National ska/rockabilly/swing

Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Kings of the mishmosh

That a National Ska/Rockabilly/Swing category even exists, that such a mixture doesn't strike us as bizarre or ludicrous, is surely thanks to this year's winners, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Though ska has always been at the heart of their music, they've effortlessly blended so many styles for so long (and spawned so many apparent imitators), it's no wonder they're the path-clearing champs of this mishmosh category. It's also fitting that they've stepped up from the Local slots, since the 14-year-old band broke through nationally with 1997's Let's Face It (Mercury) and spent much of last year solidifying their nationwide appeal with their customary incendiary live shows -- on the Warped tour, at the band's annual year-end Hometown Throwdown (a sold-out five-night stand at the Middle East), and on disc with Live from the Middle East (recorded at 1997's Throwdown). Plus, they're good guys, playing benefits, keeping vinyl alive on their Big Rig label, and supporting Boston acts by bringing them along on tour. Saxophonist Kevin Lenear's departure has somewhat shifted the emphasis away from the brass section, but the Bosstones should still have no trouble mixing it up and forging new musical categories.

-- Gary Susman

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Mercury Records's Official Mighty Mighty Bosstones page
A Mighty Mighty Bosstones fan page
Bub's Bosstones page

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