Thumper

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.

Thumper
Now let us explore the darker, heavier side of ska. Ska-core, as it is called, is hardcore-edged music that builds around, or even overpowers, the subtle Jamaican SKArchitecture. Somerville’s own Thumper has been pounding out mind-altering music that accentuates their loud, drum-driven guitar sound. These veterans have released two (now out of print) EPs (1992’s Rabbit Wreaking Havoc and Another Day in 1993), leading up to their 1995 full-length CD entitled No One Left The Disco Alive (Elevator Music). Thumper is not for the faint of heart; if you like the soft, slow grooves of ’60s Jamaican music, LOOK ELSEWHERE! But those who can take it will see an impressive, powerful live show, complete with their famous American Ninja-man suits. Thumper is currently finishing up their next album for Elevator Music which is tentatively slated for a fall release.

Though these may be the most well-known bands outside of Boston, there are several others that deserve recognition for their contributions to the scene. While Plate O’ Shrimp, Mission Impossible, 007, and Ska’d For Life were instrumental to the development and propagation of Boston Ska throughout the ’80s, I am going to focus on ska bands that have impacted the scene in the past few years.

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.