Bio:

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 Ben Eastwood 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, Ben and Adam Beach are joined by Jeanne Geiger, Scott Bertrand, Mike Stevens and Emily Jayne 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:

The Uptones Skanking at the Ska Shrine!!

Here's a live Video of Ridiculous

Click for more Uptones on youtube.

Listen to Skankin' Foolz Unite! on our reverbnation player:

Hit "share" to plop that player in yr myspace, facebook etc.

SuperFan2009 put "Ridiculous" in her "Cherry Pickin's" and we are honored =) Check her out - 1 great free, legal mp3 discovery a day:

Layout by CoolChaser

Member Since:

November 27, 2005

Influences:

The Specials, The Selecter, The English Beat, and all the English 2-Tone bands! The Skatalites, Toots and the Maytals, and all the original Jamaican ska bands! Many many punk and mod and rock and R&B and reggae bands. The Clash! Oh, and you asked for specifics... ok, for an exhaustive list, go here!

Sounds Like:

West Coast Two Tone Ska.

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Record Label:

Fun Fun Fun Recordings