Like a lot of people, I really, really need to be in the mood to listen to third wave ska. And by "in the mood" I mean I need to be in high school again. Still, I kinda dig Tempe's 2 Tone Lizard Kings. Sure, the time I saw them, at last year's Strong Beer Festival, I was pretty drunk, but there really is something endearing about these Toasters-style 2 Toners. They've got a great horn section and some pretty kickin' songs. I especially like "Wayo" and "Sally Brown" (which you can hear on their MySpace).
2TLK advertise themselves as a "keg party with horns"and it's hard to argue -- they've just perfected the vibe. They're the best beer fest music I've encountered and just one of the many things that make Saturday's Strong Beer Fest such a treat. So why you won't catch me skanking as we cover the event, they might just prompt me to drink a Ska Brew, something I find almost as distasteful as bad dancing.