The Consequence Podcast Network series In Defense of Ska shares its name with host Aaron Carnes’ book, the second edition of which arrives this week. To celebrate the updated release, Carnes has put together a list celebrating the ska past of some of music’s biggest names. Check out the list of 20 artists you didn’t know started in ska bands, and check back this week for exclusive In Defense of Ska content and giveaways!
Spin ran an article in 2005 called “Ska-letons in the Closet,” taking a clear point of view on the genre of ska: “There’s nothing un-cooler than a past spent skanking.” The whole point of the piece was to out several mainstream artists who had secret ska roots. There was Franz Ferdinand’s lead singer Alex Kapranos, who was in the brilliantly named ska band The Amphetameanies, and The Walkmen, who had three members from the DC ska band the Ignobles.
Of course, there was also The Bravery, who once played ska under the name Skabba the Hut. They even had the band motto “Bust a Nut with Skabba the Hut.” Now, while a tagline like that might warrant some scorn, having a ska past shouldn’t. Yet, derision is indeed the general reaction to ska — still!
Even though ska left the mainstream around the turn of the millennium, something about the genre fills people, especially musicians, with shame and dread — which is funny because the more musicians I interview, the more starting out in ska bands almost seems like a prerequisite for stardom.
As your number one Ska Defender, author of the book In Defense of Ska (order the second edition, out October 29th, now!), and cohost of the podcast with the same name, I’m here to reveal more ska pasts. But not in a teasing way. This is a therapy session where we all admit that we used to love ska and it was the best time of our lives. Hopefully, after reading about bands you love loving ska, you’ll feel encouraged to listen to more ska. There’s some great new stuff out there, and who knows, that kid playing in a ska band today could become one of the biggest rock stars tomorrow.
… Or perhaps one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors, like the bonus entry at the end of the list!
— Aaron Carnes
Host and Author, In Defense of Ska