Look for any and all bands on the Moonska Records Label, and indie ska label. Favorites include Skoidats, and Edna’s Goldfish. Also, Aquabats RULE! * The ska Pa-RAAAAAADE! *They rock.
Pretty much all the bands that have been listed are good.
Tidbit: Fredrick Hibbert (AKA “Toots” of Toots and the Maytals) coined the term “reggae” around the late 1950’s (1959?) so Ska definately came first.
And just to let some of you guys know (bragging :D) I had the chance not long ago to see Neville Staple of Specials fame play with his new band ‘The Hitmen’ and I actually got to meet him after the show! He’s an extremely nice guy, i talked to him for like 15 minutes just shooting the shit. They played mostly old specials tunes but they also played a few of their new songs and they were awesome. The album isnt out yet but if you want to here some reeeeeeeeeeeeally good samples go check them out at http://www.nevillestaple.com
As for a good compilation of newer ska, check out ‘hey brother, can you spare some ska?’ on vegas records.
For starters, check out this thread.
And of all the new stuff, Hepcat and The Slackers are where it’s at.
THE CHINKEES (Awesome)
Less Than Jake
Hepcat
Potshot is supposed to be good.
Stinkfish
Spring Heeled Jack
ECP
I’m gonna say the progression in Jamaica went from mento to rocksteady to ska to reggae to dancehall.
For old ska, I would recommend you get ahold of some of the “Best of Studio One” CDs. There are at least three of them, and they are great compilations. Don Drummond, et al.
- Jill
Another couple of good ska comps are Skanarchy Vols. 1 & 2.
I dj a local ska night in town. I must say I prefer the old school stuff so these may not appeal to a DHC fan but FWIW here’s a list of 10 of my personal faves:
- Toots & the Maytals
- Robustos
- Stubborn Allstars
- Slackers
- Hepcat
- Dr. Ring Ding & the Senior Allstars
- Floyd Lloyd
- Insteps
- Justin Hinds
- Deal’s Gone Bad
I must say though, there is so much stuff out there that you’re better off buying a couple of comps and seeing what you like. Unfortunately with the ska ‘boom’ a couple of years ago a lot of marginal bands are out there. It just takes some time to wade through it. Also, you might want to check out http://ska.about.com for more info.
You should check out “Moonshot,” which is a compilation put out by the (recently folded) ska label Moon Ska Records. It has a lot of the bands mentioned already, and I really enjoy all the songs on it. Good stuff.