*Trigger Warning – What follows is a hazy overview of a beloved genre of music. Music nerds beware.
Ska music was originally conceived of in Jamaica, which is an island in the Caribbean (duh.). In first deciding to write this article, I had dreams of my wit and wisdom being able to transmit some of that tropical climate through words and music whilst we endure our frozen wasteland in the coldest part of the season. However, it seems that the scientists were right after all and all our pollution has done us the good service of removing any semblance of Peterborough winter from the table. I have mixed feelings about that, but nonetheless it ruins my plans for this piece. And maybe it’s for the best, for as we shall discover, the particular Ska in question is far removed from its stylistic grandpappy.
Around the time Jamaica was attaining its independence (early 60’s) its musical culture was also undergoing rapid change. This was influenced by many factors, not the least being American occupation providing constant access to military radio broadcasts of American music and a subsequent influx of American records.
Amongst the genres popular on the island, jump blues and R&B stand out as essential building blocks for what was to come, which is interesting as the two genres were also integral steps towards the rock and roll revolution in the U.S. When American supply of the styles began to dwindle, Jamaican entrepreneurs formed production companies to recreate popular sounds locally.
This was the beginning of Ska. The heavy rhythm of R&B took influence from a popular local form called “Mento”, in which chords are played on the offbeat. Widely known examples of this period include “The Skatalites” as well as early Bob Marley and the Wailers. During the mid to late 60’s Ska was lost in evolution to the more relaxed forms of Rocksteady and Reggae.
More than a decade later these early Ska records were discovered by British youth who adapted the quick and infectious rhythms with some early punk rock sensibilities, creating a more aggressive version.
The revolution of racial attitudes was a central theme coming out of the period, many of the bands being multiracial in spite of tensions growing between the populations. Widely known examples of this period include “Madness” and “The Specials”.
Again, a decade later we see a resurfacing of the Ska aesthetic as an Americanized “Ska Punk” genre. This style is faster with more distortion on the guitars. Typical examples from this period include Operation Ivy (pre-Rancid), the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, No Doubt, The Slackers, and Sublime. While this was happening in the States, 1994 saw the founding of Stomp Records in Montreal by members of The Planet Smashers and The Kingpins, two notable Canadian examples of the genre.
Stomp records (now the Union Label Group) have been essential to the distribution and endurance of Ska and Ska Punk in Canada, with many if not most talented acts eventually making their way onto their roster. Examples include Subb and Bedouin Soundclash. And, finally, The Johnstones.
The Johnstones are playing at the Red Dog on Thursday February 16. Are they a ska band? Yes. Sort of. I will say yes. BUT, they are also kind of a pop rock band from Ajax, Ontario with a fierce Jackass/Tom Green aesthetic. I mean, the beginning of their 80’s tribute anthem “Let’s Get Fucked Up” contains the lyrics “It’s a night for me and you, and I’m gonna end up naked, if it’s the last fucking thing I do.” Poetry. Members Ryan Long and Jarek Hardy have a well received show on YouTube (like, 800 hits) called “Pineapple Chats” where they talk about important issues alongside this middle aged longhair named Gary who, as far as I can tell, is only there to be verbally abused by the other two. Some of their wisdom has included “A tit is ALWAYS better then a tat, think about that, think about that.” and “Drugs are a gateway drug” (viewers beware the dick jokes and ostensibly satirical misogyny).
The music is completely predictable and lead vocalist Long sounds like Sylvester the Cat on crystal meth. BUT, Peterborough doesn’t get much Ska (punk), and they have a horn section, and I can’t help but think that their lifetime ban from Disneyland could somehow translate into a worthwhile live performance. So, if you have been fighting the urge to don some checked pants and dance around getting catastrophically intoxicated, I think your hour has finally come.
The Johnstones will be at the Red Dog as a part of their “Yellow Snow Tour 2” on Thursday February 16 supported by fellow Ontarians Mean Tangerine and Hello Beautiful.
