Known as the pioneers of the third wave of ska, the Toasters are quite possibly responsible for the short-lived ska explosion of 1998 when bands like Reel Big Fish and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones found a burst of success.

Legends of an underground scene they nurtured and fueled, the New York City band has been creating music with upstroke guitar and melodic horns since 1982.

At a time when radio and MTV were playing such shows as “Skaturday” and having broadcasts of this off-beat brand of music, much of the credit was given to the newcomers of ska rather than to the Toasters, the band that began this third-wave almost two decades ago with their own label, Moon Records.

Toasters frontman Rob “Bucket” Hingley is taking a break from the recording studio where the band is diligently working on its eighth full-length album, tentatively titled, “Enemy of the System.”

“It will be a mix of stuff,” Hingley says of the new record. “Some fast, some reggae, some pop songs. Probably more like [1997’s] ‘D.L.T.B.G.Y.D’ than anything else, but we’ll see when it’s finished.”

Hingley reflects on the Toasters’ long career and how they began.

“We had to start Moon as no one else was interested in putting out ska music at that time,” he says. “We needed a conduit for Toasters records and it grew into what we have now.”

Now, the label has gained nationwide recognition and a reputation for putting out quality ska music from a roster of dozens of bands. Many of the label’s artists have gone on to sign major deals and with its “Skarmaggedon” compilations, Moon Records has helped numerous bands gain high recognition.

Moving to the states from England, Hingley grew up listening to the ska explosion that was going on in England during the 1970s, with bands like The Specials, The Selecter, The English Beat and Madness. When he got to the States, Hingley wanted to start a ska band.

So began the Toasters.

Having been at it for almost 20 years and releasing seven albums, the Toasters have earned the right of America’s premiere ska band and have accomplished many things in the ska scene with their Moon Ska label.

Perhaps what’s more impressive about the band is what keeps them going and what is in the future.

“Haven’t been to Australia yet, so I guess we have to keep going for a bit,” Hingley jokes. “But I think we’ve stayed together so long out of sheer willpower. There’s been plenty to make us stop over the years, but it’s been a lot of fun during this ride. We’ve been motivated by the fact that we love what we do.”

Although the music business has virtually ignored the Toasters, except for Billboard who has dubbed the band as “ska pioneers,” most every band pays their respects to the band.

On stage at Lollapalooza ’95, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones admitted they wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for the Toasters. Bands like Rancid and Less Than Jake aren’t afraid to admit where they got their inspiration.

“If we’ve been an influence to people in a positive way, then that makes everything even more worthwhile,” Hingley explains.

Like most other bands, the Toasters do have an opinion about bands such as Less Than Jake and the Bosstones who are accused of “selling out,” or jumping to major labels, as some use the terms interchangeably.

“Bands should do the best for themselves that they can,” Hingley says. “If that means going to a major, then good for them. What I do object to is people who forget where they came from and step all over existing deals.”

Certainly, the Toasters are not concerned or interested in a major label as their label Moon Ska records is, without a doubt, the most successful ska label in the business.

Throughout the years, the only regret Hingley and the Toasters have is not being able to get back to some of the places that they have visited over the years. However, the band has been very happy with their successes and with ska in general.

“We have fun with what we do,” Hingley says. “Hopefully we have a positive message. Life is too short to be miserable.”