The Slackers

The Slackers came together in New York City in the early 1990s, around the time third-wave ska was taking shape. Vic Ruggiero fronts the band, which mixes Jamaican ska with punk, reggae, and rock. Their songs like 'Have the Time' and 'Married Girl' have straightforward rhythms and lyrics that don't overcomplicate things.

They've put out records steadily since the mid-90s, including 'Better Late Than Never' in 1996 and 'The Great Rocksteady Swindle' in 2005. The lineup has included Dave Hillyard on bass, Jay Nugent on saxophone, Glen Pine on trumpet, and Russ Ranger on drums. Their sound stays close to ska fundamentals without chasing trends.

Their music doesn't shout for attention, but it's held up through the years. Tracks like 'Bin Waiting' and 'Every Day is Sunday' have a direct quality that works in small clubs and on recordings. They've built a following by sticking to what they do rather than reinventing themselves.