I like the style of music, but with a few caveats. I like stuff with lots of melody and horns, but I don't like stuff where the vocals are just screaming, or just whining. Female singers are cool too, like Save Ferris or very old No Doubt. I don't like stuff that's too pop or punk, like Less than Jake or Goldfinger. I actually like more reggae like stuff like Toots and the Maytals and the Specials but I'm not looking for that right now.

Some examples of what I'm looking for is older Reel Big Fish, some Streetlight Manifesto, Mad Caddies (in their ska-like period), Save Ferris, and maybe the Toasters or Mustard Plug.

Any suggestions?

RX Bandits (their older stuff is stereotypical "3rd wave ska" while their most recent contribution is a mix of Ska and Progressive Rock)

/thread

*shameless plug*

Dislexic - http://www.myspace.com/dislexsicyogurt

A friends band. They play some ska but are more on the punk side...Its not bad.

meh, so you're looking for a greater ska influence than a punk influence?

Uptones
Dance Hall Crashers

Not going to overload the list, but those are two somewhate modern bands that are just plain ska.

EDIT: Toasters, Slackers, Pietasters

Choking Victim, Leftover Crack, Operation Ivy, Morning Glory, No Cash, Mustard Plug.

I know its all ska-punk not true ska, but ska-punk is so much better.

Any room for Planet Smashers?

If you like Operation Ivy, check out Common Rider. It's Jesse Michaels' band after the breakup. Really good. A lot smoother and lighter, but his lyrical genius is still there. Jesse Michaels is the guy who wrote most of Operation Ivy's songs.

fucking this

mighty mighty bosstones

Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, Catch 22