For whatever reason, there was a huge Ska scene in SLC during the early 90’s. I mean, 3 out of 4 local bands that regularly played gigs were Ska groups. Some of my favs were Swim Herschel Swim, Stretch Armstrong (from Provo), and Model Citizen (from Logan). After seeing so many local Ska shows, I started to become a huge fan of the genre. At first I really thought that all of the horns and stuff were kinda corny. I mean, I would totally get down to it in the pit, during a show, but for some reason it was weird listening to Ska music in my bedroom at home. It just isn’t the type of music that you would ever want to blast with the windows down while dragging State St. Hahahahah.
I soon became very keen on some of the larger names in the Ska Scene like the Specials, and the English Beat. My friends and I started to learn all of the rude boy terminology, etc.. Although, we never went as far as forming a Vespa gang or wearing checkered Chuck Taylors with skinny ties. I did at one point own a fedora, though. Okay, several fedoras. Once No Doubt came through town, on their “Trapped in a Box” tour. This was long before “Tragic Kingdom,” When ND really did play Ska music. I had one of my two run-ins with Gwen Stefani that night at their show. It was performed in a Racquetball court, at some Lo-bo sports club in Orem UT. I’m trying to remember who went with me. I don’t think that I could even drive yet. Taylor or Tadd, did you go to that one? I’m pretty sure that Gavin and Kim were there. I was wearing combat boots, 2 sizes too big. I was up on top of the pit, and they tossed me on stage. I stumbled to get my balance and knocked Gwen right onto her booty. Whoops, hahaha.
Back to the point: I’m sharing one of my favorite English Beat Songs, “Too nice to talk to.” I had the pleasure of seeing them perform this diddy live a couple of times, even before they merged with the Specials, to become Special Beat. It is an amazing track, full of Ska flavor. Give it a listen.
Note: The .M3U link will only work in Windows Explorer. I have still been too lazy to build a little pop-up player. I’ll try to work it out by the time I write the next music post.
Comments
2 responses to “La Musica Coolica #3”
I remember those local bands, like it was yesterday. Great story about Gwen. I went to one of her concerts,(Just a Girl)and she said, “Utah, you have the best snow on earth and Sconecutters.” MMnn scones.
[…] or something. It is just happens that this is one of my favorite (secular-style) Christmas songs. The last ska song, by the Beat, was a sample of British Ska. This time we are getting down to the Southern California brand of the […]