When Rob Hingley first picked up a guitar, it was with the intent to take his mind off of studying. What started as a high school stress reliever resulted in America’s longest-running ska band.

Hingley, known to his close friends as “Bucket,” formed the Toasters in 1982 and has been with them ever since. His love for ska and for music in general dates back to his elementary years.

“I bought my first ska record when I was nine years old,” said Hingley. “My older brother was a big ska fan back in the late ’60s. I got into what’s called ‘skinhead reggae.’ Growing up in the United Kingdom, there was a lot more ska music on the radio.”

Hingley spent most of the ’70s in punk rock and reggae bands, with some of the songs written then still being played by the Toasters today. Besides songs from previous bands, Hingley also draws inspiration from the 2 tone movement of the late ’70s.

“It kind of got a hold of me on a spiritual level,” said Hingley. “I have always looked to that period of time to be a big influence, and if anybody asks me, I would say that the Toasters are a 2 tone band because I think that’s where a lot of my influences lie.”

The 2 tone movement began with 2Tone Records, an offshoot of Chrysalis Records, that had bands such as the Specials and Madness in the ’70s. It also held a special place in the racially and politically charged climate of the United Kingdom.

“Essentially what 2 tone meant was black people and white people working together in the music business, and then by extension in society,” said Hingley.

The Toasters has gone through many roster changes in its 24-year-plus history. The two newest members include trombonist and ex-Mighty Mighty Bosstones member Chris Rhodes and bassist Jason Nwagbaraocha.

Nwagbaraocha has been playing the bass since he was a child. His love of ska stems from the loud drum-and-bass style of ska and reggae music. He had known Hingley for a long time when he was called to play in the Toasters.

“We’re the new guys on the team . I was honored,” Nwagbaraocha said.

Like Nwagbaraocha, saxophonist Jeff Richey picked up his instrument at a young age. Although his love of ska did not come as early in his life as Hingley’s, his influences were different by virtue of being born after the 2 tone movement.

“I am not from the 2 tone era. I got into 2 tone later. I was into punk and then ska-punk, and then into the Toasters,” he said.

Richey said when he was about 12 or 13 years old he found himself listening to bands such as the Descendents, NOFX and the Bouncing Souls.

“NOFX has one of those bands that would just tool around with ska music as a joke, kind of as a prank on their records. It led me over to things like Operation Ivy and obviously into the Toasters and Fishbone,” he said.

Hingley and Richey both agree that ska music is about the energy and the message, but their love for ska doesn’t overshadow the mainstream music they enjoy. Both members admit to having guilty musical pleasures.

“I am totally obsessed with Kelly Clarkson,” said Richey. “I am usually into really aggressive music, but this Kelly Clarkson record comes out and it is the most ridiculously catchy pop record I have ever heard.”