Hailing from south central LA and dating back to 1979, Fishbone got its start when frontman Dr. Madd Vibe began recruiting friends in junior high. Ska’s second wave was catching in the UK with bands such as the Specials, Bad Manners, and the Beat. The LA scene was soon to spawn the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction. Since then, LA has brought forth funk-metal, ska-punk, and third-wave ska. This in-your-face seven piece has incorporated elements of these styles into its own Fishbone sound since coming onto the scene in 1985 – 25 years ago. Good ska is always rooted in its history, but Fishbone can get you skanking right here, right now – at least as good as when they played for a sweaty mob as part of the Victoria Ska Festival in 2006. http://www.fishbone.net/
The Aggrolites
The Aggrolites formed as a five-piece in Los Angeles, 2002 after members of the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors went into the studio to back ska legend Derrick Morgan. They clicked so well that they could not continue only as a studio band. Audiences deserved them as a performing band. And perform they have done. The Aggrolites have played many shows in many cities over the years, including the Victoria Ska Festival first in 2003, then 2006. With a sound that strikes many at first as old school, the style of the Aggrolites hearkens back to the early days of ska, rocksteady, and reggae when Trojan was the label to listen to and Jamaican performers were borrowing elements of soul, funk, and rock to play local dances and entertain tourists. In creating their own signature sound that echoes aspects of Jamaican music from that era, these modern Americans introduced Dirty Reggae. The Aggrolites know how to rock with soul and never let you forget that ska started like this: sweaty and gritty. With the Aggrolites on stage, dirty reggae is it. http://www.aggroreggae.com/
Katchafire
Possibly New Zealand’s top reggae band ever, this seven-piece has been going strong since 2002. They have recorded three full albums, a dub remix, and a live album while generating intense energy at many shows in New Zealand, Hawaii, Australia, and elsewhere. From Hamilton, Katchafire started as a Bob Marley tribute, then found that writing and performing their own riddims led to their own popularity. Their 2003 single “Giddy Up” went straight to the top in New Zealand. Having played in Eurpoe, the UK, and the USA Katchafire intend to live up to their name at Canada’s number one ska festival: Victoria Ska Fest 2010. Be there and catch the infectious reggae groove. http://www.katchafire.co.nz/
The Black Seeds
When you speak album sales, can you say “double platinum”? If so, then say it twice. This eight-piece from New Zealand, a huge hit back home, has brought an infectious fusion of dub, funk, afrobeat, and soul to ska. The Black Seeds have found great success in Europe with their fun, reggae-flavoured vibes as well. Now appearing in the Victoria Ska Festival, they intend to take no prisoners. If Flight of the Conchords is familiar to you, or if you’d just like to have a good old time to the sound of New Zealand-flavoured ska, then do not miss The Black Seeds. http://www.theblackseeds.com/
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies come from Eugene, Oregon and have been filling dance floors since 1989. With a punk attitude at its genesis, the band formed partly as a reaction against the grunge movement of the era in the northwest. The Daddies have always chosen to violate genre boundaries. They mix punk, swing, funk, and ska with elements of country, psychedelia, alt rock, Latin, and glam. The name of their debut album, Ferociously Stoned, borrows a line from a Motorhead song and even the band’s name raises eyebrows on second thought. The Daddies were also leaders of the neo-swing movement of the mid-nineties. Their 2009 album, Skaboy JFK, compiles their own history of ska recordings. No, they’re not afraid to push boundaries or stake new turf. Not afraid to create dance madness at the Victoria Ska Festival, either. These guys can play ska. Are you ready to lace up your boots and skank? http://www.daddies.com/
Shane Philip (w/ Marc Atkinson & Joby Baker)
Swelling in primordial pulses and wholloping whoops, the tacit tones of Shane Philip's didgeridoo hold the power to still listeners into silence or encourage audiences to rise up in a tribal swell of intoxicating spirit -- with sometimes but a heartbeat in between. Meanwhile his hands will be skilfully juggling between shaking up rhythms with his aslatua, driving the dance floor with his djembe and sliding out grooves on his Weissenborn-style guitar while his foot taps in earthshaking electronic kicks wherever they might fit. He is a one-man show weaving sounds that inspire audiences anywhere he goes.
Shane Philip is still a relatively undiscovered treasure although he is known for his epic shows here on the westcoast. His music crosses many genres but has a undeniable reggae sensibility. For the festival Shane has put together a special project he calls "The Shane Philip Tree" that will include Marc Atkinson (one of the Island's most talented jazz guitarists - best known for his lead role in the Marc Atkinson Trio + Joby Baker who is one of the most celebrated producers on Vancouver Island. Having these three artists team up on a reggae show will only result in something wonderful as the end result. Come witness The Shane Philip Tree at this year's Victoria Ska Fest! http://www.shanephilip.com/
Skampida
SKAMPIDA was born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1998 as an innovative and diverse fusion of Colombian folkloric rhythms, and urban sounds like ska, punk, klezmer, polka, rockabilly, powercore, hip hop, including gypsy influences and drum n' bass. In 2003, the "Stereoblaster" tour took Skampida to over 20 cities in Colombia.
For more than 12 years, the band has performed all over Colombia, including a two-year tour in the United States that garnered them instant recognition in cities such as Miami and New York. In 2010 the band is ready again to conquer North America as part of their promotional tour "Zombie Policers". The tour will begin in Colombia and will continue to Canada at Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival as well as some clubs in the US. http://www.myspace.com/skampidafastidia
Los Kung Fu Monkeys
A major ska-punk band from Tijuana, Los Kung Fu Monkeys formed in 1997, when ska-punk was huge. Still going strong, their albums sell – new one out this year – plus they continue to get radio airplay, press coverage, and lots of hits on the web. With six people forming the core of the band, Los Kung Fu Monkeys have toured the world and played major festivals. It is only fitting that they come to the Victoria Ska Festival this year. If you think you’d enjoy something like Less Than Jake with a few songs in Spanish, then come to the show and find out: Los Kung Fu Monkeys are much more than that. Their sound is akin to the Voodoo Glow Skulls, Rancid, Suicide Machines, operation ivy, Bad Religion, and others; yet Los Kung-Fu Monkeys have created a sound all their own, with two singers – an established ska tradition – killer bass riffs, great keyboard harmonies, and more. Go to their show and find out for yourself, punk. http://www.myspace.com/loskfm
Easy Big Fella
This eight-piece from Seattle has played to Victoria audiences before, at the Icehouse and at Steamer’s, for example. Those venues are gone but the time had to come for Easy Big Fella to perform at the Victoria Ska Festival. After 2001 and 2002, this is their third time on stage as part of the Victoria Ska Fest. These guys have been playing ska since 1991 and have shared the stage with ska greats such as the Skatalites, the Specials, and the Toasters. Not afraid to be labelled one of the best American third-wave ska bands, Easy Big Fella plays fun, upbeat music drawing on influences such as the Skatalates, the Wailers, funk, soul, and jazz. Easy Big Fella are on record saying that they like to play with other ska bands, and that they love to play for a big, ska-loving audience. The Victoria Ska Festival always delivers easily on both counts, so go to the Easy Big Fella show and witness how they deliver.
The Resignators
The land down-under is nowhere close to Jamaica, source of ska. Even so, the Resignators are refreshing champions of ska traditions. Beyond the easily-recognized one-drop guitar rhythm, the Resignators sing songs that tell stories like stories told in ska music for decades. The horn section blasts the brass in true ska stylee, the high-energy on-stage fun is reminiscent of Canada’s Los Furios, and the irreverent rowdiness hearkens back to England’s Bad Manners. From Melbourne, Australia, this sextet demonstrates that ska traditions are alive and well the world over, and that strong song writing combined with energetic performance will always be a great combination for good music and good times. To say that the Resignators are popular back home would be an understatement. Go their show and find out why. http://www.theresignators.com/
Rocky Mountain Rebel Music
This Victoria-based band had its genesis when ska’s third wave was at its peak in the late nineties. Too young to get in when Canadian ska greats King Apparatus came to Victoria ten years ago, core members of today’s RMRM stood outside. They also too full part in local under-age ska shows – in the audience and on the stage. Drawing on members of local bands 10:30 for Mike and the Hoochy Girls, RMRM started in the summer of 2008. Now a 10-piece collective with members in other Canadian cities, RMRM toured Canada last summer and is prepared to put on a memorable performance at this year’s Victoria Ska Festival. Their high-energy ska keeps no secrets that the core members have been listening to ska for years. Their influences are not hidden, either, including reggae, dub, dancehall, funk, rock, punk and worldbeat. The first pressing of RMRM’s album even sold out on the 2009 tour. Go to the Rocky Mountain Rebel Music performance at this year’s festival and discover the ska magic these guys create. http://www.myspace.com/rockymountainrebelmusic
Brave New Waves
Brave New Waves is an island band. That’s right: Vancouver Island. They play ska with a from-the-beach feel, mixing reggae, ska, and surf in their own way. Like some of Canada’s best-known bands, Brave New Waves have played many a local house party, and become well acquainted with neighbourhood pubs. One summer, they set up on a sailboat with a generator and played ska for over 400 people on Victoria’s Gonzales Beach during a skimboard contest. After playing almost a show a week for 2 years straight, Brave New Waves played the 10th annual Victoria Ska Festival for a crowd of about 1,600 people. Then they recorded a full-length album and toured to Winnipeg and back. 23 shows in 25 days. That’s not all. This local surf-flavoured ska-reggae band has its sights set on bigger and farther tours, bringing bigger audiences closer to their island sound. It’s a sound that brings to mind an easy-going, fun-loving island with sandy beaches, lush green rainforests, and breaking waves. Right here. http://www.myspace.com/bravenewwaves
Mindil Beach Markets
Having grown up on the serene Sunshine Coast, Mindil Beach Markets are accustomed to a laid back lifestyle and exhibit an innate appreciation for the simple beauty found in nature. This perspective clearly manifests in their music, lending an organic and pure harmony to the nostalgic summer time vibe of their songs. Their curious name, courtesy of an actual market place in Australia, is surprisingly apt. Exhibiting a diversity not unlike that of a marketplace, they are a band that is difficult to cram into a nutshell, with song stylings ranging from funky and bumping to powerfully emotive.
Mindil Beach Markets is made up of frontmen and vocalists / guitarists Daniel “DK” Kingsbury and Patrick Codere; guitarist / bassist Matt Posnikoff; vocalist / keyboardist Rod Campbell; and drummer Cam Ainslie. Together they seem to have a knack for creating a blend which is catchy without being empty, a rare kind of honest and heartfelt rock born out of five ordinary guys writing melodies and words for ordinary people. Essentially, they are a band that is creating exactly what their name implies- something for everyone.
Mindil Beach Markets are more than excited about Victoria's 11th Annual Ska Festival. Their laid back musical style and approach will be a perfect fit playing alongside heavy-weights such as Shane Philip, Marc Atkinson, Joby Baker and New Zealand's Katchafire! http://www.mindilbeachmarkets.com/
The Israelites
The culture of ska runs deep and is inseparable from world culture. The Israelites demonstrate this. Jamaican ska pioneer Desmond Dekker named an album Israelites in keeping with the Rastafarian tradition that likens people taken from Africa as slaves to another dispersed people who regard Israel as their true homeland. Since 1989, the Israelites have upheld the musical traditions of ska with full instrumentation including horns and keyboards, as well as familiar sounds and elements of ska style played with freshness. Indeed, this band has become more roots-focused in recent years, better mimicking authentic early Jamaican ska, and like the Skatalites, infusing jazz and soul into the sound. Like the pioneers of ska, the Israelites pay homage to the spirit and make a joyful sound with traditional ska flavoured with rocksteady and reggae. Feel-good music with deep roots. Check it, man. http://theisraelites.org/
DJ COLLAGE (AKA MISTA CHATMAN)
DJ COLLAGE (also known as Mista Chatman) is a solid sound within the global music community worldwide. For the past few years, his vocal performances have been featured on releases by a diverse roster of artists such as: Dehli2Dublin, Machinedrum, Filastine, DJ/Rupture, Poirier, Meat Beat Manifesto & several others. And as a live performer, he has performed alongside many top names in the reggae world such as: Yellowman, Nicodemus, Collie Buddz, Sly & Robbie, Mad Professor, Inner Circle, Easy Star All-Stars and many, many more. Mista Chatman aka DJ Collage will be running the first ever Jamaican Dubplates and Versions Workshop with Tank Girl as well as performing at the Reggae Afterparty at Upstairs Cabaret following the Katchafire/Shane Philip/Mindil Beach Markets show at Ship Point! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mista-Chatman/119242038108143?v=info#!/pages/DJ-Collage-aka-Mr-Chatman/21550564808
The Valuables
The Valuables are seven Vancouverites including two women. They play ska with flavours of reggae and soul. Since forming over a year ago, this young band has joined ska greats such as the Pietasters in weaving in an old-school soul vibe, Canadian ska legends the Kingpins in trading off lead vocals between male and female voices, and pioneer ska legends the Toasters in hearkening back to sounds popular in the sixties. The Valuables give the nod to the Temptations, Prince Buster, the Four Tops, and Desmond Dekker as influences. This Victoria Ska Festival will not be the first time for the Valuables to play a ska fest. The Seattle festival and the Montreal festival have featured the Valuables, too. Now at Victoria’s ska fest, see how the neighbours can get a crowd skanking. http://thevaluables.com/
The Beatdown
This Montréal quartet shares with Canada’s King Apparatus and LA’s Aggrolites a guitar-focused sound. Though The Beatdown lacks the organ/keyboard intrinsic to the sound of those two bands, there is nothing lacking when this band is on stage and the signature ska one-drop rhythm gets you moving. Within one set their influences become apparent to those familiar with the ska milieu, including Derrick Morgan, The Clash, The Upsetters, Prince Buster, and Toots & The Maytals. Having toured Europe and become central to the Montréal ska scene, The Beatdown has played many a gig. The Beatdown also proves that Canada’s tradition of rocking guitar-centered ska is in good hands and a lot of fun on the dance floor. http://www.beatdownonline.com/
Danny Rebel & the KGB
Danny Rebel & KGB come from Montreal, Quebec. Like the Planet Smashers and the Kingpins, these five guys (two guitars, bass, drums, keys - like Toronto’s King Apparatus) prove that Canadians love good ska and like to rock. Danny himself is originally Filipino. With dreads. In tight formation since 2008, Danny Rebel & KGB have shared the stage with the likes of The Slackers, The Resignators, Westbound Train, and others from Montreal’s strong ska scene. At the Victoria Ska Festival, Danny Rebel promises to "take no prisoners and leave no booty unshaken" while the KGB vow to instil rhythm on Vancouver Island just as well as at home on the island of Montreal. Check it. http://www.myspace.com/dannyrebel
Hailing from south central LA and dating back to 1979, Fishbone got its start when frontman Dr. Madd Vibe began recruiting friends in junior high. Ska’s second wave was catching in the UK with bands such as the Specials, Bad Manners, and the Beat. The LA scene was soon to spawn the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction. Since then, LA has brought forth funk-metal, ska-punk, and third-wave ska. This in-your-face seven piece has incorporated elements of these styles into its own Fishbone sound since coming onto the scene in 1985 – 25 years ago. Good ska is always rooted in its history, but Fishbone can get you skanking right here, right now – at least as good as when they played for a sweaty mob as part of the Victoria Ska Festival in 2006.
The Aggrolites formed as a five-piece in Los Angeles, 2002 after members of the Vessels and the Rhythm Doctors went into the studio to back ska legend Derrick Morgan. They clicked so well that they could not continue only as a studio band. Audiences deserved them as a performing band. And perform they have done. The Aggrolites have played many shows in many cities over the years, including the Victoria Ska Festival first in 2003, then 2006. With a sound that strikes many at first as old school, the style of the Aggrolites hearkens back to the early days of ska, rocksteady, and reggae when Trojan was the label to listen to and Jamaican performers were borrowing elements of soul, funk, and rock to play local dances and entertain tourists. In creating their own signature sound that echoes aspects of Jamaican music from that era, these modern Americans introduced Dirty Reggae. The Aggrolites know how to rock with soul and never let you forget that ska started like this: sweaty and gritty. With the Aggrolites on stage, dirty reggae is it.
Possibly New Zealand’s top reggae band ever, this seven-piece has been going strong since 2002. They have recorded three full albums, a dub remix, and a live album while generating intense energy at many shows in New Zealand, Hawaii, Australia, and elsewhere. From Hamilton, Katchafire started as a Bob Marley tribute, then found that writing and performing their own riddims led to their own popularity. Their 2003 single “Giddy Up” went straight to the top in New Zealand. Having played in Eurpoe, the UK, and the USA Katchafire intend to live up to their name at Canada’s number one ska festival: Victoria Ska Fest 2010. Be there and catch the infectious reggae groove.
When you speak album sales, can you say “double platinum”? If so, then say it twice. This eight-piece from New Zealand, a huge hit back home, has brought an infectious fusion of dub, funk, afrobeat, and soul to ska. The Black Seeds have found great success in Europe with their fun, reggae-flavoured vibes as well. Now appearing in the Victoria Ska Festival, they intend to take no prisoners. If Flight of the Conchords is familiar to you, or if you’d just like to have a good old time to the sound of New Zealand-flavoured ska, then do not miss The Black Seeds.
The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies come from Eugene, Oregon and have been filling dance floors since 1989. With a punk attitude at its genesis, the band formed partly as a reaction against the grunge movement of the era in the northwest. The Daddies have always chosen to violate genre boundaries. They mix punk, swing, funk, and ska with elements of country, psychedelia, alt rock, Latin, and glam. The name of their debut album, Ferociously Stoned, borrows a line from a Motorhead song and even the band’s name raises eyebrows on second thought. The Daddies were also leaders of the neo-swing movement of the mid-nineties. Their 2009 album, Skaboy JFK, compiles their own history of ska recordings. No, they’re not afraid to push boundaries or stake new turf. Not afraid to create dance madness at the Victoria Ska Festival, either. These guys can play ska. Are you ready to lace up your boots and skank?
Swelling in primordial pulses and wholloping whoops, the tacit tones of Shane Philip's didgeridoo hold the power to still listeners into silence or encourage audiences to rise up in a tribal swell of intoxicating spirit -- with sometimes but a heartbeat in between. Meanwhile his hands will be skilfully juggling between shaking up rhythms with his aslatua, driving the dance floor with his djembe and sliding out grooves on his Weissenborn-style guitar while his foot taps in earthshaking electronic kicks wherever they might fit. He is a one-man show weaving sounds that inspire audiences anywhere he goes.
SKAMPIDA was born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1998 as an innovative and diverse fusion of Colombian folkloric rhythms, and urban sounds like ska, punk, klezmer, polka, rockabilly, powercore, hip hop, including gypsy influences and drum n' bass. In 2003, the "Stereoblaster" tour took Skampida to over 20 cities in Colombia. 
A major ska-punk band from Tijuana, Los Kung Fu Monkeys formed in 1997, when ska-punk was huge. Still going strong, their albums sell – new one out this year – plus they continue to get radio airplay, press coverage, and lots of hits on the web. With six people forming the core of the band, Los Kung Fu Monkeys have toured the world and played major festivals. It is only fitting that they come to the Victoria Ska Festival this year. If you think you’d enjoy something like Less Than Jake with a few songs in Spanish, then come to the show and find out: Los Kung Fu Monkeys are much more than that. Their sound is akin to the Voodoo Glow Skulls, Rancid, Suicide Machines, operation ivy, Bad Religion, and others; yet Los Kung-Fu Monkeys have created a sound all their own, with two singers – an established ska tradition – killer bass riffs, great keyboard harmonies, and more. Go to their show and find out for yourself, punk.
This eight-piece from Seattle has played to Victoria audiences before, at the Icehouse and at Steamer’s, for example. Those venues are gone but the time had to come for Easy Big Fella to perform at the Victoria Ska Festival. After 2001 and 2002, this is their third time on stage as part of the Victoria Ska Fest. These guys have been playing ska since 1991 and have shared the stage with ska greats such as the Skatalites, the Specials, and the Toasters. Not afraid to be labelled one of the best American third-wave ska bands, Easy Big Fella plays fun, upbeat music drawing on influences such as the Skatalates, the Wailers, funk, soul, and jazz. Easy Big Fella are on record saying that they like to play with other ska bands, and that they love to play for a big, ska-loving audience. The Victoria Ska Festival always delivers easily on both counts, so go to the Easy Big Fella show and witness how they deliver. 
The land down-under is nowhere close to Jamaica, source of ska. Even so, the Resignators are refreshing champions of ska traditions. Beyond the easily-recognized one-drop guitar rhythm, the Resignators sing songs that tell stories like stories told in ska music for decades. The horn section blasts the brass in true ska stylee, the high-energy on-stage fun is reminiscent of Canada’s Los Furios, and the irreverent rowdiness hearkens back to England’s Bad Manners. From Melbourne, Australia, this sextet demonstrates that ska traditions are alive and well the world over, and that strong song writing combined with energetic performance will always be a great combination for good music and good times. To say that the Resignators are popular back home would be an understatement. Go their show and find out why.
This Victoria-based band had its genesis when ska’s third wave was at its peak in the late nineties. Too young to get in when Canadian ska greats King Apparatus came to Victoria ten years ago, core members of today’s RMRM stood outside. They also too full part in local under-age ska shows – in the audience and on the stage. Drawing on members of local bands 10:30 for Mike and the Hoochy Girls, RMRM started in the summer of 2008. Now a 10-piece collective with members in other Canadian cities, RMRM toured Canada last summer and is prepared to put on a memorable performance at this year’s Victoria Ska Festival. Their high-energy ska keeps no secrets that the core members have been listening to ska for years. Their influences are not hidden, either, including reggae, dub, dancehall, funk, rock, punk and worldbeat. The first pressing of RMRM’s album even sold out on the 2009 tour. Go to the Rocky Mountain Rebel Music performance at this year’s festival and discover the ska magic these guys create.
Brave New Waves is an island band. That’s right: Vancouver Island. They play ska with a from-the-beach feel, mixing reggae, ska, and surf in their own way. Like some of Canada’s best-known bands, Brave New Waves have played many a local house party, and become well acquainted with neighbourhood pubs. One summer, they set up on a sailboat with a generator and played ska for over 400 people on Victoria’s Gonzales Beach during a skimboard contest. After playing almost a show a week for 2 years straight, Brave New Waves played the 10th annual Victoria Ska Festival for a crowd of about 1,600 people. Then they recorded a full-length album and toured to Winnipeg and back. 23 shows in 25 days. That’s not all. This local surf-flavoured ska-reggae band has its sights set on bigger and farther tours, bringing bigger audiences closer to their island sound. It’s a sound that brings to mind an easy-going, fun-loving island with sandy beaches, lush green rainforests, and breaking waves. Right here.
Having grown up on the serene Sunshine Coast, Mindil Beach Markets are accustomed to a laid back lifestyle and exhibit an innate appreciation for the simple beauty found in nature. This perspective clearly manifests in their music, lending an organic and pure harmony to the nostalgic summer time vibe of their songs. Their curious name, courtesy of an actual market place in Australia, is surprisingly apt. Exhibiting a diversity not unlike that of a marketplace, they are a band that is difficult to cram into a nutshell, with song stylings ranging from funky and bumping to powerfully emotive.
The culture of ska runs deep and is inseparable from world culture. The Israelites demonstrate this. Jamaican ska pioneer Desmond Dekker named an album Israelites in keeping with the Rastafarian tradition that likens people taken from Africa as slaves to another dispersed people who regard Israel as their true homeland. Since 1989, the Israelites have upheld the musical traditions of ska with full instrumentation including horns and keyboards, as well as familiar sounds and elements of ska style played with freshness. Indeed, this band has become more roots-focused in recent years, better mimicking authentic early Jamaican ska, and like the Skatalites, infusing jazz and soul into the sound. Like the pioneers of ska, the Israelites pay homage to the spirit and make a joyful sound with traditional ska flavoured with rocksteady and reggae. Feel-good music with deep roots. Check it, man.
DJ COLLAGE (also known as Mista Chatman) is a solid sound within the global music community worldwide. For the past few years, his vocal performances have been featured on releases by a diverse roster of artists such as: Dehli2Dublin, Machinedrum, Filastine, DJ/Rupture, Poirier, Meat Beat Manifesto & several others. And as a live performer, he has performed alongside many top names in the reggae world such as: Yellowman, Nicodemus, Collie Buddz, Sly & Robbie, Mad Professor, Inner Circle, Easy Star All-Stars and many, many more. Mista Chatman aka DJ Collage will be running the first ever Jamaican Dubplates and Versions Workshop with Tank Girl as well as performing at the Reggae Afterparty at Upstairs Cabaret following the Katchafire/Shane Philip/Mindil Beach Markets show at Ship Point!
The Valuables are seven Vancouverites including two women. They play ska with flavours of reggae and soul. Since forming over a year ago, this young band has joined ska greats such as the Pietasters in weaving in an old-school soul vibe, Canadian ska legends the Kingpins in trading off lead vocals between male and female voices, and pioneer ska legends the Toasters in hearkening back to sounds popular in the sixties. The Valuables give the nod to the Temptations, Prince Buster, the Four Tops, and Desmond Dekker as influences. This Victoria Ska Festival will not be the first time for the Valuables to play a ska fest. The Seattle festival and the Montreal festival have featured the Valuables, too. Now at Victoria’s ska fest, see how the neighbours can get a crowd skanking.
This Montréal quartet shares with Canada’s King Apparatus and LA’s Aggrolites a guitar-focused sound. Though The Beatdown lacks the organ/keyboard intrinsic to the sound of those two bands, there is nothing lacking when this band is on stage and the signature ska one-drop rhythm gets you moving. Within one set their influences become apparent to those familiar with the ska milieu, including Derrick Morgan, The Clash, The Upsetters, Prince Buster, and Toots & The Maytals. Having toured Europe and become central to the Montréal ska scene, The Beatdown has played many a gig. The Beatdown also proves that Canada’s tradition of rocking guitar-centered ska is in good hands and a lot of fun on the dance floor.
Danny Rebel & KGB come from Montreal, Quebec. Like the Planet Smashers and the Kingpins, these five guys (two guitars, bass, drums, keys - like Toronto’s King Apparatus) prove that Canadians love good ska and like to rock. Danny himself is originally Filipino. With dreads. In tight formation since 2008, Danny Rebel & KGB have shared the stage with the likes of The Slackers, The Resignators, Westbound Train, and others from Montreal’s strong ska scene. At the Victoria Ska Festival, Danny Rebel promises to "take no prisoners and leave no booty unshaken" while the KGB vow to instil rhythm on Vancouver Island just as well as at home on the island of Montreal. Check it.