Battle of the Bands - SKA

[Corki]

And the second category for Week 5 is Ska. Below are the nominations from the three Regiments.

The Archers have nominated... THE URGE

The Fantastically Awesome original Urge lineup debuted in 1989. Releasing 3 locally produced albums, The Urge found mainstream success in 1994, subsequent touring with 311 helped The Urge win a number of new fans. The 1995 release of their fourth album "Receiving The Gift of Flavor" was so successful that it brought the band to the attention of Epic's Immortal imprint, which reissued the LP in 1996. The band toured with labelmates Korn and Incubus, while releasing 2 more albums before calling it quits in 2001.
This was a bit of a personal choice on the part of Samurai. It was a band local to his area growing up and, even though thier style encompassed more than just Ska, it was the group that introduced hime to the genre.

The Cavalry have nominated... MADNESS

Madness! ONE....STEP.....BEYOND!

That pretty much sums it up. Madness are Ska and Ska are Madness! They epitomized 2nd wave Ska and 2 Tone in the early eighties. Ever a minor player among pop genres, Ska Bands don't tend to last long without branching out and Madness were no different. Moving towards a pop punk sound with Our House but retaining Ska as a base for their performances

From 1980 to 86 they spent 214 weeks in the UK singles charts. The same as UB40 have but in a shorter period of time.

The Infantry have nominated... FIVE IRON FRENZY

Practitioners of Denver style Ska, Five Iron Frenzy was actually a Christian Ska band with wide appeal in the mainstream market as well.  Well known for their energetic live shows, the band never had much chart success, but had a rabid following nonetheless! 

Musically, they are characterized by bouncy, upbeat rhythms, hard guitar, and tight harmonic horns.  Lyrically, they're positive while avoiding being preachy, dealing with subjects as diverse as injustices done to Native Americans, the evils of consumerism, Christian hypocrisy (not practicing what one preaches), the shortcomings of the band, and the joy of finding renewal in their religious faith.  A common thread in pretty much every song is a hefty dose of humor and goofiness. 

Everybody asks for the origins of the name, so here it is in it's entirety from Wiki!  "What's the story behind the name "Five Iron Frenzy"? Keith Hoerig: We got the name Five Iron Frenzy from a roommate of most of ours. He was kind of paranoid, and afraid that if he went outside on this particular night he was going to get jumped by some people. He had a golf club to defend himself and he said something to the effect of it being like "putter mayhem". Scott looked at the golf club he was holding, and noting that it was a five iron said, "No, more like a Five Iron Frenzy." The name stuck."

Listen and enjoy, and I challenge you to not start skanking along with the music!

Sucker Punch; A Flowery Song; Giants; Superpowers; Oh Canada!; Dandelions

There you go. There are the 3 nominations. All you now need to do is pick who you want to win (please highlight in some way or another) and go through as the Champion of Ska for the Grand Final! You have until Wednesday 11th June 2008 to make your choice!

[Corki]

Thread locked until I receive Cavalry nominations.

[Corki]

The thread is now unlocked, and accepting votes.

Please note the change in date for the last day of voting - it is Wednesday 11th June 2008.

[Talya]

No one else to go for but...

MADNESS

The nuttiest sound around.

 

[el Nyn]

I have to agree with Talya on this, nutty but good. I vote Madness.

[Uasal Arach]

Madness!!! I lived in Scotland during their haydays and grew up listening to thier music. I love "Our House" lol.

[dragonlover]

gonna have to vote for Madness like the rest

[Corki]

A group that sings about Baggy Trousers gets my vote! Madness it is!

[Taymist]

Has to be Madness, partly cos I like them and partly cos I don't know the other two lol.

[Auld Manriva]

WHOA!! Good thing that coin flip didn't choose Desmond Dekker for me 

MADNESS ...

[Myndrunner]

Oh, hands down the Mighty Mighty Bosstones The Madness is the clear winner in this category.  Why? Because its the Cavalry's choice and that's how I roll. 

[Direwolf Jon]

I'll go with The Madness.