While other ska acts are flourishing with faster approaches, Let's Go Bowling has been slowly but surely building momentum of its own by staying very traditional.
The current "third-wave" of ska music - following the first movement in Jamaica in the '60s and the "2-Tone" explosion in England during the '70s - has featured faster tempos than before and more mixing of non-ska styles, including funk and punk. However, Let's Go Bowling, a Fresno, Calif., eight-piece, relies on slower but equally danceable tempos and on its strong horn section - making it more of a throwback to early ska pioneers like the Skatalites.Trombonist David Weins says the band would rather play it straight than change the music band members love.
"We're able to do more things this way," Weins said in a recent interview. "What we play isn't `ska-core' or funk-based, it's real ska."
Let's Go Bowling will bring its horn-heavy sounds to the "Ska-Patrick's Day" concert on Friday, March 17, at the Utah Valley State College Gymnasium in Orem. Joining them as headliners for the show will be Bay Area-based Skankin' Pickle.
The group is one of the busiest acts in the United States, usually playing as many as 20 shows in a one-month span. In addition, Weins has been moonlighting as the bass guitarist for the current version of 2-Tone's legendary Bad Manners.
"It's the only way to keep the music alive," he said. "Word is slowly spreading again, and the crowds keep getting bigger for our shows. But we're not close to hitting the big time yet."
On top of its perpetual touring, the band has also been shopping for another record label, after leaving the New York-based Moon Records label and self-releasing its own live album last year.
"Ska really could be the next big thing, but only if it's done right,"Weins said. "Other ska bands have tried and failed because they've tried to become something else."
Other ska acts on the bill include the Aquabats from Los Angeles and Provo's own Stretsch Armstronng. The Soda Jerks, another band from Utah County, will open the show at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the concert are $7.50 in advance and are available at Sonic Garden CD Exchange in Provo, Crandall Audio in Orem and Modified in Salt Lake. Credit-card users can also charge their ticket purchases by calling 37-SONIC or 377-6642.