name: music/ska-faq/part2
Last-modified: $Date: 94/08/18 12:43:33 $
Version: $Revision: 2.3 $
URL: ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/music/ska-faq/part2

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              FAQ for alt.music.ska

 In response to all of those ``Isn't ska some dance form of reggae?''
 questions, I present the following historical background to the
 music we call ska, gleaned from liner notes I have lying
 about the place, various postings to alt.music.ska, and sundry
 emailings with helpful ska fans.

 This is part 2, $Revision: 2.3 $ , posted to alt.music.ska,
 rec.music.info, alt.skinheads, alt.answers, rec.answers, and news.answers.
 This FAQ is posted twice a month, whether it needs to be or not.

 This FAQ file is also available for anonymous ftp on the archive site
 rtfm.mit.edu as the file `pub/usenet/news.answers/music/ska-faq/part2'.

 Disclaimer:  I am not a musician, nor do I play one on TV.
 Neither am I a musical historian.  I do love ska music, so I offer this
 material unto the public domain.

 Acks:
        Michael Cancilla (mcancill@polyslo.calpoly.edu) posted a long list
 of ska bands that I have incorporated into this FAQ.  That list has grown
 to list over 300 bands!  Mike Fragassi (mfragass@ucs.indiana.edu) emailed
 me about 10k in response to my request for more info and is still at it.
 Thanks Mikes!  Thanks also to everyone else in a.m.s and other reaches of
 netspace who sent me info.

        Dance harder!
        Tomas Willis (tomas@cae.wisc.edu)

 -- zero to 24 pages in only six months  ----------------------------------

  The ska FAQ is now distributed in two sections.  Part one addresses
general questions and part two contains information about bands and record
labels.

                Table of Contents:
 Part 1:
 o What is ska music?
 o Where did ska come from?
 # What is _first-wave_ ska?  Second-wave ska? Third-wave ska?
 o What is ska-core?
 o What is a _rude boy_?
    o Why did Prince wear that ``Rude Boy'' button all the time?
 o What is with the narrow-brim hats, dark suits and narrow ties?  How come
        some of these ska bands look like the Blues Brothers?
 o What is skanking?
 o What about _reggae_?
 o Oi! What about skinheads?
 # Where can I hear ska on the radio?
 * Where can I hear ska live?
 o Is anyone doing ska video?
 o Are there any ska movies?
 o Are there any books about ska?
 o What are some ska-related 'zines (fan-created magazines)?
 o How do I get a ska email-based mailing list?
 o Can anyone reccommend some good ska albums for someone who has absolutely
    no clue about ska?
 Part 2:
 # What are the names of some ska bands?
 o Can I write to any of these bands?
 o What are addresses of some record labels producing ska discs?
 o Are there some mail order stores that carry ska?

 (* indicates a new section, # indicates an updated section)
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 The ska FAQ, part 2:
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q> What are the names of some ska bands?

A> (Names culled from various sources, especially Michael Cancilla
(mcancill@polyslo.calpoly.edu) and some others on a.m.s.  Thanks to
everyone who sends me info.  We now list over 300 bands!)

The format:
 Bandname               (Location) {Style} [time period]
 e.g.
 Fubars, The            (Verona) {Funky ska} [1989--1992]

 So, please help!  Send me any info you have for this little project,
 which I think will make this band list much more informative.

 Also, for bands with non-English names, I will alphabetize by the name,
including the article (`Los,' `Die,' `La,' etc.).  That is, `Les Enfants de
St. Gall' are listed under `L,' even though, in a more multilingual world I
would list them under `E.'

 [Also, there has be a request that record labels be listed with the bands
  where possible.  This is rather problematic for most of the classical
  Jamaican bands, since the great old Jamaican labels aren't so much around
  anymore.  Nevertheless, if people are interested and send me the
  information, I could work it in.]

100 Men                 (UK) {traditional/rocksteady}
A-Kings                 (New York City) {Modern ska}
Adams, Aubrey           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Agent 99                (New York City)
Aitken, Bobby           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Aitken, Laurel          (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Akrylykz                (UK) {2 Tone (Roland Gift)} [1980]
Alcapone, Dennis        (Jamaica)
Allniters, The          (Australia) {Traditional} [Early--mid 1980s]
Allsorts, The           (Australia)
Allstonians, The        (Boston) [--1993]
Alphonso, Rolando       (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Anderson, Frank         (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Andy and Joey           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Apollo 7                (UK)
Arpioni                 (Italy) [Current]
Author K and the Originals
Bad Manners             (UK) {2 Tone} [late 1970s--1980s]
Bakesy's Midday Joggers (UK)
Banana Boat             (Spain)
Banditos, The
Beat, The (English)     (UK) {2 Tone} [late 1970s--mid 1980s]
Beat Soup               (Boston) {ska/pop rock} [Current]
Beurk's Band            (France)
Bigger Thomas
Bim Skala Bim           (Boston)
Black Happy             (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) {jazz/ska/metal/rock} [Current]
Blechreiz               (Germany) [Current]
Blue Chateau            (Germany)
Blue Meanies, The       (Chicago) [Current]
Bluekilla               (Germany)
Bob and Marcia
Bodysnatchers, The      (UK) {2 Tone} [1980]
Boilers, The            (NY)
Bombassa Beed           (Germany)
Booth, Ken              (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Bop Harvey              (Rhode Island) {debateable}
Boris Gardner           (Jamaica) {Old School}
Bowler Boys             (Austin, Texas) [Current]
Boxboys, The            (Los Angeles) [late 1970s]
Boy O Boy               (Richmond, Virginia) [Current]
Braces, The             (Germany)
Brooks, Baba            (Jamaica) {Old School}
Brownies, The           (San Jose, CA) {ska-core} [Current]
Bruisers, The
Buck-o-Nine             (California)
Bunny and Skitter       (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Burma Jam               (Richmond, Virginia)
Buster's All Stars      (UK) {all-star Band with Bad Manners and others}
Busters, The            (German)
Butlers, The            (German)
Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Cairo East              (London) {Madness covers} [Current]
Camper Van Beethoven    (California) {early albums only}
Can't Say               (Albany, NY)  {Modern Ska} [1992 - present]
Capone & The Bullets    (Scotland)
Carlos Malcom & the Afro Caribs
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Carre Blanc Pour Serie Noir
                        (France)
Casino Royale
Charmers, The           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Checkered Cabs          (Washington, D.C.) {Second-wave-ish}
Checkmates, The         (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Citizen Fish            (UK)
Citizens, The
City Kids               (New York City) {Modern ska}
Clancy Eccles           (Jamaica) {Old School}
Claredonians            (Jamaica) {Old School}
Cliff, Jimmy            (Jamaica) {Rocksteady} [mid-1960s]
Club, The               (UK) {former Loafers members}
Clue J and His Blues Blasters (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Collins, Dave and Ansel
Connotations
Cornell Campbell        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Crank                   (Switzerland) [Current]
Crazy 8's               (Oregon) [1980's--present]
Crisis Band             (New York) {late rocksteady/early reggae}
Crucial Dread Beat Control
                        (Santa Barbara, California) [Current]
Daddies, The            (Eugene, Oregon)
Dance Hall Crashers     (Berkeley)
Dandy                   {Old School, original "Rudi, Message to You"}
Dave's Big Deluxe       (Tuscon, Arizona) [Current]
Deep Size               (Sacramento, California) {ska-core}
Dekker, Desmond         (Jamiaca) {Old School - Master} [1960s--]
Delroy Wilson           (Jamaica) {Old School}
Deltones, The           (UK) {2 Tone}
Desmond Dekker and the Aces
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Desorden Publico        (Venezuela)
Die Aeronatuten         (Zurich, Switzerland) [Current]
Dig This                (Boston) [Current]
Dillon, Phyllis         (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Donaldson, Eric         (Jamaica) {Rocksteady} [late 1960s--early 1970s]
Donkey Show             (Los Angeles)
Downfall                (Berkeley) {ska-core} [late 1980s]
Dr. Calypso             (Spain)
Dr. No                  (France)
Drummond, Don           (Jamaica) {Old School - Master}
Duffus, Shenley         (Jamaica) {Old School}
Durgano 95
Earth Citizen           (South Africa?) {ska/punk}
East Of Eden
El Bosso & The Ping Pongs
                        (Germany)
Elevators, The          (Milwaukee)
Ellis, Alton            (Jamaica) {Old School}
Ellis, Bobby
English Beat            (UK - 2Tone, US name for The Beat)
Erector Set
Eskarabajo              (Puerto Rico?)
Etch-A-Sketch           (Ann Arbor, MI)
Ethiopians              {old school, "Train to Skaville"}
Exceptions, The         (Detroit) {metal/punk/ska} [Current]
F-Troop                 (Australia)
Fabulosos Cadillacs     (South America)
Featherheads, The       (South Oxhey, Herfordshire, UK) [Current]
Fillibuster             (Sacramento, California) {ska/rocksteady}
Fishbone                (California) {funk/ska/metal/MTV}
                                [Currently not performing ska]
Floor Kiss              (NYC)
Folkes Brothers, The    (Jamaica) [1960s]
Forest Hillbillies, The (UK)
Fratelli Di Soledad     (Italy)
Free Cheese for All     (Lausanne, Switzerland)
                                {punk/funk/rap/hardcore/beat/fusion/ska}
                                [Current]
Free Radicals, The      (UK?) {Dave Wakeling's new band} [Current]
Freedom of Expression   (Nashville, Tennessee)
Frits, The              (Germany) [Current]
Fun Republic            (Germany) {former Skaos members}
Funicello, Annette      (Disneyland) {covers ``Jamaica Ska''} [1980s]
Gal's Panic             (Austin, Texas)
Galaxy of Prizes
Gangbusters             (Los Angeles)
Gangster Fun            (Detroit) [Current]
Gaylads, The            (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
General Public          (UK) {pop/ska, former Beat members} [mid 1980s]
Glory, The
Goonsquad
Graduate, The           {Current Tears for Fears members}
Grown-Ups, The          (Denton, Texas) [Current]
Guava Groove
Happy Campers, The      (Massachusetts)
Harry J and His Allstars
                        (Jamaica) [60's]
Heavy Manners           (Chicago) [early 80's]
Her Majesty's Secret Service
                        (Milwaukee) [1980s]
HL Syndikat             (Germany)
Harriott, Derek
Headline                [early 1980s]
Hepcat                  (Los Angeles)
Hersang and the City Slickers
                        (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Hihats                  (Boston)
Holt, John              (Jamaica) {Rocksteady} [late 1960s--early 1970s]
Hoodlum Empire          (San Francisco) [Current]
Hoovers, The            (San Francisco) [late 1970s]
Hopping Penguns         (Canada)
Hotknives, The          (UK) [late 1980s]
House of Whoopee        (Kirkwood, Missouri) [Current]
I. H. Ska               (Germany)
Insatiable              (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Inspecter 7
Insteps, The
Intensified             (Forkenstone, Kent, UK) [Current]
International Beat, The
International Jet Set   (Milwaukee) [late 1980s--?]
Invaders, The           (Milwaukee) [Current]
Imperials               (Los Angeles)
Israelites              (California)
Jack Kevorkian          (Michigan)
Janitors Against Apartheid
                        (San Francisco bay) {ska/etc} [Current]
Java Dog                (Michigan) [Current]
Jesus Christ Superska   (New Haven, Connecticut) [Current]
Jimmy Bastard           (Switzerland) [Current]
Jiving Juniors, The     (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Johnny Moore
Johnny Socko            (Bloomington, Indiana) [Current]
Johnson, Cluet (Clue J) (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Jolly and the Flytrap   (Switzerland) [Current]
Judge Dread             (London) {ska/dub} [1970s--]
Jump With Joey          (Los Angeles) [1989--present]
Just Kidding
Justin Hines and the Dominos
                        (Jamaica) {Old School}
Kelly, Pat
Kill Me
King Apparatus          (Toronto, Canada) {punk/ska} [Current]
King Hammond            (UK)
Kingstonians, The
Klink Hammer            (Holland) [Current]
Knockouts, The          (Spain)
Komando Moriles         (Spain)
Kortatu                 (Pamplona, Spain [Basque])
La Mano Negra           (France)
La Piche                (Japan) {punk/ska}
Latenotes, The          (Australia)
Lawsuit                 (California) {R&B/jazz/ska} [Current]
Legal Gender
Les Bubars              (France)
Les Ejectes             (France)
Les Enfants de St. Gall (Geneve, Switzerland) [Current]
Les Frelons
Les Giovannis           (France)
Les Internes            (France)
Les Miserables          (Massachusetts)
Les Saxas               (France)
Let's Go Bowling        (Fresno, California) [late 1980s--1994]
Let's Quit              (Holland)
Lidds, The              [Current]
Liquidators             (San Francisco)
Livingston, Dandy
Loafers                 (UK)
Lodgers                 (Germany)
Loonee Toons            (UK)
Lord Brynner and the Shieks [1960s]
Los Fabulosos Cadilacs  (Venezuela)
Los Hooligans           (Fresno, California) [1993--]
Los Rudiments           (San Francisco)  [Current]
Lot Boy Steele
Lucky Hiob              (Switzerland) [Current]
Machtoc                 (France)
Mad Cow                 (UK) {funk/ska}
Mad Monster Sound       (Germany) {ska/oi}
Madness                 (UK) {2 Tone}
Malarians, The          (Spain)
Mark Foggo's Skasters   (Holland)
Marley, Bob             (Jamaica) {Ska, then rock-steady, then reggae superstar}
                                [1960s--1980s]
Marley, Rita            (Jamaica) {Ska, then rock-steady, then reggae}
                                [1960s--1980s]
Maroon Town             (UK/Massachusetts) {ska/reggae/rap} [late 1980's--?]
Martin Dupont & His Gitane Mais
                        (France)
Maytals, The            (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
McCook, Tommy           (Jamiaca) {Old School} [1960s--present]
Me Mom and Morgen Taylor
                        (Canada) {fomerly `Me Mom and Morgentaler'} [Current]
Mealticket              (California)
Melodians, The          (Jamaica) {Old School}
Melk Them               (Switzerland) [Current]
Mento Buru              (Bakersfield, CA) {Traditional, kinda} [Current]
Mephiskapheles          (New York, NY)
Messer Banzani          (Germany)
Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Boston) {ska-influenced} [Current]
Mighty Vikings          (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Mission Impossible      (Massachusetts)
Mister Bungle
Mobsters, The           (Italy)
Model Citizen           (Logan, Utah) {Ska-core}
Monsters, The           (Switzerland) [Current]
Morgan, Derrick         (Jamaica) {Old School}
Morris, Eric
Mr. Cranky              (Boston) [--1993]
Mr. Review              (Holland)
M.S.Q.
MU330                   (St. Louis)   [--present]
Mud Sharks              (Reno, Nevada) {ska} [Current]
Murphy's Law
Mustard Plug            (Grand Rapids, Michigan) {ska/funk/metal} [Current]
My Name                 (Tacoma, WA) {punk/ska/funk} [Current]
Nails, The              (Denver) [late 1970s]
Napoleon Solo           (Denmark)
Native Sun              {Bigger Thomas}
Natural Rhythm
Neurones En Folie       (France)
Ngobo Ngobo             (Germany) {Old Style} [Current]
No Doubt                (Los Angeles)
No Nonsense             (Australia) {Nutty} [Early--mid 1980s]
No Sports               (Germany)
NOFX                    (California)
Noir                    (France)
Noses, The              (Switzerland) [Current]
Now, The                {More Mod}
Nude Club               (Switzerland) [current]
Nutty Boys              (UK) {former Madness members}
NY Citizens             {NY Citizens were previously Legal Gender}
Ocean 11                {traditional style} [Current]
Oddly Enough            (Massachusetts)
Offs, The               (San Francisco) {ska/punk?} [late 1970s]
Omnious Seapods         (Upstate NY)  {Ska influences} [modern]
One Eye Open            [Current]
Opel, Jackie            (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Operation Ivy           (Berkeley) {Sca-core} [1980's]
Os Paralamas Do Sucesso (Brasil) {skambalypso} [1980s--present]
Out of Order            [Current]
Pacers, The             (Minneapolis, was Milwaukee) [199x--present]
Paragons                {Old School; "Tide is High"}
Parka Kings
Peacocks, The           (Switzerland) [Current]
Pelukera Perez          (Spain)
Perfect Thyroid         (NY) {ska/funk} [Current]
Perkins, Lascelles      (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Perry, Lee "Scratch"    (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Persiana Jones          (Italy)
Piala                   (Japan) {rock/thrash/ska}
Pick It Up              (France)
Pie Tasters             (Washington, D.C.)
Pigbag                  (UK)
Pioneers, The           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Piranas                 (UK) [early 80s]
Plate O' Shrimp         (Massachusetts)
Pork Hunts, The         (Australia)
Potato                  (Spain)
Potato Five, The        (UK)
Prince Buster           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s--present]
PROI                    (Edinburgh, UK) [Current]
Public Service          (Philadelphia) {ska/funk} [Current]
Question, The           {More Mod}
Refrescos, The          (Spain)
Regatta 69              (Pennsylvania)
Reply
Rhyth-o-Matics          (San Francisco) {Afro-Caribbean/Ska}
Rico                    (Jamaica/UK)
Riffs, The              (UK)
Rock Steady Posse       (San Luis Obispo, CA) {Ska/reggae} [Current]
Rolondo and the Soul Brothers
Romeo, Max
Rude Boys, The
Rude-O-Rama             (Boston) [late 1980s]
Rudeness 8
Rudeness Empire         (Holland)
Ruder Than You          (Pennsylvania) [Current]
Rudiments, The
Rulers, The             (Jamaica) {Old School}
Saxawaman               (France)
Scarper                 (UK)
Scene, The              (NY)
Scooby and the Skamatics
                        (Houghton, Michigan) {Ska-energy} [1992-1993]
Scofflaws, The          (Huntington, NY) [Current]
Second Step             (New York City)
Secret Cajun Band       (St. Louis, MO) [Current]
Selecter, The           (UK) {2 Tone} [197x--1981, and current]
Shanties, The           (California?) {All-girl} [Current]
Sharp Sound Connection
Shot Black and White    (NY)
Shy Five                (Massachusetts)
Simaryp                 (Jamaica) {Old School; They do the `skinhead girl' tune}
Siz Feet Under          (Connecticut)
Ska Flames, The         (Tokyo) {New Ska in the old style}
Ska Trek                (Germany)
Skablins                (Pittsburg) [Current]
Skaboom                 (UK)
Skadanks,The
Skaferlatine            (France)
Skadows
Skaface                 (Toronto, Canada)
Skaflaws, The           (Boston) {!= Scofflaws} [Current]
Skaltere Club           (Germany)
Skandanks, The          [Current]
Skankhead               (California)
Skankin' Pickle         (San Francisco Bay Area)
Skanksters, The         (Canada) [Current]
Skanxters, The          (UK)
Skaos                   (Germany)
Skapelle                (Germany)
Skarabajos              (Spain)
Skarred By Ska          (Massachusetts)
Skarface                (France)
Skatet                  (Minnesota) {60s-style}
Skatala                 (Spain) {punk/ska}
Skapa                   (Wellington, New Zealand)
Skapone                 (Chicago) {traditional-style,
                                contains former members of State of
                                Emergency} [Current]
Skappele
Skatalites              (Jamaica; now USA) {_The_ Old School ska
                                band;, Tommy McCook, Don Drummond,
                                Roland Alphonso, Lloyd Knibbs, Lloyd
                                Spence, Jah Jerry, Lester Stirling,
                                Baba Brooks} [1964--1965, and present]
Skatet                  (Minneapolis) {old school-style} [Current]
Skatilater              (New Zealand)
Skatrek
Skatroits               (Japan)
Skatterbrains, The      (Ottawa)
Skavengers              (Boston) {instrumental ska/rocksteady/swing/jazz}
                          [1993--]
Skavoovie and the Epitones
                        (Boston) {Old style} [Current]
Skeletones              (Anaheim/Riverside, California) [Current]
Skinnerbox NYC            {The Boilers;funk/heavy ska}
Skooby and the Skamatics
                        (Houghton, MI) {Ska-Engery} [1992--93]
Skunks, The             (Washington, D.C.) [Current]
Slackers, The           (New York City) {ska/punk/mod/soul/jazz} [Current]
Slap & Tickle           (Colorado Springs, Colorado) {all styles} [Current]
Slickers, The
SMA                     (Westfield, Massachusetts) {modern ska} [Current]
Songhai                 (Spain) {Afro-reggae-ska}
Soul Brothers, The      (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Soul Vendors, The       (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Soulmates, The
Special Beat, The       (UK) {Specials and The Beat, 2 Tone}
Specials, The           (UK) {_THE_ 2Tone band, Jerry Dammers founded 2 Tone}
                                [1978--1984]
Special A.K.A, The      (UK) {a.k.a. The Specials} [1978--]
Specs, The              (California) [Current]
Sprawl                  (Houston) {ska/psycho-funk} [Current]
Spring Heeled Jack      (New Haven, Connecticut) [Current]
Spy Eye                 (Italy)
Square Roots            (San Francisco bay area) [Current]
State Of Emergency      (Chicago) {now Skapone}
Statics, The
Steadys, The
Steady Earnest          (Boston) {includes members of Bim Skala Bim, others}
                                [Current]
Strange Tenants         (Australia) {Traditional} [Early--mid 1980s]
Stranger Cole           (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Stretch Armstrong       (Provo, Utah)
Sugar & Spice           (Germany) {all female}
Suspect Bill            (Minneapolis, Minnesota) [Current]
Suspects, The           (Houston, Texas) [Current]
Swan Lake               {a la Madness}
Swim Herschel Swim      (Provo, Utah)
Symarip                 (Jamaica) {The Boss Skinhead} [1960s]
T-Shirts                (Sweden)  [early 1980s]
Tantra Monsters         (Hawaii)
Ten Cent Fun            (St. Paul, Minnesota) [1992--1993]
Tension Friends         (Spain)
Three Tops, The
Toasters, The           (NY) {pretty much head Moon Records} [1980s--present]
Tom Collins and The Cocktail Shakers
                        (Michigan) [Current]
Tommy McCook and the Supersonics
                        (Jamaica) {Old Style/Rocksteady}
Too Fat To Skate        (Lexington, Kentucky) {ska-funk} [Current]
Too Many Crooks         (London) {third wave} [Current]
Too True                (NY)
Thumper                 (Boston) [Current]
Tiny Hat Orchestra      (Seattle) [Current]
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
                        (Japan)
Toots Hibbert           (Jamaica)
  Toots and the Flames          {Old School, pre-Maytals}
  Toots & the Maytals           {Old school, "Pressure Drop", "Monkey Man"}
Tosh, Peter             (Jamaica) {Old School}
Trenchtown
Tribe, Tony             (Jamaica) [1960s]
Trojans                 (UK)
Twist Offs              (Cleveland)
Undercover S.K.A.       (San Francisco) {all covers} [Current]
Unsteady                (California) {ex-Gangbusters members}
Untouchables, The       (Jamaica) {Old School} [1960s]
Untouchables, The       (Los Angeles) {esp. earlier work}
Upbeats, The            (California)
Upsetters               (Jamaica) {Old School, Lee Perry}
Uptones, The            (Berkeley, CA) [mid 1980s]
Uptown Rulers, The      (Illinois) [mid 1980's]
Urban Blight            (NY) [Current]
Urge, The               (St. Louis) {Ska/punk/funk/thrash} [198x--Current]
Ventilators, The        (Buren, Switzerland) [Current]
Venus In Furs           (Houston, Texas) [1990--present]
Verska Vis              (France)
Village Beat
VooDoo Glow Skulls      (Riverside, California) {ska-core} [--present]
W8ters                  (Holland)
Wailers, The            (Jamaica) {originally Bob Marley, Peter Tosh,
                                Bunny Wailer}
Weaker Youth Ensemble   (Madison, Wisconsin) [--present]
Wild Kingdom            (Milwaukee) {ska/funk} [1980s--1992]
Wilson, Delroy          (Jamaica) {Old School/rocksteady} [1960s--present]
Wise, Duke              (Jamaica) {Old School}
Yebo                    (Germany) {traditional style}

Additionally,  Jay Vidheecharoen (jvidhee@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu),
snail mail me at: 1800 Engel Road #747, Lawrence KS 66045, is developing 
a ``Directory of Ska.''  Contact Jay for details.

Q>  Can I write to any of these bands?

A>  Why not?  Here are some addresses (unverified!) of some bands:

        100 Men
        18 Westend Ave
        Bentley, Doncaster
        South Yorkshire, DW5 9RG, UK
        - send "a large SASE" for `100 Men Newsletter'

        The Allstonians
        599 Cambridge St., 3rd Floor
        Allston, MAS 02134 USA

        Bad Manners
        33 Springhill
        London E59 BY, UK

        Boy O Boy
        P.O. BOX 666
        Richmond VA 23205

        Bim Skala Bim
        c/o Bib Records
        P.O. Box 441606
        Somerville, MA 02144 USA


        Blue Meanies
        Chicago, IL  USA
        Emailing List
        lmn52210@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu

        Boston Stranglers SC
        c/o Greg Woodbury
        51 Melcher Street, Apt. 9
        Boston, MA 02210 USA

        Bowler Boys
        P.O. Box 17262
        Austin, TX 78760-7262 USA
        (voice) (512) 445-7114
        (internet) allumbra@wixer.bga.com

        Buck-O-Nine
        P.O. Box 151141
        San Diego, CA 92175  USA

        Crank,
        Jolly and the Flytrap,
        Lucky Hiob,
        Melk Them,
        The Monsters,
        The Peacocks,
        The Noses, and
        Nude Club
        c/o
        Benno Riedmann
        Schonengrundstrasse 2
        CH-8600 Dubendorf, Switzerland

        Dance Hall Crashers
        P.O. Box 40219
        Berkeley, CA 94704-4219  USA

        Dave's Big Deluxe
        c/o Paul Sachelari
        136 N. Euclid
        Tucson, AZ 85719  USA
        (internet) pauls@gas.uug.arizona.edu

        Desorden Publico Fan Club
        c/o Ingrid Dreissig
        Aptdo 66820
        Caracas 1061-A VENEZUALA
        albums and other merchandise are available

        Die Aeronauten
        c/o Hipp Mathis and Michael Bugmann
        Seefeldstrasse 199
        8008 Zurich, Switzerland

        The Featherheads
        244A Gosforth Lane
        South Oxhey, Herfordshire
        WD1 6PA ENGLAND

        Free Cheese for All
        CP 1304
        1001 Lausanne, Switzerland

        Gals Panic
        P.O. Box 8717
        Austin, TX 78713-8717 USA

        Gangster Fun
        23 Niagra
        Pontiac, MI 48341  USA

        Intensified
        82 Church Road
        Forkenstone, Kent
        CT20 3EN, ENGLAND

        The Invaders
        3731 S. 56th St.
        Milwaukee, WI 53220

        Janitors Against Apartheid
        P.O. Box 700692
        San Jose, Ca 95170
        worster@cheshire.oxy.edu

        Jump With Joey
        1565 Labaig Ave.
        Hollywood, CA  90028

        Les Enfants de St. Gall
        1-3 rue Lissignol
        1201 Geneve, Switzerland
        022-738 99 34/022-346 82 47

        Los Hooligans
        c/o Tony Luna
        (209) 226-8618

        Mephaskapheles
        P.O. Box 1068
        New York, NY 10009
        (voicemail) (212) 780-3426
        (internet) brendog@panix.com

        Model Citizen
        c/o Steve Pervis
        1100 North 106 West #4
        Logan, UT 84321  USA
       (On Unity Squad Records)

        Mr. Review
        Postbus 315
        1270 AH Huizen  HOLLAND
        (may be obsolete)

        Mustard Plug
        P.O. Box 1440
        Grand Rapids, MI 49501
        (616) 774-7152 (Dave)

        No Sports
        Bernd Schelling Harmony
        304 Georgetown, TX 78626 USA
        voice (512) 863 0948
        fax   (512) 863 2026
        (This is the US contact address.)

        The Pacers
        <6442 W. Pierner Place>
        <Milwaukee, WI  53223 USA>
        The Pacers have recently relocated to Minneapolis.
        (612) 625-4932

        Skablins
        c/o Jump Up Records
        P.O. Box 1721
        York, PA 17405

        Skankin' Pickel
        c/o Gerry Lundquist
        3827 Mabel Ave.
        Castro Valley CA 94546 USA
        gerry@gakhaus.attmail.com

        Skapone
        1327 Parkside
        Park Ridge, IL 60068

        The Skunks
        (202) 728-SKA1

        Skinnerbox
        c/o Stubborn Records
        504 Grand Street #F52
        New York, NY 10002 USA

        SMA
        33 Atwater Street
        Westfield, MA 01085 USA
        [Shining Path Records]

        Sprawl
        2140 Lexington
        Houston, TX  77098 USA

        Spring Heeled Jack
        PO Box 382
        Monroe, CT 06468  USA
        (203)268-4886

        Stretch Armstrong
        c/o Bob Walter
        2255 N. University Pkwy #15
        Provo, UT 94604

        Ten Cent Fun
        c/o Jesse Miner
        1588 Dayton Ave. #10
        St. Paul, MN 55104 USA
        (612) 645-3630
        jminer@macalstr.edu
        (Ten Cent Fun has broken up.)

        Thumper
        62 Powderhouse Blvd.
        Somerville, MA 02144 USA

        Tiny Hat Orchestra
        P.O. Box 4652
        Seattle, WA 98704-4652 USA

        Too Fat To Skate
        c/o Eric Little
        632 Pasadena Dr.
        Lexington, KY 40503 USA
        (internet) plunney@macalstr.edu

        The Urge
        Patrick Hagin
        c/o Pagan Music Agency
        P.O. Box 13282
        St. Louis, MO 63137
        (314) 963-1015
        fax (314) 963-9233

        The Ventilators
        Postfach 21
        3294 Buren a.A. Switzerland
        0-32-811-973

        Voodoo Glow Skulls
        6871 Eagle Rock Dr
        Riverside, CA 92505 USA

        Weaker Youth Ensemble
        c/o John Powell
        Madison, WI 5370x USA
        powellj@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu


Q> What are addresses of some record labels producing ska discs?

A> The following list is by no means exhaustive, merely based on the
things lying about my house and recent postings to alt.music.ska.
I have not made any effort to verify these addresses.

        Beat Hotel Records
        3022 W. 12 Mile Road
        Berkley, MI 40872 USA
        (313) 544-2485

        Bondage International
        17, Rue de Montreuil, 75011 Paris  FRANCE

        BIB Records
        c/o Bim Skala Bim
        P.O. Box 441606
        Somerville, MA 02144 USA

        Capitol/EMI Latin
        (Several of the So.American/Spanish groups can be
         found in the "Latin" or "World" music sections of
         larger record stores, released by this label.)

        Check Records
        P.O. Box 3042
        London  NW5  1EQ  UK
        Tel 071-281-5690

        Dojo Limited (UK)
        P.O. Box 157
        Sittingbourne
        Kent, ME10 3SD  UK
        (Modern European ska compilations; recent releases of Desmond Dekker;
         bluebeat compilations; remastering Prince Buster; more)

        Jump Up! Records
        c/o Chuck Wren
        4409 1/2 Greenview #2W
        Chicago, IL 60640  USA
        (``American Ska-thic,'' a compilation of Midwest US ska is
         scheduled for release 1 December 1993).

        Heartbeat
        Poli-Rhythm, Ltd.
        One Camp Street
        Cambridge, MA 02140  USA

        Mango (UK/US - a division of Island)
        14 East 4th Street
         New York, NY 10012  USA
       (Has many Jamaican ska compilations, and
         some recent albums from the "old school", like Toots Hibbert.
         Like Capitol/EMI Latin, this label should be easily found in the
         reggae section of any large record store.)

        Moon Records
        P.O. Box 1412
        Cooper Station
        New York, NY 10276  USA
        (201) 857-7044
        (fax) 857-7160

        Next Step (UK - formerly Rhythm Foundation)
        15 Trilleck Ave.
        Hereford, HR2 7HX  UK
       (Modern - including Japan's Ska Flames - and classics compilations.)

        Pork Pie Records
        Forster St. 4/5
        1000 Berlin 36 GERMANY
       (No Sports, Fun Republic, The Frits, other German & European bands)

        Raw Energy Records
        65 Front St. West
        Suite 0116-42
        Toronto, Ontario M5J 1E6 CANADA
       (Public Service, King Apparatus)

        Rhino Records
        2225 Colorado Avenue
        Santa Monica, CA 90404-3555 USA
        Toll-free number: 1-800-432-0020

        Rounder Records
        Cambridge, MA  USA

        Signal Sound System Records
        c/o Greg McWhorter
        P.O. Box 1861
        Victorville, CA 92392 USA
       (carries Voodoo Glow Skulls)

        Square Records
        P.O. Box 1926
        Harvard Square Station
        Cambridge, MA 02238 USA

        Step-1
        P.O. Box 201
        Talding, Kent
        ME18 6HF

        Stubborn Records
        504 Grand St. #F52
        New York, NY  10002 USA

        Trojan (UK)
        Iwyman House 34
        39 Camden Road
        London NW1 91E UK
        FAX: 071 267 6746
       (A classic blue beat label. Send SASE for catalog.)

        Tudor Rock
        Badenerstrasse 531
        CH-8048 Zurich Switzerland
        01-491 72 50
        FAX: 01-493 45 74

        Unicorn Records
        191 Seven Sisters Road
        Finsbury Park
        London N4 3NG  UK
        01-281 2821
       (Unicorn is now defunct.)

        Unicorn France
        11 allee J.-B. Clement
        78570 Andresey  FRANCE
       (Unicorn is now defunct.)

        Unicorn Deutschland
        P\"ucklerstrasse 22
        1000 Berlin 36  GERMANY
       (Unicorn is now defunct.)

        Weser Label
        Am Fuchsberg 2
        2800 bremen, 21 GERMANY

Q> Are there some record stores that carry ska?

A> Some record stores that specialize in ska or at least have a decent stock:
   (Many of these stores will do mail order.  Call or send a SASE first.)

        Better Days Records
        1591 Bardstown Rd.
        Louisville, KY 40205 USA
        (502) 456-2394

        Boudisque
        Amsterdam (The NETHERLANDS)

        CD Bar
        Toronto, Ontario  CANADA
        (800) 663-1616
        Does lots of mail order business.

        CD Research
        407 G St.
        Davis, CA USA
        [Carries quite a bit of ska and will special order anything.
         You can also listen to a CD before you buy it.]

        Coxsone's Music City
        3135 Fulton St.
        Brooklyn, NY  11208 USA
        Phone:  (718) 277-4166
        [Clement `Coxsone' Dodd is the original ska producer.
          They seem to keep ska behind the counter, so
          you will have to ask for it.]

        Daddy Kool
        9 Berwick Street
        London W1v 3rg  UK
        Tel 071-437-3535

        Dr. Strange Records
        P.O. Box 7000-117
        Alta Loma, CA 91701  USA
        (Lots of hardcore, punk and thrash, some ska)

        The Face
        24 Granton Street
        London W1V 1LA  UK
        Tel 071 734-5868
        Fax 071 2878723

        Inbred Records
        2704 Hunt Club Lane
        Orlando, FL 32826  USA
        (Send SASE or email for free catalog)
        Craig Mazer (ind00116@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu)

        iNFINITY nETWORK
        c/o Backstreet Abortions
        P.O. Box 51465
        Raedene 2124, Johannesburg  SOUTH AFRICA
        (These guys are mail-order only.  They carry hardcore bands with
         [anti-fasist] political content to their lyrics, and some ska-core.)

        Moon Records
        P.O. Box 1412
        Cooper Station
        New York, NY 10276 USA
        (201) 857-7044
        (fax) 857-7160
        [Moon also does mail order business.  Send a SASE for
         catalog/newsletter.  These guys just started carrying
         more German stuff and are working on getting exciting
         old Jamaican wax from Coxsone!]


        RAS Records Mailorder
        P.O. Box 42517
        Washington DC 20015 USA
        (301) 588-5135
        [RAS records has a big catalog with ska and rock-steady:
         Ask for Charlie or Smitty.]

        ROIR
        611 Broadway, Suite 411
        New York, NY 10012  USA
        (212) 477-0563.

        Roundup Records
        P.O. Box 154, Dept. HB
        N. Cambridge, MA  02140  USA
        (800) 44-DISCS
        [Carries Heartbeat titles and maybe more.]

        Smash Records
        Constitution Ave.
        Washington, DC  USA

        Stubborn Records
        504 Grand St. #F52
        New York, NY  10002

        Taaang Records
        Cambridge, MA USA
        (great selection, but pricey)

        Vinyl Ink
        Silver Spring, MD  USA

        Wax Trax (Denver)
        Denver, Colorado USA

        WOM
        Munich, GERMANY

Recommended Reading:
        The liner notes to [SB] are particularly rich, with extensive text
and great photographs.  Also, the notes for [C25] and [DD] are quite
informational.

        Also, check into the alt.skinheads and rec.music.reggae Usenet
groups for related topics.

        There is a glossary of Jamaican terms and idioms in the book ``The
Harder They Come'', by Michael Thelwell (Grove Press, NY, or Pluto Press,
London, 1980).  More etymological information is available in ``Dictionary
of Jamaican English, by F.  G.  Cassidy and R.  B.  Le Page (Oxford
University Press).

Cited Sources:
[SB] ``Ska Bonanza: The Studio One Years,'' Various Artists, Heartbeat
        CD: HB 86/87, (1992).  Liner notes by Julian Jingles (JJ) and
        Chris Wilson (CW).
[C25] ``Celebration: Twenty Five Years Of Trojan Records,'' Various Artists,
        Trojan Records CDTRD 413, (1991).  Liner notes by Laurence
        Cane-Honeysett.
[DD] ``The Best of Desmond Dekker: Rockin' Steady,'' Desmond Dekker,
        Rhino Records R2 70271, (1992).  Liner notes by Harry Young.
[LL] ``Labour of Love,'' UB40, Virgin/A&M Records, CD4980, (1983).
       Liner notes by the band.
[HSBR] ``The History of Ska, Blue Beat and Reggae,'' Various Artists,
        Esoldun S.A.R.L./Blue Beat REG 101, (1992).  Liner notes by
        Delroy Sion Eccles.
[TKS] ``Two Knights of Ska: Derrick and Laurel,'' Derrick Morgan and
        Laurel Aitken, Unicorn Records PHZD-61, (1992).  Liner notes
        anonymous.
[RAR] ``Rasta and Resistance,'' by Horace Campbell, Africa World Press,
        Inc., P.O. Box 1892, Trenton, New Jersey 08607, USA, (1987).
[RPM] ``RPM'' A Ska museletter.  (See the fanzine section.)

Uncited Sources:
[AMS]  alt.music.ska, various postings. This has become the largest source
        of info for this FAQ.

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