Read The Full Article on my Substack: Bass Culture

While most fans know The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter, the ska revival ran far deeper than the iconic headliners. This mix dives into the underground of the 2 Tone era—bands from Canada, the US, and the UK who embraced identical sharp suits, offbeat grooves, and social bite.

PLAYLIST

The Ammonites - Blue Lagoon

The Apollinaires - The Feeling's Gone

The Bodysnatchers - Easy Life

The Higsons - Conspiracy 7" Version

The Swinging Cats - Away

The Deltones - Running Around (No More Doggin')

The Skadows - Apache

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down

The Specials - Why? (Dub)

Pushkins - I Dig A Hole (Canada 1982)

Rude Boys - Someone Else's Car (Canada 1982)

The Uptown Rulers- Tell Me Where You're At (Illinois, USA 1982)

Heavy Manners - Hometown Ska - (Chicago, USA 1981)

SLK - Walk of the Mummy (Michigan, USA 1982)

The Coventry Automatics - Rock And Roll Nightmare (John Peel Recordings)

The Insteps - Dancing (Cardiff, UK 1982)

Paul PK - Jumped the Gun 7" (1982)

Felons - Love N' Skank 1981

The Mob - Mobbed (Coventry, 1980)

Silent Q - Logical Patterns (Canada 1983)

Pushkins - Just Dancing (Canada 1983)

The Akrylykz - Spyderman (1980)