Surely thwarting many an Interweb browser searching for something quite different, Oreska Band is a Japanese ska pop sextet whose music transcends both their schoolgirl looks and their ska style.

Formed in 2003 soon after middle school classmates Ikasu, Tae-San, Saki, Leader, Moriko, and Tomi all met in band class at their school in Osaka, Japan, Oreska plays ska-pop with a punk sensibility, in the vain of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. They stuck with a straightforward moniker, with "ore ska band" literally translating to "I'm (a) ska band."

Through a series of energetic live shows, the girls built a strong buzz and a loyal local following, eventually landing a major label deal in 2006 with Sony Music Japan. The sextet then recorded a handful of songs and began expanding their fan base outside their hometown with appearances at local venues and music festivals.

Oreska then gained national recognition when their song "Yeah! Ska Dance" was used in a TV commercial for Pocky, a rabidly popular Japanese candy. The girls themselves appeared in the commercial, which was shot while they were performing on a moving train.

Oreska completed their debut mini album, Ore, with six original tracks in March 2006. The girls performed at the prestigious Fuji Rock Festival, and hit the US for a string of performances this spring, including shows at the SXSW festival in March.

Check out Oreska Band's music here.

Similar artists: Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Sublime