“Partridge’s gritty yet affectionate take on ska and swing brings the bands, their music, and their lasting cultural influence to vivid life.”
—Library Journal
“If you want to be an expert on ska, here’s a must-read. Partridge draws on interviews from some key figures, including the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Sublime, and Less Than Jake, to tell the story of a genre that found huge success at a time when its upbeat, lighthearted nature seemed to reflect the optimism of its environment.”
—Molly Tie Punktuation Magazine
“A time capsule and family reunion all in one. Partridge had unprecedented access to some of the time period’s heavy hitters, so the narrative he weaves is authentic and insightful. . . . An easily digestible piece of music history that anyone who cares about understanding American music should read.”
—Dane Jackson Bearded Gentlemen Music
“Now it can be told: the ska and swing music of the glorious post-Nirvana ’90s deserves your love and respect. Kenneth Partridge takes you back to the songs that will have your Vans tapping, with stories that will make your pompadour stand on end. Mr. Partridge, skanks for the memories.”
—Dave Holmes,editor-at-large of Esquire and former MTV VJ
“Hell of a Hat is the long-overdue chronicle of how the ska and swing movements of the late twentieth century were more than mere fads. In his frantic and fascinating book, Partridge authoritatively defends the love that an entire generation had for these two cultural revivals, which flew against the angst-ridden stereotype of the ’90s. This book positively dances.”
—Jason Heller,author of Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded
“American ska hasn’t received its proper due nor garnered the kind of respect that it deserves. Hell of a Hat goes a long way toward remedying that oversight.”
—June Skinner Sawyers,author of Bob Dylan: New York
“Partridge did a fantastic job writing this book, as it is well-researched and thorough while still accessible to a wide range of readers. I highly recommend this book for any music collection, academic or public.”
—Gaylyn Foxworthy Music Reference Services Quarterly
09/01/2021
Music and popular culture writer Partridge (managing editor, Genius) brings welcome attention to the little-documented third wave of ska music. He notes that ska originated in 1950s Jamaica and evolved into a global phenomenon. Partridge also addresses the 1990s retro craze for swing dance culture, evoking its 1930s-40s heyday of Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller; both ska and swing saw renewed popularity in pre-9/11 United States and Britain. Chapters focus on famous and lesser-known bands (including ska-reggae group Hepcat and the ska-punk bands No Doubt and Sublime), with excerpts from interviews, details about their songs, accounts of tours and live performances, and glimpses into how the groups are faring today. While elements of contemporary punk and grunge surfaced in ska, the bands made efforts to create their own sounds with a variety of instruments and vocal styles evoking the past but pushing the envelope to appeal to new audiences. Mentions of celebrities such as Gwen Stefani and candid photographs add interest, while the notes encourage readers to explore further. VERDICT Partridge's gritty yet affectionate take on ska and swing brings the bands, their music, and their lasting cultural influence to vivid life.—Barry Zaslow, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, OH
