The first record from the Boston natives “Devil’s Night Out” was a sort of party album that melted ska and punk with a deeper vocal than most had heard at the time. This one had the most emphasis on the ska genre than their latter records, but they band shifted through many points on this record, so it’s hard to pigeon hole them into just one category.
Most notably, “Devil’s Night Out” would brand the term “ska-core” as a synonymous word with The Bosstones.
For the Japanese fans, they got two extra tracks that were previously released on the “Where’d You Go EP”. The tracks were “Enter Sandman” (Metallica cover) and “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love”.
The record was quite good, and had the original, full line up of players from the Boston ska band. The record came out on in 1990, at the tail end of the two-tone era of ska, and before the mid-late 90’s ska explosion on radio when grunge died. Originally released through TAANG! Records, this album didn’t really shake things up for the band, but it managed to introduce punk/ska underground to a new style of ska that wasn’t necessarily being pushed by other bands at the time.
The 1990’s brought out of the woodworks all sorts of ska bands. The third wave ska movement has since died off, with only the top bands still playing today. Most of them stopped playing traditional rock steady and ska, but still manage to have a following, including The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, and No Doubt, just to name a few. However, for the purists of ska music from the Jamaican tradition, there wasn’t much to be had in the third wave, but out came Hepcat and their third record continued their traditional of replicating and enhancing traditional ska motif’s. The fourth album from Hepcat was called “Push ‘N Shove” and was recorded in their hometown of Los Angeles and was released in the summer of 2000.
The music on their fourth record was somewhat derivative and was more steady and reggae, which was not the norm at the time. In fact, few people even called the release ska, and by the end of 1999, no one was listening to ska, at least not in mainstream pop culture music circles. With ska going out of fashion, and only diehard fans still talking the rude boy swagger, Hepcat’s material wasn’t as well received as their third record was.
This record had a classic remake of a Brenton Wood classic “Gimme A Little Sign”, and many original songs that got two-tone fans tapping away, and new school punk fans ignoring the wager of the Los Angeles ska revivalists. Despite the innovation and rave reviews that ska enthusiasts poured on “Push ‘N Shove” the band lost it’s buzz and decided to pursue other things. The new millennium wasn’t too favorable to ska music in general, that’s for sure.
The third record from Hepcat titled “Right on Time” was released in 1998 by Epitaph records and offered an amazing piece to the third wave ska pie. It was released at the peak of ska’s popularity in the 90’s, and found a lot more appeal than their preview two records. Regardless of the timing, it would have garnered some major head turns, as it was in fact the best of Hepcat’s offerings up to that date.
Once again, Hepcat avoided being pigeon holed as another 90’s ska group by closely resembling early ska, opposed to screaming, yelling, and trying to follow up punk rocks most popular acts at the time. One must remember that the late 90’s brought forth Greenday, Rancid, Offspring, and many more pop-punk and pop-ska bands.
While Hepcat’s other records featured a mixture of sounds and styles, this record is consistent throughout, sprinkling in what made them famous on two other records, while maintaining a good sensibility and tones. It’s definitely well recorded, and quite charming through all 13 tracks.
After hitting the ground with “Out of Nowhere”, two years later, Hepcat released “Scientific” with BYO records and it became a psuedo-hit for the ska music revivalists. The band could’ve been huge with this record, since it was the sophomore record, and they were based in Los Angeles, not too far away from touring acts and a large southern California ska music scene, but instead this took the needle off of most dub records. They did something that most bands don’t do with their second record; they didn’t conform to the pattern that would’ve made them mega-stars for a moment in time. They instead turned around and bucked the trends, offering one of the best 60’s inspired ska-jazz records of the modern era of ska music. While they had an upbeat sound, this horn heavy disc was not at all like other bands at the time. While it still has that classic, southern California ska formula, it is nothing like the cookie cutter records that were getting played on rock radio alongside other modern rock bands of the mid 90’s, while people were searching for the next big thing.
Hepcat’s Scientific, features some great jazz bass lines, long horn solos, and vocals that were not running a mile a minute, but rather offering a soul searching passion and prowess. You’d swear that this was a Studio One record not a mid 90’s third wave ska offering. It’s not always ska, but it sure stays close by, and the band sprinkles in rocksteady, reggae, dub, and a slowed down swagger that is only found in Jamaican classic ska. The disc even offers one of the most intriguing instrumentals found on a ska record, and would fit comfortably with any Skatalites record of yesteryear.
Hepcat released “Out of Nowhere” in 1994 and got into the third wave ska revival that was garnering a lot of success amongst new school music fans, and rude boys around the country. The majority of third wave ska acts were heavily influenced by the British second wave of ska music (two tone), but Hepcat was different. They much more resembled Jamaican ska music and even leaned on reggae at times, and it showed. Hepcat’s “Out of Nowhere” had tracks on it that were in similar waves as The Skatalites, and the early Wailers music. What makes this record great is not so much the classic tracks, but more so the instrumentals, which includes a ska remake of the Duke Ellington song, “Train To Skaville”. This album has been touted as being an essential non-traditional ska record and it really paved a good foundation for the band’s success through the years.
This record is quite good, and really offers a “left of center” approach to mid 90’s ska music. You won’t find many other records that sound the same, coming from the same years of this release.
Today marks the release of the latest record from third wave ska group The Slackers. The Slackers is one of the most notable bands to come from the New York ska revival of the 1990’s and is comprised of some of the finest musicians in modern ska. They play traditional rocksteady and 2-tone in the vein of many of the 80’s biggest ska acts.
They issued some fine ska in the mid to late 90’s playing with all the top touring acts. Then they took a long time off, and came back strong with some great records, including some live material and much more. Two years after they released a cool cover of “Wanted Dead Or Alive” by Bon Jovi, the Slackers put out a harsh toned record as a reaction to 9/11 and a look at what was to come in the history of United States and around the World.
Political leanings aside, the band has matured through recent years and has come through swinging with some classic swagger and new ska rhythms that doesn’t exactly hit the chart, but still brings back that revivalist ska, two-tone revival that made third wave so popular around the country.
Today, their latest record, The Great Rocksteady Swindle on Hellcat Records once again tries to recapture the glory of mid-90’s ska, in an uncrowded market of ska and two tone junkies, like myself. Check out the new record from The Slackers on vinyl and cd, and if you’re going to download it, do it legally. I still buy music, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t do so. Support your local ska scene and buy the new Slackers record.
BONUS!
Check out these Ska 1” buttons that I made. They are available via the Sir Jorge Etsy Store.
Refused put out one of the best hardcore punk records of all time when they released “The Shape of Punk to Come”. I was floored when the record came out, and I loved their music video for “New Noise”. If you haven’t seen that, or haven’t heard Refused, you don’t know what music is, and you most likely are a complete ignorant baffoon.
Well, it’s been a while, and Refused is getting the special red carpet treatment through Epitaph records. They are re-releasing “The Shape of Punk to Come” in a limited edition Double LP set and a Three DISC set with special bonus disc and dvd!
You’re going to be floored too when you see all the stuff that is coming out with this set. You can pre-order it now, so don’t sleep on this amazing box set.
All refused fans are going to love this special three disc box set re-release of the Shape of Punk To Come. You can’t go wrong. Don’t download it, buy it, and hopefully they will do a full length tour to boot.
The Shape of Punk To Come (Deluxe Edition) CD Tracklisting:
Disc 1: CD Track Listing
1. Worms of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull – 7:05
2. Liberation Frequency – 4:08
3. The Deadly Rhythm – 3:34
4. Summerholidays Vs. Punkroutine – 4:01
5. Bruitist Pome #5 – 1:25
6. New Noise – 5:08
7. The Refused Party Program – 2:38
8. Protest Song ‘68 – 4:32
9. Refused Are Fucking Dead – 5:08
10. The Shape of Punk to Come – 5:31
11. Tannhäuser / Derivè – 8:07
12. The Apollo Programme Was a Hoax – 4:13
Disc 2: “Live” Bonus Disc Track Listing
1. Shape Of Punk To Come - 4:38
2. Refused Party Program - 1:28
3. Circle Pit - 2:48
4. Worms Of The Senses / Faculties Of The Skull - 5:31
5. Hook, Line And Sinker - 2:51
6. Summer Holidays vs. Punk Routine - 3:54
7. Rather Be Dead - 3:42
8. Burn It - 2:33
9. The Deadly Rythm - 4:05
10. Coup d’Etat - 5:10
11. New Noise - 4:48
12. Tannhäuser - 7:30
Disc 3: “Refused Are Fucking Dead” DVD
The Shape of Punk To Come (Deluxe Edition) Digital Tracklisting:
1. Worms of the Senses / Faculties of the Skull – 7:05
2. Liberation Frequency – 4:08
3. The Deadly Rhythm – 3:34
4. Summerholidays Vs. Punkroutine – 4:01
5. Bruitist Pome #5 – 1:25
6. New Noise – 5:08
7. The Refused Party Program – 2:38
8. Protest Song ‘68 – 4:32
9. Refused Are Fucking Dead – 5:08
10. The Shape of Punk to Come – 5:31
11. Tannhäuser / Derivè – 8:07
12. The Apollo Programme Was a Hoax – 4:13
13. Shape Of Punk To Come (live) - 4:38
14. Refused Party Program (live) - 1:28
15. Circle Pit (live) - 2:48
16. Worms Of The Senses / Faculties Of The Skull (live) - 5:31
17. Hook, Line And Sinker (live) - 2:51
18. Summer Holidays vs. Punk Routine (live) - 3:54
19. Rather Be Dead (live) - 3:42
20. Burn It (live) - 2:33
21. The Deadly Rythm (live) - 4:05
22. Coup d’Etat (live) - 5:10
23. New Noise (live) - 4:48
24. Tannhäuser (live) - 7:30
H2O is one of my favorite bands of all time. They came out with this record on Bridge 9 Records and they put out these two amazing videos, and it features anyone who’s anyone in pop punk, hardcore, and wrestling (CM PUNK). Nothing to Prove and What Happened have deep rooted messages that I for one am 100% behind. I have nothing to prove and what did happen to the music and the message that I loved?
Every Time I Die threw up one of the best records of their career with their Epitaph release, New Junk Aesthetic, and are now on the road through August playing every single U.S. city (except Moscow Idaho, where I live) and promise to blow you away.
Here’s the latest video that they released, followed by extended tourdates to get you hyped!
March 10 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 11 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 12 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 13 - Kinston, ON - Time To Laugh (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 14 - London, ON - Cowboys (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 15 - Kitchener, ON - Elements (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 16 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 17 - Iowa City, IA - Blue Moose (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 19 - Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 20 - Regina, SK - Distrikt (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 21 - Calgary, AB - The Republik (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 22 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 24 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 25 - Spokane, WA - The BLVD (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 26 - Boise, ID - The Venue (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 27 - Eugene, OR - WOW Hall (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 28 - Sacramento, CA - The Boardwalk (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 29 - Sparks, NV - New Oasis (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 30 - Las Vegas, NV - Area 702 Skatepark (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
March 31 - Tucson, AZ - The Rock (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
April 1 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
April 2 - Lubbock, TX -Tequila Jungle (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
April 3 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
April 5 - Louisville, KY - Headliners (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
April 6 - Erie, PA - The Hangout (w/Four Year Strong, Polar Bear Club, Trapped Under Ice)
July 2 - Houston, TX - The Showgrounds (Warped Tour)
July 3 - Dallas, TX - Superpages.com Center (Warped Tour)
July 5 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (Warped Tour)
July 6 - Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Warped Tour)
July 7 - Burgettstown, PA - Post Gazette Pavillion (Warped Tour)
July 8 - Cleveland, OH - Time Warner Cable Amphitheatre (Warped Tour)
July 9 - Toronto, ON - Arrow Hall (Warped Tour)
July 10 - Montreal, QC - Parc Jean Drapeau (Warped Tour)
July 11 - Hartford, CT - Comcast Theater (Warped Tour)
July 13 - Mansfield, MA - Comcast Center (Warped Tour)
July 14 - Darien Center, NY - Darien Lake P.A.C. (Warped Tour)
July 15 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion (Warped Tour)
July 16 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center (Warped Tour)
July 17 - Uniondale, NY - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Warped Tour)
July 18 - Oceanport, NJ - Monmouth Park Racetrack (Warped Tour)
July 20 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion (Warped Tour)
July 21 - Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Beach Amphitheatre (Warped Tour)
July 22 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Charlotte (Warped Tour)
July 23 - St. Petersburg, FL - Vinoy Park (Warped Tour)
July 24 - West Palm Beach, FL - Cruzan Amphitheater (Warped Tour)
July 25 - Orlando, FL - Central Florida Fairgrounds (Warped Tour)
July 26 - Atlanta, GA - Lakewood Amphitheater (Warped Tour)
July 28 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center (Warped Tour)
July 29 - Milwaukee, WI - Marcus Amphitheater (Warped Tour)
July 30 - Detroit, MI - Comerica Park (Warped Tour)
July 31 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre (Warped Tour)
Aug 1 - Shakopee, MI - Canterbury Park (Warped Tour)
Aug 2 - Bonner Springs, KS - Sandstone Amphitheatre (Warped Tour)
Aug 5 - Calgary, AB - Race City Speedway (Warped Tour)
Aug 7 - Salt Lake City, UT - Utah State Fairgrounds (Warped Tour)
Aug 8 - Denver, CO - Invesco Field (Warped Tour)
Aug 11 - Pomona, CA - Pomona Fairplex (Warped Tour)
Aug 12 - Marysville, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre (Warped Tour)
Aug 13 - Nampa, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheatre (Warped Tour)
Aug 14 - George, WA - Gorge Amphitheater (Warped Tour)
Aug 15 - Hillsboro, OR - Washington County Fairgrounds (Warped Tour)
On this Monday, I got this song stuck in my head, it’s from Rancid and the lyrics really hit me in the heart, especially the second chorus which rings in my head on a daily basis:
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
Powered by MckLinky
Click here to enter your link and view the entire list of entered links…
PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!
