Bim Skala Bim is a Boston-based ska band, formed in 1983, whose sound mixes two-tone British ska influences with American punk and rock steady, earning them the label of one of the first bands of the Third Wave of ska. They coined their own term “Boston Blue Beat” to describe their energetic blend of upbeat ska horns, driving rhythms and rock-influenced arrangements that distinguished them from earlier ska revivalists.

Over their initial run (1983–2002) and after re-forming in 2009, they released a substantial body of work including the albums Bones (1991) and Universal (1997), and collected numerous local awards such as 10 Boston Music Awards.

The band earned wider recognition by touring nationally—highlighted by their 1997 “Boston on the Road” tour along with the Dropkick Murphys and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones—helping bring the Boston ska-scene to a broader audience. After a hiatus beginning in 2002, Bim Skala Bim reunited and released the album Chet’s Last Call in 2013, reaffirming their legacy and continuing to influence ska bands in the U.S. and beyond.