The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Hell Of A Hat

What this video is

Released in 1994-1995 during the early mainstream surge of third wave ska punk, 'Hell Of A Hat' emerged from Boston's fertile underground scene at a pivotal commercial juncture. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were one of the most visible ska punk acts of the era, helping introduce the genre to a PolyGram/Mercury major-label audience years before the ska-pop explosion of 1996-1997. The song's lyrical focus on street…

Why it matters

A key document of the third wave ska punk movement's pre-breakthrough moment, predating the genre's commercial peak (Reel Big Fish, No Doubt, Less Than Jake) by 2-3 years. The Bosstones' PolyGram signing and MTV presence marked ska punk's first sustained major-label visibility, making this video…

The director

Born 1970 in Los Angeles, CA. Studied film at Hampshire College, Amherst, MA, where he began directing videos for independent rock bands. Became the youngest director signed to Satellite Films (a Propaganda division) at age 21, directing over 250 music…