"T" Time!

Band: The Toasters

Country: USA

Notable Album: One More Bullet

Favourite Song: What A Gwan

I'm tired, this will be short.  Apologies for not writing last night again - I went to perform at an Open Mic Night a few blocks down from my house so my evening was spent quickly learning music, eating pizza, being scared, and then quickly performing music and sleeping.  It was a fun night though, so it was worth missing a post.  But I bet you're all like "NOOOOOOOO MITCHELL WRITE MORE STUFF ABOUT SKA BECAUSE I LOVE SKA AND WANT TO READ YOUR HILARIOUS AND WITTY POSTS" so I'm back.  Just for you.  My loyal readers.  You're welcome.


So today's band is one that I had a chance to see back in October.  I didn't see them, though, because I was still 18 and they were all like "NO this is 19+ only" so I walked around Nuit Blanche fuming.  That's right.  I'd rather go see a ska band at the Horseshoe than see Nuit Blanche.  Wanna fight about it?  Anyways, I didn't get to see them and I was sad, but I ended up having a lovely time seeing Downtown Toronto covered with interesting exhibitions.


The Toasters hail from New York City, and they've been a band for over 25 years - although their lead singer Rob Hingley is the only remaining original member.  They were one of the first bands to bring in the "3rd wave" of ska, although their style stays true to the 2-Tone and traditional ska sounds.  They've released 9 full-length studio albums, and have continued to tour despite a ridiculously long musical career.  Rob Hingley also ran Moon Ska Records until 2003, and when it went under he founded Megalith Records - I think Megalith is still in operation today.  The Toasters, although not groundbreaking in any way, has featured some pretty impressive musicians - listen to the solos on many of their songs and you'll hear what I'm talking about.  That's one of the problems with ska, especially 2-Tone and onwards - the musicianship isn't at the forefront with the popular bands (with certain exceptions, of course), so the only times that musicians can express their true talent is through the solo.  The Toasters have taken this to heart, however, and write songs that push past the barriers of ska and enter into reggae, blues, swing, and even the occasional country cover song.  They helped push us into the 3rd wave of ska while staying true to their roots, and that's why it's important that they get recognition.


One More Bullet was recorded in commemoration of the Toasters' 25th anniversary as a band.  Released in 2007 as their first album on Stomp Records (founded by Matt Collyer of the Planet Smashers - yes, it's a Canadian label!), I picked it up in December of that year.  I can remember driving in to Toronto a few days before Christmas, listening to this album all the way there and back.  It was awesome - the first album I subjected my family to on our trip to Lake Placid the following March as well.  I'm proud to say that I know almost all the words to this incredible album, and I have no shame in singing them at the top of my lungs.  When no one else is around.


What A Gwan is the first track off this album, and a perfect way to start things off for the rest of the record.  The horn riff is catchy, the sing-along chorus is easy to remember, and the rhythm is perfect for skanking.  Rob's voice is pitch perfect and there's great toasting in the bridge and finale.  Ska needs more toasting in upbeat songs!  This is a great hype-song - a track that will get you moving up and about no matter how you were feeling before.  Other great tracks from this album are Where's The Freedom, Run Rudy Run Redux (a redo of Run Rudy Run from their Skaboom! album), Bit & Pieces (a Dave Clark 5 cover), and One More Bullet - not to mention the Blues Brothers Outtro (if you haven't seen the Blues Brothers you won't get this but that's cool.  You'll just be missing out).


I very highly recommend this album to anyone who's interested in 2-Tone, 3rd wave, or ska in general - there's something here for everyone.  Buy the album here, and check them out at a show soon! Well, not too soon.  Their only Canadian date right now is Vancouver.  We'll see what happens.


It's after midnight.  This still counts as the post for January 26.  "U" BAND UP TOMORROW!