Ska-P, the Ska-Punk Band from Spain, Put on a Show at No Logo NZH
Walking into a music festival with no knowledge of who’s playing is less than ideal. Due to my own survival techniques on being with the French, which in short terms means – go with the flow and don’t ask questions – this is the situation I found myself in the other day at No Logo BZH. Standing in a crowd before Ska-P took the stage, not knowing who they were or what was about to happen.
Before they began, a French woman next to me asked me a question in her native tongue. Confused at first because the only thing I heard at her speed was, “déjà vu.” My friend to my right pokes me and tells me, “She asked if you’ve seen this band before.” I give a nod of recognition and say, “No.” She smiles, one large enough to tell me everything.
There is a countdown for the band, and the crowd screams. I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t know. Like being in a room full of people laughing, and I don’t get the joke. The band takes the stage, and the cultural celebration that ensues at a Ska-P show reveals itself to me in all its glory.
If I had to sum up the show by the ska-punk band from Madrid, Spain called Ska-P, I’d say this – “You will never know who’s having more fun, those jumping and screaming the lyrics in the crowd or the creators of the lyrics shouting from the stage.” You can’t help but look at the hilarious theatrics from the band’s trumpet player dressing up in historical/military figures, at times, other times in a leather skirt and no shirt, and at one point with a giant joint the size of himself across his shoulder strutting slowly across the stage during a song about legalizing weed. The screen behind the band shoots crazy, cartoon graphics, and for certain songs, the lyrics appear helping the crowd get involved. At one point, the pockets of people in front of me begin to do-si-do, that silly dance we all know as kids. Numerous take the time-honored plunge of crowd surfing, one of my favorite sights to see. All in all – it’s a show you wish all shows to be – the fun, party-like atmosphere all thanks to good f**king tunes. And easy to say, this isn’t commercial artists lip-synching or overproduced sound radiating from people at the top pushing buttons and asking sheep to dance, it’s real. It’s punk. Wait, no, it’s Ska-P.
Each song was in Spanish, so I wasn’t able to fully understand every word, yet the message and theme for every tune is a similar one I hear from America – freedom. Freedom to be me, freedom to be you, and freedom from those who tear us down. You are stuck in awe at the inspiring hope from the show, and if it wasn’t for the punk in front of me wearing a t-shirt that says “The Clash” across his chest, stepping on my toes as he pogos, I’d think I was dreaming. So it goes.
I guess what I’m trying to tell you – is if someone says you’re going to a festival and doesn’t enlighten you on who’s playing, go anyway. And when you hear the words – Ska-P – get excited and smile, you’re in for a show.
PS – To those who know Ska-P well, please don’t take offense to my lack of knowledge. I now know. Cheers.
