Best Local Ska

Bim Skala Bim

Happy boosters Yeah, yeah, we know: Bim Skala Bim started local ska. They drew crowds when the ska trend didn't exist, and helped clear the way for the Bosstones and everybody else. All true, but all beside the point. The real point is that if you take a friend who knows nothing about the band's history to a Bim Skala Bim show, he or she will wind up dancing just as hard as everybody else. By now Bim have every right to cruise on their history, but that's not what's happening. Last year they conquered a long-standing problem and released Universal (on their own BiB label), the first studio album that really matches their live show. The opening track, "Pete Needs a Friend," proved they could sound as though they were espousing brotherhood and good times even when singing about . . . well, the song was originally going to be called "Dick Needs a Friend," so draw your own conclusions. Frontman Dan Vitale continues to support ska for all he's worth, whether that means putting together new compilations (like last year's hemp-related Joint Chiefs of Staff) or opening for the Bosstones last summer at Great Woods. At the latter show, Bosstones singer Dicky Barrett turned to the ska fans in the crowd and said "I'm so proud of you guys." He could just as easily have been talking to the opening act.

-- Brett Milano