ska

The Aquabats are a musical ensemble from Huntington Beach, California formed in 1994 known for their humorous lyrics and outrageous live shows, during which the band is often attacked by supervillains onstage. Starting as a parody of the booming third-wave ska scene in Southern California (their first show, reportedly, was played with fourteen members, at least half of which were wielding horns), The Aquabats played third-wave ska with a surfy, b-movie-esque twist that set them apart from the sped-up two-tone/pop-punk mash-ups most bands of the time were playing.

Over 20 years on, as their legendary status has grown, most people are aware that Strange Tenants were the pre-eminent Australian SKA band of the 1980s. What is often overlooked today, however, is that at their peak, they were one of the most popular and successful live bands of any style. In the early 1980s, hundreds, sometimes thousands of fans - referred to by the music press as "the Tenants' army" - swarmed to their gigs up and down the east coast of Australia. Strange Tenants also did national tours with international acts such as U2, Style Council and UB40.

For the Ecuadorian reggae group see <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Pap%C3%A1+Chang%C3%B3" class="bbcode_artist">Pap&aacute; Chang&oacute;</a> Whether you’re lulled into a trance by the dark, visceral melodies or energized by the afro-inspired rhythms you will be moved, one way or another, by Papa Chango. With a line-up comprising horns, percussion, guitars and the mighty Farfisa organ, the Melbourne based 9-piece bring a modern flavour to the sounds of the 1970’s Ethio-jazz and afro-funk movements. Debut album "The Matador" released 2012.

Fishbone is a long-lived, influential band, self-described as jazzy ska-gospel punk rock-reggae. The band was formed in 1979 in the ghettos of South Central Los Angeles by Angelo Moore, also known as "Dr. Madd Vibe" (vocals, saxophones ranging from soprano to bass, and theremin); Kendall Jones (guitar); John Norwood Fisher (bass); Philip "Fish" Fisher (drums); "Dirty" Walter A. Kibby II (trumpet); and Chris Dowd (keyboards, trombone).