I Was A Teenage (Skinhead) Ska Aficionado

I count myself as one of the lucky folks that got to see Hepcat play (twice actually). Both of those shows left an indelible mark on me and basically set the bar at a ridiculous height for ska bands. I'm gonna say that the Slackers and Dr. Ring Ding are the only two that have come close thus far, although I have a bad habit of missing Aggrolites' shows. So, perhaps, they should be tossed in there as well.

Regardless, being entranced by anything Hepcat related, I was a bit more than pleased to see that a great deal of new information pertaining to Greg Narvas, the band's drummer, and the LA scene in a broad sense pop up sometime within the last week.

The interview that was posted (over HERE) includes some words from Martin Ruane in addition to Narvas waxing about LA ska, punk and skinhead history.

Being from the Midwest, it was a revelation to read in detail that there was such a lively and well populated scene associated with each of these movements. If you grew up anywhere that sports a population of less than a million folks, you probably understand. But the way in which Navaras relates crossing paths with various friends who were associated with these movements is drastically different from any other town replete with its insular and (ideally) unified subcultures. Of course, fights break out everywhere, but I'll say that I've not been privy to a skinhead vs. punk fight. Although without fail the LRC dudes (are they still around?) from Clevo/Akron would invariably be about, intimidating folks, but they still associated with the punkers, the rockabilly dudes or whoever else was present at shows.

Regardless, Narvas and Ruane recount the nascent skinner scene in LA with bands that most haven't heard of, but of course Bovver Wonderland (LISTEN) gets referenced at one point. A great deal of the interview is used to recount gang affiliations, which seems to be overblown a bit seeing as it sounds like a social group who would occasionally get into fights at shows. Call it what you will. These folks helped begin the ska scene on the west coast. And for that, they each deserve their due deference.

Only related by the fact that it occurred a while ago, there’s also been an article posted about New York City’s the Terrorists. The band’s claim to fame is easily the association that they struck with Lee Perry during the ‘70s. Throughout the article, the band is cited numerous times as having been a functioning unit before the 2 Tone thing hit in the UK. Perhaps the date of albums being released is the time being referenced, because Rico Rodriguez was on that slab of land working well before ‘77-’79. I suppose that’s a moot point. But being only vaguely familiar with the Terrorists, it was startling to hear their music. With their moniker perhaps portending violence, the combo was able to come across as a unified JA influenced unit. Either the most disheartening fact, or the best, depending upon your perception of the current independent musical landscape, is the laundry list of bands the Terrorists played with; everyone from Johnny Thunders to the Talking Heads. And unfortunately, the time in which anything similar to that happening seems to have past.