Skalapalooza: United They Jam

Though it attracts large numbers of primarily young fans to its energetic, dance-happy sounds, critics of ska’s third wave complain that the music is lightweight and unimaginative. Worse, they say, the majority of the bands playing ska don’t appreciate its roots, which stretch to the late-’50s in Kingston, Jamaica.

The ambitious, 35-date Ska Against Racism tour that arrives Sunday at Oak Canyon Ranch in Santiago Canyon has a chance to alter that perception. Featuring eight core acts--Less Than Jake, the Toasters, Blue Meanies, Mustard Plug, Five Iron Frenzy, MU330, Kemuri and Mike “Bruce Lee” Park--the all-day event will benefit several organizations dedicated to fighting bigotry, including the Museum of Tolerance, Artists for a Hate-Free America and Anti-Racist Action.

The local stopover promises to be something of an endurance test since the show’s promoter has also lassoed local talent. A total of 35 bands will perform on one of four stages beginning at 9 a.m.

Event organizer Mike Park hopes this multiact marathon will help bring some credibility to the genre, particularly within a Southern California scene marked more by trendiness than a shared musical vision. Even he admits it’s no easy sell.

“Popularized ska right now is linked more with punk, but people are getting burned-out on it,” he said by phone from the San Jose office where he runs his own ska- and punk-based label, Asian Man Records. “I’ve loved ska since I was a high school freshman back in ‘84, but I think it’s oversaturated right now. There aren’t enough bands doing original stuff.”

Park, 28, formerly of Skankin’ Pickle and now primarily a solo artist using the moniker Bruce Lee, created Asian Man two years ago to “put out original-sounding music by bands I really like and to keep the prices of CDs down.” (He oversees a roster of 10 bands and 30 albums; each release is available by mail-order for $8, postage-paid.)

*

On the downside, running the label means less time for Park to make his own music. The idea for Ska Against Racism surfaced out of his desire to make some noise.

“I was losing my mind with all the time I was expending on business matters. Man, I just wanted to play again!” said Park, who will perform Sunday alongside his St. Louis-based friends and label mate, MU330. “So I started brainstorming, and I thought, ‘What if I get a bunch of bands together and have a big tour?’ And if we’re gonna do it, why not have a theme of some importance behind it?

“I thought of Ska Against Racism because ska has always been affiliated with an anti-racist movement . . . the 2-Tone wave [think the Specials, the Selecter, English Beat]. Only it doesn’t seem to be going in that direction anymore, so I figured, let’s get back to that unifying spirit of ska.”

Not all of the proceeds will go directly to anti-racism organizations. Each band will decide how much money it wishes to contribute and to whom.

“It’s important to let the bands voice their opinions--I want them involved,” he said. “I don’t want to mislead people because we’re not gonna raise a lot of money. My goal, for the entire tour, is $20,000.”

He says that heightening awareness is just as critical, if not more so, than raising money.

“I’m realistic. . . . Probably no one will walk away preaching from the pulpit or anything like that,” he said. “But hopefully, if they see someone committing a racial slur or racially motivated crime, they’ll confront the person, instead of hiding or running away from them.”

Growing up in a predominantly white, middle-class suburb of San Jose, Park knows racism first-hand.

“Kids are brutal; they can be very mean,” he said. “They tease you. . . . They’d slant their eyes up and pretend to speak Chinese to me. It’s just not cool at all.”

However well-intentioned, Park has generated controversy over his own use of certain names and titles. Both Asian Man and his recently formed all-Asian band called the Chinkees have sparked charges of hypocrisy.

“Some people hear ‘the Chinkees’ name and ask, ‘What’s that all about?’ ” Park said. “It’s not racist or meant to be derogatory--it’s just something I wanted to do. In essence, it’s a direct look at racism and the reality of its presence. I think using ‘the Chinkees’ captures your attention. . . . We just finished an album that’s very political . . . and hopefully it will make its point.”

Even though he’s spearheading a serious-minded cause, Park doesn’t believe the music has to be taken so seriously.

“I’ve been loving ska music for 14 years . . . the energy, its beat and danceability,” he said. “As a fan, I’m excited about seeing all these different bands perform. It’s all about positivity. I know the kids enjoy it because ska puts a smile on their faces. And heck, it sure beats the angst of the grunge scene that is finally fading out.”

* Ska Against Racism plays Sunday at Oak Canyon Ranch, 5305 Santiago Canyon Road, Santiago Canyon. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $15.50. (714) 991-2055.