The UPTONES
Ska / Ska / Ska
Berkeley, CA
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About
Formed in 1981 in Berkeley, while they were still in high school. The Uptones were the first band devoted to playing Ska on the West Coast. The Uptones played to skanking crowds all over the West. Several of their recordings were regional hits, and for a time they were the most popular band in the Bay Area.
Major publications of the time raved about them:
"It is a sight to behold, The Uptones tearing up the stage and the audience tearing up the dance floor." - San Francisco Chronicle
"The Uptones... without a doubt the best show in Berkeley." - Berkeley Free Press
"Sitting down at an uptones show is like keeping your eyes shut at a movie." - Rolling Stone
The Uptones "Live at Gilman Street" (SOB CD 0058) is a living proof of the raw power the band delivered every show.
"Best live Ska record ever" - Crawdaddy Magazine
"***** Five Stars "This record rocks from beginning to end." - Rolling Stone
Several tracks from this legendary recording are offered for free in the mp3 format at www.uptones.com.
Members of the original band, Eric Din, Paul Jackson, and Bennie Wood have been playing music together since then. First as Hobo and then as Stiff Richards
The ska bug never left these lads. And now Eric, Paul, and Bennie are joined by Moose Lethridge, Adam Beach, Tim Carter, Jeanne Geiger, and Scott Bertrand to form the current lineup of The Uptones.
The Uptones have completed their first CD "Skankin' Foolz Unite" for Fun Fun Fun Recordings containing new original material with producers Matthew King Kaufman and Michael Rosen.
Check out Joel Selvin's cover story on the Uptones in the SF Chronicle Sunday pink section:
More Press and Reviews:
BEST SKA BAND - The Uptones
American ska is far less celebrated than its Jamaican and English counterparts. Yet the up-tempo, dance-friendly genre has had considerable impact on pop culture, having influenced everyone from Sublime to No Doubt to Green Day. One of the first (and greatest) American ska outfits, however, was raised right here in the East Bay -- the Uptones. Products of Berkeley High School and Cazadero music camp, the Uptones became a force to be reckoned with on the local live music scene in the early '80s, skanking onto radio airwaves with their powerful anti-war jingle, "Out to Sea." which led to a deal with now-defunct I.R.S. records (one of the tastemaking indie labels of that era). Despite massive amounts of critical acclaim -- Crawdaddy called their Live at Gilman Street album the "best live ska record ever" while Rolling Stone exclaimed "this record rocks from beginning to end" -- their I.R.S. debut K.U.S.A. failed to capture their live show. The band broke up more than two decades ago, although members continued on in Stiff Richards and Hobo. But the ska jones never left their bones. Earlier this year, the newly reunited Uptones released Skankin' Foolz Unite on Fun Fun Fun Records and have been playing shows ever since, as if to make up for lost time. The Uptones' philosophy is probably best summed up by the lyrics of "Skanking Fool," which state: So don't be surprised if you feel the beat/Don't be ashamed if you move your feet/In an East Bay style that's doctor approved/Nobody bounce back like a skanking fool.
The Uptones, Minks, Tried & True
Every generation has its own ska revival, and for people who went to Bay Area high schools in the '80s, one of the biggest names in the scene was the UpTones. The band formed while its members were still students at Berkeley High School and quickly became one of the most popular concert attractions around the bay. Three original members of the band have revived the UpTones and are inspiring a new crop of kids to dance. This is an all-ages show.
--SF Chronicle
Last night I went to a ska concert with Fishbone, The Uptones, The Chop Tops and The Gallows... The Uptones - were badass. This was ska-punk the way it should be played: with eight band-members, three horn-players (the trombonist was female!), and some fucking catchy tunes. I will definitely try to get ahold of more of their music.
-sataf's journal (excerpt)
Text(22)
Jun 8, 2009
First Ska Stamp goes to the North Pole
I mailed my letter to Santa early this year. I used used the new official Ska Shrine Stamp. I’m going to be the 1st to spread Ska love with Mr. and Mrs. Kris Kringle and his whole crew. Spread the word about Ska to all the people you know: Buy a book of stamps.
Jun 1, 2009
U.S. Post Office Recognizes The Ska Shrine
The Ska Shrine has commissioned The Uptone’s keyboardist and renowned graphic artist, Paul Jackson, to design the first ever Ska Shrine Postage Stamp.
The Ska Shrine’s purpose - to spread the word about Ska - has been realized with the United States Post Office …
Apr 27, 2009
Ska Night at the Oakland Metro
May 16, 2009
SKA NIGHT WITH:
THE UPTONES
Whiskey Avengers
Dustonious Maximus
The Real Tom Thunder
$10 - 8:00pm
@ The Oakland Metro
All Ages Show
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The Pepper Pots, Mar 01:
See you soon!!
The Pepper Pots, Dec 15, 2008:
Thanks guys!!
We will tour in USA in March...i hope we can see you in one of our shows!!
Take Care!
The Lemon Squeezers Band, May 28, 2008:
Hi Guys!
wazz up?
Thank you very much!!!our singer saw your group twice live!!! super cool!!!
when are you playing in Italy?
VALLANZASKA, Mar 27, 2008:
We respect you guys!!!
Greetings from Milano (Italy)
Vallanzaska
Makako Jump, Jan 14, 2008:
hey guys :) great great sound !!!! Hope to share the stage with you some day !!! ;)
SuicideGirls, Oct 16, 2007:
Thanks for the comment! We love you! xoxo SuicideGirls
Seditions, Jul 30, 2007:
Hi
I do like your good old visual style /
thanks for your comment /
you make good sound /
why don't you check my young 16 bro' s "skacore" band
at http://www.virb.com/growinseed ? /
go on playing
& sedition!
The Pseudo Skeptics, Jul 14, 2007:
Hey! Great to hear from another Ska band, especially one from the west where all is just oh much better and livelier than the east. Remember, next time in school, rudeboy break the rules! Radiation boy is definitely one of our favorite. Keep it live and skanking.
And we ain't to skeptical...or are we : /
-The Skeptics!
vertigo25, Mar 15, 2007:
When are you guys playing in the East Bay?