The Skatological Argument
By Alistair Wallis
Monday 28st September 2009
For the past millennium or so, there has been much deep philosophical debate on the subject of the existence or non-existence of a God or Gods. This has led to the cosmological argument, the ontological argument, the teleological argument and much spent ink and a few wars. I would like to propose a new argument; namely, the skatalogical argument. The key premise from which the rest of the argument follows is this: the existence of ska music implies the existence of a God. Ska music has been described as a fusion of jazz, reggae and rock, though it predates reggae by about a decade. Originating in the Caribbean in the late fifties, since its creation ska has been the most cheerful music to which one can listen. What makes ska especially awesome is the compulsion to dance whenever it is played. Lyrically, songs range from religious to political to bizarre. Some of the first ska acts to become popular in the UK were Desmond Dekker, Byron. Lee and the Dragonaires, the Maytals and the Skatalites. These were stylistically similar to reggae but quicker and livelier. Dekker’s music was often religious in nature, for example “The Israelites”, while one of the most enduring Maytals songs is “Monkey Man”. The next development of ska was in the late seventies / early eighties with the advent of bands such as the Specials and Madness. These bands added a slightly jazzier element to the music with a dash of punk as was popular then.
More modern bands to have a slightly ska-esque sound include No Doubt (with lead singer Gwen Stefani) and Reel Big Fish. These were rockier with an even jazzier tone. Over the years, ska music has become increasingly popular in St Andrews. Musfund, the subcommittee of the union responsible with encouraging live music in the union, have (and hopefully will continue to) put on a number of bands from ska and from related genres, including Fight the Bear, the Skababs and Big Hand. So I will leave you to browse YouTube and as the old adage goes: “Keep on skanking!”
Monday 28st September 2009
For the past millennium or so, there has been much deep philosophical debate on the subject of the existence or non-existence of a God or Gods. This has led to the cosmological argument, the ontological argument, the teleological argument and much spent ink and a few wars. I would like to propose a new argument; namely, the skatalogical argument. The key premise from which the rest of the argument follows is this: the existence of ska music implies the existence of a God. Ska music has been described as a fusion of jazz, reggae and rock, though it predates reggae by about a decade. Originating in the Caribbean in the late fifties, since its creation ska has been the most cheerful music to which one can listen. What makes ska especially awesome is the compulsion to dance whenever it is played. Lyrically, songs range from religious to political to bizarre. Some of the first ska acts to become popular in the UK were Desmond Dekker, Byron. Lee and the Dragonaires, the Maytals and the Skatalites. These were stylistically similar to reggae but quicker and livelier. Dekker’s music was often religious in nature, for example “The Israelites”, while one of the most enduring Maytals songs is “Monkey Man”. The next development of ska was in the late seventies / early eighties with the advent of bands such as the Specials and Madness. These bands added a slightly jazzier element to the music with a dash of punk as was popular then.
More modern bands to have a slightly ska-esque sound include No Doubt (with lead singer Gwen Stefani) and Reel Big Fish. These were rockier with an even jazzier tone. Over the years, ska music has become increasingly popular in St Andrews. Musfund, the subcommittee of the union responsible with encouraging live music in the union, have (and hopefully will continue to) put on a number of bands from ska and from related genres, including Fight the Bear, the Skababs and Big Hand. So I will leave you to browse YouTube and as the old adage goes: “Keep on skanking!”