Goldfinger, Mustard Plug, The Planet Smashers, Catbite, Millington, et sullvn

That ska punk is even a genre is a strange thing in itself, but not only does it exist, it’s been big business for the right bands. No Doubt are the most commercially-viable example, of course, but The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, too, have sold plenty of records and played many a sold-out show down the years. Los Angeles outfit Goldfinger are another group who, at nearly twenty years in the business, who have made the genre a firm success, particularly in that mid-nineties scene that saw such a resurrection of the sound. As time went by, Goldfinger records became more and more skewed towards standard punk rock, too, as was the case on their most recent album, 2008’s Hello Destiny. Their seventh studio album remains in the pipeline, but the band have continued to tour; they journeyed across the U.S. and Australia over the past couple of years, playing high-octane sets that traditionally kicked off with their classic hit from Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4, ‘Spokesman’. They haven’t made it to the UK, though, since early 2009; expect that to change as and when the album finally turns up, as they’re already veterans of punk festivals like Leeds’ Slam Dunk.

My friend actually took me along to a Mustard Plug gig some time ago before I knew any of the ska punk band’s tracks, and I was immediately won over by their organic and individual use of eclectic instruments in their punk sound. The trumpet and saxophone build up the sound incredibly, and when juxtaposed with the guitar and drums, they create a super exciting sound. After seeing their first show live, I knew I had to buy their music, and after listening to it time and time again, I was lucky enough to catch them in concert once again.

Usually, I’d say a band with seven members was a little too big, but the bigband sound that they create is incredible and instantly creates an electric atmosphere. Seeing the band six years on from my first experience with them, I’d say if anything, they’ve just got better and better over the years. They played through their album Can’t Contain It, which was actually funded using a KickStarter campaign, and as no one in the crowd had heard any of the tracks form the album live before, everyone was going crazy, and dancing full out.

From start to finish, the band were totally dedicated to their performance, and Colin and Dave were shouting out to us in the crowd to get involved with the dancing and singing. The way that you could tell that every single band member was there to please the audience made the whole event seem even more special and exhilarating.

Collide The Specials with singing of Paul Weller and you get a beautiful mixture of punk and scar to create The Planet Smashers. And they look to be smashing up this planet on tour.

Taking on Canada very soon, The Planet Smashers exceed everything you desire from a modern day scar act. There live shows echo what The Specials and The Madness use to create. Everyones arms are pumping, milking the cow as it were, feet moving to the beat and this is best exampled in 'Fabricated.' Watch on youtube their Super orgy porno party where members of the crowd join the band on stage performing and everyone is loving it to the max!

It would be absolutely brilliant if the band can breakthrough and smash One Directions planet up, throw Miley Cyrus to the side and put scar music back where it belongs- number one in our hearts and charts. They are touring so hopefully this spirals into a larger tour and the comeback of scar music.