The UpTones ruled the Bay Area in the 80s. First off, you heard them on 99 The Quake or saw them perform at one of the popular clubs like the Kabuki or the Berkeley Square. These Berkeley High School lads loved the Two-Tone ska movement, which came and went in a few hot years in the UK. This Berkeley band designed with a two-tone value system came into being. This band of Berkeley High School students performed their original material in the Bay Area throughout the 80s. Their shows were riotous music and dancing onslaught. San Francisco radio station Quake played songs from the band immediately, even if they were demos self-produced by the band. I included those recordings in this podcast at the end.
Here’s what was said about the Uptones:
Formed in 1981 in Berkeley, while they were still in high school. The Uptones were the first band devoted to playing Ska on the West Coast. The Uptones played to skanking crowds all over the West. Several of their recordings were regional hits, and for a time they were the most popular band in the Bay Area.
“It is a sight to behold, The Uptones tearing up the stage and the audience tearing up the dance floor.” – San Francisco Chronicle (2 articles)
“The Uptones… without a doubt the best show in Berkeley.“
– Berkeley Free Press
“Sitting down at an Uptones show is like keeping your eyes shut at a movie.”
– Rolling Stone
The Uptones “Live at Gilman Street” (SOB CD 0058) is a living proof of the raw power the band delivered every show.
“Best live Ska record ever” – Crawdaddy Magazine
“***** Five Stars “This record rocks from beginning to end.”
– Rolling Stone
“The Uptones, the Bay Area’s best ska band of all time.”
— Pacific Sun