In music world, Ska's the limit for ending racism
by Michelle Rogerson

Ska bands Less Than Jake, The Toasters, Blue Meanies, Mustard Plug, Five Iron Frenzy, MU330, Kemuri, and Mike “Bruce Lee” Park will be at the Boathouse Friday, April 17, to raise awareness about racism. These bands will be joining forces with several anti-racism organizations as part of the Ska Against Racism musical tour.

For those familiar with ska music, this should come as no surprise. Ska has a unique tradition that has always been linked with racial unity.

Ska, an upbeat fusion of jazz and blues, has roots that extend beyond pop bands like No Doubt or Sublime.

Ska as we know it has evolved from three musical waves. The first started in the early 60s in Jamaica with the Skatalites and Bob Marley, whose ska influences later spawned reggae. The second wave was pioneered by British bands such as Madness and the Specials. By the 70s ska was associated with the phrase “2-Tone” and black and white checkerboard logo, both symbols of racial unity.

“[Ska] was founded for all races to come together as a whole,” said Vinnie, drummer for Less Than Jake. “[It’s] the whole black and white and checkerboard thing.”

The third wave is modern ska, which is still evolving into sub-genres such as the currently popular ska-core, a combination of ska and hardcore, and the newer skalsa, ska with Latin American influences.

Ska’s anti-racism message is also a foundation for The Toasters, the band accredited for the revival of ska’s third wave and the headliner for last year’s Spring Fling at VWC .

“When we founded The Toasters, we based the band on 2-Tone ethic,” said Robert “Buck” Hingley, lead vocalist and guitarist of The Toasters. “The band has always been of mixed race and we’re proud of it.”

The Ska Against Racism tour is the brainchild of Mike Park, former lead singer of the influential ska group Skankin’ Pickle. The tour was a reaction to Park’s first-hand experiences with racism.

“I choose to fight racism in the nonviolent manner,” he said.

Bob Throndson, drummer for the Blue Meanies, agrees that the tour is an alternative to approaching racism with violence.

“The Ska Against Racism tour provides a perfect vehicle with which to talk about the legacy of hatred in this country,” said Throndson.

Several anti-racist organizations are involved with the tour. Anti Racist Action (ARA), a group implementing high school presentations about racism and setting up educational programs, will sponsor an information booth at each stop of the tour. Other organizations such as Artists for a Hatefree America (AHFA), which mobilize the music and entertainment industries to educate young people about racism, and the Museum of Tolerance, part of the Simon Wiesenthal Center that features educational displays of racism in America and the Holocaust.

“Our goal for the tour is to initiate communication between all races, genders, sexual orientations, economic positions and all else that separates us as human beings,” said Billy Spunke, vocalist for the Blue Meanies.

“I won’t be hiding backstage,” he said. “I’ll be out at the merchandise area, talking to kids about racism.”