Determine what kind of ska you want your band to play. There are typically three kinds of ska. This include original ska, two tone ska and third-wave ska. Original ska is more laid back in music, but heavy on political lyrics. Two tone is a mixture of reggae and punk. Third wave is much faster than original ska and two tone, and it reflects more of a punk style.
Decide on the kind of influences you want to use for your music. Come up with five bands that you really like and try to recreate a song that you think one of them would write. For example, some bands to consider are Fishbone, The Toasters, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
Decide whether or not your band is going to play original music or cover songs from other bands. Cover bands usually get more gigs because people are familiar with the popular songs.
Find musicians who are interested in being in a ska band. You can put up flyers at local music stores or around college campuses to start. An online ad, on Craigslist, for example, could also be a great way to find musicians in your area.
Decide on a name for your band. Band names are generally reflective of their kind of music.
Find a practice facility. A basement or an attic is usually a good place to start. These provide spaces that are out of the way and band mates can leave their equipment setup so spur of the moment practices don't have to be a hassle.
Practice. Your band should be practicing at least twice a week, but three times a week is even better. Practicing your music so it's second nature is key to having a great live show.
Create a demo. You can find recording equipment at local music stores or use freeware from the Internet. Many recording applications offer great solutions for bands with little cost. Some of these are GarageBand, Audacity and Pro Tools.
Perform at local venues. Most local venues will have an "open mic night" or a local music showcase. Get in good with the owner of the venue so they can call you whenever there is a cancellation or they need an opening act. This is a good way to gain a following in your area.
Work your way up. Once you have shown local venues that you are professional, they will start to call you to perform as headliners.