Ska's music's return to popularity was inevitable.
The faster, more danceable forefather of reggae, ska flourished in Jamaica in the 1960s and as 2-Tone - a faster hybrid that included R&B and punk-rock styl-ings - it thrived in England in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Ska is currently enjoying its rebirth in the United States, with former underground acts No Doubt, Dance Hall Crashers and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones playing larger and larger shows.Independent-label bands like Skankin' Pickle, the Voodoo Glow Skulls and the Toasters are also basking in the glow of increased attention. Utah has one of the busiest ska "scenes" in the country, with as many as eight local bands playing the horn-heavy dance music.
Those locals, as well as four others, will be the backbone of the Ska Patrick's Day Festival, a four-day event that promises to really put Utah on the ska map - especially with nine touring groups for added emphasis.
Headlining the first night, which will take place at Provo High School, 1125 N. University Ave., on Wednesday, March 13, will be Southern California's Buck-O-Nine, one the featured acts at this year's South By Southwest Festival. Locals the Shriners of Ska, Mr. Goon, Thee Martinis and Tapestry Drive round out the bill for the $6.50 show.
Ska Patrick's Day's second concert, to be held Friday, March 15, at Orem High School, 175 S. 400 East, for $7.50, will feature California groups Mealticket, Janitors Against Apartheid and My Super-hero, as well as Nevada's Attaboy Skip and locals the Mulligrubs, the Soulutions, the Goo-blers and Model Citizen.
The third concert, to be held at the State Fairpark Coliseum in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 16, includes headliners the Aquabats, joined by touring acts Reel Big Fish and Pocket Lint and locals Model Citizen and Insatiable. Mealticket, Janitors Against Apartheid and Attaboy Skip will also play for a second night, which will cost $9.
Utah Valley State College in Orem will play host to the final night, Monday, March 19. New York's Mephiskapheles, currently making a buzz on MTV's "120 Minutes," and Michigan's Mustard Plug will headline the $7.50 concert. Joining them will be the Shriners of Ska, Model Citizen, Creeps By Night and the Shanks.
Individual concert tickets, as well as $18.50 "passport" tickets, good for admission on all four nights, are currently on sale at all Graywhale CD Exchange and Tom Tom Music locations, Modified Music in Salt Lake City, CD Warehouse in Provo and Orem's Crandall Audio. The festival is a Skaquel production.