Pick It Up!: Ska in the '90s

It's been a long time coming for a documentary on third wave sk, and I sat down with a lot of excitement to watch this. However as it went on it became clear that for a ska fan it was just another documentary about its origins, and how it developed into the mainstream. There felt like a lot of bands missing who made a big impact and as usual stuck to the same old like less than Jake, bosstones, mustard plug etc. There was also no reference to the UK third wave scene which had a huge influence on the USA scene in the later 90s and early 00s such as farse, capdown, random hand. And would have also been great to have covered the Christian scene with bands such as five iron frenzy and oc supertones.

This was a super interesting film & really managed to cover so much ground about the genre too: while it is about the 3rd-wave of ska-- it does a great job of both defining ska, while also quickly going over the origin of ska (especially with hitting on the fact that ska actually came before reggae) and summarizes the first movements: first wave (with quick mentions of Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, etc.) & the two tone movement (the Specials, the Selecter, Madness, etc.) and then dives rather deeply into the 90's//3rd-wave of ska! It was interesting that a notable figure within the genre narrates the film as well (Tim Armstrong-- founder of Hellcats Records, also member of Rancid, Operation Ivy, & other groups that also relate to the film). The film does a particularly great job of not only featuring bigger bands of the genre (Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, Less Than Jake, the Interrupters, No Doubt-- whose first record//earlier years were spent as a ska group briefly-- and many others) but also features groups a bit more underground (Mephiskapheles, Suicide Machines, MU330, the O.C. Supertones, etc.) to give a very well rounded perspective from bands of different styles/tastes within the genre. The film is very well loaded with excellent live footage and interviews-- not only do the interviews consist of the groups themselves, but also interviewed are prmoters, radio DJ, journalist/writers, too. All in all, this film is really fun-- highly informative, and excellently covers the genre in a way that rather you are new to the music or a die-hard long time fan-- there will be something in it for you to enjoy no matter what!

Absolutely loved this movie. Have seen plenty of documentaries about 1st wave ska and how the music was started. But have yet to see any documentary with ska bands from this erra. So well put together as well. If you are into ska, punk, oi any kind of subgenre within this music scene you need to watch this movie!

I absolutely love this ska-cumentary! It is a great summary of the history of ska and the prevalence of the ska boom during the 90's, and it also offers a great glimpse of what the future holds in store. I would show this movie to anyone who loves ska and anyone who loves someone who loves ska (like my husband)! It has a great sense of humor and is worth watching again and again. Pick It Up!

And this is totally my jam. I loved learning about the history of ska, I loved hearing the insights from all of my favorite bands of my youth, and I was introduced to bands and albums I was actually unfamiliar with. What can I say? It's Super Rad.

Basically the rise and fall of the pop/punk ska Bands "that made it". Otherwise left pretty much everything else out of it. A big let down for something I was really looking forward to watching.

This movie is such a wonderful love letter to any ska fan. It's got all the names and faces you've grown to love, just talking about how magical ska is. Pick it up now!