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 Bennie Wood 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, and Bennie are joined by Moose Lethridge, Adam Beach, Tim Carter, Jeanne Geiger, and Scott Bertrand to form the current lineup of The Uptones.
The Uptones are in the process of recording new original material for their upcoming CD “Skanking Foolz Unite” with producers Matthew King Kaufman and Michael Rosen for the Fun Fun Fun Muzic label
Recent Press and Reviews:
The Uptones, Minks, Tried & True
Every generation has its own ska revival, and for people who went to Bay Area high schools in the ’80s, one of the biggest names in the scene was the UpTones. The band formed while its members were still students at Berkeley High School and quickly became one of the most popular concert attractions around the bay. Three original members of the band have revived the UpTones and are inspiring a new crop of kids to dance. This is an all-ages show.
–SF Chronicle
Last night I went to a ska concert with Fishbone, The Uptones, The Chop Tops and The Gallows… The Uptones - were badass. This was ska-punk the way it should be played: with eight band-members, three horn-players (the trombonist was female!), and some fucking catchy tunes. I will definitely try to get ahold of more of their music.
-sataf’s journal (excerpt)
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 Bennie Wood 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, and Bennie are joined by Moose Lethridge, Adam Beach, Tim Carter, Jeanne Geiger, and Scott Bertrand to form the current lineup of The Uptones.
The Uptones are in the process of recording new original material for their upcoming CD “Skanking Foolz Unite” with producers Matthew King Kaufman and Michael Rosen for the Fun Fun Fun Muzic label
Recent Press and Reviews:
The Uptones, Minks, Tried & True
Every generation has its own ska revival, and for people who went to Bay Area high schools in the ’80s, one of the biggest names in the scene was the UpTones. The band formed while its members were still students at Berkeley High School and quickly became one of the most popular concert attractions around the bay. Three original members of the band have revived the UpTones and are inspiring a new crop of kids to dance. This is an all-ages show.
–SF Chronicle
Last night I went to a ska concert with Fishbone, The Uptones, The Chop Tops and The Gallows… The Uptones - were badass. This was ska-punk the way it should be played: with eight band-members, three horn-players (the trombonist was female!), and some fucking catchy tunes. I will definitely try to get ahold of more of their music.
-sataf’s journal (excerpt)
Comments
i pray to the ska gods you come play the east coast
a new fan from east of the pond...