The Alphabet of Ska

you can pick this up at any stage!

Mustard would like to welcome you to a brand new series. In this series they will be highlighting a specific genre and artists that can be found within it. As a condiment they have observed that is important to know the (English) alphabet. They are not sure how frequent this series will be but they recently became inspired to start this series thanks to the following comment left by

Mia Mera

regarding the third edition of

Gabbie

’s third New Music DNA.

Gabbie knows Mustard well enough to know that they will not only defend but also promote the current ska scene. Within Gabbie’s discord they are frequently sharing news regarding upcoming ska releases they are excited about. Music (and art in general) is subjective. Ska, like pop, is a polarizing genre. Depending on who you speak too ska has not evolved since the 90s - that statement is false. Ska during this time was underneath its third wave and was its most popular. If you are interested in learning more about ska as a genre overall Mustard recommends checking out Aaron Carne’s In Defense of Ska book. They host a podcast underneath the same name.

Mustard’s goal with this alphabet series is to introduce you to bands/artists within the current ska scene. Ska is more than just a genre of music. It is more than a meme about mozzarella sticks. Ska is a working class movement and community that has roots in anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and one of unity. As humans have evolved so has it. Its roots are still in those things but now it works on promoting anti-sexism, anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia, and anti-queerphobia. Simply put; it is a genre that will not tolerate your hate.

Using the alphabet as a framing device Mustard is going to highlight some of their favorite bands/artists in the current ska scene. This scene means a lot to Mustard as when they were first starting this publication it was the ska community that welcomed them with open human arms. To this day now they still do. As mentioned before ska is more than a genre - it is an inclusive community.

They would like to give a special shout-out to The Skacord Discord community that helped them put this list together. Here are some bands within that community that Mustard recommends checking out:

A

Atlas & Oracle

Album recommendation: Greed and the American Dream

Additionally: Andy B & The World

Album recommendation: The First One

B

BAD OPERATION

Album recommendation: BAD OPERATION

C

Catbite

Album recommendation: Doom Garden

Additionally: Common Sense Kid

Album recommendation: A for Effort, E for Attainment

Additionally Additionally: Call Me Malcolm

Album recommendation: Echoes & Ghost

D

Devon Kay & The Solutions

Album recommendation - Fine: A Ska EP

E

Eichlers

Album recommendation: My Checkered Future

Additionally: Eevie Echoes & The Location

Album recommendation: The Cons of Being a Wallflower

F

Flying Raccoon Suit

Album recommendation: Moonflower

Additionally: Futon Lasagna

Album recommendation: Small Plates

G

Girth Control

Album recommendation: Life’s Too Short for Girth Control

Additionally: Goblin City Rat Boys

Album recommendation: Return to Goblin City

H

Hans Gruber and the Die Hards

Album recommendation: With a Vengeance

Additionally: Half Past Two

Album recommendation: Talk is Killing Me

I

Intensified!

Album recommendation: Hang Fire

Additionally: Indica in Decay

Album recommendation: ACT ONE

J

JER

Album recommendation: BOTHERED/UNBOTHERED

Additionally: Jeff Rosenstock

Album recommendation: SKA DREAM

K

Kill Lincoln

Album recommendation: No Normal

L

Lumpy

Album recommendation: Lumpy

M

Matamoska!

Album recommendation: Matamoska!

Additionally: Mutiny

Album recommendation: Mutiny

N

Nick and the Adversaries

Album recommendation: Confidence, Man!

O

OMNIGONE

Album recommendation: FERAL

P

PWRUP

Album recommendation: Just Devils

Additionally: Plastic Presidents

Album recommendation: Good Times Can’t Last

Q

The Quicksteps

R

Runaway Ricochet

Album recommendation: Diminishing Returns

S

Simple Minded Symphony

Album recommendation: Simple Minded Symphony

Additionally: Sorry Sweetheart

Album recommendation: 86’d From Everything

T

The Best of the Worst

Album recommendation: Better Medicine

Additionally: Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Album recommendation: SKA = Mighty

U

The Upgrades

Album recommendation: Take A Risk

Additionally: Upbeat Allstars

Album recommendation: Wake Up!

V

Voodoo Glow Skulls

Album recommendation: Southern California Street Music

W

We Are The Union

Album recommendation: Ordinary Life

Additionally: Working Class Stiffs

Album recommendation: Working Class Stiffs

Y

Young Costello

Album recommendation: Stories Told, Some New, Some Old

Z

Zeme Libre

Album recommendation: Millions

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