History Main / TwoTone

A sub-genre of {{ska}} that showed up in Britain at the end of TheSeventies. 2 Tone took its name from a newly formed record label based in [[UsefulNotes/TheMidlands Coventry]], recognised by its distinctive checkerboard logo and mod mascot "Walt Jabsco". Since the company gave bands the option to produce one single with no obligations to follow it up, several successful ska groups were able to record a 2 Tone release before moving on to another company if they wished.

* Music/{{Graduate}} (mainly known for being [[RetroactiveRecognition an early band]] of [[Music/TearsForFears Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith's]]. Despite being marketed as a TwoTone band on the basis of their [[OneHitWonder sole hit]] "[[Music/ElvisCostello Elvis]] Should Play Ska", their actual sound is much closer to PowerPop.)

* Music/{{Madness}}

* Music/TheBeat (eventually known as The English Beat outside of England because of an identically named American band

Many of the songs released by second wave bands were politically and socially conscious. Most of the main groups had multiracial line-ups, with songwriter Jerry Dammers - probably the dominant personality behind the formation of the 2 Tone Records label and the keyboard player for {{Music/The Specials}} - stating that one of his aims was to use music to oppose racism and preventing the growth of groups like the National Front in the mod[=/=]skinhead revival occurring in the late-1970s. Furthermore, many lyrics were also critical of Conservative PM UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher, most famously the Specials number one hit ''GhostTown'', which blamed the government for the unemployment and inner city decay of the early 1980s.

Although some American ska groups such as Music/TheToasters and Music/TheMightyMightyBosstones - who were influenced by the performers in the British scene - also appeared around this time, they're generally not counted as 2 Tone bands. Rather, they are usually categorised as major influences of the American SkaPunk, or Third Wave ska genre; the American ska scene was arguably kicked off by British expatriate Robert Hingley, whose band (the Toasters) were formed when he discovered that there were no major exponents of ska in the states. As a tribute to their British influences, the Toasters subsequently recorded a song called "2 Tone Army" (which saw use as the theme for [[WesternAnimation/KaBlam a cartoon show]] in the 1990s).

* Music/TheBeat

** 1979 - ''Music/OneStepBeyond''
** 1980 - ''Music/{{Absolutely}}''
** 1982 - ''Music/TheRiseAndFall''

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/2tone_3985.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Walt Jabsco and the 2 Tone logo.]]

Many of the songs released by second wave bands were politically and socially conscious. Most of the main groups had multiracial line-ups, with songwriter Jerry Dammers - probably the dominant personality behind the formation of the 2 Tone Records label and the keyboard player for {{Music/The Specials}} - stating that one of his aims was to use music to oppose racism and preventing the growth of groups like the National Front in the mod[=/=]skinhead revival occurring in the late-1970s. Furthermore, many lyrics were also critical of Conservative PM MargaretThatcher, most famously the Specials number one hit ''GhostTown'', which blamed the government for the unemployment and inner city decay of the early 1980s.

Although some American ska groups such as TheToasters and TheMightyMightyBosstones - who were influenced by the performers in the British scene - also appeared around this time, they're generally not counted as 2 Tone bands. Rather, they are usually categorised as major influences of the American SkaPunk, or Third Wave ska genre; the American ska scene was arguably kicked off by British expatriate Robert Hingley, whose band (the Toasters) were formed when he discovered that there were no major exponents of ska in the states. As a tribute to their British influences, the Toasters subsequently recorded a song called "2 Tone Army" (which saw use as the theme for [[WesternAnimation/KaBlam a cartoon show]] in the 1990s).

Although some American ska groups such as TheToasters and TheMightyMightyBosstones - who were influenced by the performers in the British scene - also appeared around this time, they're generally not counted as 2 Tone bands. Rather, they are usually categorised as major influences of the American SkaPunk, or Third Wave ska genre; the American ska scene was arguably kicked off by British expatriate Robert Hingley, whose band (the Toasters) were formed when he discovered that there were no major exponents of ska in the states. As a tribute to their British influences, the Toasters subsequently recorded a song called "2 Tone Army" (which saw use as the theme for [[KaBlam a cartoon show]] in the 1990s).

2 Tone artists include:

Musically, the second wave bands were influenced by {{Reggae}}, Music/PunkRock and the [[{{Soul}} northern soul]] dance scene, all of which were very popular in the British independent scene during the 1970s, as well as first wave ska imported from Jamaica and distributed by the Blue Beat label, resulting in a sound faster and harder-edged than Jamaican ska. Notably, a lot of songs were "interpretations" or [[CoverVersion covers]] of old or obscure ska and reggae tracks by Jamaican artsts.

* MusicTheBodysnatchers

* The Bodysnatchers

----

Musically, the second wave bands were influenced by {{Reggae}}, Music/PunkRock and the [[Music/{{Soul}} northern soul]] dance scene, all of which were very popular in the British independent scene during the 1970s, as well as first wave ska imported from Jamaica and distributed by the Blue Beat label, resulting in a sound faster and harder-edged than Jamaican ska. Notably, a lot of songs were "interpretations" or [[CoverVersion covers]] of old or obscure ska and reggae tracks by Jamaican artsts.

* [[{{Music/TheSpecials}} The Specials]]

* {{Music/Madness}}
* TheSelecter

A sub-genre of {{ska}} that showed up in Britain at the end of TheSeventies. 2 Tone took its name from a newly formed record label based in [[TheMidlands Coventry]], recognised by its distinctive checkerboard logo and mod mascot "Walt Jabsco". Since the company gave bands the option to produce one single with no obligations to follow it up, several successful ska groups were able to record a 2 Tone release before moving on to another company if they wished.

Musically, the second wave bands were influenced by {{Reggae}}, PunkRock and the [[Music/{{Soul}} northern soul]] dance scene, all of which were very popular in the British independent scene during the 1970s, as well as first wave ska imported from Jamaica and distributed by the Blue Beat label, resulting in a sound faster and harder-edged than Jamaican ska. Notably, a lot of songs were "interpretations" or [[CoverVersion covers]] of old or obscure ska and reggae tracks by Jamaican artsts.

Musically, the second wave bands were influenced by {{Reggae}}, PunkRock and the [[Music/{{Soul}} northern soul]] dance scene, all of which were very popular in the British independent scene during the 1970s, as well as first wave ska imported from Jamaica and distributed by the Blue Beat label, resuling in a sound faster and harder-edged than Jamaican ska. Notably, a lot of songs were "interpretations" or [[CoverVersion covers]] of old or obscure ska and reggae tracks by Jamaican artsts.

A sub-genre of {{ska}} that showed up in Britain at the end of TheSeventies. This style took its name from a newly formed record label based in [[TheMidlands Coventry]], recognised by its distinctive checkerboard logo and mod mascot 'Walt Jabsco'. Since the company gave bands the option to produce one single with no obligations to follow it up, several successful ska groups were able to record a 2 Tone release before moving on to another company if they wished. Musically, second wave bands were influenced by {{Reggae}}, PunkRock and Northern Soul, which were popular in Britain at that time as well as first wave ska, creating a faster and harder edged sound. A lot of songs were interpretations or [[CoverVersion covers]] of songs by Jamaican ska artsts; most bands would include a cover version of an old Blue Beat song as a B-side and many album tracks were classified as 'interpretations' of ska and reggae tracks.

A considerable number of the songs released by second wave bands were politically and socially conscious. Most of the main groups had multiracial line-ups, with songwriter Jerry Dammers - a major force behind the 2 Tone Records label and the keyboard player for {{Music/The Specials}} - stating that one of his aims was to use music to oppose racism and preventing the growth of groups like the NationalFront in the mod and skinhead revival occurring in the late-1970s. Many lyrics were also critical of Conservative PM MargaretThatcher; the Specials number one hit ''GhostTown'' was probably the best example.

Although some American ska groups such as TheToasters and TheMightyMightyBosstones - who were influenced by the performers in the British scene - also appeared around this time, they're generally not counted as 2 Tone bands. Rather, they are usually categorised as major influences of the American SkaPunk, or Third Wave ska genre. (This didn't stop TheToasters from writing a song called "Two-Tone Army", which went on to become the theme song to [[KaBlam a cartoon show]] or something.)

And no, it has nothing to do with [[OneHundredAndOneDalmatians a dalmatian puppy kidnaped by an evil lady]].

A sub-genre of ska that showed up in Britain at the end of TheSeventies. This style took its name from a newly formed record label based in [[TheMidlands Coventry]], recognised by its distinctive checkerboard logo and mod mascot 'Walt Jabsco'. Since the company gave bands the option to produce one single with no obligations to follow it up, several successful ska groups were able to record a 2 Tone release before moving on to another company if they wished. Musically, second wave bands were influenced by {{Reggae}}, PunkRock and {{Music/Soul Northern Soul}}, which were popular in Britain at that time as well as first wave ska, creating a faster and harder edged sound. A lot of songs were interpretations or [[CoverVersion covers]] of songs by Jamaican ska artsts; most bands would include a cover version of an old Blue Beat song as a B-side and many album tracks were classified as 'interpretations' of ska and reggae tracks.

* TheBeat

Although some American ska groups such as TheToasters and TheMightyMightyBosstones - who were influenced by the performers in the British scene - also appeared around this time, they're generally not counted as 2 Tone bands. Rather, they are usually categorised as major influences of the American SkaPunk, or Third Wave ska genre. (Although there WAS a song by the Toasters named "2-Tone Army" AKA The ''KaBlam!'' theme song''.

Although some American ska groups such as TheToasters and TheMightyMightyBosstones - who were influenced by the performers in the British scene - also appeared around this time, they're generally not counted as 2 Tone bands. Rather, they are usually categorised as major influences of the American SkaPunk, or Third Wave ska genre.