Ska music with hint of motown, R&B, soul

They’re young, they’re old, they’ve been around a long time, they’re new, they’re family guys, they’re rock stars.

They’re Skavenjah, and they’re lined up to perform material from their 16-year life span at Pete’s the fourth week of July.

Singer and manager Chad Guy said he would describe Skavenjah’s genre as third-wave ska, with a touch of a combination of motown, R&B and soul.

“We’re definitely leaning toward that kind of flavour,” Guy said. “We’re all older too so that’s the kind of stuff we listened to.”

After being around for 16 years, the band has seen a number of members come and go. The founding member is the oldest at 45, with a handful in their 30s, ranging down to the youngest musician who is 25 years old.

Touring is not a full-time endeavor for the band, as many members balance their music with their family life. And keeping seven band members on the same page can be tough, Guy said, especially when it comes to living together on the road.

“But I think what’s really cool about our band is that among those seven people there are seven tastes, and it comes out in our music,” he said.

The band’s latest album, El Ritmo de la Vida, which means the Rhythm of Life, came out in 2006 and was its fifth, with its next one set to come out in January. This summer they’ll also be recording a live album while they tour, which will also be released next year.

Guy said the band will be trying out new material as they tour, to see how fans respond.

“We always do that on the road, try out new tunes with people,” he said. “That’s always the challenge, to make a record better than the last, and keep pushing yourself.”

Skavenjah has visited Jasper a few times before, to play at Pete’s as well as the Jasper Folk Festival.

“It’s just such a great town,” Guy said. “Especially being from Saskatchewan, we like to get out to the mountains, it’s a nice little escape for us.”

The show is on July 23 at 10 p.m. at Pete’s Nightclub.