Best known for their catchy and unapologetically rough ska, The Pietasters have been filling a niche in the scene for over thirty-fives years. Formed in Washington, D.C. in 1990, the band came out of the city’s early 1990s DIY scene. Members were friends growing up and playing gigs in punk houses and other venues for low prices. That same grassroots ethos has continued to be a hallmark of the band ever since. Even on their recorded works, listeners can’t help but picture where their music is intended to be played: on a small, low stage with a full band playing in front of a frenetic crowd.
To many, The Pietasters are “that 1990s third-wave ska band.” While that’s true, it need not define their best work. Their brand of music—skasoul—is a blend of two-tone ska and Stax soul, with nods to Motown, reggae-arranging, and even rough-around-the-edges UK punk. The result is far more emotionally nuanced than typical ska.
At the core of the Pietasters’ sound is the rugged yet heart-wrenching vocals of lead singer Steve Jackson. What, however, is a truly distinguishing feature of this rock band is the excellent support the other members of the band deliver. The use of a full horn section and the incorporation of backing vocals, sometimes even in a call-and-response format, lends the Pietasters the feeling of a revue a la James Brown, as well as artists from the soul and R&B genres. The rhythm section creates a strong drive and a lot of danceability by playing mostly walking bass lines and maintaining a mid-tempo pace that never really falters. As a direct result, the Pietasters have been able to amass an impressive cross-section of fans from various music backgrounds.
We’ve been fans of this Washington D.C. band for years. While many of the other ska bands from the late-90’s ska explosion are long gone, The Pietasters have continued to evolve and adapt over the years. Their latest release is no exception. While not as strong as some of their past work, Suave features some catchy new Pietaster material. We can’t mention The Pietasters without, of course, mentioning “Out All Night”. It is one of their most well-known songs and arguably their best work. A laid-back beat, catchy hooks, and a general feeling of comfort are what make this song so endearing. You can’t help but want to listen to it over and over again.
The Pietasters are at their best live. They have shared the stage with such acts as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Unwritten Law, Reel Big Fish, and have even toured as the backup band for the legendary James Brown for an arena full of people in Washington, D.C. Where The Pietasters really shine is on stage performing their original ska-influenced, soul-based music for the live audience.
The Pietasters’ third album sees the band largely treading water at the same level as their 1995 debut. There’s a looseness to the record that keeps it from slipping into sloppiness, but it’s also plainly fun – and not even artificially so. The Pietasters aren’t a “new” band in the modern sense; they’re a legacy act, already well into their 20s before their first LP hit the streets. But that doesn’t keep them from coming across as an active and engaged unit even as so many of their DC Country Punk contemporaries have devolved into nostalgia acts.
For those who have never seen The Pietasters live, let me tell you, they leave a mark on the crowd. Their music is very energetic, and with nearly 2 decades of material to pick and choose from, they can play something old to them but new to the audience. The Pietasters have experience playing songs from their catalog and know just the right ones to play to entertain both them and the audience. They don’t just play music, they put on a show.
I got happy just from listening to their music for 20 minutes. I recommend these happy fellows playing happy ska music. Check out their Spotify and YouTube channels. And if you want to experience the atmosphere of their live performance, check out Ticketmaster for the upcoming events (🛒).
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