The Allstonians

When people think of Boston music, it’s usually the J. Geils Band, The Cars, or Aerosmith that spring to mind. What many people aren’t aware of is that Boston is home to the most prolific ska scene in the nation today. Sure, California has a great scene, but the state is huge! New York City has a big scene, but Boston still has a much higher ska-per-capita ratio. We can boast several nationally known ska bands that have helped put Boston Ska on the map. Our biggest ska export: the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who just released their sixth full-length CD, Let’s Face It. People who don’t know what ska is (see sidebar), or for that matter, don’t consider the Bosstones ska, now hear the word ska thrown around thanks to their hit song “The Impressions That I Get” getting splashed all over radio and MTV. For those with an interest in or some knowledge of ska, you know that Boston is home to Bim Skala Bim, The Allstonians, Skavoovie & The Epitones and Thumper. These bands have had an enormous impact in the ska community that reaches far beyond route 128. Each band sports at least one full-length CD (Bim has seven) and has scored no fewer than eight appearances on national ska compilations.

For best results, experience ska live! The most challenging part of recording ska is capturing the energy, excitement, fun, and karma that can only be experienced at a live show. Luckily for all the fans, Skavoovie spent four months last year on the road and this year they expect to spend six months touring the States. Bim has been to Europe three times, and Thumper just recently returned from a three-week tour of the Eastern US with another planned for June. As many will tell you, the live show is what makes a good ska band great. So let’s take a look at several Boston bands, their backgrounds and immediate future in Boston Ska.

The Allstonians
When it comes down to heart and soul and the love of ska, these guys have got to be first. Fronted by the two Knucklehead brothers (Nigel [keyboards] and King [vocals]), the Allstonians’ old skool style brings happiness to all who cross their path. With the thorough exploration of hundreds of old Jamaican records etched in their minds, The Allstonians captured those elements and presented them with stunning results on their 1994 full-length CD Go You! (Moon Ska). This June will mark the arrival of their long-awaited sophomore effort, The Allston Beat (Moon), with 15 tracks that usher in a new edge that fans will embrace as a welcome growth. Shouldering nearly half the songwriting burden, Nigel relies on personal experiences in such songs as “Brighton Memories” and “Six Years,” and creates graceful instrumentals like “Alex Beam,” named for a Boston Globe columnist. With many of the lyrics and feelings from both albums rooted in the neighborhoods of Boston, it provides another good argument that Allston is, in fact, the center of the Boston, nay, the World’s music scene. Together, the band members have had over three decades of ska experience, most notably in Mr. Cranky (a highly influential late ’80s band), Steady Earnest, The Hi Hats and Skavoovie & The Epitones. The powerful horn section not only drives the solid rhythm section, but also claims a few writing credits, such as “Jimmy,” about a self-centered individual and one of the catchiest instrumentals of late: “Can’t Say.”

Want to learn more about Boston ska? Visit www.bostonska.com and sign up for the Boston Ska Emailing list (or send an email to sub@bostonska.com). The emailing list is sent out weekly with the latest information about what Boston’s ska bands are doing, as well as what shows will be heading toward Boston.