5 Reggae Ska Bands Like Sublime
Five reggae ska bands like Sublime are bound to deliver a wide melange of musical fusion. Sublime was certainly one of the most popular ska punk bands of their time. Their genre-blending mash-up style incorporated elements of dub, reggae, ska, punk rock, dancehall, and rock. Sublime is credited with reviving interest in ska, but they were not alone. A number of reggae ska bands like Sublime existed prior and some continue to kick out the jams to this day.
- The Clash - The Clash, formed in 1976, were part of the original wave of British punk. Often cited as the best punk rock band of all time, their music also heavily incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance and rockabilly. The Clash disbanded in early 1986, but generations of musicians followed in their wake of musical fusion. Any list of five reggae ska bands like Sublime must necessarily begin with the Clash.
- Madness - Madness are a British band from London, originally formed in 1976. One of the most prominent late-1970's ska revival bands, their fusion of pop with ska found commercial success in the early 1980's. Again, no list of reggae ska bands like Sublime would be complete without a little Madness.
- The Specials - An English ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, their music combines ska, a rocksteady beat, and punk rock's attitude. The Specials had a more focused political and social message than most other ska acts. Their influence on Sublime is clear, and their fusion of other forms with ska is a tie that binds.
- Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Much like Sublime, The Bosstones are considered a core member of the third wave of ska. They formed in 1983 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The band is credited with the creation of the ska-core genre, incorporating ska and hardcore punk. They reunited in the fall of 2007 and have continued to tour and record since. Less influenced by reggae, ska bands like Sublime must include their contemporaries,The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
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Fishbone - The band Fishbone was formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, and they have delivered a consistent fusion of ska, punk rock, and funk metal ever since. Fishbone hails from the same Los Angeles scene that gave birth to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction, but their cross-pollination with Sublime is unmistakable. Any list of five reggae ska bands like Sublime without Fishbone is simply impossible to imagine.
Posted on: Oct. 12, 2010















