The Toasters: Keep On Going

From their humble beginnings in the Lower East Side in 1981, acclaimed third wave ska band, The Toasters, are celebrating their 34-year run with a slew of upcoming tour dates. Often coined as being one of the main contributors to the revival of third wave ska, The Toasters have produced nine albums and played over 5,000 shows in various countries. Most of their albums have been released via Moon Ska Records and Megalith Records, both founded by The Toasters’ frontman, Robert “Bucket” Hingley. With each album the band blends traditional ska with a variety of influences: reggae, pop, rap, and R&B. A key to their continuous success lies in how they boast the ability to rework these traditional styles and compose an integrated, unique sound that is immediately recognizable as their own. The popularization of their trademark ska-fusion has helped forge their path of worldwide tours, and a continually growing fanbase that has stood the test of time. Their last single, “House Of Soul,” was released as recently as 2013, and their impressive history includes an EP produced by the great Joe Jackson, and numerous guest appearances, such as renowned saxophonist Lester Sterling. You can catch The Toasters performing on Oct. 29 at North Star Bar in Philadelphia, and on Oct. 30 at Mercury Lounge in New York.