« R&B | Main | Silent Settlers »
November 11, 2006
1999: (Christian) SKA!
(Part 2: Ska+Punk Kid)
Similar to my introduction to CCM (Contemporary Christian Music), my discovery of christian and ska music was from a compilation, Seltzer 2. I bought it through one of those CD clubs, the BMG one, except this was the christian division, Sound and Spirit. That is where I bought most of my first CD's, that or Crossroads Christian Bookstore. Seltzer introduced me to, The O C Supertones, Five Iron Frenzy and Plankeye. Five Iron Frenzy instantly became my new favorite band. Now that I look back, I'm not quite sure what I liked about Ska. But, something about it stuck out. It might have been that it was so different, and weird.
Five Iron Frenzy
Ska music changed my attitude. It became me vs. them. Punks vs. Preps. I stopped wearing Abercrombie, and shopped exclusively at Value World (or Kohl's, my mom got me stuff from there). Old T-Shirts and dress slacks became my alternative uniform. The "Jocks" would tease me about my T-Shirts, but I welcomed it. I enjoyed sticking out, and receiving this new attention. My born-again uncle, however, lectured me about how as a christian, I wasn't supposed to stick out. Maybe the "alternative christian" movement is what in the end, lead me astray. It was, after all, the liberal side of christianity; the people with piercings, tattoos,mohawks and chain wallets. I loved it all.
The Supertones
I was never hardcore about the style. I just wore T-Shirts and unflattering slacks. My mother never would let me die my hair green, like my youth group friend, Caleb Palnau. He was the other "outsider" at my church. Each wednesday night, before I youth group I'd sit in my family's car, blasting Five Iron Frenzy or MxPx, then I would go into church and talk with Caleb for the first hour about what new punk and ska bands we had learned of. I miss those times. After that though, it was worship, prayer, and a lesson. I didn't enjoy that aspect of it as much. Do any of the kids? Or do they go for the pure social aspect?
Ghoti Hook
The downside to my interest in "alternative" christian music is that it got a lot less attention. The videos were rarely shown on the Inspirational Network, less magazine articles, and hardly anyone at my church even knew of the bands. But, there was an upside to that too. I was different. I had found something to make me an individual. After hearing all the christian and ska CD's that were at Crossroads or available at Spirit and Sound, I started exploring the World Wide Web. Most christian CD's contained a "Thank You" section in the booklet. Here, they thanked all their friends and other bands. I would spend hours on the internet searching those band names, seeing if I liked the or not. I found that most of bands were on Asian Man Records(They're celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary at the moment!!!!). There was a problem though, these bands were secular. Some even had the "F-Word" in their song titles. I usually ignored those bands. MU330, Less Than Jake, Skankin' Pickle and The Hippos became my new favorites.
Dan Potthast of Mu330
I still kind of like his voice. This is his solo stuff.
The Aquabats
Some of their stuff is still pretty hilarious. I would spend hours at their website.
You know, the ska stuff was really positive. With all my mail orders (I was SUPER into Mail Order), I would always get "Plea For Peace" and "Ska Against Racism" stickers and patches. Maybe that's what I helped me be more accepting than others in my family.
The more I heard secular punk and ska, the more I liked it; the more I realized it was better (This is always when I discovered that Ska music had been around since the 50's and came in three waves!!). Eventually, I found "Jesus" in music to be kind of embarassing. It just seemed cheesy to sing about God in a rock song. So, for the next 2 years, I'd go back and forth with my feelings towards christian music. If my heart was on fire for him, I'd ignore the secular stuff. If I wasn't reading my bible, I listened to stuff with the "f-word".
The Chinkees
I'm still really into Mike Park. I like his voice a lot. Good dude.
My ska phase really lead me into the person I am today. I still listen to the "weirder", "outsider" music. I still like rebeling (somewhat) from the mainstream. All the undergroud stuff eventually lead me to bands like Pavement, Death Cab For Cutie, Pedro The Lion and Bright Eyes. I still listen to all those bands, 6 years later (Holy Crap, I have been listening to Death Cab for 6 years). While, I don't skank quite as much as I used to, but every now and then, in the privacy of my room, I'll close my eyes and skank away.
Posted by cory at November 11, 2006 10:57 PM
Comments
ha! mu330 were my favorite of the late ska revival. i saw them at several weird hole in the wall venues in south haven and muskegon.
Posted by: todd at November 12, 2006 2:58 AM
it was a few years back when i stopped going to ska shows. there is nothing more fun than a ska show. most notable shows = mustard plug at the east town street fair
Posted by: sam at November 12, 2006 10:02 AM