In Defense of Ska

In Defense of Ska Ep 198: Aaron Carnes (Author of In Defense of Ska, Flat Planet, Fashion Police) Oct 30, 2024

This week on In Defense of Ska, the podcast gives the floor to host Aaron Carnes to chat about the newly released second edition of his book, In Defense of Ska: Ska Now More Than Ever Edition. Alongside co-host Adam Davis (Omnigone) and special guest host Tara Hahn of Half Past Two, Carnes dives into his history of the genre and more. Listen now.

IDOS the book began in 2013, and Carnes goes through the whole history of planning and writing the tome. He also gives insight into the Ska Now More Than Ever Edition, from the writing process to the content. (Speaking of the content, Consequence debuted a preview of the new chapters earlier this week, with an excerpt focusing on the rise and return of Christian ska band Five Iron Frenzy.) Elsewhere, Carnes talks about his work in fiction writing, as well, including his actual first book, a collection of short stories called True Stories from a Wasteland Called Earth.

So, listen to Aaron Carnes' conversation about ska and his new book, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also enter to win a signed copy of IDOS:SNMTEE, Omnigone's new album Feral on vinyl, an In Defense of SkaT-shirt, and a collection of stickers here. Also make sure to check out Carnes' list of 20 Artists You Didn't Know Were in Ska Bands Before They Got Famous.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: Supernova panel with Five Iron Frenzy and Catbite Oct 25, 2024

Supernova was a lot of fun this year. It included a “Ska-ducation” author tent where many talented ska authors got to host interesting discussions at the festival. For mine, I brought on members of Five Iron Frenzy (Reese Roper, Andrew Verdecchio) and Catbite (Tim Hildebrand, Ben Parry). We talked about all-things ska. I read a snippet from my book, we discussed Five Iron Frenzy’s rocky relationship to the Christian music industry and Catbite told us what it was like to come up after ska left the mainstream. And much more!

If you want to hear this entire conversation, sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon now!

Make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 197: Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump Returns Oct 23, 2024

Most fans might not consider Fall Out Boy particularly ska-ish, but there's actually a strong connection between the band and the genre. This week on In Defense of Ska, the podcast welcomes back a fan-favorite guest, Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump, to chat more about his appreciation for ska, his favorite bands in the scene, and more. Listen now.

The FOB frontman also goes into detail about how different ska bands have inspired him and his work. He gushes over Fishbone, one of his favorite bands, and explains how he feels they are more complex than people realize. In addition, Stump discusses his love for Blue Meanies and how he was starstruck meeting their guitarist Sean Dolan.

Elsewhere, he explains the rest of the band's history with ska (such as originally being signed by a ska label) and goes into which Fall Out Boy songs he thinks are the most ska-leaning.

Listen to Patrick Stump conversation, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska episode 196: MC Lars Oct 16, 2024

While the late 2000s wasn't exactly a booming time for the genre of ska, the 2009 ska-injected song "The Gigantic Robot Kills" was able to leave its mark. This week on In Defense of Ska, the podcast welcomes nerdcore rapper MC Lars to talk about the story behind the song, his history with the genre, and more.

"The Gigantic Robot Kills" was the product of numerous musical collaborations. MC Lars talks about all of the folks that were involved in the construction of this song, from the featured artists Suburban Legends and MC Bat Commander to the demo that was originally created with Wheatus. He also touches on the involvement of Wesley Willis, as well as the unbelievable time he got to work on a song with "Weird" Al.

Music, particularly ska music, has been a large part of MC Lars' life for a long time. The rapper talks about the many artists that he has seen in concert that have inspired him, including Fall Out Boy and Less Than Jake. He even got to see co-host Adam Davis' old band Link 80 in concert when he was in high school.

Then, MC Lars lets some of his hot takes rip, including his thoughts on mainstream emo and whether Hot Topic could be considered punk rock.

Listen to MC Lars' conversation, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 195: Zac Carper (FIDLAR) Oct 09, 2024

Earlier this year, while FIDLAR were on stage opening for Oliver Tree in Philadelphia, lead singer/guitarist Zac Carper told the crowd, “I think we are becoming a Ska band.” It’s an ongoing joke, but one rooted in a dash of truth. This week, we bring Zac on the show to understand just how much ska shaped his musicality.

Zac comes from Hawaii, a state that loves ska and reggae. Zac tells us what it’s like to grow up around so much “Jawaiian” music. He says he even writes a lot of FIDLAR songs on the ukulele and generally starts out giving them a ska or reggae groove. We talk about his early punk years and learn which ska bands he got to see in Hawaii.

We break down a few FIDLAR songs. One was inspired by Fishbone. Another by The Impossibles. Which songs, you ask? You’ll have to listen to find out. But in addition to all that, we talk at length about his Sublime tattoo. Both he and The Frights’ singer Mikey Carnevale have matching Sublime tattoos.

We also talk about Jonah Ray, Dune Rats, and a weird hyperska song Zac collaborated on with Kamiyada+.

Listen to Zac Carper's conversation, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska ep 194: Raylin Joy (The Calamatix) Oct 02, 2024

With their debut album having just dropped on September 20th, The Calamatix are hoping to make a name for themselves in the contemporary ska scene. This week on In Defense of Ska, the podcast welcomes The Calamatix's lead singer, Raylin Joy, to talk about the band's new self-titled album, her many songwriting sessions with Tim Armstrong, and more. Listen now.

Joy talks about her music history, and how she originally began her work in pop music in 2016. She mentions how she began writing the songs for this album in 2016 and how they were originally meant to just be a fun side hobby. However, the songs grew to be more meaningful, leading her to her polishing them and help found The Calamatix in 2022.

Mental health is also a topic of discussion, as Joy talks about how it has impacted her career and writing. She talks about how she sees The Calamatix as a product of her experience with depression. Joy also mentions how she believes that music styles like ska and reggae have a sort of healing power, which is a large part of her love for this music.

Listen to Hyman's conversation, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 193: Ume (Kill Lincoln, Cutie Pi, Party Like It’s…) Sep 25, 2024

In the current era of ska music, Kill Lincoln have established themselves as one of the leading figures. This week on In Defense of Ska, the podcast welcomes Kill Linoln's trombonist Ume to talk about joining the group, the band's upcoming album No Normal, and more. Listen now.

Ume tells the story about how he discovered ska when he was in Japan and how he has felt connected to this genre ever since. He also talks about some of the previous ska bands he has been in, from his own band Cutie Pi to the cover band Party Like It's.... Then, Ume discusses his journey to America, along with some of his favorite American ska bands.

When on stage (and sometimes on the crowd), Ume is certainly someone that grabs a lot of attention. On the podcast, he talks about some of his wildest on-stage stunts. Ume also chats about his trombone-playing techniques during these exciting shows and what it was like to play a trombone on a bar.

Listen to the full episode with Kill Lincoln's Ume.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 192: Paul Hyman (Bad Manners) Sep 18, 2024

Thanks in part to hit songs like "Nee Nee Na Na Na Na Nu Nu" and "My Girl Lollipop," Bad Manners were one of the most notable groups to come from the '80s ska revival in Britain. This week on In Defense of Ska, the podcast welcomes Bad Manners founding member and trumpet player Paul Hyman to talk about the history of the group, British ska music, and more. Listen now.

An original member of Bad Members, Hyman tells stories of the band's origins and rise. He touches on finally breaking into the UK Singles Charts, meeting bandmates in school, and Bad Members' reputation as "backstreet weirdos." He then discusses the artists he took particular inspiration from, like Genesis, J. Geils Band, Van Morrison, and Monty Python.

Hyman also talks about his feelings on Bad Manners being labeled a “novelty band,” as well as how they got banned from Italian television and their connection to The Beatles. All of which leads to the story of the end of his tenure with the group.

Listen to Hyman's conversation, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: This Is New Tone Discussion Bonus Ep Teaser Sep 13, 2024

On this special bonus episode of In Defense of Ska, hosts Adam Davis and Aaron Carnes run a panel about the new documentary film This Is New Tone.

Davis had hosted a showing of the movie, which chronicles the 2023 Catbite / We Are the Union / Kill Lincoln tour, and the convention that followed saw contributions from Eichlers (Hyperska superstar) and Jorge Lucero (All-star Bad Time Records record packer).

Hear a preview of the recording now. You can also listen to the entire conversation by signing up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 191: Dunia & Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks, Agent 99, Stomp, Brave New Girl, Dubistry) Sep 11, 2024

This week on In Defense of Ska, Dunia Best returns alongside her brother Ahmed Best, who played Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequel films (!!). Listen to their conversation and learn about the Ska Wars.

Dunia had previously joined the podcast in 2022 to chat about her '90s ska band Agent 99, her time in The Slackers, and her current projects like Rude Girl Revue and Aram. This time, she's brought back up in the form of her brother Ahmed, who in addition to playing Jar Jar Binks, is something of a ska musician himself.

Ahmed frequently filled in on drums for Agent 99, played in the group The Jazzhole, and even backed artists like Jeff Buckley and The Fugees. Such gigs led him to Stomp, which eventually landed him an audition to join the Star Wars universe. The rest, as they say, is history (from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away).

Together, Dunia and Ahmed Best chat about their upbringing, share stories from the '90s, and more. Listen to the two's conversation, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 190: John Feldmann (Goldfinger) Sep 04, 2024

One of the first ska bands to really pop off on the radio in the '90s was a humble little act called Goldfinger. Bolstered by hits like "Here in Your Bedroom" and "Superman," the band became one of the best-known projects in the scene. This week on In Defense of Ska, Goldfinger frontman John Feldmann joins the podcast to chat about the band's history, legacy, and more. Listen now.

Feldmann runs through the history of Goldfinger, from the early days to singing with Mojo Records to penning radio hits. He touches on the band's workhorse mentality, playing 385 shows within one year, and the many bands he's produced for (like The Used, 311, Avril Lavigne, Blink-182, Good Charlotte, and 5 Seconds of Summer).

Listen to Goldfinger's John Feldmann all of this and more, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Also be sure to enter for your chance to win tickets to Supernova Ska Fest 2024 by filling out this entry form, following and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and/or subscribing to the In Defense of Ska Patreon. The contest ends September 9th, so don't miss out!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 189: Ice Nine Kills and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder's Ska Roots Aug 28, 2024

Enter to win tickets to Supernova Ska Fest 2024 by filling out our entry form (https://bit.ly/supernovaska), following and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and/or subscribing to the In Defense of Ska Patreon. There will be winners selected from each entry method and the contest ends September 9th, so hurry and enter now for your chance to win!

Ska might seem like a somewhat insular scene, but in reality, many non-ska musicians have a deep appreciation for the genre. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, the crew examines the ska roots of Peal Jam’s Eddie Vedder, as well as the metal band Ice Nine Kills. Even better, Ice Nine Kills frontman Spencer Charnas joins in on the fun! Listen now.

Both Vedder and Ice Nine Kills have recently released songs that expose their love for ska music; Vedder covered The English Beat's "Save It for Later" (which appeared in Season 3 of The Bear) and Ice Nine Kill dropped a ska-infused cover of "Walking on Sunshine," for which they enlisted the help of Reel Big Fish.

Also joining the conversation this week is author Marc Wasserman, who gives insight into how Vedder's history intersects with ska music. Listen to all of both his and Charnas' insight!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 188: Jon Natchez (Skavoovie & The Epitones, War On Drugs, Beirut) Aug 21, 2024

Enter to win tickets to Supernova Ska Fest 2024 by filling out our entry form (https://bit.ly/supernovaska), following and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and/or subscribing to the In Defense of Ska Patreon. There will be winners selected from each entry method and the contest ends September 9th, so hurry and enter now for your chance to win!

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Skavoovie & The Epitones' Jon Natchez joins the crew to talk about jazz-infused ska, reuniting for their first show in almost a quarter century, and playing with the likes of The War on Drugs and Father John Misty, among others. Listen now.

Natchez launches into the history of Skavoovie & The Epitones, who were one of the more unique ska acts of the '90s. It was an unusual, beautiful mix, and one that they'll be bringing to the stage for the first time in 24 years at Supernova Ska Festival 2024.

Elsewhere, Natchez talks about his successful career as a hired musician, backing up indie rock bands like The War on Drugs, Beirut, Phosphorescent, Father John Misty, and Passion Pit. He also touches on Isaac Green, signing to Moon Records, working with producer Victor Rice, and getting to meet Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Listen to Jon Natchez for more above, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: Vic Ruggiero & Jay Navarro LIVE PODCAST at Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival Aug 16, 2024

In Defense of Ska's latest bonus episode is a LIVE podcast! Listen now.

Enter to win tickets to Supernova Ska Fest 2024 by filling out our entry form (https://bit.ly/supernovaska), following and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and/or subscribing to the In Defense of Ska Patreon. There will be winners selected from each entry method and the contest ends September 9th, so hurry and enter now for your chance to win!

Join host Aaron Carnes as he chats with The Slackers' Vic Ruggiero and Suicide Machines' Jay Navarro onsite at Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival. The crew expand upon the topics touched on each of their respective past episodes, trade stories, and more. Hear the amazing conversation.

Sign up to the IDOS Patreon to listen to the entire episode.

Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 187: Jesus Arriaga (Inspector, Skapital Sound) Aug 14, 2024

Enter to win tickets to Supernova Ska Fest 2024 by filling out our entry form (https://bit.ly/supernovaska), following and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and/or subscribing to the In Defense of Ska Patreon. There will be winners selected from each entry method and the contest ends September 9th, so hurry and enter now for your chance to win!

On this week's episode, while much of the '90s ska scene in Mexico was made up of ska-punk coming out of Mexico City, one of the most important bands instead took influence from two-tone and called Monterrey home -- Inspector. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Inspector's band leader and saxophonist Jesus Arriaga joins the crew to discuss the ska community, his creative arc, and more. Listen now.

Arriaga charts out Inspector's journey from their early days of releasing tapes with Pepe Lobo to signing to a label and scoring radio hits to playing to a crowd of 20,000 people in 2023. He discusses such cuts as "Amnesia" and "Amargo Adios" before detailing the Monterrey music festival he helped found -- called Ska Wars -- and the strange role El Chapo had in spreading ska across the country.

The crew is also joined by Mari Wendler this episode, who helps with translation. In our Patreon-exclusive extended episode, they chat further with Mari about her relationship to ska and her band Los Ocupados. Sign up to the IDOS Patreon to listen.

Listen to Jesus Arriaga for more above, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 186: Matt Collyer (The Planet Smashers, Stomp Records) Aug 07, 2024

Enter to win tickets to Supernova Ska Fest 2024 by filling out our entry form (https://bit.ly/supernovaska), following and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and/or subscribing to the In Defense of Ska Patreon. There will be winners selected from each entry method and the contest ends September 9th, so hurry and enter now for your chance to win!

On this week on In Defense of Ska, The Planet Smashers' Matt Collyer chats with the crew about the history and impact of the Canadian ska scene. Listen now.

As listeners will learn, ska has had a presence in Canada since the 1980s thanks to bands like Me Mom and Morgentaler and King Apparatus. By the '90s, the two-tone-inspired work of such acts would give way to a new crop of artists, many of which called Stomp Records, perhaps Canada's biggest ska label, their home.

Collyer, Stomp Records' founder, chats about the development of the scene, as well as the success of his own act The Planet Smashers. He touches on the band's 1999 breakthrough Life of the Party, their intense touring regimen, and the bands that were doing it alongside them (like Bedouin Soundclash and The Flatliners). Ultimately, Collyer explains why he never took a major label offer and how that might have helped The Planet Smashers weather the ska music's waning popularity.

Listen to Matt Collyer talk about The Planet Smashers, Stomp Records, and more above, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska ep 185 Operation Ivy's Dave Mello (Schlong, Jewdriver) Jul 31, 2024

There is little dispute that Operation Ivy are one of the greatest ska bands to ever do it. This week on In Defense of Ska, the crew sits down with the legendary outfit's drummer Dave Mello to chat about their history and legacy. Listen to the conversation.

Mello discusses the early days of the band, touching on what made the act so special and why they decided to bring it to an end. He recalls their first shows, their one and only American tour, and the long recording process of Operation Ivy's Energy, their only album. He also talks about playing with bands like Fugazi and The Dead Milkmen, as well as the band's ultimate impact on ska culture. That includes getting name-dropped in Green Day's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acceptance speech.

If you want to hear Dave Mello’s take on an Op Ivy reunion, sign up to the IDOS Patreon and listen to our extended interview. We also talk about his other bands Jewdriver and Schlong (specifically their Punk Side Story album).

Make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 184: Jordan Steele (Lo Cash Ninjas) Jul 24, 2024

This week on In Defense of Ska, the crew takes a look at the Native Nations punk and ska scenes in the southwest. To help them out, Lo Cash Ninjas' Jordan Steele joins the conversation to talk about the homegrown music communities in the area. Listen now.

Touring punk and ska bands have been playing DIY venues in Native Nations cities as long as DIY touring has been a thing. As a result, the local scene has continued to be a hotbed for alternative culture and punk music. With help from Steele, In Defense of Ska takes a look at its history.

Make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska ep 183: Should Mosswood Meltdown Book Ska Bands? Jul 17, 2024

There are a lot of great punk festivals these days: Punk Rock Bowling, Fest, No Values, just to name a few. Most of them book at least a few ska bands, but one of the best — Mosswood Meltdown — has held out. This week on In Defense ofSka, the hosts take a field trip to the Oakland event to ask attendees if ska would be a welcome addition to next year’s lineup. Listen to their findings.

This year's Mosswood Meltdown music festival boasted a kick-ass lineup, with the likes of The B-52’s, Big Freedia, The Mummies, Pansy Division, Pure Hell, and more taking the stage. Not to mention, the great John Waters hosted the event. But one thing was missing... ska!

Is it time for Mosswood Meltdown to pick it up? In Defense of Ska certainly thinks so, but are they alone? They ask attendees and punk fans to find out!

Make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 182: 311's Nick Hexum Jul 10, 2024

Of the '90s bands that incorporated ska and reggae influences into their music, you don't get much bigger than 311. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, 311 frontman Nick Hexum chats about the band's legacy, playing with Fugazi, and the infamous Eric Andre Show bit. Listen now.

Hexum launches into a conversation about his personal relationship with ska music, as well as how such a relationship ultimately translated to the music of 311. He also touches on the various moments the band interacted with ska and reggae cultures, as well as why it was perhaps not the best idea to crush a couple beers backstage at a Fugazi show.

Elsewhere, Hexum touches on 311's running gag on The Eric Andre Show, his love for The Untouchables, and if Jeff Rosenstock will ever get to play the 311 cruise.

Listen to all of this and more on this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. You can also listen to 311 bassist P-Nut on In Defense of Ska here.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: Bothering ‘Bothering The Band’ TEASER Jul 05, 2024

Did you know that some of our friends are also podcasters? For this month’s bonus episode, we wanted to bring on the fine folks from the Bothering The Band podcast. Their format is this: They bring on musicians and comedians and then proceed to BOTHER them with weird and silly questions. It’s a lot of fun. They’ve even had host, Aaron Carnes on one episode. So, we brought on Ryan and Abby and then BOTHERED them with our own weird and silly questions.

Sign up to the IDOS Patreon to listen to the entire episode.

Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 181: Songwriting with Joe Gittleman (Mighty Mighty Bosstones) & Sammy Kay (The Kilograms) Jul 03, 2024

This week, In Defense of Ska becomes Song Exploder... or, rather, SKA Exploder. The Kilograms' Sammy Kay and Joe Gittleman (also of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) join the hosts to dissect songs from their respective catalogues. Listen now.

Firstly, the gang breaks down Gittleman’s song "Chores," which is taken from his brand new solo album Hold Up. Then, the group launches into a discussion about Kay's "How Fast to Run," which comes from his upcoming album July 1960. Finally, the two give a peek into The Kilograms' "Can't Be Beat."

Elsewhere, Kay and Gittleman talk about the benefit compilation for Michelle Ska, the influence of the people of Maui, and their relation to Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. There's also discussion of what makes a perfect song, with Magnetic Fields’ “Papa Was a Rodeo” and Cher’s “Believe" being tossed up as examples.

Listen to Joe Gittleman (Mighty Mighty Bosstones) & Sammy Kay (The Kilograms) talk about all this In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 180: Frank Turner Jun 26, 2024

This week on In Defense of Ska, Frank Turner joins in to discuss growing up with UK skacore, finding a balance between his punkier and folkier tendencies, and his new album Undefeated. Listen now.

The English artist joins the In Defense of Ska crew to chat about both his presence in punk circles and singer-songwriter circles. He also, of course, gives his take on ska -- and as it turns out, he has quite a lot of thoughts on the genre!

He then details what it was like going to skacore shows in the 2000s, his experience touring with Interrupters, and NOFX covering his song "Thatcher Fucks the Kids." Elsewhere, the artist and performer dives into his new album Undefeated, loving Converge, and the worst shows he's ever played.

Listen to Frank Turner talk about on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 179: Christian Ska (with Jordan Morris and Kevin T. Porter) Jun 19, 2024

Believe it or not, back in the late '90s, Christian ska was all the rage. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, the hosts tap into their inner musicologists and explore the bands, sounds, and culture of such a movement. Listen now.

The gang takes a look at the 'big three' of Christian ska, examining the likes of Five Iron Frenzy, The Supertones, and The Insyderz. They also dial in on the Supertones' sophomore record, The Supertones Strike Back, which went on quite a commercial run at the time of its release.

Elsewhere, the hosts chat with two people who were there to witness the rise and fall of Christian ska: Jordan Morris (of Jordan, Jesse, Go) and Kevin T. Porter (of Good Christian Fun). The duo discuss the music, television shows, and legacy of the niche micro-genre, as well as anti-masturbation songs and Katy Perry’s Christian (and ska) roots.

Listen to Jordan Morris and Kevin T. Porter talk about Christian Ska on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 178: Lollypop Lorry Jun 12, 2024

This week on In Defense of Ska, Russian trad ska band Lollypop Lorry discuss covering Keith & Ken, collaborating with Inspector, and the Russian ska scene. Listen to the full chat.

Formed in 2008, Lollypop Lorry are a Russian ska act that just played their biggest show ever... in Mexico. Suffice to say, it's been an interesting ride from their humble beginnings to finding international success. Luckily, guitarist Ivan Gogolin and drummer Simon Shiriaev are here to break the whole tale down.

The two band members also touch on their love for Jamaican ska, their viral cover of Keith & Ken's "I Won't Let You Go," and collaborating with the likes of Inspector and Out of Control Army. They also launch into the inner workings of the Russian ska scene, shouting out other bands that deserve their flowers.

Listen to Lollypop Lorry on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 177: Voodoo Glow Skulls (Eddie and Jorge Casillas) Jun 05, 2024

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, '90s skacore legends Voodoo Glow Skulls chat about recording in Spanish, influencing Vampire Weekend, sampling Cheech & Chong, and more. Listen now.

Founding members Eddie and Jorge Casillas join In Defense of Ska to chat about their irreverent sample choices, the story behind albums like Who Is, This Is? and Firme, and taking influence from the likes of Fishbone and Skeletones. They two also discuss influencing Vampire Weekend, who they're opening for at the Hollywood Bowl on June 12th (get tickets here).

Listen to Voodoo Glows Skulls on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: Foolish Relics: Project Purple Cancer Awareness (TEASER) May 30, 2024

For this month's bonus episode, we aim the spotlight at Tampa ska band Foolish Relics. Lead singer Dino Rustin tells us about his father's battle with pancreatic cancer and how he's written about the experience on their new song, "Forget About Tomorrow (Is This Hell?)" We also talk about Foolish Relics partnership with Project Purple, a pancreatic cancer foundation.

After our conversation, there are a few other fun PATREON-EXCLUSIVE odds and ends to listen to.

This is the conversation you've waited for. Sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon to listen to it now.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 176: Matamoska May 29, 2024

It's no secret that Los Angeles has a thriving, vibrant Latino ska scene. Frankly, it's one of the best pockets of ska music in the country. This week on In Defense of Ska, the hosts chat with one of the bands that helped set the standard for what the community would become -- Matamoska. Listen now.

Matamoska's Jose Padilla and Richard Sanchez sit down to discuss the origins of the band, their return after a long hiatus, and the recent release of their self-titled fourth album, which is out on Bad Times Records. The band then goes on to give their take on the current landscape of the scene before explaining the intricate dance style that is backwards the circle skank.

The crew also tells stories of their early days, explaining how a surprising amount of metal bands to a liking to the Matamoska sound, and Padilla divulges a particularly embarrassing story (no spoilers here!).

Listen to Matamoska on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 175: Dr. Ring Ding May 22, 2024

Dr. Ring Ding joins In Defense of Ska to chat about the origins of the European ska scene, his own journey of falling in love with the genre, and the German ska bands he looks up to. Listen now.

Initially popularized by two-tone bands like Madness, The Specials, and The Selecter, ska eventually made its way into different pockets of Europe. One of these pockets was Germany, where a young Dr. Ring Ding fell in love with the genre's unique stylings.

Dr. Ring Ding tells the story of how he discovered ska -- shouting out bands like The Busters, The Butlers, Skaos, Blechreiz, No Sports, and The Braces along the way -- as well as how he got into the scene himself. He touches on his first group, Dr Ring Ding and the Senior Allstars, and runs through his now massive discography.

Listen to Dr. Ring Ding on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 174: Nate Albert (Mighty Mighty Bosstones) May 15, 2024

So, there's this pretty cool ska band called The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Perhaps you've heard of them? On this episode of In Defense of Ska, original Mighty Mighty Bosstones guitarist Nate Albert chats about the band's early years, the artists who inspired him, and how other scenes treated ska in the 1990s. Listen now.

Albert runs through some of his early memories with the legendary ska act, like scoring No. 1 hit single with "The Impression That I Get."

Reflecting on the success of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Albert makes sure to take time to appreciate the bands that inspired him and his style. He shouts out bands like The Clash, Pixies, Dinosaur Jr., and more before recounting the band's less-than-warm welcome at the 1995 Lollapalooza festival.

Listen to Nate Albert on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 173: Ceci Bastida (Tijuana No, Julieta Venegas, Mexrrissey) May 08, 2024

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Ceci Bastida chats about Tijuana No, the world of international ska in the '90s, and her new solo record Everything Taken Away.

Bastida takes listeners through the history of Tijuana No, one of the most important bands to come out of the Mexican ska movement. The vocalist and keyboardist runs through the act's early days, their attempts to break into the American market, and how one of her band members eventually became a pop superstar.

The artist also touches on her solo work, from her new album Everything Taken Away to her incredible cover of Suicidal Tendencies’ classic cut “Institutionalized,” which features original Suicidal Tendencies members. She then reflects on the political topics that make their way into her music, as well as musical influences like The Clash.

Listen to Ceci Bastida on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Then, follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 172: Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, John Zorn, Fantomas) May 01, 2024

Here's a question for all the rude boys out there: What's a non-ska band that had an incredible influence over an entire generation of ska artists? The answer is simple -- Mr. Bungle. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, the hosts chat with Mr. Bungle bassist Trevor Dunn about the band's origins, their relation to ska music, and more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Dunn dives into the intersection between Mr. Bungle and ska, gushing about his love for bands like Fishbone, Bad Manners, and Oingo Boingo, as well as recalling the time they played with The Untouchables. Such influences might be subtle when it comes to Mr. Bungle's most popular work, but if you know where to look, they begin to become clear. The group explores the track "Carousel," for example, which wasn't necessarily the band's first ska song, but rather the first ska song they wrote from a sincere place.

Listen to Mr. Bungle's Trevor Dunn tell these stories and more on this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Mr. Bungle is also about to embark on their spring tour. Get tickets here.

For more Mr. Bungle madness, check out Dunn's list of his 10 favorite bass albums. Then, see where he landed on our ranking of the best bassists of all time.

Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here. Additionally, you can support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: Is Ska A Four Letter Word? W/ Victor Rice (Teaser) Apr 26, 2024

One of our favorite guests, Victor Rice, is back! He listened to our discussion with Daraka Larimore-Hall about whether third-wave ska deserves the backlash it got, and it got Victor thinking. He wanted to share his thoughts with us. So we went behind the curtain, so he could get comfortable and speak his mind.

Is Ska a four-letter word?

This is the conversation you've waited for. Sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon to listen to it now.

Follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 171: Suggs (Madness) Apr 24, 2024

In 1976, a couple friends got together and started a band. They called themselves the North London Invaders, but after quickly rethinking the branding, changed their name to Madness, a reference to a Prince Buster song. Sixteen top-ten hits later, and the band is one of the most successful acts to come out of the two-tone era. This week on In Defense of Ska, Madness' Suggs explores the band's journey, revisits stories from their past, and dives into their 2023 album Theatre of the Absurd Presents C'est la Vie. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

As a member of Madness, Suggs has had a litany of wild experiences, causing trouble and bumping into other rock stars (sometimes pissing them off to no end). From meeting Price Buster to their appearance on Saturday Night Live, their massive hit "Our House" to hanging out with Clara Peller (of "Where’s the Beef” fame), Suggs has no shortage of stories. Sometimes such stories have a happy ending, and other times, they end with The Clash not speaking to Madness for half a decade.

Listen to Madness' Suggs tell these stories and more this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Madness is also gearing up for their first US tour in 12 years. Get tickets here.

Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here. Additionally, you can support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

SKACHELLA: A Ska Review of Coachella Apr 19, 2024

This year’s Coachella belongs to ska. Or at least it’s the ska performances that are making all the headlines. And it makes sense. Sublime is back together. Jakob Nowell is fronting the band in place of his dad, Bradley Nowell. No Doubt played their first show in 9 years—and it leaned heavily into ska. Aquabats played a nearly 70% ska set. Even Vampire Weekend’s drummer was spotted sporting a Skankin’ Pickle shirt. Plus they played a couple of ska-influenced tunes.

So for this bonus episode, we ask ourselves if this is the most ska Coachella has ever had. If it hasn’t, then why in 2024 is ska a dominant part of Coachella’s story like never before?

Listen to this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 170: Jeremy Pena (The Bandulus) Apr 17, 2024

What drives a musician to play music overtly rooted in traditional ska and rocksteady? And how do they honor the roots while simultaneously giving it a contemporary flavor? This is the subject this week for our conversation with Jeremy Peña of the band The Bandulus. Their new record Tell It Like It Is dropped on March 8, 2024. It is both lush and raw; rickety and tight. Jeremy walks us through the recording of the album, the thought process behind the songwriting and the influences that went into the record.

Listen to Jeremy Pena go deep into The Bandulus' story on this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 169: Save Ferris' Monique Powell Apr 10, 2024

In the ’90s, ska began to break into the mainstream. And yet, even during the great ska boom, only a handful of bands had an actual radio hit. One of the few acts to accomplish such a feat was Save Ferris, scoring big with their cover of Dexys Midnight Runner's 1982 song “Come on Eileen." This week on In Defense of Ska, Save Ferris vocalist Monique Powell discusses the group, the Orange County scene, having a popular video on MTV, and their monumental cover. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Powell runs through the somewhat tumultuous history of the band, from their formation to their break-up in 2003 to the 2013 reformation that led to a flurry of legal issues. Through all of the highs and lows, however, Powell and Save Ferris delivered some unforgettable, surprisingly popular ska -- all steeped in Orange County vibes, of course.

Listen to Monique Powell go deep into Save Ferris' history on this episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

You can also support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition will be released in Oct 2024.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 168: The Steady 45's Apr 03, 2024

One of the best ska bands of the past decade is The Steady 45's, a trad ska group based out of Los Angeles. They are one of the few bands that have been able to call both LA’s lively trad ska and vibrant Latino ska scenes home. So we brought on four members and friend of the band Jackie Mendez to talk about the band’s history and how they’re helping to break down barriers in the ska scene.

We talk about the members’ history in punk rock and how they played an Operation Ivy cover set for Esteban Flores’ birthday. On the other end of the spectrum, we talk about how they’ve backed several Jamaican legends like Stranger Cole, Pat Kelly, the Clarendonians, the Pioneers, and more.

We also talk about them playing the Los Angeles Skawars festival, and opening for Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and we break down several important figures in LA’s trad ska scene like Chris Murray, Aggrolites, See Spot, The Expanders, Mobtown, and Luis Correa of Steady Beat. The Steady 45's also talk about their new record, Swing & Sway/Don’t Be Late.

Listen to The Steady 45's on the latest episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will be released in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: I worked At Asian Man Records w/ Bob Vielma Mar 29, 2024

One thing we love doing on this podcast is talking to former members of Asian Man Records and getting all the dirt on Mike Park. This is our third episode in the series. We’ve already spoken to Skylar Suorez and Lazlo Happenstance. Now we talk to Bob Vielma.

You probably know Bob from his fire rap verse on “SkrAm” from Jeff Rosenstock’s Ska Dream. His rap alter ego is Boboso, and he’s got a few records you can download on Jeff’s label, Quote Unquote. Bob also played bass in Shinobu and several other bands, including Gnarboots with Adam Davis and Aaron Carnes, hosts of the In Defense of Ska podcast. So you can imagine that Gnarboots stories were told!

Make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 167: Half Past Two (Tara Hahn & Max Beckman) Mar 27, 2024

Half Past Two have been around for almost two decades, and yet they still feel like a breath of fresh air in the ska scene. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, lead vocalist Tara Hahn and guitarist Max Beckman discuss the band's history and their brand new album, Talk iI Killing Me (out April 19th). Listen now.

Formed in August 2006, Half Past Two effectively came up during the "dark ages" of ska. And yet, they persevered, helping build a sustainable scene in Orange County in the mid-2000s. Now just under twenty years on, the band takes a look back at their journey, ultimately explaining how they've found a new home on Bad Time Records.

Listen to Half Past Two talk about Talk Is Killing Me on the latest episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 166: Daraka Larimore-Hall (The Adjusters) Mar 20, 2024

After forming in 1995, The Adjusters quickly made a name for themselves in the bustling Chicago scene for their blend of ska and soul, as well as their intensely political edge. Over time, the group has only gotten more and more active. Lead vocalist Daraka Larimore-Hall joins In Defense of Ska this week to dive into the band's history, their overtly socialist politics, and the direction ska took in the '90s. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

The Adjusters may not have ever been chart-toppingly huge, and that may have been because they didn't fit in with the typical third-wave pop-punk/ska stylings that dominated the late '90s. In between exploring the band's origins and political views, Larimore-Hall explains why he's hesitant to even call these groups "ska," pointing out how their connection to the genre's Jamaican roots are distant at best. (Before you get your pitchforks out, though, he also has plenty of praise to sing for the genre! The dude was in a ska band!)

Listen to Daraka Larimore-Hall talk about The Adjusters and '90s ska on the latest episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series.

Check out Daraka’s podcast here!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 165: Mutiny (Efrem Schulz, Chris Ruckus, Mike Cambra Mar 13, 2024

On this week's episode of In Defense of Ska, members of ska supergroup Mutiny -- Efrem Schulz, Chris Ruckus, and Mike Cambra -- discuss the project and its connection to their other bands. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Let's get one thing straight -- ska needs more supergroups. Aside from Rude Girl Revue and Kilograms, they're surprisingly hard to come by. Luckily, Mutiny is here to remidy that! The group features members of Death By Stereo, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Dissidente, Manic Hispanic, and Adolescents, along with guest spots from members of many more bands.

The group released their debut, self-titled EP on SPI Records in February, despite having yet to all be in the same room together. Fortunately, three members have sat down to talk about the project and its connection with the other related bands.

Listen to Mutiny talk together about the project on the latest episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 164: Call Me Malcom (Lucias Malcolm & Mark Farthing) Mar 06, 2024

It's no secret that ska music is alive and well, and not just in the United States. On this episode of in defense of ska, English ska-punks Call Me Malcolm join to chat about the current scene, the band's history, and their new album Echoes and Ghosts. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Starting from the beginning, guitarist/vocalist Lucias Malcolm and saxophonist/vocalist Mark Farthing chat about the origins of the group, why they write songs with titles like “John Feldmann’s Going To Kill Me,” and taking inspiration from Goldfinger and Chris Gethard.

The band supplements such fun-loving energy with vulnerable, personal storytelling for Echoes and Ghosts. Diving into the mental health journey that inspired much of the lyrics on the album, the band opens up about depression, anxiety, OCD, and experiences with medication.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 163: Sarah Tudzin (Illuminati Hotties) Feb 28, 2024

On this week's episode of In Defense of Ska, Illuminati Hotties creative force Sarah Tudzin discusses how her ska roots continue to inform her current artistic output. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.

The artist grew up going to punk and ska shows in Southern California, and the influence of such experiences continues to have a major influence on her work. Look no further than her recent collaboration with JER, as she provided guest vocals for Skatune Network's cover of Pain's "Jabberjaw Running Underwater" and had the ska-fluencer jump on her song "Joni: LA's No. 1 Health Goth."

Listen to Tudzin go deep on her history with ska on the latest episode of In Defense of Ska above, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: An Interview with Ska Superfan Michelle Ska Feb 26, 2024

Michelle Ska has been to a lot of ska shows. Like A LOT! So many that she's kind of famous in ska circles for being a hardcore, supportive fan. She also went through one of the most harrowing natural disasters of recent time: The 2023 Lahaina Wildfire.

We brought her on to talk about ska and give us the full story of what it was like to survive the Lahaina Wildfire.

Please consider purchasing the Black Sand Relief album to support Michelle and the People of Maui.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 162: Deals Olan (Out Of Control Army, Tijuana No, The Toasters, Bad Manners, Maskatesta) Feb 21, 2024

This week, In Defense of Skaheads outside of the United States to dive into the massive ska scene in Mexico. Joined by Jose “Deals” Olan, an experienced musician and promoter in Mexico, the crew explores the fans of the region, the massive festivals, and more. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Olan first cut his teeth by playing saxophone in several bands, and now fronts his own group, Out of Control Army. Right around that same time he launched that project, he also booked his first big ska festival, Non Stop Ska, which drew tens of thousands of people.

In addition to Olan's work, he guides In Defense of Ska through the history of the genre in Mexico.

Keep up with all things In Defense of Ska and show your support by following and reviewing the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network has to offer.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 161: Adam Pfahler (Jawbreaker, J Church, Whysall Lane) Feb 14, 2024

This week on In Defense of Ska, Jawbreaker drummer Adam Pfahler discuss his long-time love of ska, the band existing as a touchstone for future emo bands, and battling notions of selling out when touring with Nirvana. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.

As far as bands go, Jawbreaker have quite the story. They've influenced a multiple generations of emo musicians, were called sellouts for signing to a major label, and played a reunion show at Riot Fest that had infinitely more people than they’d ever played to when they were an active band. One thing they’re not famous for, however, is liking ska -- but Pfahler joins In Defense of Ska to set the record straight.

The drummer explains that he was not only catching various ska bands in the early '80s, but that he continues to seek out music from the genre. Then, in between conversation about burritos and how to best organize records, he details Jawbreaker's tour with Nirvana, for which they were labeled sellouts.

Listen to Jawbreaker's Adam Pfahler talk about his love of ska and more in this episode of In Defense of Ska above, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 160: Daniel Rachel (Too Much Too Young, Don’t Look Back In Anger, Walls Come Tumbling Down) Feb 07, 2024

This week on In Defense of Ska, author Daniel Rachel discuss his book, Too Much Too Young -- The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.

Rachel tells the story of how 2 tone spread all over the world. While many of the scene's bands were largely cult artists outside of England, they planted seeds for new, important ska scenes around the world. In celebration of how socially 2 tone's sonic and political importance, author Daniel Rachel presents an in-depth look at the genre's place in music history. You can pre-order it here.

Listen to Rachel go deep on 2 Tone's fascinating history on the latest episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 159: Norwood Fisher (Fishbone, Trulio Disgracias) Jan 31, 2024

Few American bands have had such an influence on ska music like Fishbone. This week, In Defense of Skadoes their second episode on the group, this time featuring bassist Norwood Fisher. Listen to Fisher and the hosts talk about their upcoming tour with GZA, the band's career, and more in the episode below. You can also follow the series wherever you get your podcast. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

Fisher gets into the nitty-gritty of Fishbone's surreal career with moments like opening for Gallagher, hanging out with Karate Kid star William Zabka, and meeting Dave Grohl in the '80s when he was in Scream. Also discussed is the band's connection to hip-hop (including namedrop of Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and more) and how it relates to their upcoming tour.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: The Real History of Chicken Tenders with Former IDOS Guest Nick Lavallee TEASER Jan 26, 2024

On this special teaser of In Defense of Ska, season 1 guest Nick Lavallee returns to tell the story of getting Manchester — his hometown — recognized as the Chicken Tender Capital of the World. Listen to the teaser, and don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to In Defense of Ska wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn about who invented the chicken tenders, how different they are from the way fast food/diners make them, and get the low-down on where to get some of these OG tendies.

If you’d like to hear this entire Chicken Tender conversation, sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon NOW, where you'll also get other ad-free episodes with bonus content.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 158: Craig of the Creek (Jeff Rosenstock & Ben Levin) Jan 24, 2024

Musician and composer Jeff Rosentsock and show-creator Ben Levin join In Defense of Ska to chat about the music behind Craig of the Creek. Both products of ska-punk love, the series' music skanks pretty hard, and that's no accident. The two also get into it about Rancid, ska-tastic collaborations, and dealing with stress.

Listen to Ben Levin and Jeff Rosenstock chat about ska, Craig of the Creek, Rancid, and more above. You can also follow the series wherever you get your podcast, or get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon. Don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series here.

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 157: P-Nut (311): Bob Marley, Jordan Morris' Bubble, and Eric Andre's Sketch Jan 17, 2024

This is the first episode of our 4th season, and it’s our first as part of the Consequence Podcast Network. So that means, we had to go big this week. We brought the one and only P-Nut on the show. That’s right, the bass player for 311. Today we talk about how 311’s journey overlapped with the rise of ska in the 90s, and how the group existed in a space adjacent to the music.

But it makes sense. The group is influenced by ska and reggae, amongst other genres of music. So, P-Nut follows us down this rabbit hole and talks about playing Bob Marley at early 311 rehearsals, playing shows with Fishbone, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Urge, Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger and No Doubt. And even headlining the ska festival Back To The Beach in 2018. We even dive headfirst into a discussion about 311’s most ska track, “I’ll Be Hear Awhile.”

Plus, we talk about The Wailers’ bassist Aston “Family Man” Barett, opening for Jay-Z, vibing to Mighty Mighty Bosstones tapes, covering Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ “Taste The Pain” at his high school talent show, and how 311 played its first official show as the opening act for Fugazi! And, P-Nut tells us all about how much he loves 100 gecs. f

We also talk about his old dreadlocks, his appearance in Jordan Morris’ graphic novel Bubble, being abused by Eric Andre during the “Investigate 311” sketch, and we ask the biggest, most important question of all time: Can Jeff Rosenstock play the 311 Cruise?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to In Defense of SKa wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Joins the Consequence Podcast Network! Jan 11, 2024

If you thought 2023 was an awesome year, get ready for 2024! In Defense of Ska is excited to announce that we have joined the Consequence Podcast Network.

"Inspired by Carnes best-selling, soon-to-be-expanded book of the same name, In Defense of Ska joins the CPN in time for its fourth season. With new episodes arriving every Wednesday, the show delivers insightful conversations with ska legends, emerging artists, comedians, authors, and cultural figures who share their deep appreciation for and insight into this multifaceted genre.

Proving that ska is as vital as any other genre, the over 150 episodes in the In Defense of Ska archives have featured guests like Fred Armisen, Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, The Police’s Stewart Copeland, Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ Joe Gittleman, Margaret Cho, Speedy Ortiz’s Sadie Dupuis, Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace, Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon, and more."

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will be released in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to In Defense of SKa wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 156: The Iron Roses (Nathan Gray & Becky Fontaine) Jan 10, 2024

Nathan Gray has played music with their band Boysetsfire for decades. But only once during the band’s run did they dabble in ska (“Deja Coup”). But that has completely changed now with Nathan’s new group, The Iron Roses, a joyful punk band with heavy doses of ska and reggae. The joy in the band is purposeful, a middle finger aimed at the rise in racism, homophobia, transphobia and fascism, making ska the perfect vehicle for the band’s message.

This week we speak to Nathan and Iron Roses’ co-lead vocalist Beck Fontaine. The group released their debut, self-titled record in October 2023. They’ve already done some touring and are really excited about the band. And they have big plans for 2024. It’s a great record, and they play ska well. But the question on our minds was, where did this band—totally unconnected from the ska scene, with little history playing the genre—come from? And what motivated them to go all in on ska-punk in 2023?

We talk about Nathan’s love for The English Beat, The Specials, Black Uhuru, Burning Spear and Trojan Records skinhead reggae. Also, we talk about Becky’s history with musical theater and how that informs The Iron Roses’ unique approach to lead vocals. Plus, we learn that co-host Adam Davis was an extra in the film adaptation of Rent!

Nathan talks about the new ska bands that inspire them (We Are The Union, Catbite, Kill Lincoln), the important message in Iron Roses’ song “Old Guard,” and we learn about Nathan’s long and difficult journey in coming out as non-binary. Plus, we learn all about how Nathan spoke out against Pantera playing a music festival Boysetsfire was booked to play (due to lead singer Phil Anselmo’s history of racism). And they tell us about their long friendship and admiration for Frank Turner.

Plus, we all took a moment to discuss how much we love the film Swing Kids.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to In Defense of Ska wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 155 Josh Fernandez (Author of “The Hands That Crafted The Bomb: The Making of a Lifelong Antifascist”) Jan 03, 2024

Does being a ska fan inherently make someone an antifascist? While this topic gets frequently debated among ska fans, it’s important to remember that antiracism and antifascism have long been an important part of the ska scene. The 2 Tone ska bands were explicit in their stance. They came up at a time when fascism was on the rise in England, and they dealt with nazi skinheads at their shows. And the bands (mostly) didn’t shy away from confronting these nazis and putting them in their place. This battle has continued to be part of ska and punk as time has progressed.

But what does it mean to be an antifascist. And how has the battle between white supremacists and anti-fascists changed over the years? This is the central question we address in this week’s episode with Josh Fernandez, author of the new book, The Hands that Crafted the Bomb: The Making of a Lifelong Antifascist, which will be released on PM Press on February 13, 2023.

Josh started going to punk shows in Davis, CA in the late ’80s. Many Nazis invaded these shows, so he and his friends organized and fought back. He continues to oppose nazis, proud boys, Patriot Front and other far right groups in the street to this day. But the battleground is no longer punk shows. His book tells his story. The main thread is about how he was under investigation at the college he teaches at because he started an Campus Antifascist Network chapter there. He nearly lost his job. Teen Vogue even interviewed him about the experience.

We also talk about Josh’s history as a music journalist, his horrible experiences interviewing David Choe and Immortal Technique, his love for Sublime, seeing Operation Ivy back in the day, why he doesn’t think colleges are actually leftist, and he talks about how running marathons helped him quit drugs.

Plus, we learn which of his tattoos he likes the best!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Behind The Curtain: 2023 in review with Mike Park & Chris Reeves TEASER Dec 31, 2023

Patreon Exclusive Bonus Episode! And it’s the episode of episodes. You won’t want to miss it!

2023 has been an awesome year. We've had Stewart Copeland, Fred Armisen, Bill Stevenson, Rhoda Dakar, Vic Ruggiero and a bunch of other amazing people.

So, to talk about our year, we brought on the great Mike Park. Additionally, we asked our editor Chris Reeves to join the conversation as well. You will gain lots of insight into our guests and hear some secret (very Behind The Curtain) information about the episodes we recorded in 2023. It’s also one of our funniest episodes!

Give it a listen and we'll see you in 2024! We have a ton of great episodes planned. And our Season 4 premiere on Jan 17 is going to be extra special for a few reasons #BigThingsHappening

To listen to this entire episode, sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 154: Daniel Flores (Satélite Kingston, Manera Correcta De Gritar, Rolling Stone Argentina) Dec 27, 2023

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs is one of the biggest ska bands in the world. They formed in Argentina in 1985 and continue to be a major global force in ska and in pop music in general. But Los Fabulosos didn’t evolve out of thin air. This week, we get a crash course on ska’s history in Argentina. To walk us through this fascinating history, we chat with musician and ska historian Daniel Flores. He plays in the Argentinian trad ska band Satélite Kingston, he is the chief editor at Rolling Stone Argentina and he wrote a book in 2013 about the history of ska in Argentina called Manera Correcta De Gritar.

In addition to Los Fabulosos, we talk about important Argentinian groups like Sumo, Los Auténticos Decadentes, Los Intocables, Los Pericos and others. We also talk about key moments like an early Police concert in Buenos Aires in the early ’80s as well as Mano Negra’s first performance in Argentina in the early ’90s. Plus, Daniel explains how important Madness were to the popularization of ska in Argentina.

We learn how different ska development was in Mexico and Argentina. And we even learn about an early figure in Argentina, Ronnie Montalban, who released the ska record Señor Canibal in ’60s. Plus, we discuss Argentina’s role in Rock en tu idioma movement in the ’80s.

We also talk to Daniel about his history with ska, which includes a three year stint in Washington DC during his high school years, where he saw bands like The Skunks, The Toasters, Bim Skala Bim, Pietasters and a Mötley Crüe ska cover band called Skatley Crüe.

We learn all about Daniel’s friendship with the Loving Pauper’s Jorge Pezzimenti. It all started in Sao Paulo, Brazil with copious drinks and karaoke.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 153: Anna Valenzuela (Comedy Central Roast Battle, 12 Questions, Murderpuss) Dec 20, 2023

Comedian Anna Valenzuela has gone to Fest for the past 3 years. She feels right at home there because she grew up going to punk and ska shows, and when she started comedy in 2014, she often performed on the same bills as punk bands. She got involved in LA’s roast battle scene in 2015 and even participated in the Comedy Central show Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle the following year. This week, we discuss the pockets of comedy in Anna’s world and see where they overlap with ska.

Fest comes up a lot this week, as does the band Folly. She even tells us an entire story about Folly’s merch person. She also talks about Devon Kay covering Kelly Clarkson, the joys of seeing Eve 6, and her friendship with Jon Graber (Who’s worked with We Are The Union, NOFX, and MxPx).

She tells us all about LA’s roast battle scene (including The Wave), about being a blackbelt in karate, teaching Esteban Flores how to stretch, and she tells us about recording her new special Murderpuss, which she will release in 2024 on Brandie Posey’s label, Burn This Records.

Plus, she heaps copious praise on Adam Davis and his band Omnigone. Will she use an Omnigone song on her new special? We shall see!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 152: Mikal Reich & Brendog (Mephiskapheles, Barbicide, The Shaved Pigs) Dec 13, 2023

People are still fascinated by the idea of Satanic ska. So much that metal magazine Loudwire wrote an article in 2021 called “Satanic Ska is a Real Thing that Actually Exists.” The article was about Mephiskapheles, a New York ska band that formed in 1990. For their debut album, God Bless Satan, they created a unique sound that blended traditional ska rhythms with jazzy and experimental songwriting. As the band progressed, they got weirder and experimental.

But what was the tone of group? We tackle this question by speaking to founders Mikal Reich (drums), and Brendan Tween (guitar). They give us a glimpse into the dry, maniacal, advertising-fueled satire of Mephiskapheles’ early years. It’s our 2nd Mephiskapheles episode. Mikal and Brendan have a somewhat different perspective on the group than was presented in our prior interview. So make sure to listen to that one too when you get a chance.

We also talk about Brendan’s ’80s hardcore band The Shaved Pigs, their time working at Greenwich Village Mexican restaurant Panchito’s—they worked with Jon Stewart! Mikal even got him fired. We talk about chaotic shows at Wetlands (One time they baptized Chris Gethard in Satan’s blood on stage) and getting banned from venues due to skinhead violence. Plus, Mikal tells us his connection to comedian (and former IDOS guest) Jon Daly.

We get a full history on their song “The Bumble Bee Tuna Song,” we learn how they got their song “Doomsday” on MTV prior to the station’s interest in ska, getting a shoutout from Rancid, how future pick-up artist Neil Strauss interviewed Mikal for a NY Times article about ska, and we get a breakdown of the production work Victor Rice and Bill Laswell did on God Bless Satan. We also talk about Mikal and Brendan’s new band Barbicide and even discuss the cocktail it inspired.

Plus, we learn that The Skatalites’ Tommy McCook called the band Meph-i-ridiculous, since he wasn’t too keen on a ska band worshiping the devil.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 151: Mega Ran Dec 06, 2023

Nerdcore hip-hop entered mainstream consciousness in 2016 when a contestant on Jeopardy mentioned being a fan of the genre. Then, host Alex Trebek made a joke about fans of the genre being losers. Mega Ran, one of the main figures nerdcore (Hip-hop that focuses on video games, comic books, anime and other “nerd” topics) posted a diss back at Trebek. It quickly turned into a full on diss track with every major nerdcore rapper. At shows, Mega Ran had the audience shout, “Suck it Trebek!”

Today we show how nerdcore is connected to ska. This year, Mega Ran released a kids album called Buddy’s Magic Toy Box, which has a ska song (“Recess”) on it. He modeled the song, after “Super Rad!” by The Aquabats. And he brought on Jer from Skatune Network as well as Stacked Like Pancakes to play on the track. It’s a killer song. Mega Ran’s relationship to ska goes even deeper. MC Lars introduced him to several artists in the genre years back. They’d listen to ska while on tour. Mega Ran loves the genre so much, he proudly wears a shirt that says, “Ska and Pro Wrestling are the Only Legitimate Forms of Art.”

We discuss all of this as well as other tracks on Mega Ran’s record, Buddy’s Magic Toy Box. There’s songs about fruit, bullying, self-esteem and one on the history of rap music. It’s got a reggae groove as a tip of the hat to DJ Kool Herc and the genre’s Jamaican roots. We also talk about how Mega Ran got a song in Kevin Smith’s film Clerks 3. We talk about chip/ska artist Lo(u)ser ie Chris Graue. We discuss video game math rock band The Minibosses who famously cover the DuckTales theme song at their shows, and we talk about Mega Ran’s new music festival in Yuma, AZ called Dream Master Mixtape Music Festival. Former IDOS guests AJJ and Open Mike Eagle played the festival this year.

Plus, with the help of IDOS friend Dane Jackson, we ask Mega Ran several pro-wrestling questions.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 150: Nick Wiger (Doughboys, Get Played) Nov 29, 2023

Doughboys is an extremely popular podcast. On it, hosts Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell discuss chain restaurants, while also chopping it up with different weekly guests, many of who are comedians. Doughboys is kind of a food podcast and kind of a comedy podcast. And it’s a lot of fun to listen to. It’s perfect because who doesn’t have strong opinions about chain restaurants like Taco Bell, Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, Arby’s, and Outback Steakhouse?

Avid Doughboys listeners have noticed ska pop up on the show occasionally. That’s because Nick has a ska past. So, we brought him on the show to discuss it. When he was a teenager, he played sax in an Orange County ska band called My Other Brother Darryl (A Newhart reference). Nick also went to high school with Reel Big Fish members Tavis Werts (Trumpet) and Danny Regan (Trombone), so he got to witness Reel Big Fish’s rise to the mainstream from a unique, inside angle.

We talk about this, and the various ska bands he likes (No Doubt, Let’s Go Bowling, Save Ferris, Aquabats) and find out what the chances are of him ever attending a ska show again. We also talk about how Mighty Mighty Bosstones frontman Dicky Barrett nearly appeared on Doughboys, Nick’s history on the clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone, and we determine what is the official ska fast food.

Plus, we talk about Taco Bravo (our favorite shitty restaurant, located in San Jose, CA), Nick’s love/hate relationship with Jack In The Box, and Comedy Bang Bang host Scott Aukerman’s ska connections. We break down a few Funny or Die skits Nick made back when he worked there (The Monster Fuck, Jar Jar Binks Gungan style). We also talk about Pears’ love for Doughboys (And their connection to ska band, Bad Operation), and go into detail about PUP’s brilliant performance on a Doughboy’s livestream: a food parody version of their song “Reservoir.”

Plus, we make a plea to former IDOS guest Jordan Morris to take Nick to a ska show. Help us Jordan. You’re our only hope!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 149: Uli Bella (Ozomatli, Yeska) Nov 22, 2023

Ozomatli was formed in Los Angeles in 1995. Right out the gate, they blended a ton of styles: cumbia, funk, hip-hop, salsa. Within that mix, reggae and ska were also prominent ingredients since Day 1. They went all in with Jamaican-influenced music in 2017 with their record Nonstop: Mexico to Jamaica, a brilliant album where they cover popular Mexican and Mexican-American tunes from groups like Maná, Selena, Café Tacvba, and Julieta Venegas and transform them into awesome reggae/ska/rocksteady songs. They even got Sly and Robbie to produce it.

This week, we bring on Ozomatli’s sax player, Uli Bella. We also learn that Uli has deep ska roots. Before joining Ozomatli, he played sax in LA trad ska group, Yeska, a mostly instrumental band that married Skatalites-influenced ska with Latin elements.

We also talk about Luis Correa and Steady Beat shows (which was the epicenter of LA’s trad ska scene in the ’90s), Yeska opening for Desmond Dekker, how Hepcat and Jump with Joey ruled the trad scene, Yeska member Alfredo Ortiz who later went on to play with The Beastie Boys, Gogol Bordello and Los Lobos. And we talk about how Ozomatli played at Rage Against The Machine’s Zack De La Rocha’s house early in their career.

We also talk about Jurassic 5 (Cut Chemist and Chali 2na were early Ozomatli members), how Ozomatli’s samba opener came to be, what is was like for Ozomatli to play Warped Tour and that Mike Watt was one of the only old punkers that checked them out every night. We talk about how they made fans of Carlos Santana, Prince, and Pharoah Sanders. And we hear about how Uli recorded with King Chango, Money Mark, and Western Standard Time Orchestra.

Plus, we hear all about the early Black Eyed Peas, who came from the same Peace and Justice Center scene as Ozomatli.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 148: Rob Bell and Gerry Lundquist (MU330, Skankin’ Pickle, Suzie Cue, Jeffy and the Sunken Heads, The Vulcaneers) Nov 15, 2023

St. Louis ska band MU330 was formed in 1988. Different members came and went through the course of their first two full-lengths, but by the time they went to record their 1997 masterpiece, Crab Rangoon, they locked in as a five-piece with Dan Potthast, Ted Moll, Chris Diebold, Rob Bell, and former Skankin’ Pickle trombonist Gerry Lundquist. That lineup hasn’t changed since.

Most curious about this lineup is the horn section: Two slide trombones. Rather than lean into the high, peppy brass of trumpets or the sultry vibe of saxophones, it was pure trombone action. With the entire horn section sliding, it sometimes added an unsettling effect to their lines, a curious, unique sound that further distinguished them from other 90s ska bands.

Today we celebrate one of the best ’90s ska bands, by hanging out with their incredible horn section: Trombonist Rob Bell and trombonist Gerry Lundquist. For anyone who toured during the ’90s or early 2000s, it was common knowledge that Rob and Gerry were incredible, hilarious, and always a delight to hang out with. They zoomed in to talk to us from a St. Louis bar of course!

We talk about tattoos, touring with Link 80, weird experiences in Europe, Rob winning the Buddy Lee jump rope contest, Rob hanging out with Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace, Devil sticks, and garlic ice cream at the Gilroy Garlic Festival

We also talk about Gerry moving to St. Louis and staying at Dan Potthast’s house, beer farming, Rob seeing The Cramps (his first punk show), their experience playing The Outhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, and the infamous Link 80 Fireworks War.

Plus, Rob reveals to us exactly who Pepe is!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 147: Dan Ozzi (Author of Sellout) Nov 08, 2023

Author Dan Ozzi’s 2021 book “Sellout” brilliantly profiled 11 punk/hardcore/emo bands that signed to a major label in the 90s/2000s (Green Day, Against Me, Jawbreaker, At The Drive-In). He showed minute details of the scenes these bands came from, how and why they signed to a major, and ultimately what impact making this jump had on them. What’s interesting is how differently each band was impacted by releasing a “sellout” record.

We brought Dan Ozzi this week to search for signs of ska in his book. While no ska band was profiled, the genre comes up occasionally on the sidelines. Plus, we learn that Less Than Jake (and their “sellout” record “Losing Streak”) was considered as one of the profiles for his book.

But we also talk about Chris Farren, Jeff Rosenstock, Glenn Danzig, Catch 22, Jersey ska band Professor Plum, and we explore all the connections between Jimmy Eat World and Less Than Jake. Plus, Dan also tells us wild Gilman stories that came up in his research.

We also talk about Blink 182’s connection to ska, how many times people brought up Reel Big Fish to him while he was promoting his book, and we discuss new genres that are over all our heads (Indie Sleaze).

Plus, we talk about a brilliant 90s Star Trek-themed garage band called The Vulcaneers that featured Gerry Lundquist and Lars Nylander of Skankin’ Pickle. Amazing group!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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Behind The Curtain: A Conversation with John DeDominici & Sean McCabe TEASER Nov 03, 2023

This is a critical historical conversation! Prepare to have your understanding of Bomb the Music Industry and Arrogant Sons of Bitches EXPANDED with this timeless interview with John DeDominici and Sean McCabe.

Everyone know John DeDominici's important contribution to all of Jeff Rosenstock's projects. But what about Sean McCabe? Arguably the most important figure in the Jeff Rosenstock universe...yet he hides in the shadows!

He is a secret no more. Listen to this episode and LEARN! All you need to do is sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon to hear the entire episode.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 146: Flying Raccoon Suit (Jessica Jeansonne, Andrew Heaton) Nov 01, 2023

Hard Times recently declared Flying Raccoon Suit to be the best ska band out of Mississippi. But, as good as they are, they don’t have a lot of competition—they don’t live in an area filled with ska or punk bands. But part of their charm is this very thing—they bring different influences and life experiences to ska.

This is especially apparent in their new highly diverse album, Moonflower, which was released on Bad Times Records on November 3rd. This week, we bring on FRS members Andrew Heaton and Jessica Jeansonne to discuss the band’s history, life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and their excellent new record.

But we also talk about Garfield, Jessica’s cartoon character voices, how Andrew plays guest horn in every band, growing up steeped in jazz, and how they searched high and low for the weirdest pizza on tour.

We also talk about NOFX’s “Darby Crashing Your Party” music video, which took its premise from Flying Raccoon Suit’s “Swan Song” video. We talk about guest horn player Eric Molina getting stuck in Canada. And we talk about Duck’s upcoming horror movie, Amityvillenado.

Plus, we learn the truth about Flying Raccoon Suit: They’re just a bunch of anxious goobers.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 145: Stewart Copeland (The Police, Klark Kent) Oct 25, 2023

The Police exploded in the late 70s. By the early ’80s they were one of the biggest bands in the world with countless hits like “Roxanne,” “Every Breath You Take,” and “Don’t Stand So Close To Me.” They were classified as New Wave, but ska and reggae were prominent influences in their songs. Their popularity pre-dated the 2 Tone ska explosion. Nearly all of those bands—The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, Bad Manners—opened up for The Police at some point.

Today we bring on The Police’s drummer, Stewart Copeland. His drumming was highly informed by ska/reggae. In fact, he was the first member of the group to fall in love with the music. We discuss The Police’s career, 2 Tone ska, reggae drumming and also talk about his new book, Stewart Copeland’s Police Diaries.

We also talk about how The Police were “fake punks” during the UK British movement, Stewart’s first time seeing The Specials at The Hammersmith Palais and talking to Madness’ singer Suggs about the show. We talk about UB40’s place in the 2 Tone scene, as well as the important role that Stewart’s brothers Miles and Ian played in all of this music gaining a larger audience.

We talk about Don Letts role in popularizing reggae among punks, British skinheads, how Stewart discovered reggae in Berkeley (and how he found similarities to the Baladi music he heard as a child growing up in Egypt and Beirut.) And we talk about his weird side project Klark Kent, who actually scored a hit single before The Police!

Plus, Stewart gives us an impassioned rant about music that is aimed at The Specials leader Jerry Dammers.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 144: Pall Jenkins (Three Mile Pilot, The Black Heart Procession, Ugly Casanova, Mr. Tuba And The Flying Objects) Oct 18, 2023

The Black Heart Procession were one of the coolest indie rock bands in the 2000s. Creative songwriting, downer vibes and a general steering away from pop sensibilities while still maintaining catchy melodies. But before the band started to blow up in the indie scene, their singer Pall Jenkins fronted the band Three Mile Pilot, a struggling San Diego indie band that released Another Desert, Another Sea (1997), one of the greatest albums of all time (in the opinion of Aaron and Adam). Though not ska, Pall agreed to join us on this ska podcast to discuss the album.

In our conversation, we also found several connections to ska and reggae. Pall is a huge fan of dub and old Jamaican music and says that the swinging groove has always been an influence on his music. We even gives us a tour of his vinyl ska/reggae/rocksteady collection, which includes records by Prince Buster, Roots Radics, The Upsetters, Horace Andy, Tapper Zukie, Augustus Pablo and many others.

We talk about San Diego skinheads, Pall's interest in punk rock and skateboarding in the 80s, San Diego ska bands (Donkey Show, Gangbusters, Buck O' Nine, Unsteady) and we talk extensively about knives. We also talk about the origin of Three Mile Pilot (They were almost called Taco Pilot). How they got signed to Geffen Records, and how frustrating the process of working with Geffen on Another Desert, Another Sea ended up being. (Geffen ended up giving the album back to the band, who released it on Cargo Records)

We talk about their cover of Brian Eno's "By This River," what it was like for Pall to meet Lee "Scratch" Perry, and we dissect several songs off of Another Desert, Another Sea. Speaking of, be sure to pick up the 25th anniversary double vinyl re-issue of Another Desert, Another Sea, which was released earlier this year!

Plus we talk about Pall singing on the reggae song "Reboot The Simulation" by Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 143: Hans Gruber and the Die Hards (Chris Thompson, Rosey Armstrong, Kurt Armstrong) Oct 11, 2023

Hans Gruber and the Die Hards came out of the pandemic swinging and ready to take over the ska scene. The band formed in 2014 in Austin, Texas, went through some lineup changes (A big lineup change a few years ago!) and then released their excellent record, With A Vengence, in May 2022 on SPI Records. They want to get the word out and have been touring as much as possible.

The group mixes ska with furious hardcore, cumbia, silly singalongs, and whatever else they feel like throwing in the mix. And they bring a stage show filled to the brim with bizarre antics that involve sock puppets, conga lines, copious guest horns and exercise classes. Today we speak with three members of the group: Chris Thompson, Rosey Armstrong and Kurt Armstrong.

We talk about Die Hard lore, and whether the film is in fact a remake of A Christmas Carol. We talk about their long tours and the methods they employ to save money (Forage for nuts in the forest, get free cheese from members of The Best of the Worst). We also talk about Kurt's blackeye and why the band members are the undisputed Gods of Dairy.

We also talk about the squirrels in Adam's backyard and Christian rock groups like Lust Control, DC Talk, One Bad Pig and Rich Mullins. We talk about Hans' experience being on the Ska Parade tour a few years back. And they talk about The Slackers, Slackfest and missing veggie trays.

Plus we talk about a very controversial topic: Kurt's underwear

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 142: Jon Wurster (The Mountain Goats, Superchunk, Bob Mould, Psychotic Norman) Oct 04, 2023

Jon Wurster played drums in Superchunk from the early 90s, but left the band earlier this year. He currently plays drums in The Mountain Goats and with Bob Mould. He also famously played the character Ronald Thomas Clontle on The Best Show with Tom Scharpling and declared that Madness invented ska!

And Jon certainly jokes around about ska a lot, but when he was a teenager, he really loved the 2 Tone ska bands like The Specials and English Beat. He was also a big fan of The Hooters during their early 80s ska phase. And more recently, Jon skanked and played tambourine on stage during the infamous Ska No Children incident. (Sad Snack opened for The Mountain Goats in San Francisco and played their ska cover of "No Children.")

We bring Jon on today to talk about ska. He tells us that he used to practice drums to the Dance Craze soundtrack. We talk about his connection to the band Dead Milkmen. (Amongst other things, he booked their first show!) We discuss his nickname Johnny Earthshoe and we talk about two key shows he attended with The Police. (The Specials and Rhoda Dakar were at one of them)

He also tells us about missing his high school prom for The Meatmen, Ska band The Pressure Boys' connection to Superchunk, and we try to figure out the name of the ska artist that was featured on a DVD he owns (It turns out it was King Django)

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Supernova 2023 recap w/ Aaron & Adam Sep 29, 2023

IDOS PATREON EXCLUSIVE EPISODE

Supernova 2023 was an incredible experience! Amazing bands and just a lot of great people hanging out at the festival. It was the first time that we (both Aaron and Adam) got to experience this awesome festival. But also, we were heavily involved with the festival.

For September's bonus episode, we discuss our Supernova experience with an after-the-fact conversation and a few field recordings from Supernova.

Sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon to listen to this EXCLUSIVE episode!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 141: Western Standard Time Orchestra (Eitan Avineri & Jesse Wagner) Sep 27, 2023

In 2011, long time Southern California ska trumpet player Eitan Avineri had an idea. He wanted to blend traditional Jamaican ska with big band jazz. He assembled a crew of all the best players in LA's traditional ska scene, as well as some of his jazz friends, and re-arranged his favorite Skatalites tunes in a big band style. He called the project Western Standard Time Orchestra. And their first album was called Big Band Tribute To The Skatalites (Vol 1)

Though Eitan would later discover that he wasn't the first person to form a ska orchestra, Western Standard Time Orchestra would be a particularly vibrant band, steeped in ska and jazz in equal measures. Now over a decade into the band's existence, they have a brand new Christmas record that releases on November 3rd. To talk about it, we bring on Eitan and Aggrolites' vocalist Jesse Wagner, who sings lead vocals on the record.

We discuss, at length, LA's trad ska scene and its various players that helped give birth to this cool project. And we talk about how WST tour, record and function as a massive 15-30 piece band. We also talk about the various LA trad ska bands that built the foundation the group grew from: Jump With Joey, Mobtown, Yeska, Hepcat, The Allentons, Kingston 10, See Spot, Ocean 11, Rhythm Function and others.

We also talk about the role of Steady Beat Records and Chris Murray's Bluebeat Lounge. Also, skinhead fights, Christmas music, how Jesse can croon so well without making it sound cheesy, and we learn that Gogol Bordello has been using LA trad ska drummers in the group for the past decade!

Plus we discover that Jesse Wagner used to be a child/teenage actor!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 140: Bill Stevenson (The Descendants, All, Black Flag, The Blasting Room, Higley) Sep 20, 2023

Bill Stevenson is a punk rock legend. He's the drummer/only consistent member of The Descendants. He played in Black Flag, All and he owns/operates punk-friendly recording studio The Blasting Room. And while most bands that roll through The Blasting Room are punk, Bill has worked with several ska bands, including Mustard Plug, Kemuri, Suicide Machines, Less Than Jake and Big D and the Kids Table. Today we dig into Bill's connection to ska!

But we talk about so much more, including recording techniques, pre-show stretching techniques, nightmare tour stories, major label stories, Conan O'Brien stories, Joey Ramone stories, and he tells us about his special drink. Also, I mention an obscure Fort Collins group called The Bob Hollister Band to see if Bill has ever heard of them.

Plus he gives us an update on how Milo's been doing since the heart attack. And he answers drum question by Omnigone drummer Justin Amans.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 139: Jorge Pezzimenti (The Loving Paupers, The Pietasters, The Legwarmers, The Decepticonz) Sep 13, 2023

The Loving Paupers have a brand new album out. Ladders! Who are the Loving Paupers you ask, they are an amazing band that plays "Melancholy Roller Skating Rink Reggae," according to Jump Up Records's Chuck Wren. And you know what, he's exactly right. So today, we have on their guitarist/songwriter Jorge Pezzimenti.

But we have so much more to talk about than just Loving Paupers' new Victor Rice produced album. We dive deep into Jorge's ska past with 90s ska-punk band The Decepticonz (as previously discussed on the Patrick Stump and Jamie Woolford episodes), as well as his time in DC's one and only Pietasters. We even touch on his 80s cover band The Legwarmers and some of his side projects, like the infamous Jorge and the Landladies record Monobound.

We also talk about the influential role that MU330 had on The Decepticonz, Too Hep Records (This Aren't Two Tone, Metalliska), and we learn which song The Legwarmers were playing when the police shut down their show at the Kansas House in 2001 (Hint: it was "Eye of the Tiger")

We also talk about the time Jorge was arrested just before a Pietasters gig, how the Pietasters once backed soul icon James Brown, and he tells us some important Jamaican records like Desmond Dekker's Music Like Dirt and The Heptones Night Food. Catbite gives The Loving Paupers a shoutout in Bearded Gentlemen, we learn how Tango music informed Jorge's song "Let's Not Rewind These," and find out whether the Decepticonz had an oboe player in the band.

Plus we devote a little time to 2000s-era hipster bands with weird stylized names. All caps, no caps, weird letter in the center capped for unknown reasons. It's all there!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 138: Steve Douglas (GWAR, The Resignators, Mud Helmut, Log, The Shiners) Sep 06, 2023

This week, we connect GWAR to ska. And this is a fun connection because GWAR's founding guitarist Steve Douglas is the current guitarist for the Australian ska band The Resignators. Yes, that's right. Steve is a ska musician with a GWAR past.

Steve gives us many hilarious and jaw-dropping GWAR stories, including the early days in Death Piggy (the band that preceded GWAR), incidents with cat shit-filled pinatas, real cow's blood on stage, and how local Richmond, Virginia artist Hunter Jackson and his film Scumdogs of the Universe helped to shape the band's aesthetic. He also talks about playing with the Butthole Surfers, Scream (Dave Grohl's old band), and Operation Ivy.

But we also talk about ska. Steve not only talks about his band The Resignators, but some of the other important Australian ska bands of the past two decades, like Melbourne Ska Orchestra, The Bennies and The Porkers. As well as the annual festival Ska Nation. Plus we of course discuss former IDOS guest and Australian comedian Aaron Gocs, who hung out with Catbite on their recent trip to Australia.

Steve also tells us about the punk and ska scene in Richmond, Virginia back in the 80s and 90s, including bands like Burma Jam, The Good Guys, Avail and Lamb of God. We also talk about The Caribs and the theory that they--an Australian ska band--helped create the ska groove back in the day.

Plus we discuss Mustard Plug (who barely left Australia before Covid) and UK ska band Death of Guitar Pop who The Resignators recently toured with over in Australia. And we talk about Supernova International Ska festival...a lot!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 137: Open Mike Eagle Aug 30, 2023

Does rapper/podcaster Open Mike Eagle like ska? Well, when I brought up Fishbone, he immediately said that he loved the song "Unyielding Conditioning." Great! Now that that's out of the way, this week, we talk about a whole lot of other topics with the great OME including AJJ, They Might Be Giants, MF Doom, Adventure Time, and he has a fantastic Angelo Moore story!

With AJJ specifically, we discuss what it's like to tour with the group, how he exercises on the road, and Adam even forces him to choose between Sean and Ben! We also go deep into OME's all-time favorite band They Might Be Giants, and discuss every moment he's referenced their music in his own songs. And he tells us about what it was like to be a judge on the "I Left My Body" video contest. Plus, we determine whether "Boss Of Me" is a ska song or NOT!

We cover a range of other topics, including his long friendship with Hannibal Buress (And how Hannibal once beat him at a rap battle contest), The Pixies, famous people he's mentioned in his songs (Peter Dinklage, Marc Maron, Joe Rogan, Jon Lovitz) and whether they're aware that they were mentioned. And Tim Robinson's show I Think You Should Leave gets brought up--of course. Adam even makes OME choose a favorite sketch!

Plus we finally decide once and for all if punching nazis is a good or bad thing (hint: It's good)

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: I Worked at Asian Man Records w/ Lazlo Happenstance Aug 25, 2023

We continue on with our new PATREON-EXCLUSIVE series: I Worked At Asian Man Records. Another brave soul, Lazlo Happenstance, confesses to us Behind The Curtain what it was like to work for the one and only Mike Park. And this episode gets JUICY! Make sure you're properly hydrated before you click play on THIS episode!

Go to our Patreon to listen to the entire episode NOW!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 136: Ian Fowles (The Aquabats!, Death By Stereo) Aug 23, 2023

The time has finally come! We have landed an Aquabat on the In Defense of Ska podcast. Not just any Aquabat, but EagleBones Falconhawk! Or as he's known when he's not busy with his superhero duties, Ian Fowles.

We get into the Aquabats! history with Ian, including his personal story with the group, the mythology of his character and what it was like to work on Yo Gabba Gabba! and The Aquabats! Super Show! Many names were dropped in this conversation, including Weird Al Yankovic, Jack Black, Greg Hawkes (The Cars), Puddles Pity Party and Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal).

We also dig into Ian's history as a musician. He was a founding member of Death By Stereo. He quit the group to go on his Mormon Mission. When he returned, they were signed to Epitaph. We talk about how Michael J. Fox or rather Marty McFly's guitar scenes in Back To The Future inspired him to take up the guitar, what it was like to tour with Rancid, and we discuss his mustache phase!

Plus we ask Ian he likes ska. You may not want to know the answer!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 135: Sam Grinberg (The Simpsons, Scumburbia) Aug 16, 2023

Artist Sam Grinberg started interning with The Simpsons in 2014. It turned into an actual job shortly after--a dream job! He joins us today to discuss the popular show, its possible ska connections and his own history with the genre.

He's got a lot of history with ska. Sam grew up in New Jersey and used to go see tons of bands like Streetlight Manifesto and local legends Awful Waffle. He even drops some super obscure local ska band names on us like Stolen Oregano, Explosive Sheep, and The Nerd Who Ate St. Louis.

Sam has also done a lot of artwork for ska bands. A short list includes Catbite, Kill Lincoln, Less Than Jake, Save Ferris, The Holophonics, the Too Hectic comps on Pay Attention Records (By Phil Lucas-Smith of Ska Punk Daily) and more. (He even did art for the Hella Mega Tour, which featured Fall Out Boy). Plus Sam talks about his other artwork like the Scumburbia series and his infamous "How To Skank" comic.

We also learn how Sam got a job at The Simpsons, how he defines his art style, and how many tattoos people have gotten of his artwork. He talks about seeing Fatter Than Albert, Bomb The Music Industry and going to many shows at The Starland Ballroom and the Stone Pony. Plus he talks about going to the "It's a Ska World After All" at Disneyland. And we learn that one of his art teachers was Gary Panter, who created the characters for Pee Wee's Playhouse.

And we discuss ska bands with Simpsons references and the ultimate Simpsons-themed metal-core band: Okilly Dokilly. A jam-packed episode!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 134: Popes of Chillitown (Matthew Conner, Arvin Bancil, Thiago Trosso) Aug 09, 2023

The UK has a long history of producing interesting, eclectic ska bands. And this tradition continues to this day. Today we bring on Popes of Chillitown, an excellent UK band that formed in the early 2010s and just released their 4th record, Take A Picture. The band mixes ska, punk, metal, grime, hip-hop, drum n bass and anything else they feel like into catchy, energetic tunes. On Take A Picture, they go a little heavier and get even more diverse than any prior record.

We talk about a lot, including British sketch shows like The League of Gentlemen and The Young Ones. We talk about the influence that rave culture and hip hop has had on the UK's ska-punk scene, and we dig into the Household Name Records era bands like Capdown, King Prawn, and Sonic Boom Six.

We also talk about iconic UK venues New Cross Inn and The Underworld. We talk about how The Popes like to kill time on tour in the van (Reading religious texts and playing the ukulele?), we discuss new UK bands and artists like Pook, Bar Stool Preachers, The JB Conspiracy and The Skints, and we get the full story on the band's biggest song, "Wisdom Teeth."

Plus, we learn what Onion Tea is!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 133: Scott Klopfenstein (Reel Big Fish, The Littlest Man Band, Nuckle Brothers, The Scholars) Aug 02, 2023

Reel Big Fish was one of the biggest ska-punk bands in the late 90s. Their success was launched by the success of their single "Sell Out." In 1997, the song started to explode while Reel Big Fish was on tour as the opening act for Let's Go Bowling and The Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Midway through the tour, they were promoted to headliner. To this day, Scott still feels weird and kind of guilty about it.

But there have been a lot more weird moments during Reel Big Fish's career, which Scott shares with us. Like the time they opened for KISS at an amphitheater, then immediately left the venue to open for Skankin' Pickle in a small Inland Empire club. We also talk about how strange it was for Reel Big Fish to travel all over the world. (He includes a particularly funny story from their trip to Russia). Not to mention the time their tour bus blew up--they were almost inside when it happened.

Plus Scott talks to us about interviewing random people in Times Square about ska for the documentary Pick It Up - Ska In The 90s. We also talk about his acting roles in the We Are The Union music videos for "You're Dead / Vampire Ska" and "Make It Easy." (And what it was like to kill Brent Friedman on camera!) We also discuss what it was like to recently meet The Slackers' frontman Vic Ruggiero for the first time, the influence of Fishbone on the Reel Big Fish, making a cameo in the film BASEketball (by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone) and how Aaron Barrett and Scott's funny on-stage banter started as something antagonistic between them.

Plus we dig deep into the fantastic record Cheer Up and learn a lot about "Drunk Again" and "Average Man," two songs Scott wrote. And Crumbl Cookies. We definitely talk about Crumbl Cookies.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: I Worked at Asian Man Records w/ Skylar Suorez Jul 28, 2023

In a brand new PATREON EXCLUSIVE In Defense of Ska series, we speak with former employees of Asian Man Records to get the DIRT on Mike Park. It gets juicy behind the curtain. Our guests feel comfortable spilling the tea because Mike Park IS NOT a Patreon Subscriber so he'll never hear this!

This month, we chat with Skylar Suorez who worked at Asian Man from 2005 - 2011. Skylar's other big claim to fame is that he discovered AJJ!!!!!

To listen to the ENTIRE episode, sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 132: Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz, Sad13) Jul 26, 2023

The first CD Sadie Dupuis saved up her own money to purchase was "Let's Face It" by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The first concert she begged her mom to take her to was No Doubt. And on a recent NPR segment, Sadie talked about the huge influence The Selecter's Pauline Black had on her. Pauline, through example, taught her that music could be a political tool

These days Sadie plays in the indie-rock band Speedy Ortiz, and she also releases music under the moniker Sad13. But she hasn't forgotten about her love for ska. In fact, she makes a plea to JER for a Sadie Dupuis / Skatune Network collaboration. (Hopefully, you're listening JER!)

We also get into a lot more, like how Sadie's parents worked at record labels in the 70s. Her mom worked at the UK ska/reggae label Rock Steady Records. We talk about how The Specials' "Ghost Town" is a perfect song, we discuss the ska leanings of 100 gecs. And she talks about sending an AIM message to I Voted For Kodos.

We also talk about booking MySpace tours, Sinéad O'Connor, and her love for Weezer. (Her favorite non-album track is "Blast Off!!"). We also talk about a ska band Sadie played in when she was a kid called "Walker Exists." They had no bass player! (She also mentions the ska band that Kevin Bacon's kid used to play in.) We talk about her songwriting process, fostering dogs, and get into the 2 Tone ska influences on the Brit-pop genre.

But most importantly, she tells us her AOL and AIM screen names from back in the day. They both are ska-related.

Be sure and check out Speedy Ortiz's new album Rabbit Rabbit, which releases on Sept 1!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 131: Fred Reiter (New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, The Toasters, The Scofflaws, The N.Y. Citizens) Jul 19, 2023

This week we explore Ska-Jazz. Specifically, we talk to Fred Reiter (aka Rocksteady Freddie), the band leader of the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble. And we aim to understand the difference between the jazz-influenced traditional ska sound and ska-jazz. Fred gives us a simple explanation and a more complex technical explanation.

But Fred also talks about his entire personal history in music: He studied jazz in high school--clarinet, flute and saxophone. He played the sax in a variety of bands including the N.Y. Citizens, The Scofflaws and The Toasters. New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble started as a recording project, but he soon realized there was a demand for it on the live circuit. The band continues to play. To this day they have played in 37 different countries.

Fred also tells us what it was like to be a part of the legendary Skavoovie tour in 1993 (The Special Beat, The Selecter, The Skatalites, The Toasters), what it was like to share the stage with Coolie Ranx, how the German band The Busters helped get the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble to Europe, and what it was like to back ska legend Laurel Aitken in the 90s.

Plus we discuss various elements of jazz, and why the elitism of the genre he experienced in New York may have influenced him to play in ska bands.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 130: Tom May (The Menzingers, Bob And The Sagets) Jul 12, 2023

While it's an undeniable fact that most musicians have ska roots, Tom May of The Menzingers has an entire, elaborate ska past. Before forming The Menzingers in 2006, Tom spent a solid 4 years playing in the Scranton, Pennsylvania ska band Bob and the Sagets. During the early 2000s, Bob and the Sagets (and another band, Lester) were the big local ska bands in Scranton.

Tom speaks to us this week about Bob and the Sagets. We talk about the Scranton scene, including venues like Cafe Del Sol and Sessions Skatepark, as well as other prominent bands from the scene (Including Tigers Jaw!). But we also discuss The Menzingers and search for signs of ska, which includes a cover of The Specials' "Gangsters" they used to do, an old song called "Dark Side Of The Poon," and Tom joining Worriers on stage to play ska guitar for their cover of Rancid's "Old Friend."

We also talk about playing with ska/reggae producer Curtis Irie (ie Irie Idea), how Against Me influenced The Menzingers' sound, touring with Jeff Rosenstock, meeting Brendan Kelly for the first time at Fest, his feelings on The Hard Times' Menzingers articles and getting to see Catbite for the first semi-recently. Plus he talks about some of the most amazing DIY shows he's seen back in the day, including Frank Turner, Gaslight Anthem and Paint It Black.

And, as a special treat, Tom explains to us what the Receipt Scam is!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 129: Joe Genaro (The Dead Milkmen, The Low Budgets, Joe Jack Talcum, Touch Me Zoo) Jul 05, 2023

The Dead Milkmen were odd ducks in Philadelphia's 1980s hardcore scene. They played really fast, but with a clean guitar channel, and wrote satirical--often strange and very imaginative--lyrics. It felt like they were almost a ska band. And in fact, they did have a few ska songs in their set like "If You Love Somebody, Set Them On Fire," "Little Man In My Head," "Gorilla Girl," and a cover of The Specials' "A Message To You, Rudy."

Today, we bring on Dead Milkmen guitarist Joe Genaro. We talk about the band's relationship to ska, Joe's love for The Specials, The English Beat, Philly locals The Hooters, Operation Ivy and what it was like to play a LIVE 105 radio event with Skankin' Pickle (Along with Duran Duran and Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine.)

We discuss their recent cover of Heaven 17's "(We Don't Need No) Fascist Groove Thang," which they turned into a ska song, the influential role of Dead Kennedys' In God We Trust, Inc, Joe's love for Dr. Demento and Weird Al (And how excited he was when he heard himself played on the Dr. Demento show), Why they mentioned drummer Jon Wurster in the song "Stewart," and we breakdown the recording of Big Lizard In My Backyard, and discuss some of the weirder promotional events Dead Milkmen did when "Punk Rock Girl" broke, including a bonkers performance on Club MTV with Downtown Julie Brown.

Plus we discuss the band's excellent new album, Quaker City Quiet Pills, which was released on June 9th.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Asian Man Records Sneak Peak w/ Mike Huguenor Jun 30, 2023

I don't know if you've heard, but there is a book on Asian Man Records/Mike Park in the works! And the author of the books is none other than Mike Huguenor, guitarist for the Jeff Rosenstock band. He's also played in Hard Girls, Shinobu, Classics of Love, and a bunch of other bands.

The book isn't expected to release until 2025, but Mike gave us a sneak peak of this work in progress!

If you want to get some juicy tidbits about Mike's upcoming Asian Man Records book, sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon NOW and listen to the entire episode.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 128: Fred Armisen (Trenchmouth, The KGB, Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, Documentary Now!) Jun 28, 2023

Fred Armisen loves ska. He's brought it up on multiple Tonight Show appearances. Portlandia famously did the Bart Ska-mpson skit (with guest Matt Groening), and he performed a ska song in one Saturday Night Live sketch (with Bill Hader and Katy Perry).

So, we brought Fred on the podcast and discussed all things ska. He had a lot to say on the topic. We talked about his love for 2 Tone ska bands (The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, English Beat, Bad Manners, The Bodysnatchers). But we also talked about the US ska bands he got to know in the 80s and 90s while he played drums in Chicago punk band Trenchmouth. We talked about Fishbone, Skankin' Pickle, Gangster Fun, Slapstick, Let's Go Bowling and more.

We also talk about ska in Latin America, which he learned about during his multiple trips to Santiago, Chile, while filming Los Espookys. We talk about the larger movement of punk/New Wave bands that dabbled with ska XTC, The Clash, The Members, Joe Jackson) or stemmed from ska bands (Fun Boy Three, Fine Young Cannibals, General Public) and we talk lovingly about Chicago's famous indie venue, Fireside Bowl. I also tell Fred about a rumor I heard that Cap'n' Jazz were the first band to play Fireside and he votes on whether it was true or not!

We also talk about how dumb band fights can get, the influencing role that Alan Myers (Devo), David Barbarossa (Bow Wow Wow), Topper Headon (The Clash) and Clem Burke (Blondie) had on his drumming style, and he takes a moment to mourn the loss of Specials lead singer Terry Hall, which hit him hard.

Plus, we decide the perfect number of bands to have on a bill. Listen and find out!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 127: GG Guerra (Soul glo, Gatherers) Jun 21, 2023

Philadelphia hardcore band Soul Glo put out one of the best records of 2022: Diaspora Problems. It made it on many "best of" lists, Jeff Rosenstock tweeted about how amazing it was and the band My Chemical Romance invited Soul Glo to open for them.

But, what we've learned as the group have transitioned from a DIY punk band to being one of the names constantly referenced in the current hardcore reconnaissance is that they like ska. So we brought on bassist GG Guerra to discuss the genre.

He talks about his love for Arrogant Sons of Bitches, specifically their landmark record, Three Cheers For Disappointment. We also discuss Folly--Soul Glo singer Pierce Jordan participated in a cover of Folly's song "Broken" with members of Catbite, We Are The Union, The Best of the Worst and Gouge Away for 2 Minutes to Late Night. We also talked about Soul Glo's love for JER. GG assures us that at some point in the near future, we can expect a JER/Soul Glo collaboration.

We talk about so much more. Ska Against Racism, GG's Choking Victim tattoo, GG's old ska band, signing to Epitaph, how the film Whiplash inspired the idea for the video for "Jump!! (Or Get Jumped!!!) ((by the future))" and we dig deep into the recording of Soul Glo's Diaspora Problems.

Plus Adam reveals the name of Atomic Garden Recording Studio's owner Jack Shirley's old ska band!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 126: Bad Operation (Greg Rodrigue, Daniel "D-Ray" Ray) Jun 14, 2023

Bad Operation played their first show ever in October 2021. It was packed, with an enthusiastic crowd. But a lot led up to this moment. The band formed in 2019 as a side project for the members, with the intention of them playing a single show. That show, scheduled for March 12 2020 never happened thanks to the pandemic. As much as that sucked, they did suddenly have a ton of time to record music. In Dec 2020, they released their excellent debut album and blew many minds!

Today we bring on two members of Bad Operation: Greg Rodrigue and D-Ray. Though Bad Operation is a new group, the members have an interesting and expansive history with ska, like their time in the mid-2000s New Orleans ska scene with bands like Fatter Than Albert, Samurai Deli and Angry Banana. We also talk about Greg and D-Ray's label, Community Records, their ongoing festival Block Party, the iconic NOLA venue Big Top, and Greg's spot Hey Cafe.

We also break down several samples on their debut record that includes The Impossibles, Mike Park, Blue Meanies, The Specials, Sublime and Jackie Mittoo. We talk about how Jeff Rosenstock's label Quote Unquote and Mike Park's label Asian Man inspired Community Records.

Plus we discuss the new Bad Time Records Wavebreaker release with songs by Bad Operation and Mighty Mighty Bosstones bassist Joe Gittleman.

Here's a link if you want to hear the playlist for "Sell Out," Greg's ska cover band mentioned during the show.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 125: Joe Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Avoid One Thing, Gang Green, SideOneDummy Records Jun 07, 2023

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones had the biggest ska-punk hit of the '90s. Their song "The Impression That I Get" was huge and made them legit stars for a while. But they were a band that earned it. They got their start in the 80s, signed to Taang Records in 1989, got a major label deal in 1993 and released several records before hitting it big with their 1997 record Let's Face It. Not to mention, they were a huge influence on the sound of US ska-punk in the 90s.

Today, we talk to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' bassist Joe Gittleman (aka the Bass Fiddleman). He tells us stories from the Bosstones year, working at SideOneDummy in the 2000s, producing Big D and the Table's "Strictly Rude" record, playing in Gang Green and he gives us his side perspective regarding The Bosstones' breakup last year.

He also talks about playing Lollapalooza in 1995, quitting drinking, and Bouncing Souls covering his song "Lean On Sheena" from his other band Avoid One Thing, and how the song ended up being one of the Souls most popular songs. We talk about Brian Fallon and Gaslight Anthem's landmark record The 59 Sound, playing Warped Tour and the significance of seeing Fishbone play in the 80s.

Plus we talk about Joe's upcoming Wavebreaker release on Bad Time Records with the great Bad Operation. You're going to want to grab a copy ASAP!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 124: Eugene Robinson (Whipping Boy, Oxbow, Buñuel, Black Face) May 31, 2023

Eugene Robinson was at many iconic hardcore shows in the 80s--as a musician (He played in Whipping Boy), as a journalist, and as a fan. The scene was not always a pretty place. He's been in enough fights that he wrote a book about it. Fight: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Ass-Kicking but Were Afraid You'd Get Your Ass Kicked For Asking. But Eugene's latest book details his hardcore years and it's another mouthful. A Walk Across Dirty Water and Straight Into Murderer's Row: A Memoir. So we brought him on to tell his punk stories.

This is easily the most intense episode of In Defense of Ska. There are many violent stories, including the infamous Misfits show in San Francisco in the early 80s where the band hurls homophobic slurs at the crowd and then Paul Caiafa (aka Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein) nearly kills a kid. Eugene tells this and other stories in graphic detail.

We also talk about Dead Kennedys and SSD in Staten Island, Bad Brains' famous 3-day run at CBGBs, Whipping Boy's first show ever (opening for Circle Jerks), and the time Eugene got jumped on his way to see The Clash film Rude Boy. He also tells us how his love for The Specials inspired him to go to college at Stanford, how he made a lot of money arm wrestling a group of guys and how he went to high school with the members of early New York dance/ska band Urban Blight.

Plus we talk about his band Black Face which he did with Black Flag bassist Chuck Dukowski, and how Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi) tried to get them to change the name to Black Velvet because "Black Face is a fucked up name." Eugene explains why he didn't take Ian seriously (Hint: It's because he wrote "Guilty of Being White.")

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Emosplaining w/ Andrew Sacher, editor at Brooklyn Vegan (TEASER) May 26, 2023

PATREON-EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE!

This month we give you a bonus episode about emo!

Why? Because Adam and I don't know a lot about emo, and there are some pretty major parallels to the story of ska and the story of emo. Besides, a lot of the new wave of ska bands were influenced by emo, so it makes A LOT of sense for us all do do our homework on emo!

To do that, we brought on an emo expert! Andrew Sacher, editor at Brooklyn Vegan! This is a must-listen episode!

To listen to this episode in its entirety, sign up for the IDOS Patreon!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 123: Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers) May 24, 2023

Only a handful of bands made up the 2 Tone era of ska in late 70s England. Today, we bring on Rhoda Dakar, the singer of The Bodysnatchers, an all-female ska band that released 2 singles on the 2 Tone record label before breaking up. The band also recorded a few Peel Sessions and were featured on Dance Craze. Though short-lived, The Bodysnatchers were an important band and are still loved by many to this day.

Rhoda also sang on the Specials' song "I Can't Stand It" (A really cool duet with Terry Hall), and was part of Jerry Dammers' Special AKA project. Their In The Studio record took 2 years to record. Rhoda tells us about "I Can't Stand It" and what it was like to work on In The Studio. (It was no fun!)

We also talk about Rhoda's pre-Bodysnatchers years of being a punk kid and seeing Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, becoming friends with The Sex Pistols' Paul Cook and Steve Jones, and how she tried (and failed) to sneak into a Roxy Music concert in 1973. She tells us what it was like to work with The Interrupters on their most recent record, how she finally got to perform at the Brixton Academy Theater and the role that The Pogues' Shane MacGowan had in her joining The Bodysnatchers.

She talks about writing "Ruder than You" with scenester Gaz Mayall (son of British blues legend John Mayall), playing on the Seaside Tour with The Specials and the Go Go's, and we talk about the legacy of her song The Boiler.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 122: Esteban Flores (Catbite, Matamoska, Mr. Kingpin, The Bandulus, The English Beat, The Interrupters, The Steady 45's, We Are The Union) May 17, 2023

You probably know our next guest for playing keyboards with Catbite. But Esteban Flores has played with a ton of ska bands, (live or just recording on some tracks). We're talking somewhere in the range of 80 groups! The point is that Esteban is THEE keyboardist of ska, so he needed his own episode.

We talk about the many bands he's played with like Matamoska, The Steady 45's, The Bandulus, Mr. Kingpin, The English Beat, We Are The Union and The Interrupters, and how he played in 8 separate bands one year at Supernova. We also talk about one particular band he wishes he could play with, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (His all-time favorite ska band). Esteban then gives us a lesson on how to play traditional ska/reggae on the keys and even explains what "the bubble" is.

Esteban also tells us why he thinks the East LA ska scene is the best in the US. We talk about the time he (and this scene) were featured on a Fox News 11 segment, and we talk about the Ska Wars festival that is a major part of this scene. Esteban also gives us his top 4 craziest tour stories (Which involve car accidents, breakdowns and theft). And we also talk about his personal history as an immigrant that moved to the US at age 3, and how he benefited from the DACA program as a Dreamer.

Plus, Esteban brings up Brent Friedman a few times for no apparent reason! Hey, maybe he's a big fan?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 121: Bedouin Soundclash (Jay Malinowski and Eon Sinclair) May 10, 2023

Bedouin Soundclash are a household name in Canada, The UK and other parts of the world. But in the US, they are a lesser known group. They formed in 2000 in Ontario, Canada and scored the big hit "When The Night Feels My Song" in 2004. The song made it to Radio 1 in the UK and got airplay on The Edge radio show in Toronto.

Not only did "When The Night" launch their career, the song developed a life of its own. It was everywhere. You could hear it in grocery stores, on TV ads and on kids shows. Years later, some Bedouin Soundclash fans were surprised to learn that this was one of their song since it was the soundtrack to their childhood.

Bedouin took a hiatus for a decade, and returned in 2019 with the record Mass. But in 2022, they released their best record of their career (And one of the best ska albums of the 2022), We Will Meet In A Hurricane. We talk to Jay Malinowski and Eon Sinclair about this wonderful record and their interesting career.

We also discuss the new albums' guest contributors: Aimee Interrupter (The Interrupters), Marcia Richards (The Skints), and Kathryn Calder (New Pornographers). The band talks about what it was like to open for No Doubt, Slightly Stoopid and to play the Vans Warped Tour twice. And they tell us some experiences of playing the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival.

We also talk bear sightings on their "Walk Through Fire" video shoot, working with Bad Brains' Darryl Jenifer on their early records, Jay's struggles with addiction, and what it was like for him to lose his voice at the Leeds Festival in 2006 and have the entire crowd sing for him.

Plus we talk about Waffle House, a lot. Adam schools us all with Waffle House facts and Jay tells us a story he's never told before that involves tripping on mushrooms in a Waffle House and being terrified.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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in Defense of Ska Ep 120: Bailey Lupo (Scowl, The Caps, CAPS, Try The Pie, The Can't Hardlys, Abysmalist) May 03, 2023

Scowl is one of a handful of new hardcore bands blowing up at the moment. And, more importantly, they are a band with ska roots. Specifically, their bassist Bailey Lupo, who used to play bass in San Jose ska-punk band The Caps (or CAPS). So, we brought them on to get all the deets on their ska past.

Bailey told us about packing records at Asian Man Records as a teen. (They begged Mike Park to release the Scowl record in 2020, but he passed). Bailey talked about recently meeting JER in Gainsville and vowed to our audience that, one day, Scowl would collaborate with Skatune Network. And they talked about the bands that influenced The Caps: The Specials, Choking Victim and a whole slew of surf bands.

But we got even deeper and talked about the late 2000s/early 2010s San Jose punk scene they came from and talked about legendary groups like Leer, Hard Girls (featuring Jeff Rosenstock's guitarist Mike Huguenor), Monstrauss (Who played ska & grunge ie Skunge), Matsuri, Stickup Kid and Point of View. And of course, we had to talk about San Jose's weirdest punk venue, Nickel City. Hyper Ska artist Eichlers wrote a song about the venue on their sophomore record.

We also talk about touring with Limp Bizkit, what it was like to have thousands of kids show up to their Real Bay Shit shows, seeing Laura Stevenson at a backyard BBQ in San Jose, and we discuss the horrible Punknews comments they sifted through every day.

Most importantly, we talked about Adam and Aaron's old band, Gnarboots!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: A new look at Dance Craze Apr 28, 2023

Dance Craze recently got re-issued in the UK. So we figured it was time to give it another watch.

Adam had never seen Dance Craze. I've not only seen it several times, but I interviewed several people involved with its creation.

We got together and watched the film and said all of our thoughts! Hear what we had to say.

If you want to watch the film along with us, here's the link. Start it when we say! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT77dnsFkik

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 119: Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu, Ten In The Swear Jar, IBOPA, Former Ghosts) Apr 26, 2023

In the early 2000s, Jamie Stewart wanted to go to Vietnam. They brought a rubber baby doll with them to take photos while they were there. One of those photos became the cover for Xiu Xiu's excellent A Promise album. But, for this trip to happen in the first place, Jamie needed to raise some money. For 8 months before they left, they recorded as many punk and ska bands as they could (One of the bands was Short Round).

This isn't the only time that Jamie has intersected with ska. Another band they recorded, Firme, lent them their horn section for the Knife Play record. One of their old 90s bands, IBOPA (Indestructible Beat Of Palo Alto), played with a lot of ska bands since they were a fun horn-driven band (Ska was an influence, but not a style they played). Another one of their bands, Ten In The Swear Jar, released a record on Asian Man Records, and Pitchfork made a point to talk about ska in the review, despite there being NO ska on the album.

We talk about all of this with Jamie, and so much more. We discuss the time period when they worked at Streetlight Records, how they discovered ska and reggae on KPFK on Sundays, how their 2nd concert ever was Pato Banton and Tippa Irie, and how they briefly played bass in a dub band.

They also tell us about the time GG Allin jumped on stage and demanded they "plays some blues." They tell us stories about The Cactus Club. They tell us why Deerhoof is an amazing band. We learn who Richard Snakedick is. We discuss what it was like to perform a balloon solo as the opening act on AJJ's 2021 tour, and we find out why they once blurted out "Fred Flintstone's Lucius Dick."

Plus, Jamie sings for us a Weird Al-style parody song they wrote when they were a teenager. Just imagine The Grand Illusion by Styx, but it's The Grand Fart!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 118: Aranivah (Dance Culture By Aranivah, Ratas En Zelo) Apr 19, 2023

Aranivah didn't dance when she was a punk teenager living in El Salvador. It wasn't till years later after she immigrated to New York that she fell in love with ska, cumbia, soul music, and dancing to these genres. With no formal training, she discovered that she was really good at it. But she wasn't just good at moving her body. She made it accessible to other people. Her videos dancing to ska and other subgenres soon went viral on TikTok and Instagram. She used this online popularity to create dance classes.

Today, we speak with Aranivah. We talk at length about the ska bands that speak to her personally. In particular, we break down a YouTube video she made that namechecks Prince Buster, Inspecter 7, Akatz, Vieja Skina, Bad Manners, Desmond Dekker, Decibelios, Laurel Aitken, Ska Cubano and Skalariak. Some great ska tunes!

We also talk about her formative years as an El Salvadorian punk, we talk about her experiences immigrating the New York at the age of 17, the Brooklyn Rocksteady / Dirty Reggae scene in the 2000s that turned her on to the genre here (The Hard Times, The Far East, The Forthrights, The Frightnrs), and we talk about what led to her starting Dance Culture By Aranivah.

We also talk about her dancing in a Hub City Stompers video, how she approaches social media, and she even tells us all about a really cool reggae club she visited in Mexico last year called Cultural Roots.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 117: Kate Fagan (Heavy Manners, BB Spin) Apr 12, 2023

Chicago would become a major ska town in the 90s as the home of Jump Up Records, Slapstick, and Fireside Bowl. But before any of this took off, there was Heavy Manners, a Chicago ska/reggae band that formed in 1980. Within a few years, Heavy Manners were the biggest band (of any genre) in town, but they weren't able to create the same kind of passionate following outside of Chicago. So, in 1984, they threw in the towel.

Today we speak to Heavy Manners lead singer Kate Fagan. Before forming the band, she released the underground hit single, "I Don't Wanna Be Too Cool," which has become a sought-after punk collector's item. On Feb 24, 2023, Captured Tracks Records put out a long-awaited reissue of "I Don't Wanna Be Too Cool," along with several previously unreleased Kate Fagan tracks.

We talked about Heavy Manners and Kate's work with Rock Against Racism in Chicago. (She once booked Patti Smith at an event!). We talk about Heavy Manners getting to open for The Clash, The English Beat and Peter Tosh--they eventually cut some tracks with Tosh and Bob Marley's engineer Dennis Thompson. And we talk about some of Heavy Manners' famous fans like filmmaker John Hughes, actor John Cusack, and Ministry's frontman Al Jourgensen.

We also talk about Chicago's overall music scene in the 70s and 80s, Kate's musical, The Kissing Concept, and discuss some great non-religious Christmas songs. Lots of opinions!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of SKa Ep 116: Omnigone (Adam Davis, Barry Krippene, Justin Amans) Apr 05, 2023

Welcome to our 116th episode, the one that TRULY matters. This conversation is what everything has led to...where host Aaron Carnes interviews co-host Adam Davis! We did this in our first episode, but in this episode, we go so much deeper.

Adam's band, Omnigone just released an incredible album called Against The Rest on Bad Time Records. So we brought on Adam (Not a co-host this time!) along with Omnigone/Blast Bandits bassist Barry Krippene, and drummer Justin Amans (Also from Kitty Kat Fan Club). During this conversation, we talk about Omnigone, Adam and Barry's old band Link 80, Adam and Aaron's old band Gnarboots and find out which Nirvana songs Adam sang at his high school talent show.

I read Adam an unpublished 2014 Gnarboots interview he did for the San Francisco Chronicle, we discuss a blog post Adam wrote for Please Don't Hang Out In Front Of The House and Adam explains the importance of applying Tiger Balm to his nether regions before a show.

We also talk about how Anthrax inspired Adam to be in a band, why Catbite's name is good and why so many old punk rockers bum Adam the fuck out.

Plus, Justin has a soothing message for Mike Park as he prepares himself to listen to this episode.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Looking at the Future of Ska with JER of Skatune Network (COMPLETE EPISODE) Mar 31, 2023

Is 2023 the year ska comes back? Oh I know, you've heard that one before. But it does seem like there's some great things happening in ska in 2023, and we thought we'd talk to one of the leaders of the new ska scene (JER of Skatune Network and We Are The Union!) about what this all means for the future of ska!

We originally released this episode in Jan 2023 exclusive to our Patreon subscribers. Many of them suggested we release this one to the public since it was SUCH A GOOD CONVERSATION! So here it is!

If you like this type of content, consider signing up for the In Defense of Ska Patreon.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 115: The Hooters (Rob Hyman & Eric Bazilian) Mar 29, 2023

The Hooters were most known for their handful of rock singles in the 80s: "And We Danced," "Day By Day," "All You Zombies," to name a few. There is a reggae-tinged to "All You Zombies." Earlier versions of the song were more overt because when they formed, The Hooters were one of the US's first ska bands.

Today we sit down with Hooters' members Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian to talk about their ska years in Philadelphia. The group got a lot of local radio play with their cover of The Skatalites' "Man on the Street." We also discuss their first rendition of "All You Zombies," which was another crowd-pleaser during these years. Their history with ska is expansive. Rob tells us about visiting Jamaica in the 60s as a teen and hearing Eric Monty Morris' "Sammy Dead" on the radio and immediately deciding he needed to track that record down.

We also dive deep into a very unusual and interesting time for the band in the 80s when they collaborated with Cyndi Lauper on her "She's So Unusual" album. We discuss such favorites as "Time After Time" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" and hear about all the ska and reggae elements that started out on this record in the demo phase (Some of those elements remained!) The band confirms for us that Cyndi loves ska.

And of course, it wouldn't be a proper episode of In Defense of Ska if we didn't ask a fellow Philly band about Catbite. And no surprise, they are besties!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of SKa EP 114: Chris Farren (Fake Problems, Antarctigo Vespucci) Mar 22, 2023

Chris Farren doesn't know a lot about ska, despite his claim that he "practically invented modern ska guitar playing." However, he IS an amazing ska podcast guest. We discuss the various ways his non-ska career has intersected with ska and ska people. We also just wanted to hear Chris' amazing stories!

Chris starts by reading us his texts from TikTok celebrity Mike Park. We also learn what it was like for Chris to collaborate with Jeff Rosenstock. Chris tells us about sharing a Cameo with Brian Fallon, performing on the Chris Gethard Show. And, Chris tells us the one, single ska album he owned back in the day. You will never guess which one it was. (Hint: It was The Aquabats' Myths Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures Vol 2).

We also learn why best-selling author Dan Ozzi takes Chris' press photos (And also photos of Chris in front of Glenn Danzig's house). We also talk about Chris' iconic Smiths t-shirt (As seen on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), The Cup (ie the greatest piece of merch ever invented), we hear his Martin Starr/hip hop story, and we learn why Chris took down his Born Hotline after 2 years!

Plus Chris updates his "How to be a punk celebrity" Vice article for inquiring punks in 2023.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 113: David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, The Bubblemen) Mar 15, 2023

Before David J discovered David Bowie & T-Rex--the artists that inspired him to play music for a living--he fell in love with ska/rocksteady/reggae. As a young teen, David J snuck into skinhead clubs where he fell in love with reggae's deep bass vibrations, and got to see the slick fashion and vibrant dance moves associated with the subculture. Years later, he brought elements of ska and reggae into his band, Bauhaus.

Today, we speak to Bauhaus bassist David J. And we go deep into reggae. He tells us which Trojan comp was the first album he ever owned, what it's been like to DJ in recent years and throw some reggae songs into his set ("to perplexed goths"). We talk about David's experiences with reggae and ska in the UK in the '70s and 80s. We also discuss the dub and reggae influences in Bauhaus music, and he tells us how influential Roots Radic bassist Errol "Flabba" Holt was on his bass playing style.

David also tells us hilarious stories about meeting two of his idols in the 80s. Bauhaus met Iggy Pop during their first trip to New York in 1980 (Iggy heckled them, but later told them they were awesome). A few years later, they met David Bowie on the set of The Hunger. David tells us about his private moment with Bowie which he refers to as receiving some "Bowie Magic."

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 112: Stranger Cole Mar 08, 2023

Stranger Cole doesn't recall a time before he started singing and writing music; it was always a part of his life. As a teenager in Jamaica in the early 60s, he took several of his songs to record producer Duke Reid, who liked his songwriting, but not his voice. He had Eric Monty Morris sing Stranger's song "In and Out The Window." After the song became a hit, he let Stranger sing a few of his songs. The next two, "Rough and Tough" and "When You Call My Name" (With Patsy Todd) were also big hits. These songs are STILL well-known songs from this era.

The hits kept on coming for Stranger with "Uno Dos Tres" (With Ken Boothe), "Bangarang" (The first recorded-reggae song), Yeah Yeah Baby (With Patsy Todd) and many more.

This week we are honored to speak with Jamaican ska icon, Stranger Cole. We talk about his vast and fascinating history with music, which includes playing with The Skatalites, performing at the Sombrero Club (featured in the 1964 BBC documentary, This Is Ska), working with Duke Reid, and how he stumbled into singing the first reggae song.

We also talk about his move to Toronto, Canada in the 70s, where he opened the Kensington Market record store Roots Records. We talk about the recording of his debut LP, "Forward" In The Land Of The Sunshine, and we ask what it's been like traveling all over the world in recent years, and getting backed by young and eager, ska-studious bands wherever he travels.

He also explains how doing "rewinds" makes for a better live show.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of SKa Ep 111: The Abruptors (Mike Geraci, Toni LaMantia) Mar 01, 2023

Buffalo New York ska band The Abruptors formed in 2015 and came out the gate playing 2 Tone and trad ska grooves. They looked around and didn't see very many new ska bands in their region playing a similar style of the genre. That didn't bother them. They just did their thing. However, Mike Park noticed and immediately forged a relationship with them. They released their latest record, Noticeably Cheerless, on Asian Man Records on Feb 24.

Today we talk with Abruptors members Mike Geraci and Toni LaMantia about their great new "upbeat bummer" record and get a sense of what the ska scene has been like in Buffalo. They had just opened for Sublime with Rome days before we recorded this interview!

We also talk about their cover of Brian Fallon's "Forget Me Not" (His retweet of song was apparently his first--of many--tweets about ska), their friendship with Greg Soden (Host of Unscripted Moments: A Podcast About Propagandhi), how Chicago ska band Deal's Gone Bad completely influenced them and why the British ska band Hotknives are so awesome (and so underrated!)

We also talk about the band's cool fashion sense, how shitty vinyl turnarounds pushed their album release back several times, and we dive head first into the group's history with wild stories about disgruntled former band members.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Tara Hahn's Secret Past! Feb 24, 2023

Everyone loves Half Past Two! And as a fan of the band, you surely ADORE their lead singer Tara Hahn! But are you familiar with Tara's SECRET past? You will be if you listen to this special episode of In Defense of Ska that is available EXCLUSIVELY to IDOS Patrons!

And if we do say so, this is our BEST bonus episode of In Defense of Ska TO DATE! You won't want to miss Tara's CRAZY stories from her previous life!

If you'd like to hear the ENTIRE episode, sign up to the In Defense of Ska Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/indefenseofska

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of SKa Ep 110: Eric Daino (The Holophonics) Feb 22, 2023

When Eric Daino formed The Holophonics in Denton, Texas in 2012, there weren't a lot of other bands in his area playing ska. That was fine with him. The group went hard regardless, recording originals and a ton of ska covers (18 covers albums in fact!). The vibe was goofy. They imagined exaggerated versions of Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake as characters they were playing.

That changed. The band no longer plays cover songs and doesn't want to be perceived as a goofy band. Their latest album, LAVOS, on Bad Time Records, really showcases this. It's an extremely personal, heartfelt record that deals with Eric's anxiety and trauma, and finds him grappling with his identity. Musically it's informed by RX Bandits, Thrice and Mars Volta--though still rooted in ska-punk.

Today, we talk to The Holophonics singer Eric Daino. He walks us down the band's interesting history, while also shedding light on Denton's music scene, as well as the scene in Long Island, where he grew up. We talk about the band's many covers, which even included Luis Fonsi's "Despacito." (Their ska cover has over 2 million views!) Eric also tells us about the covers record that was their most sincere, a full album tribute to Jimmy Eat World's Clarity.

We also get into detail about LAVOS. Eric talks about the trauma that informed the record, how therapy helped him process his pain, and how he used Chrono Trigger to help articulate it all in his music.

He also tells us about the Ska By Skawest festival and which song he told the crowd is about "how we're all going to die."

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 109: Aaron Gocs (The Merger, Gocsy's Classics, At Home Alone Together) Feb 15, 2023

Beloved Australian comedian Aaron Gocs has appeared in the Netflix film The Merger, hosted videos for Vice and appeared in numerous Australian TV shows. But his roots are punk and ska.

He discovered the music from Mighty Mighty Bosstones' hit single, "The Impression That I Get," but soon learned about local ska bands. His first-ever show was Melbourne-based punk (and sometimes ska) band The Living End and local Brisbane ska group Wiseacre. But soon, after diving into the music, he discovered Less Than Jake, who became his all-time favorite band. And he would follow them all over Australia when they'd visit, even if that meant he would get any sleep.

Today we speak with Aaron Gocs about ska, Australia, and where these two worlds meet. We talk about Warped Tour's first venture to Australia in 1998, Aaron's favorite local ska program (Ska Trek, every Thursday at 8p!), why he's retired his skanking boots (And semi-retired from stage-diving), and his deep love for The Mountain Goats.

We also discuss several Australian ska bands like The Resignators, The Porkers, Area-7, Allniters, and Strange Tenants. He explains what a "stitch-up" is to us. Plus we discuss some unique Australian food and animals. Cane Toads, anyone?

We also find out what Mr. Bean had to do with Aaron getting kicked off of Twitter!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of SKa Ep 108: Vic Ruggiero (The Slackers, Sic & Mad, Stubborn All-Stars, The Silencers) Feb 08, 2023

The Slackers formed in New York in 1991. The band, fronted by Vic Ruggiero, played a bit of everything. But eventually, Vic realized that they needed to focus, and suggested they stick with the ska and reggae tunes and drop the other stuff. It suited the band. Though The Slackers signed with Moon Ska and then Hellcat Records, they were always a smaller band during the 90s Ska Boom. That changed in the 2000s when ska became a dirty word and many of the bands broke up or changed their sound. The Slackers carried on and became ska scene leaders. And they continue to be so in 2023.

Today we speak with Slackers frontman/keyboardist Vic Ruggiero. We go deep into Slackers' history and talk about their early years, the long journey to signing to Hellcat and we break down the song "Statehouse" from their new album. (Though the song dates back to 1998. Rancid played an early version of it called "Wrongful Suspicion" on their Life Won't Wait Album.

Vic also fills us in on the short-lived Silencers project he had with Tim Armstrong, and even tells us why he quit Tim's other band, Transplants, after "only 10 seconds." Plus Vic tells us about the time he met The Wu-Tang Clan, which was one of the funniest stories ever told on this podcast. Not to mention, we even circle back to an early episode of this podcast and get Vic's memories of playing The Crack Shack in Tuba City.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 107: Engel Mayr (Russkaja, Bastard Peels) Feb 01, 2023

Austrian ska-metal band Russkaja came to the US for the first time in 2022 and opened for Flogging Molly. Every night on that tour, they blew tons of minds. The band, who formed in 2005, is a blend of many influences. They mix intense metal with ska, polka and Russian folk music. They sing in multiple languages and have members from Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Russian and Austria.

The group is well-known in Austria. They are the house band for the comedy show Willkommen Österreich. And they have several albums out on Napalm Records. Their latest, Turbo Polka Party, releases on February 3.

Today, we speak with Russkaja's guitarist/songwriter Engel Mayr. We talk about the band's history and the Ska/Balkan music scene they emerged from (And outlasted). We talk about their biggest song, "Energia" (2013) and the excellent video that they made for it. And Engel even tells us which songs he wanted to cover for the new album but didn't get to. (Hint it's Psy's "Gangnam Style" and ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man.")

Plus Engel tells us how the band addressed Russia's war in Ukraine while they toured the US--it started a week before they came over!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Looking at the Future of Ska with JER (Skatune Network) Jan 27, 2023

Is 2023 the year ska comes back? Oh I know, you've heard that one before. But it does seem like there's some great things happening in ska in 2023, and we thought we'd talk to one of the leaders of the new ska scene (JER of Skatune Network and We Are The Union!) about what this all means for the future of ska!

To listen to the entire episode, sign up for the In Defense of Ska Patreon!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 106: Supernova International Ska Festival (Tim Receveur, Mike DeMatteo) Jan 25, 2023

Supernova International Ska Festival started in 2013 as a house show that got so big, it was moved to a local brewery. Though it took a few years before it got the name Supernova, and that first show wasn't even a festival; just a kick-ass show with Chris Murray and King Django.

Every year, Supernova has grown. 2023 is looking to be the biggest and best version of the festival to date with acts from all over the world like Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Fishbone, The Dualers, Don Letts, Stranger Cole, The Planet Smashers, Catbite, Out Of Control Army, and so much more.

Today we talk about all things Supernova with co-founder Tim Receveur (He founded the festival with his wife April) and creative director Mike DeMatteo. We talk about the festival's history and dig into what people can expect at this year's festival. We also chat about some fun stories from Supernova's previous festivals. And there are plenty of fun stories there!

We talk about Derrick Morgan's epic 2017 performance, 2020's quarantine edition (fundraiser for Alpha Boys School), and how Taylor Morden managed to film several interviews for Pick It Up - Ska In The 90s at the festival in 2018 during a storm. We also talk about Hepcat playing the festival (Their first east coast concert in decades!), the creation of the Rude Girl Revue and Tim lets us know how he managed to get Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra to headline this year's festival.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 105: John Ross Bowie (Big Bang Theory, Speechless, Egghead) Jan 18, 2023

Actor John Ross Bowie is best known for playing Barry Kripke on the hit TV show Big Bang Theory as well as Jimmy DiMeo on Speechless. But when he sat down to write his memoir, No Job For A Man (released in 2022), he focused a lot more pages to his formative shows going to punk, hardcore and ska bands in New York's vibrant live music scene than he did being on the set of these hit shows.

Today, we speak with John and he surprises us with quite a few details about New York's ska scene in the 80s. We talk about seeing CBGB ska matinees, The Toasters, New York Citizens, The Boilers, Second Step and Bigger Thomas. And John also tells us about going to college in Ithaca in the early 90s, where he interviewed several musicians on his radio show, including Joe Gittleman of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Marc Wasserman and Robert Apollon Jr. of Bigger Thomas.

We also talk about his band, Egghead meeting One Eye Open on the road, his love for The Ramones, The Dickies and The Toy Dolls, the hyper-specific and bizarre hardcore subgenre known as Krishnacore, and why Chris Gethard insists that John is his comedy mentor.

And most importantly, John gives me advice on how to record the audio book for In Defense of Ska. Thanks for the pointers, John!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in May 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 104: Cory Murchy (Minus The Bear, Killsadie, The Holomen) Jan 11, 2023

Indie rock band Minus The Bear created a unique sound that blended a multitude of genres: math rock, emo, pop, prog, and yes, ska. Well, at least, the bass lines were informed by ska and reggae. Bassist Cory Murchy grew up obsessed with ska music. And when it came time to write interesting and moving bass lines, he often drew inspiration from the bass masters in reggae and ska bands. Besides, who plays bass better than ska and reggae bass players?

Today, Cory joins us to talk about the secret ska influence of Minus The Bear. We break a few songs that lean the heaviest into ska territory ("My Time," Memphis & 53rd," "Pachuca Sunrise"), and we also talk about Cory's ska formative years growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He even discusses his high school ska band, Soulskats.

We talk about the impact seeing Mealticket live had on Cory, we discuss a few of the key New Mexico DIY spaces, and we talk about the Seattle indie rock scene that Cory joined when he got a little older (and its connection to Animal Chin)! We find out why Suicide Squeeze's David Dickenson has a "Cory Murchy" tattoo and we learn what ska tattoo Cory has on his body.

And during the interview, Cory casually drops a huge reveal on us. His mom used to babysit Kurt Cobain!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 103: Sammy Kay (The Forthrights, The East Los Three, The Fast Four) Jan 04, 2023

While still quite young and headstrong, Sammy Kay dove headfirst into the ska scene, doing touring work for The Skatalites, King Django, The Slackers and Westbound Train. He later played in trad ska/rocksteady group The Forthrights and then fronted his own group (featuring future members of Catbite): Sammy Kay and The Fast Four. In that time, he accumulated a lot of stories!

Today we bring on Sammy to hear his tales. And he has quite the tales. He tells us about living with Vic Ruggiero, how he juggled working for so many bands at once, and how he helped to build a ska/rocksteady revival scene in Brooklyn in the late 2000s/early 2010s.

Sammy gets deep and personal and talks about how he dealt with his addiction and how difficult that was. You don't want to miss this episode!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in May 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 102: Franz Nicolay (The Hold Steady, World/Inferno Friendship Society, Guignol, Someone Should Pay For Your Pain) Dec 28, 2022

World/Inferno Friendship Society was not a ska band. However, their punk cabaret sound was similar in spirit and they played with a fair amount of ska bands. They even toured with Blue Meanies and The Independents. Accordion/Keyboardist Franz Nicolay WAS a ska fan. When he moved to New York in the 90s, he saw many brilliant ska shows at The Wetlands. Later when joined indie rock group The Hold Steady, and continued to love the music wholeheartedly.

Today, we talk to punk rock's number-one accordionist, Franz Nicolay. He explains why he once sent In Defense of Ska a message to inform us that he NEVER renounced ska. He tells us about discovering ska in the 90s and seeing many Moon Ska bands perform in New York. He also tells us many unhinged World/Inferno stories from the road. And he tells us what the other members of The Hold Steady REALLY think about ska!

We also discuss Franz's excellent novel, Someone Should Pay For Your Pain, and he tells us why he often thinks about the unglamorous side of being a touring musician.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in October 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: First 100 episodes of IDOS w/ Mike Park Dec 22, 2022

We've released over 100 episode of In Defense of Ska! For this month's bonus episode, we recap our first 100 episodes with our number one fan, Mike Park!

Mike offers his opinions on episodes, we figure out which guests talked about Mike Park and which DID NOT. And if you listen long enough, Mike offers his email and specific instructions for YOU to follow!

To listen to the full episode, sign up for the In Defense of Ska Patreon

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 101: The Uptones (Eric Din and Paul Jackson) Dec 21, 2022

The Uptones made big decisions--spontaneously. This is how guitarist Eric Din describes the group's career. Formed in 1981 in Berkeley, California as young teenagers in love with all things 2 Tone ska, The Uptones took the bay area by storm IMMEDIATELY with packed shows with lines out the door. They got their songs into heavy rotation on the radio by walking into the station and handing the DJs their demo recordings! But the band could never land a contract. Some of that could have been due to how quickly they were willing to completely shift gears and not be predictable.

By 1987 the band called it quits, but reunited in 1989 at Gilman and then in 1990 for the Earth Day ska festival. The next time they played was in 2002, effectively missing the entire Third Wave US Ska boom.

Today we talk to two members of The Uptones: Eric Din (Guitarist) and Paul Jackson (Trumpet, Keys) They tell us the important influence they got from repeated views of Dance Craze at UC Theatre in Berkeley (With copious out-of-control dancing), as well as getting to see English Beat in their prime. They tell us about opening for the big names in New Wave at the time: R.E.M., Oingo Boingo, UB40, The Go-Go's, Madness and Billy Idol. And they tell us about the time Fishbone showed up at their rehearsal space to hang out.

Eric and Paul also tell us about working with Rancid in the 90s. Eric co-wrote a handful of songs with Tim Armstrong, and Paul Jackson played the organ on "Time Bomb." Yes, that's his solo you've heard a thousand times on the radio. They also tell us how a young Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy) used to stage dive at Uptones shows in the 80s.

All of this is a part of the ups and downs of the bay area's very first ska band, The Uptones.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 100: Who inspired the Beat Girl? (with Joanna Wallace director of Blue Beat Baby) Dec 14, 2022

Walt Jabsco, the iconic dancing ska guy logo that came to symbolize the Specials and 2 Tone ska, was inspired by a photo of Peter Tosh from his '60s ska years. The Beat Girl, which the English Beat created as a logo for their band (though also came to symbolize 2 Tone ska) was inspired by a photo of a woman dancing with Prince Buster in 1964. Very little was known about the woman in this photo. Recently, Joanna Wallace, long-time ska fan and operator of Miss Upsetter Designs decided to learn more about Brigitte Bond, the woman in the photo. She dug in deep for 5 months and created a 30-minute documentary (Blue Beat Baby) of her findings.

Joanna discovered a lot! Her research revealed Brigitte to be a transgender bluebeat singer, dancer, actor and stripper. And Joanna found a handful of movies Brigitte acted, that she danced all over the world, that she was briefly engaged to Sir John Waller and that she even harassed Billy Graham when he came to the UK. All of this is discussed in Blue Beat Baby.

Joanna's film (and our conversation with Joanna) also sheds light on the London Soho scene in the mid-60s and how ska developed in the UK in general. We talk about the Flamenco Jazz Club, Prince Buster's role in spreading ska globally and we even try to understand the difference between "ska" and "bluebeat."

You can watch Blue Beat Baby here!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 99: Kyle Shutt (The Sword, Doom Side of the Moon, Ten Betty Zane) Dec 07, 2022

Metal-heads know that Kyle Shutt is a shredder. It's clear in his band, The Sword's music. Even non-metal-heads that played Guitar Hero knows that he can shred, and have likely played along to his guitar licks on "Freya." But Kyle also has ska roots. At age 15, he played trombone in the Hobbs, New Mexico Christian ska band Ten Betty Zane. When he was 17, he took a 24 greyhound bus ride to see Blue Meanies play a free show in Chicago. And in Austin, he was part of the Blue Meanies (And MU330) street team.

On Oct 20, 2022, Kyle's two decade-long group, The Sword, broke up. For his first post-Sword interview, he did what all non-ska bands should do; he chatted about ska with us. Listen as we discuss Kyle's ska roots, break down the hundreds of metal subgenres, talk about meeting Anthony Bourdain during the No Reservations Austin episode, and discuss how he turned Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon into DOOM side of the Moon.

We talk about how the metal scene differs from the ska and punk scenes, dish about Nickelback, Dead Milkmen, Zebrahead and Lit, he tells us about singing about poop with his daughter on the Dirty Restaurant of Death side project, and Kyle tells us what it was like to invent an entirely new metal subgenre: Shitgrind.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 98: John DeDomenici (Jeff Rosenstock, Bomb The Music Industry, Arrogant Sons of Bitches, The Inevitables, Bruce Lee Band) Nov 30, 2022

John DeDomenici has played the bass in many bands. But most notably Jeff Rosenstock's solo band and Bomb the Music Industry. He also played a whole variety of instruments in Arrogant Sons of Bitches.

Today, we bring on John and throw every random and obscure question we can think at him. We talk about catching Covid in England, getting his own dressing room at the Gaslight Anthem Jersey show, drunkenly cutting his hand trying to open a bottle of wine, and joining Chris Gethard at Fest in a Smiths cover band.

We also talk about green-screening his bass performance to Late Night With Seth Meyers, the time he almost joined Every Time I Die, and why he likes to listen to a punishing amount of 311 and Metallica cover songs.

Plus he even tells us about the time in 2004 he did live sound for Donald Trump. Spoiler Alert, Trump was not a good guy.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 97: Jay Vance (Blue Meanies, Skankin' Pickle, Captured By Robots, Teddy Bear Orchestra) Nov 23, 2022

"Everything I do is out of necessity," Jay Vance tells us. He grew frustrated playing with Blue Meanies, then Skankin Pickle, and realized that the only way he was going to have a successful band with longevity is if he no longer played with other humans. So he built his own band called Captured! By Robots, where he is the only human member and the rest are robots.

Today, Jay tells us about the early days of Blue Meanies (He founded the band!), his year in Skankin Pickle (As their third bassist!), and the weirdest band to ever exist: Captured! By Robots. he spills all the details and rants angrily about the evils of the music industry in the process.

He also talks about his love for rocksteady, his hatred of ska, the role he may or may not have had in Skankin' Pickle bassist Mike Mattingly getting kicked out of the band, and the many unusual TV appearances Captured! By Robots made in its early days. He also says why he will never do America's Got Talent, no matter how many times they invite him.

Plus Jay explains what a dildo unicorn is and why he's tripping balls.

Here is a link to the rocksteady mix Jay mentioned during the interview

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: When did Fest become so SKA? A Post-Fest Debrief w/ Brent Friedman (TEASER) Nov 18, 2022

For November's BONUS episode we talk about Fest. Specifically how it became SO ska. To do that, we speak with the man that books most of the Bad Time Records bands AND got Against All Authority to reunite: Brent Friedman

To listen, sign up for the In Defense of Ska Patreon

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 96: The Aggrolites (Jesse Wagner, Roger Rivas) Nov 16, 2022

The Aggrolites have zero ska songs. Sure they play with a lot of ska bands, but their genre is REGGAE, specifically "Dirty Reggae." That means it was influenced by late 60s skinhead reggae, and given a modern, aggressive punk rock edge. The band formed in 2002, immediately appealing to the hardcore skinhead and rudeboy crowd. But in 2007, when they appeared on Yo Gabba Gabba (And performed the E.K. Bunch's classic reggae song "Banana") they gained a much wider audience.

Today, we tell the story of The Aggrolites with singer Jesse Wagner and keyboardist Roger Rivas. We talk about the vibrant traditional ska scene they emerged from, and how they formed out of a Derrick Morgan recording project that was never released. We talk in-depth about the first three records and learn how the band went from recording spontaneous jams to thought-out (and sometimes experimental) songs.

We talk about the group getting signed to Hellcat and backing Tim Armstrong on his debut solo album, "A Poet's Life" (The session included an Alkaline Trio cover that was released separately). We also talk about how rough it was opening for Dropkick Murphys on tour. We get into the group's style, which has a lot more in common with punk than reggae or ska. And we discuss how, even though they play reggae music, they don't fit into the reggae scene.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 95: Ryan Seaman (I Don't Know How But They Found Me, Falling In Reverse, The Eyeliners, I Am Ghost) Nov 09, 2022

Five days after Ryan Seaman graduated from high school, he hit the road. His gig: drumming for The Eyeliners on Warped Tour 2002. This was just the beginning for Ryan. He'd go on to play in Fairview, Falling In Reverse, I Am Ghost, and I Don't Know How By They Found Me. That last band played Ellen and Jimmy Kimmel. But before any of this, Ryan was a ska-punk kid going to as many shows in Salt Lake City, Utah as he possibly could.

On today's episode, we chat with Ryan about his SLC ska-punk scene years. He tells us how transformative Green Day's Dookie was for him, discovering The Stereo in 1999, road managing The Aquabats in 2019, and how a Link 80 show at Area 51 was one of the greatest shows he saw in his life.

We also talk about the movie SLC Punk, The Used, and Adam tells us about the time he saw Mr. Bungle in Utah. We also discuss Utah ska bands, including Insatiable, Sturgeon General, My Man Friday, Stretch Armstrong, Hospital Food and The Knockouts.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 94: Chris Gethard (New Jersey is the World, Beautiful Anonymous, The Chris Gethard Show) Nov 02, 2022

The Chris Gethard Show was supposed to start like normal, but the audience had their own idea. They shouted "Eat More Butts" at Chris to a degree that he couldn't start his show. The musical guest, Jeff Rosenstock, even gave them a musical accompaniment. For 15 minutes, the show descended into madness. But Chris also didn't fight it because he knew that this would be great TV. Having grown up in the DIY punk scene, he was aware that this type of chaos was where a show's best moments would be.

Today, we speak to Chris Gethard about his punk roots. His first show ever was in a Jersey church basement with all local bands. His 2nd was in a friend's backyard. A young, Less Than Jake was also on the bill. Less Than Jake became Chris's favorite band for a while. During this time, he also saw Slapstick, Skankin' Pickle, Mephiskapheles, Catch 22, and was a fan of other ska bands like Mustard Plug and MU330.

We also talk about Chris's recent experience hitching a ride with Catbite. He also talks about bringing on Take Today to play his live "New Jersey is the World" show a few times. (He loves, "Do You Still Hate Me?," their Jawbreaker cover and their ska song, SKAdiving.). He talks about his recent interview with Bigger Thomas singer Roger Apollon. And we also talk about his passion for all things New Jersey...he tells us where we can get REAL Italian Ice!

Plus Chris tells us how surreal it was recently to see Jeff Rosenstock play a huge show opening for Gaslight Anthem.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 93: Stop The Presses (Ali Culotta, Danny Portilla, Karole Alexander) Oct 26, 2022

New York's Stop The Presses were all set to hit the road hard in March 2020. The day they scheduled to leave, New York went into lockdown. So instead, they hunkered down and made an excellent pandemic record, Got It, released on September 29 on Jump Up Records. The group showcases their uniquely dreamy and washy ska-pop sound, rooted in an aesthetic that takes its vibe from the 1960s-1980s, in all its reverb and space echo-y goodness.

On today's episode, we interview three members of Stop The Presses, and get deep into their history, first starting in the primarily Spanish-speaking town of Hialeah, Florida in 2010 to their elaborate Halloween-themed shows (One year it evolved into a complete theatrical production called "It's Pronounced Nuclear") to relocating to New York in 2015. Once in the Big Apple, they locked in a new lineup and started working with Agent Jay of The Slackers to produce Money In The Bank (2019) and Got It (2022)

We also discuss their three separate RVs, the Cuban roots of The Skatalites, the touring game that gave them their new album cover, and we break down their fantastic cover of Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" (Complete with a Dolly Parton "9 to 5" introduction)

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: What Makes a Good Band Name (Teaser) Oct 22, 2022

For October's Patreon exclusive bonus episode, we talk about SKA BAND NAMES. You know, that thing that everyone makes fun of. Well, over here at In Defense of Ska, we decided it was time to have an impartial evaluation of every major ska band's name.

We brought on our editor, Chris Reeves for this conversation. And we even judge our own band names too, just to be fair.

Sign up to the IDOS Patreon to listen!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 92: Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour) Oct 19, 2022

In 1995, promoter Kevin Lyman launched The Warped Tour. The first year's lineup was an eclectic mix of bands from the 90s (including No Doubt and Sublime). In subsequent years, it gained a reputation as a punk rock festival, though the lineups always remained diverse. And ska was always a component, even during the 2000s and 2010s. Some years, Lyman booked a bunch of ska bands. 1998 included The Specials, Hepcat, Pietasters, Skavoovie and the Epitones, and more.

On today's episode, we talk to Lyman about his ska roots and discuss how important ska was to The Warped Tour. We talk about the time in the 80s he toured with The Untouchables, and we discuss how he booked Fishbone in the early 80s at rented halls. We also talk about some of the lesser-known ska bands that played the festival in the 2000s, like Oreskaband, Go Jimmy Go, Westbound Train, Stacked Like Pancakes and Sonic Boom Six.

We also talk about Warped Tour's most attended year, 2005, when Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance played as they were exploding on MTV. He tells us about the BBQ bands, and he reveals whether he knowingly allowed Jeff Rosenstock's old band, ASOB, to sneak on to Warped Tour or if he was blissfully unaware.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 91: Obi Fernandez (Westbound Train, The Inevitables, Day 19) Oct 12, 2022

In 2006, Boston ska band Westbound Train played the Summer of Ska tour, followed by the Fall of Ska tour. Between the two tours, they played with Suburban Legends, Big D & The Kids Table, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto--all ska-punk bands. Westbound Train plays traditional ska, rocksteady and early reggae, with a hint of soul.

The group, which formed in 2001 in Boston, has always been a ska band out of time. Not only did they form after the 90s ska boom, but they were often alone on an island, the only band on a bill playing overtly 60s-influenced ska. And somehow became one of the most popular US ska bands to form after the 90s. Now, the group just surprise-dropped their first record in 13 years, called Dedication. Lead singer Obi Fernandez sat down with us to talk about the new album and the band's history.

We talk about their formation at Berklee College of Music and learn that one of their classmates, comedian Eric André roadied for the band (when he wasn't putting on strange shows at All Asia Bar.) Obi also tells us the influential role that country music plays on all Westbound Train songs. And he tells us how Bucket let him use The Toasters touring van to move to college.

We also discuss their time on Warped tour 2009, how the Mighty Mighty Bosstones gave the group their first big shot, and how they rushed the recording of their sophomore album Five to Two in order to have something to show Tim Armstrong in hopes of getting signed to Hellcat (Which they did).

Obi also tells us why the band ended shortly after that Warped Tour run when they were seemingly at the height of their popularity. He also tells us what it took to get the band back together again.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 90: Eugene Hütz (Gogol Bordello, Everything is Illuminated) Oct 05, 2022

Gogol Bordello plays a mix of different genres (Punk, Romani folk, Latin rock, polka), though hints of ska can be found all over their songs. Frontman Eugene Hütz calls it "ska without doing ska" and says he almost doesn't think about the ska elements since he sees ska as so closely linked to punk music.

But on Gogol Bordello's latest album, Solidaritine, the ska elements are more overt than ever before. The reason: their new drummer Korey "Kingston" Horn has an impressive ska resume (Aggrolites, Tim Armstrong, See Spot, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra, Rhythm Doctors) and we all know that the heart of ska is in those drum beats.

Today we talk to the legend, Eugene Hutz about Gogol Bordello's relationship with ska. We also talk a lot about Ukraine--Eugene is a Ukrainian political refugee and has done much to support them against Russia's attack, including playing a recent secret show for Ukrainian troops at an undisclosed location. We also talk about his childhood growing up in Kyiv and going to super DIY punk shows and trading tapes with other local punks. Some favorites include Dead Kennedys, Devo, The Selecter, P.I.L., Bad Manners, Murphy's Law, The Specials, G.B.H.

On this episode, we also talk about the immigrant experience that often comes up in Gogol Bordello's lyrics. It is often the product of necessity through displacement or economics. Eugene has talked at length about the idea of worldwide citizenship, so he squares this ideal with the global issue of anti-immigrant sentiments that have increased in recent years.

Of course, we talk a lot about interesting music too including Sonic youth, Mano Negra, Russkaja, Cuatro Pesos de Propina and The Specials.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 89: Shawn Harris (The Matches, The Locals) Sep 28, 2022

The Matches played catchy pop-punk in the 2000s, a time when catchy pop-punk bands could be top 40 pop stars. They worked their asses off, were courted by major labels, but never reached pop stardom. Though the band did mean a lot to a ton of people. They built community around their music and made sincere connections with their fans. And they have ska roots.

The band formed in 1997 as The Locals. Inspired by Rancid, they originally played a blend of punk rock and ska-punk. They also looked up to fellow east bay band Link 80. And in fact, even went to high school with Link 80's original guitarist Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. The Locals even played Link 80s final show!

Today we talk to The Matches' lead singer/guitarist Shawn Harris about the bands roots and dig into several stories throughout the band's career. We discuss their years building a scene at East Bay venue iMusicast, where bands like My Chemical Romance, Zebrahead and RX Bandits would play on tour. We also talk about The Matches first major tour--which was with Reel Big Fish. Shawn tells us about two mind-blowing shows from that tour.

We also talk about why Gilman would never book the band, what is was like working with some famous producers (Tim Armstrong, John Feldmann), how The Locals ended up touring in Bosnia while they were still in high school, and Shawn talks a bit about his new life as a children's book cartoonist, book author and Dave Eggers collaborator. Shawn even tells us about the time he sneaked a peak into Dave's CD collection to see what kind of music he listened to. And it was exactly the bands you think it was!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: IDOS Tour Diary TEASER Sep 23, 2022

The first official In Defense of Ska tour was a huge success. We traveled along the west coast with Mustard Plug, Buck-O-Nine and Omnigone. Aaron Carnes opened the show with a reading from his book, In Defense of Ska. We got to meet many of YOU wonderful people and dance to SKA music every night!

We also kept an audio diary of the tour. Listen now! But THIS is just a teaser. If you'd like to hear the entire episode, sign up to our Patreon. It is quite the JOURNEY!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 88: Folly (Arben Colaku and Jon Tummillo) Sep 21, 2022

After the '90s, skacore got a lot heavier. One of the reasons for this was Sussex, New Jersey band Folly, who took the heaviest elements of hardcore, metalcore and mixed it with ska. They also did so in a way that emphasized the genres similarities, as opposed to their differences. Though the band struggled to find a significant audience in the 2000s, they would find that years after they broke up, not only did they have an obvious impact on newer, younger bands, but they suddenly fit in with this scene in a way unlike when they were a heavy touring, active band.

This week, we talk to Folly members Arben Colaku and Jon Tummillo. We discuss the band's history, their unique philosophy to songwriting and talk about what it's been like for them years after their initial breakup in 2008. We also talk about what a big influence Converge was on them, and conclude that, therefore, Converge played an important role on the development of ska!

We also discuss Anthony Fantano name-dropping the group when he interviewed me, Folly signing to Triple Crown Records, local DIY shows at The Phone Booth, and how "Hey!" by The Suicide Machines was a life-changing song for the group.

We talk about how they turned disastrous shows into fun adventures. We also break down some of their songs, and we talk about a time they ate so many meatballs before a show in Connecticut that they had to play with the meat sweats.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 87: Chris Cresswell (The Flatliners, Hot Water Music) Sep 14, 2022

Toronto, Canada had a raging ska scene in the mid-2000s. It included ska bands like Hebrew School Dropouts, Suzy Jacuzzi and the Hottubs, and Five Across The Eye. It also included PUP singer Stefan Babcock's former ska band Stop Drop N Skank. But there was one band, The Flatliners, who would go on to sign to Fat Wreck Chords and make a name for themselves in the punk scene. But when they started, they played intense ska-punk. A brutal, aggressive mix of Suicide Machines, Kid Dynamite, Against All Authority and Voodoo Glow Skulls.

Today we bring on Flatliners lead singer Chris Cresswell to talk about his early ska years, which includes the brilliant 2005 Stomp Records album Destroy To Create, a favorite among some of their fans that want The Flatliners to bring back the ska.

We discuss iconic Toronto venue, Big Bop which fostered this scene by hosting multiple all ages shows every week. We also talk about how Steve Foote from Big D and the Kids Table helped get the band signed, The many ska tours that The Flatliners did (Catch 22, Suicide Machines, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake), and how OG Flatliners ska fans always "Spill Your Guts" at shows.

We also find out if it was Fat Mike that asked the band to stop playing ska! You won't believe what Chris has to say about that!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 86: Against All Authority (Danny Lore, Joe Koontz, Spikey Goldbach) Sep 07, 2022

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew ravaged South Florida. Prior to the hurricane, bassist Danny Lore was playing in the punk band Grover Snatch. But the hurricane caused some members to move away. Rather than replace them, he decided to start a new ska influenced punk band: Against All Authority. For months they practiced acoustically--there was no power in South Miami for a while. And as the band got going, they booked their own shows at the Kitchen Club in Coconut Grove. No one else would. Besides, being punk meant being an active participant in the scene.

Today we talk to three members of South Florida political punk-ska band Against All Authority, whose records Destroy What Destroys You and All Fall Down are absolute classics. We walk through their entire entire career, get to the bottom of just what makes these guys tick, and find out why punk and ska are so important to them.

We talk about 80s punk venue Cameo Theater (Same club that Cannibal Corpse played in the Ace Ventura Pet Detective), early rejected band names, their 1968 school bus that broke down at least 10 times on tour, and their legal battles with American Automobile Association.

We also discuss issues with their labels, why they broke up in 2007 and what led to them reforming 15 years later. They also tell us a bizarre story that involves killer monkeys that escaped from a nearby laboratory!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 85: Turner Sparks (Lost In America, Double Happiness) Aug 31, 2022

Comedian Turner Sparks has a new comedy album out on September 30th. It's called Double Happiness. And yes, it's no coincidence that it is literally the same title as Slow Gherkin's debut album. Turner was a huge ska fan growing up. And he wanted his record's title to give a wink to the ska scene.

In fact, not only did he attend wild ska shows in Sacramento at Capitol Garage, BoJangles, El Dorado Saloon, and the Crest Theater, but he also had his own band: Fat Kids On Mopeds. Oh and one of the bands that he idolized was Link 80. He kind of thinks co-host Adam Davis is a big deal.

And we go deep into Sacramento lore on this episode, with copious discussion of comedians Keith Lowell Jensen and Johnny Taylor Jr, some love for local group Lesdystics, and Turner points out just how much ska was in the Sacramento-based film Lady Bird. How did I miss that?

We also discuss Turner's time running a Mr. Softee ice cream truck empire in China, his recent trip to El Salvador to find out if in fact the country really is run on bitcoin or not (For a potential "Lost In America" TV episode), how politically polarizing stand-up comedy has become, and his brief time running the Sacramento Anti-Racist Action chapter--at the age of 17! Oh, we also talk about how he became friends with SKAmedian Ian Fidance. It had something to do with the hardcore band H20.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of SKa Behind The Curtain: Ska in Comedy w/ Brandie Posey & Ian Fidance TEASER Aug 26, 2022

Lots of comedians love to make fun of ska. And TV shows are now required to have at least ONE ska joke per season! But what do comedians that ACTUALLY LIKE ska think of all these ska jokes? We brought on the two MOST SKA comedians out there right now! And both have been on the podcast before: Brandie Posey and Ian Fidance. Now listen to them AT THE SAME TIME!

This is only a teaser. To hear the entire episode, sign up for our Patreon

Do it now! What are you waiting for? Don't you want to support SKA?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 84: Victor Rice (The Scofflaws, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, Easy Star All-Stars, Firebug) Aug 24, 2022

Victor Rice studied music at Manhattan School of Music intending to be a New York City session bass player. That is until he got talked into joining The Scofflaws in 1988. From that point forward, he became immersed in the world of ska. In fact, after doing a fantastic job producing The Scofflaws' first album, Bucket started hiring him to produce Moon Ska albums. He produced Skavoovie and The Epitones' Ripe, The Pietasters' Oolooloo, The Slackers' Better Late Than Never and The Adjusters' Before The Revolution.

Today we speak to Victor Rice about his time in The Scofflaws, producing Moon Ska albums, and playing bass in the New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble. But we also cover his time at King Django's studio Version City, where he and Agent Jay (The Slackers), worked on many a brilliant album like Rocker T's Nicer By The Hour. And we also devote some time to talking about dub techniques and dub history, as Victor has become a master of the genre. His dub name is Strikkly Vikkly.

We also talk about Victor's TWO Latin Grammys, some of his work with The Skatalites, what it's like to stay at European squat houses, why he moved to Brazil in 2002, and what it was like to do a dub remix of Hepcat's From Outta Nowhere album. We also talk about Victor's four solo albums: At Version City (1999), In America (2003), Smoke (2017), and Drink (2020)

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 83: Vi Viana (Gutless) Aug 17, 2022

Earlier this year Vi Viana released her first ska song in years. The song, "Burning The Bridge," (by her band Gutless) is a serious song about coping with trauma and abuse and features Jer on horns. One of the reasons she wrote the song was to push back on people's (false) idea that ska is silly music.

Vi has been a fan of ska since she was a child. She was born and raised in northeast Brazil. Her mom introduced her to the music via The Specials and Brazilian bands like Os Paralamas do Sucesso. At 10, her family moved to Miami and she got into bands like Aquabats and Less Than Jake. But eventually, she would discover a great local scene at the Talent Farm.

On today's episode with Vi, we discuss ska in Brazil (Abraskadabra, O Leopardo, Móveis Coloniais de Acaju), Jer's early ska band "Funkman's Inferno," why she sings in English and Portuguese (and how Less Than Jake's Vinnie Fiorello suggested she do it!), and we talk about the brilliant community on Ska Twitter, and new artists like Kmoy, Tapegirl, We Are The Union, Best of the Worst, Half Past Two, Catbite and Eichlers.

We also discuss how her music was influenced by her identity as a Brazilian, an immigrant and a queer person. Oh, and we even mention her old ska-punk band Sluggage.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 82: Horacio Blanco (Desorden Público) Aug 10, 2022

In the 80s, when Horacio Blanco was only 14 years old, a friend showed him a poorly dubbed cassette of The Specials' debut album. Even though it was hard to make out, when "A Message To You, Rudy" came on, his mind was blown. What is this music? In no time, he and his friends vowed to show everyone they knew in their hometown of Caracas, Venezuela ska music. First in the form of minitecas (mobile sound systems) and then form their newly formed band, Desorden Público, which would become Venezuela's first ska band ever.

By the late 80s, Desorden Público would get signed to CBS and later Columbia Records and score some massive hits in their country, like "Allá Cayó" and "Valle de Balas," great dance-pop songs that also had a strong political message. Desorden Público would be part of a movement of massive bands in Latin America that incorporated ska into their music, that included Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Argentina) and Os Paralamas Do Sucesso (Brazil).

On today's episode, we speak with Horacio, who tells us the story of Desorden Público, whose name is a commentary on the repressive Venezuelan police they grew up with. He tells us how he set about spreading the word of ska to other Venezuelans, how he brought US ska bands to his country (The Toasters, Bim Skala Bim, NY Ska-Jazz Ensemble, The Slackers), and how surprised he was that Desorden Público was able to create hit singles with such bluntly political lyrics.

He also talks about collaborating with ska bands from all over the world, from Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra to Neville Staple (The Specials) to Angelo Moore (Fishbone). We also talk about how Venezuela's economy crashing affected the music community, and he tells us what it was like to work with La Orquesta Sinfonica.

Shout out to Mari Wendler for helping with translation.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 81: Chas Palmer-Williams (Lightyear) Aug 03, 2022

In the late '90s, a new ska-punk scene was bubbling up in the UK that would last until the mid-2000s. This scene would be defined by groups like Capdown, Sonic Boom Six, Adequate Seven, Five Knuckle and the record label Household Name Records. One of the earliest groups to form in this scene was a band from Derby called Lightyear--and they were the craziest groups from this scene.

Defined by copious on (and off) stage nudity, Morris dancing, pantomime horses and never-ending pranks and shenanigans, Lightyear took cathartic songs ska-punk songs about depression, drug addiction and domestic abuse and created a wild stage production that always left the audience confused and elated.

On today's episode, we speak with Lightyear's lead singer (and lead instigator) Chas Palmer-Williams. He tells us how getting bullied as a child led to him getting naked as often as possible. He gives us the low-down on a popular hobby, "puppetry of the penis," and he waxes nostalgic about his days at the Victoria Inn.

Chas also lists about the US bands that Lightyear tormented (Mustard Plug, Link 80, Slow Gherkin, and Laura Stevenson to name a few), he talks about the Household Records documentary he started (And the problems he's faced), we learn about his new business Hawkr, and most importantly, he tells us the full Ice-T story, one that involves a pantomime horse crashing Body Count's set at Reading Festival where "Ice-T was not amused."

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 80: Jake Matter (Ska or Nah, Grey Matter) Jul 27, 2022

Jake Matter thought it was a good idea to start tweeting at celebrities to see if they liked ska or not. Surprisingly, quite a few answered. While most said yes, some did not, like Converge, who told him "Fuck No!" This exchange went viral and earned the Ska or Nah Twitter account 3,000 new followers in under 8 hours, and an article in Loudwire.

Several of the people that Ska Or Nah has tweeted at have been on this very podcast, and their responses have served as part of our research for the episodes, including Ted Leo, Max Collins (Eve 6), Laura Jane Grace, John Darnielle (Mountain Goats), Elliot Babin (Touche Amore) and Arizona Ice Tea.

Today we talk to Jake about Ska or Nah, his skacore band Grey Matter and why he thinks nu metal deserves to be defended. He tells us about the personal importance of tweeting at Tony Hawk and Rivers Cuomo, what it was like to release a record on Bad Time Records just before the pandemic, how amazing it was to play at this year's Stoopfest in Lansing, Michigan, and the many influences of his eclectic band, Grey Matter: La Dispute, Parquet Courts, Ceremony, We Are The Union, Blue Meanies, Flaming Tsunamis, and Fatter Than Albert.

He also tweets at two celebrities during the interview (Melissa Villasenor, Bill Clinton). But do they respond before the episode is finished? Listen and find out!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Punk Podcast Summit TEASER (Unscripted Moments: A Podcast about Propagandi, On The Impossible Pod, As You Were: A Podcast About Alkaline Trio) Jul 22, 2022

On this special BONUS episode, we chat with a trio of punk podcasters: Greg Soden (Unscripted Moments: A podcast about Propagandhi), Cheska Colombo (On The Impossible Pod), David Anthony (As You Were: A podcast about Alkaline Trio)

To listen to the entire episode, sign up for the In Defense of Ska Patreon at www.patreon.com/indefenseofska

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 79: AJJ (Sean Bonnette & Ben Gallaty) Jul 20, 2022

Folk-punk duo AJJ was playing Mama Buzz Cafe in Oakland when they were approached by a guy named Skylar Suorez who was angling for some free records. Skylar told the Phoenix group that he worked at Asian Man Records. The group was excited at the prospect of being on the same label that released groups like Ten In The Swear Jar, Shinobu and copious ska albums. Shortly after, Asian Man signed them.

On this episode, we bring on Sean and Ben from AJJ and dissect their ska roots. Ben is a much bigger fan of the genre and even played some ska in an early band called Free Delivery. While Sean admits he clowned on ska in high school (The entire golf team at his school listened to Christian ska!). However, we find out that he sang lead vocals on the ska song "ABCs" (with Mike Park and Jeff Rosenstock). He also performed at an "In Defense of Ska" event at Sojo's Donuts in Mesa, Arizona, and told the audience he was "ska-adjacent."

On today's episode, we talk about all of Ben's favorite 90s and 2 Tone ska bands, how AJJ and Blue Meanies are similar, which ska bands AJJ has played with, and which grocery store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, AJJ once did a show at.

We also talk about AJJ's AV Club Undercover show where they mashed up songs by Talking Heads, Neil Young, Wheatus and more. We discuss Mike Park telling the group that they were too big for Asian Man--but no other label was interested in them, and we talk at length about Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, who opened for AJJ last year. And we beg him to be a guest on the podcast.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 78: Dunia Best (Agent 99, Dunia and Aram, Brave New Girl, Dubistry, Rude Girl Revue) Jul 13, 2022

Dunia Best was a member of the very first incarnation of The Slackers. And after she left the band, she took a song she'd hope would be a Slackers song, "Walk," and started playing it acoustically. A friend suggested she could start her own band. That band, Agent 99 (1993-1995) played all over New York with No Commercial Value (Scott Sturgeon's first band), The Slackers, as well as punk and funk bands.

Though Agent 99 was short-lived, many great musicians came through, like Ara Babajian (The Slackers, Leftover Crack), Alec Baillie (Leftover Crack), Jayson Nugent (The Slackers), and perhaps the most famous of all: Dunia's brother Ahmed Best, who would go on to play Jar Jar Binks in the Star Wars prequels.

On today's episode, we talk to Dunia about her time in Agent 99 and the Slackers, but also get into newer projects like Brave New Girl, Dubistry, Rude Girl Revue and Dunia and Aram, who just released their debut LP called Bedfellows.

We also talk about Dunia's non-ska influences (Steely Dan, Sade, Joni Mitchell), mind-numbing data-entry jobs, the trials of teaching music, and how being a fitness instructor doesn't pay a living wage. We also discuss the Fierce Pussy Fest and the formation of Riot Grrrls (Agent 99 was there!), and Dunia's deep friendship with Ari Up from The Slits.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 77: Jon Daly (Those Who Can't, Kroll Show, Bob's Burgers, Big Mouth, Family Guy) Jul 06, 2022

Recently, comedian Jon Daly noticed there was a cruise line with some 90s ska bands as its entertainment. It got him thinking...what if ska came back, and it was from a ska cruise. This silly thought inspired him to write the song, "Bring Back Ska," which is featured on his new musical comedy album, Ding Dong Delicious.

This isn't Jon's only run-in with ska. He also played Skaat, the lead singer of Skaffirmative Action, on the TV show Those Who Can't. His band is played by members of The Aquabats, and Jon crams as many ska puns into every one of his scenes as is humanly possible. So with all of this in mind, we invited Jon on the show to talk about ska.

Jon, it turns out, doesn't have an encyclopedia knowledge of the genre, though he "knows enough about ska to make fun of it." We have a good time discussing Skankin' Pickl e, Operation Ivy, Sublime, No Doubt, Fishbone, Hepcat, The Specials, Madness and Buck-O-Nine. But we also talk about lots of non-ska artists, including Kenny G, Billy Joel, Man Man, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Led Zeppelin.

During the conversation, we also talk about why Captain hats are creepy, how the movie Swingers impacted people's perception of ska, Sublime conspiracy theories, which band is the most Nu-Metal, his arch-nemesis John Daly--the golfer, and which band needs to record a ska song NOW. (Hint: It's Shannon and the Clams)

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 76: Josh Jurk (School Drugs, Awful Waffle, Uncle Peckerhead, The Jurks) Jun 29, 2022

Earlier this year, when New Jersey ska band Awful Waffle decided to reunite for the Ska Mom Memorial show, they needed a drummer. So they called up School Drugs frontman Josh Jurk to see if he'd fill those shoes. He was reluctant to play ska drums--he didn't have a lot of experience. But paying tribute to Leslie Brown (ie Ska Mom) was important to him so he said yes.

Today we talk with Josh, whose ska credits also include playing bass on one Best of the Worst tour, starring in the Slapstick-themed scene of the horror film Uncle Peckerhead, and going to a lot of ska shows at DIY venues like Pine Lake Park Log Cabin in Jersey (Which his mom booked out!)

He talk about the time he saw iPod era Bomb The Music Industry at Pine Lake Park Log Cabin, how TikTok celebrity Grav Master Hash became Awful Waffle's hype man, and we go into detail about the ska mom memorial show, which also featured Hub City Stompers, Catbite and Sammy Kay.

We also discuss his pre-screaming vocal routines, why he decided to manage his depression through therapy, and he tells about the time he showed up to a venue on tour to find a metalcore band lifting hella weights in preparation for their show.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Interviewing the Ska Kids Jun 24, 2022

What's it like to be raised by a ska parent? We ask co-host Adam Davis' kids and find out. Give a listen to this month's bonus episode with Thomas and James Davis. This is only a teaser though. If you want to hear the entire episode, sign up for our Patreon. You will have access to the entire episode and a bunch of additional Patreon-exclusive content.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 75: Brandie Posey (Lady to Lady Podcast, The Worst Year In My Life, Pick It Up - Ska in the '90s) Jun 22, 2022

Comedian Brandie Posey has been evangelizing about ska as long as people have been listening to her speak. In fact, some of her earliest comedy influences came from watching Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake goof around during their shows. The comedian, who is celebrating her 14th year in comedy, regularly performs at Fest, co-hosts the popular Lady to Lady podcast, and has an album out on cassette called Opinion Cave.

On today's episode we discuss Ronald Reggae, the ska playlist she made for comedian Jackie Kashian, why ska musicians are similar to comedians, and the time she got to open for Against Me and The Interrupters, and what it was like to be one of the only non-musicians to be interviewed in Pick It Up - Ska in the '90s.

Brandie lists several non-ska things that are ska, like Andrew W.K., The rhino scene in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, and those 12 foot skeletons from Home Depot. But most importantly, we try to figure out who is the ultimate ska comedian: Her or Ian Fidance.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 74: Mephiskapheles (Andre A. Worrell, Michael Bitz, Greg Robinson) Jun 15, 2022

Last year, Loudwire published an article with the headline, "Satanic Ska is a Real Thing That Actually Exists." The satanic ska band they were referring to was New York-based Mephiskapheles. And the band has existed for over thirty years.

But mixing ska music and tongue-in-cheek Satanic imagery is only one attribute that distinguished the group from their 90s ska peers. Their music was unlike any other group. On their debut album, God Bless Satan, they mixed traditional ska drums & Skatalites-inspired walking bass lines with experimental, menacing songwriting and strange, jazzy horn lines. And for their 2nd and third albums, Maximum Perversion & Might-Ay White-Ay, they went even further into avant-garde territory.

Today, we chat about Mephiskapheles' entire interesting career with singer Andre A. Worrell, bassist Michael Bitz and trombonist Greg Robinson. We talk about their deep love for The Skatalites and The Scofflaws, and how their goal in the 90s was to displace The Toasters as the top New York ska band.

We also talk about working with Victor Rice and Bill Laswell on God Bless Satan, their numerous vehicle problems, the origins of "The Bumble Bee Tuna Song," how they managed to get the "Doomsday" video on MTV, and we even talk about their label and lawsuit problems in the late 90s that sent the band on hiatus for several years.

But we also talk about what the band is doing now, from touring all over the world and meeting eager fans to holding online seances to still blowing the minds of people that never imagined that satanic ska was a real thing.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 73: Dane Roberts (Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival) Jun 08, 2022

In the summer of 2000, ska was on the decline in the US, but up in Victoria, Canada, it was as popular as ever. Local promoter Dane Roberts--who'd been throwing ska shows for a few years--decided to throw a full-on ska festival. It was in part a tribute to Mathew Bishop, the man that introduced him to ska (he'd died from a mountain climbing accident two years earlier), and it was Dane's final college assignment. If the festival made money, he passed. If it didn't, he failed.

The first year of the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival was a big success. Dane booked Chris Murray, The Scofflaws, King Django, and a reunion show for local favorites, Pressure Cooker. But the following year, ska died in Victoria, and attendance dropped. But Dane kept the festival going anyway, even paying out of pocket to do so.

He kept the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival going no matter how popular (or unpopular) ska was. And he even expanded the festival to include acts rooted in ska and reggae. It's the longest-running ska festival in North America. Guests over the years have included Fishbone, Less Than Jake, The Wailers, Ozomatli, The Real McKenzies, The Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Mos Def, Neville Staple, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Itals, Ky-Mani Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Dr. Ring Ding, and Larry and His Flask.

The festival celebrates its 23rd year on June 22-26, 2022. We sit down with Dane to learn more about the festival's history, why he's so in love with ska, and get a glimpse of Victoria's local ska scene with groups like The Bombasts, Pressure Cooker, One Drop and Grossbuster.

Tickets can be purchased at https://victoriaskafest.ca

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 72: John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats, The Extra Lens, The Comedians, The Bloody Hawaiians) Jun 01, 2022

When ska band Sad Snack recorded a ska version of The Mountain Goats' beloved "No Children," Mountain Goats singer-songwriter John Darnielle got so excited, that he invited the group to open for them at their San Francisco show. It was all hands on deck for Ska No Children. And during Sad Snack's performance, John and other members of the group got on stage and skanked. It was clear that it wasn't his first time skanking.

And indeed, he went to many ska shows and skanked during his formative years in Southern California, even though he was an artsy goth kid that made fun of the ska kids. Now as an adult, he can admit that he has a particular love for classic Jamaican ska and the 2 Tone bands like The Selecter, The Specials, Madness and The English Beat.

On this episode, we talk about all things ska with John Darnielle. He compares Lee "Scratch" Perry to Tolstoy, he explains why The Specials' "Ghost Town" is one of the greatest songs of all time, and he tells us about the "Fuck Art, Let's Dance" buttons that all the ska kids at his high school would wear.

But we talk about so much more, including Propagandhi, pro-wrestling, "Superman" by Goldfinger, Desmond Dekker, King Tubby's sound system, the beauty of heavy metal and why everyone wrongfully associates ska with horns.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 71: Bruce Lee Band (Mike Park, Jeff Rosenstock) May 25, 2022

During Skankin' Pickle's run, Mike Park had so many songs, he tapped Less Than Jake to record an album with him. He called it The Bruce Lee Band. This record was released in 1995. A decade later, The Bruce Lee Band returned with Beautiful World, this time backed by RX Bandits.

But then, nearly a decade later, The Bruce Lee Band became a solid group with Mike Park, Jeff Rosenstock, Dan Potthast and Kevin Higuchi (Though Mike Huguenor was involved in the two 2014 records). They've put out several releases. Last year they released the excellent EP Division in the Heartland. And on May 27th, they will release their full-length, One Step Forward. Two Steps Back--incredible, passionate and at times angry ska-punk.

On today's episode, we talk with two members of The Bruce Lee Band: Mike Park and Jeff Rosenstock. We discuss the two's origin story--Jeff's old band Arrogant Sons of Bitches tried to play at an event Mike threw at the Oakland A's parking lot, but Mike said no. We talk about the role Chris Candy played in the two becoming friends. And we talk about the mid-to-late-2000s era at Asian Man Records, where Mike had a vibrant selection of amazing punk bands like Bomb The Music Industry, AJJ, Lemuria and Shinobu.

We also discuss how drummer Kevin Higuchi went from San Jose bar band drummer to joining The Bruce Lee Band and Jeff Rosenstock's band, Mike Park smoking weed with Alkaline Trio, and the infamous Skankin' Pickle reunion shows in Japan. And of course, we dig deep into The Bruce Lee Band's excellent catalog.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: Live Shows During Covid May 20, 2022

On May 13, Adam performed a killer set inside the Ivy Room in Albany, CA, main support for Voodoo Glow Skulls. He brought me up on stage to dance for the duration of one song (The only time I was mask-free inside the venue). The next day I found out I was exposed to Covid a few days earlier.

On this very special episode, I take a Covid test and read the results LIVE as they come in. Also Adam and I talk about the Voodoo show show and the complexities of playing live music in the era of Covid.

To listen, sign up for our Patreon

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 70: Blue Meanies (Billy Spunke, Sean Dolan) May 18, 2022

In the late '90s, someone asked Blink-182's Tom DeLonge if he wanted to go see The Blue Meanies perform. Both bands happened to be in Australia at the same time. His response: "Are they still scaring kids?" The answer was obviously yes, so Tom passed.

The Blue Meanies formed in 1989 in Carbondale, Illinois by Jay Vance, who would later start the avant-garde project Captured By Robots. The Blue Meanies started as a Fishbone-style party band, but when they relocated to Chicago a few years later, the group evolved into one of the most menacing bands in the 90s ska scene. And many kids were scared, especially when the Meanies opened for bands like Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake and Goldfinger.

On this episode, we dig deep into Blue Meanies' history and talk about their early years playing the famous Lost Cross House in Carbondale. We talk about a very special show at The Outhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, where they met MU330 and Skankin' Pickle. We also talk about Billy's couple year period after Kiss Your Ass Goodbye that he lived in New Orleans, the Full Throttle years, where they rehearsed in an abandoned grocery store in Chicago, the Ska Against Racism and Plea For Peace tours, their Post-Wave MCA album signing, and a song the band wrote for the Troma film Sucker.

Bill also talks about two big influences on him: Tom Waits and Nick Cave.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 69: Pook (Pookout Records, Beat the Red Light, Redeemon, Lightyear, The Filaments) May 11, 2022

There was a big ska revival in the UK from around 2000 to 2005. Pook was playing music back then, but when the scene started to crater, he kept on playing. He would even fully realize his vision of combining extreme metal with ska, which you can hear in his groups Beat The Red Light and Redeemon. We're talking Sepultura and Lamb of God style metal mixed with ska.

Pook also runs a record label called Pookout Records. It started as a means to distribute records into the UK but has since become a proper record label and he's worked with bands like Andy B and the World, Filthy Militia, Glory Hunters and Roshambo.

On today's episode, we chat with Pook about his many bands, which also includes The Filaments and Lightyear. He tells us about recording "Send In The Clowns" with Beat The Red Light and finally realizing his metaliSKA vision, hearing The Best of the Worst and finding kindred spirits across the pond, and the warm up techniques he does before screaming. Big face, little face, big face, little face.

He also tells us the infamous Lightyear story that involves Ice-T's band Body Count and the band dressing up in a horse outfit. They were told, "Ice-T is not amused."

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 68: Coolie Ranx (Pilfers, The Toasters, Grand Theft Auto IV) May 04, 2022

In the early '90s, Coolie Ranx had his eyes set on being a dancehall star. That is until a friend dared him to audition to be The Toasters' new vocalist. He got the gig, and off to Europe he went (Though, a little uncomfortable with the Mohawk, spike-studded punks that came to these shows). He quit Toasters, but eventually came back and joined the group just before they did the Skavoovee tour, along with The Special Beat, The Selecter, and The Skatalites. At the time, Coolie was so entrenched in the dancehall world, he wasn't even familiar with any of these groups--even The Skatalites

That would change. After recording two studio albums with The Toasters (Dub 56, Hard Band For Dead), he quit the group and started Pilfers, a unique '90s ska band that mixed elements of rock, hardcore, reggae, dancehall, pop and punk. Coolie called their genre "raggacore," and the description was apt. There weren't other groups at the time that sounded like them.

On this episode, we talk to Coolie about his musical music. We talk about the 2000s UK ska-punk scene (King Prawn, Sonic Boom Six) that sounded a lot more like Pilfers than the 90s US ska scene did. We break down some Pilfers songs, like "Generation," and we all admire Coolie's amazing impression of Rob "Bucket" Hingely. We also talk about Coolie's new solo album, Days Gone By, which you should purchase immediately.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 67: Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem, The Horrible Crowes, Lanemeyer, Molly and the Zombies) Apr 27, 2022

Last year, singer/songwriter Brian Fallon tweeted that Slackers lead singer Vic Ruggiero is "one of the greatest songwriters and lyricists of our time." This isn't the only time that Brian tweeted about his love for ska during the pandemic. We've seen him praise Mike Park, Catbite and express his love for New York band The Abruptors' ska cover of his song "Forget Me Not."

On today's episode of In Defense of Ska, we dig into Brian's past and learn about how he discovered ska, why Asian Man Records mail order was so important to him as a young music fan, and we discuss the details of his cover of Spring Heeled Jack's "Pop Song (Green)." He also tells us about seeing Laurel Aitken at Wetlands, and we find out which Slackers song Brian would cover if he was going to play one on tour.

We also get the full story behind a tweet Brian sent last year about getting a surprise phone call from Bruce Springsteen and then spilling cat food everywhere during the call.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: The Weirdest Ska Band Ever? with Chris Ruckus (Dissidente) and Duck (Joystick) TEASER Apr 22, 2022

Before Chris Ruckus was in Dissidente...before Duck was in Joystick....they played in the weirdest ska band of all time: Cryptorchid Chipmunk. Listen to our conversation with them about this peculiar ska band, where the performance was just as unhinged as the music.

To listen to the complete episode, sign up for the In Defense of Ska Patreon

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 66: Ara Babajian (The Slackers, Leftover Crack, Agent 99, Star Fucking Hipsters, The World/Inferno Friendship Society) Apr 20, 2022

When drummer Ara Babajian joined The Slackers in 2003, Vic Ruggiero and David Hillyard had to teach him how to correctly play a traditional ska beat, which they did by handing him key records to listen to, and by singing ska beats at him. Ara wasn't new to ska. He'd played in several bands like Agent 99 and Leftover Crack. But The Slackers approached ska with a greater emphasis on hitting that Jamaican groove just right, so he had to up his game. He may have come to the band with little experience playing trad ska, but he's since proven himself to be a top-tier ska drummer.

On today's episode we talk with Ara about his history in The Slackers, Agent 99, and Leftover Crack--the first time he left the group, he did so three songs into a show in Toronto in 2001, upset that Scott Sturgeon was on-stage making 9-11 jokes. We learn all sorts of interesting facts about Ara's life, like who played drums in Agent 99 before he joined the group (Hint: He played Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars).

He also tells us stories about Leftover Crack's late bassist Alec Baillie, the time Bomb the Music Industry opened for The Slackers in Chicago and were booed by the audience (Jeff Rosenstock, apparently, was delighted by the reaction), what it's been like for The Slackers in recent years to get coverage in Rolling Stone Magazine and Washington Post (An article by IDOS guest Jessica Lipsky). And we learn about his 1980s group Das Booty, whose demo recordings were mistaken for Red Hot Chili Peppers demos for the Uplift Mofo Party Plan record.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 65: Margaret Cho (Drop Dead Diva, The Flight Attendant, Fire Island) Apr 13, 2022

In the mid-90s, comedian Margaret Cho had a sitcom deal with ABC. She wanted to call it "The Margaret Cho Show" and to have Skankin' Pickle to write its theme song. But, the network wanted it to be called "All-American Girl," and they weren't keen on having a ska-punk band write its theme song. Skankin' Pickle singer/saxophonist Mike Park had already written the delightfully catchy song, "It's Margaret Cho." Since it wouldn't be playing on TV, he included it on Skankin' Pickle's third studio album, Sing Along With Skankin' Pickle.

Margaret was friends with Mike and other members of the band. She showed up at Pickle shows and danced on the side of the stage whenever she could. But her love for ska and punk goes back to the 80s. These shows were a big part of her development as a person. She saw several amazing bands like Operation Ivy and Fishbone, who she says are her all time favorite band. She even wore a Fishbone shirt for the interview!

On this episode, Margaret tells us about her friendship with the Skankin' Pickle. She also discusses the iconic bay area venues that meant a lot to her growing up, like Gilman, The Farm, and Mabuhay Gardens. She even tells us about the wildest show she ever attended. But it turns out, it was a comedy show where a comedian casually drink his own piss and told corny jokes.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 64: Stefan Babcock (PUP, Stop Drop N Skank) Apr 06, 2022

It would seem impossible for PUP to top their brilliant, cathartic 2019 record Morbid Stuff. But then, on April 1, they put out The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND, such a fantastic record, even Rivers Cuomo tweeted about it. In celebration of this awesome band releasing an awesome record, we brought on PUP singer Stefan Babcock on the show. But of course, we had to talk about ska. And there was a lot of ground to cover.

For one thing, Stefan used to play in the ska band Stop Drop N Skank, who was quite popular in Toronto in the 2010s. We dig into Toronto's vibrant 2010s ska scene and Stefan's journey from a Streetlight Manifesto loving ska kid to a Thursday obsessive screamo fan.

We also talk about PUP's "Free At Last" contest, which involves friend of the show, Jeremy Hunter (Skatune Network). And we discuss Stefan and the other members of PUP contributing vocals to Jeff Rosenstock's amazing SKA DREAM album.

We cover a bit of non-ska-related PUP content, like the band's sublime gang vocals. Stefan breaks down for us how they get those vocals to sound so cool.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 63: Kmoy / Tape Girl Mar 30, 2022

Twenty-five years ago, I would have never guessed that the bedroom recording aesthetic would eventually overlap with the ska scene. But, in 2022, you have Kmoy and Tape Girl, who are referring to their music as "Laptop Ska," which it turns out, is a great descriptor. Their recordings carry the lo-fi, compressed quality of 4-track indie-rock artists, but it somehow blends with these grandiose concepts and overdubs galore.

Kmoy and Tape Girl are two separate projects. But they are best friends and play on each other's songs. And they are creating some of the most interesting, adventurous recordings in ska right now. Tape Girl's handful of EPs are unique and fantastic, while Kmoy's Precure LP is a Ska Opera of epic proportions. The thing that makes all of their recordings so interesting is that, unlike most ska artists, these are songs crafted on their computer with no consideration for how they will sound live, kind of like the early Bomb the Music Industry records.

In this episode, we get into the nitty-gritty of their production techniques. They are firm believers in adding tape hiss to the recordings. We also talk about friend-to-every-ska-band, Megawave, and all the various eclectic artists that influence Kmoy and Tape Girl: Car Seat Headrest, Fantasia, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Who, Dynastic, and of course Skatune Network.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Behind the Curtain: Are The Police Ska? A debate between Middagh Goodwin (This is Ska) and Sean Dolan (Blue Meanies) TEASER! Mar 25, 2022

Are The Police Ska?

A heated debate between Middagh Goodwin (This is Ska) and Sean Dolan (The Blue Meanies)

To listen to the FULL episode, head over the the In Defense of Ska Patreon

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 62: Eichlers Mar 23, 2022

One of the best things about ska is that it's such a flexible genre. You can mix it with soul music, black metal, or anything in-between. There have even been different artists that have mixed electronic music with ska over the years, but now Eichlers is taking the weirdo, Avante-Garde-meets-pop sensibilities of Hyperpop and using that as a foundation for what he's calling "Hyperska."

What does hyperska (or even Hyperpop for that matter) sound like? You're going to have to listen to our interview with the subgenre's innovator to find out. We talk to Russ Wood (aka Eichlers) about his influences, which includes 100 gecs, Joan of Arc, El Ten Eleven, Johnny Foreigner, The Matches, Slapstick, Spraynard, Vantana Row, and much more.

We also learn about his time in the San Jose punk scene (The same scene that Adam and Aaron used to be part of with their band Gnarboots). Russ also apologizes to Mike Park for being a picky eater while he was interning at Asian Man Records, and Adam spits a killer Boboso verse about toast.

Be sure to check out Eichlers new record on Bad Time Records. It features guest appearances by Skatune Network, Tape Girl, Boboso, and even our own beloved co-host, Adam Davis.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 61: Derek Zanetti (Homeless Gospel Choir) Mar 16, 2022

In 2005, Derek Zanetti had an epiphany. He was a weirdo. He already knew that, but he had a hard time accepting it was ok to be a weirdo. That is until a friend told him that he was "never going to be normal because you're a punk." A few years later, Derek would start The Homeless Gospel Choir, a solo folk-punk project that would later go full-on punk rock. And in 2017, he would release the song "Normal," which touched on this moment in his life.

Our guest today is Homeless Gospel Choir frontman, Derek Zanetti. He tells us all about his oppressive religious upbringing that would make him feel shame, and hide his tapes. Speaking of tapes, we sift through his favorite current ska tape collection, which includes Fishbone, The Aquabats, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Suicide Machines. And tells us about being pals with several ska musicians, like Mike Park, Dissidente, and members of Suicide Machines and Reel Big Fish.

We also talk about the Christian bands he still looks back at with fondness, like Five Iron Frenzy, The Dingees, MxPx, Pedro The Lion, and Danielson Famile. He tells us about what it was like to tour with Leftover Crack (Hint: It involves Scott Sturgeon getting beat up by cops on his 40th birthday). He also tells us about identifying with Peewee Herman as a kid and not being allowed to watch his show. And we discuss the greatest ska tape in his collection: Korn.

Oh, and he's hitting the road with My Chemical Romance later this year! Great job Derek!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 60: Rory Phillips (The Impossibles, The Stereo) Mar 09, 2022

In the 90s, there were hundreds of lesser-known ska bands that were amazing. Many of them were better than the bands getting radio and MTV play. On today's episode, we present one of them: The Impossibles from Austin, Texas. A band that seamlessly melded Op Ivy verses with Weezer choruses.

Our guest today is Impossibles vocalist/guitarist Rory Phillips. We dig deep into the group's short time in Austin, where Gals Panic were local legends, and DIY spaces like Eco Action Warehouse hosted punk shows. We talk about the group signing to Fueled By Ramen, touring with MU330, and having a cameo in a shelved Goldfinger video.

We also talk about Rory's recent collaborations with Barry Johnson of Joyce Manor and his post-Impossibles power-pop band The Stereo that he did with Jamie Woolford of Animal Chin. The Stereo was a group that influenced Dashboard Confessional, Fall Out Boy, Jeff Rosenstock, and New Found Glory, and whose album Three Hundred was named one of the most influential records of 1999 by Alt-Press. Yet, few people remember the band. Fortunately, Rory made a 5-part podcast telling the group's story. It's called "Kings of No Hope," and it's available to download right now.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 59: The Life and Times of Skatalites trombonist Don Drummond Mar 02, 2022

Ska forever changed the course of music. Not only in Jamaica, but all over the world. Many talented people were involved with its development in the late 50s/60s. But a lot of credit is owed to The Skatalites for perfecting and elevating the genre.

Within the Skatalites camp, trombonist Don Drummond was incredibly important and influential. He wrote and/or arranged a majority of their songs. He also brought a somber vibe to the otherwise upbeat genre of music, often writing songs in minor keys. And he also forever linked the trombone with ska, something that remains true to this day, even as the genre has mutated in surprising ways.

Today we look at the life and times of Don Drummond. On one hand, he was one of the greatest musical geniuses to ever walk the earth. His impact is immeasurable. On the other hand, he was a troubled and tragic figure, riddled with mental illness. He murdered his girlfriend Anita "Margarita" Mahfood in 1965 and then died a few years later while imprisoned at Bellevue Asylum.

We bring on a panel of guests to tell the story of Don's life and to understand the impact that he had. Our panel includes Heather Augustyn, author of Don Drummond: The Genius and Tragedy of the World's Greatest Trombonist, Adam Reeves, who is currently working on a comic book adaptation of Heather's book. It will be called Trombone Man: Ska's Fallen Genius. And lastly, Ken Stewart, who's been the keyboardist/manager for The Skatalites since the late 80s.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 58: Kyle Kinane (Drunk History, Those Who Can't, Right Now Kapow) Feb 23, 2022

Comedian Kyle Kinane is known for his hilarious storytelling-style comedy specials, his epic Drunk History appearances, and his love of punk rock. But he's also a fan of ska. In high school, he even played sax in a ska band called The Skabeatles. He tells us all about it

We also talk about his history growing up in the Chicago punk and ska scene where Slapstick reigned supreme. He saw Slapstick play more times than he can remember. He also saw Less Than Jake, Mustard Plug, and Skankin' Pickle. And of course, we discuss the legendary venues where he spent much of his youth, like The Metro and Fireside Bowl

We also talk about some more recent events, like the time in 2016 when he toured with Chicago super-group The Falcon (Brendan Kelly, Neil Hennessy, Dan Andriano, Dave Hause), There is also a ska-heavy scene he was in for the show "Those Who Can't" (Along with members of The Aquabats and Jon Daly. And of course, we talk about the time he appeared on Drunk History and got so drunk he completely blacked out the entire time.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska: Behind the Curtain with Ted Leo...on why Madness were great (Preview) Feb 18, 2022

On this Patreon exclusive episode, we sit down again with Ted Leo. This time we discuss the brilliant 2 Tone band Madness, a band that all three of us loves dearly. Ted even pulls out his Madness records and goes track by track to tell us what he thinks about each and every song.

To listen to the entire episode, sign up for the "In Defense of Ska" Patreon

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 57: Lili Trifilio (Beach Bunny) & Jeremy Hunter (Skatune Network, We Are The Union) Feb 16, 2022

In 2020, Chicago indie-pop group Beach Bunny released their debut LP Honeymoon to much acclaim. One of the people that fell in love with the album, was Jeremy Hunter, ie Skatune Network. It was one of their favorite records of the year. Just a month earlier, they’d recorded a cover of an earlier Beach Bunny tune, “Prom Queen.” After Honeymoon was released, they considered covering another Beach Bunny song. Instead, they recorded the entire album.

Jer did this project in secrecy, not even telling Beach Bunny’s singer/songwriter Lili Trifilio until it was nearly finished, earlier this year. And then on Valentine’s Day, they surprise-released it to the world—Beach Bunny’s record in its entirety, but all ska, and titled Honeyrude and complete with some delightful ska easter eggs that reference The English Beat, Bob Marley, and The Specials.

On this episode, we bring on Jeremy Hunter and Lili Trifilio to talk about Honeyrude. We talk to Lili about what inspired the original record, learn about Jer’s process of transposing the album to ska, and get her reaction to the record. We analyze this album from all angles to understand what makes ska unique, and why a ska cover of a non-ska song is so infectious when it’s done right.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 56: Steve Borth (Link 80, Satori, Chllngr) Feb 09, 2022

Link 80's debut record, 17 Reasons, gets a lot of attention, rightfully so. But the group has other records worth your time, particularly their excellent 2000 album The Struggle Continues. On the album, you can hear the group's maturity as musicians, and their broader influences, which include deeper hardcore, and even some nu-metal elements. Our co-host Adam Davis was very involved in the band during this record, as was our guest today, Steve Borth.

Steve joined Link 80 on sax shortly after Adam started playing guitar in the group. Steve brought a lot of skill to the group. After his time in Link 80, he joined RX Bandits and contributed to a handful of their best records from the early/mid-2000s when they were balancing prog-metal, math rock and a sprinkling of ska. Later Steve moved to Denmark and has continued to play music, generally keeping his foot in reggae/dub projects. (Satori, Chllngr)

Today we discuss his groups in great detail and even dive into his father's career as a traveling Christian musician in the '60s and '70s. We also discuss Steve's current project of bringing together Danish and Jamaican musicians together to play reggae music. We also devote some time to the Sacramento scene that Steve grew up in and talk about the first ska band he ever played in: Lesdystics

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 55: Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop, Fantano) Feb 02, 2022

This week we are excited to bring on YouTube music critic Justthony Skanktano...or sorry Anthony Fantano. Justthony Skanktano is the name he used on his review of Jeff Rosenstock's SKA DREAM, which he gave a Strong 8, a better score than he gave NO DREAM, the original non-ska version of the album. He even placed SKA DREAM in his top ten records of 2021. So obviously, we had to bring Skanktano...sorry Skanktano on the show and talk about ska. And he had a lot to say.

Since reviewing SKA DREAM, he's also reviewed Catbite's "Nice One," and randomly shared Flying Raccoon Suit's "Afterglow" record on Twitter. We also found during this interview that in his younger years, he's listened to plenty of ska and has attended (and skanked at) several ska shows. He recounts, with vivid imagery a life-changing Flaming Tsunamis show from back in the day.

We also ask Anthony for his opinion on the new crop of ska bands, what his roommate Cal Chuchesta thinks of ska music, and at the very end, we even get his review of this very interview. You're going to want to hear his insights on our ska conversation!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 54: Jenny Whiskey (Hub City Stompers, Rude Girl Revue, Rude Boy George) Jan 26, 2022

Everyone at 2021's Supernova International Ska Festival was talking about Rude Girl Revue, an all-star, all-women, 16-piece ska band, comprised of members of many bands (The Scotch Bonnets, Catbite, Half Past Two, Stop The Presses, The Pandemics, The Skluttz, and more). Today we talk to one of the group's founder's Jenny Whiskey, who's also been a longtime member of Hub City Stompers, and has been more recently, playing with Rude Boy George.

Jenny started playing ska in the 90s. She almost got to play in Catch 22, but her mom wouldn't let her. However, in the early 2000s, she joined Hub City Stompers and helped keep ska music alive during a time when the music was in decline.

We talk about this unique period of time, as well as how she perceives the sudden interest in ska in the last few years from Brooklyn Vegan and other non-ska outlets. She also gives us the story of the viral song "Jesus is a Friend of Mine" and we all make a plea to Mephiskapheles to record a split with Sal Polichetti, who re-recorded the song with Rude Boy George.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 53: Mike Sosinski (Bad Time Records, Kill Lincoln) Jan 19, 2022

It seems like nearly every major ska record these days has been released by Bad Time Records. What’s going on? Today on the 1st episode of the 2nd season of In Defense of Ska, we bring on the owner of Bad Time Records himself, Mike Sosinski. He explains it all!

There’s a lot to the story of Bad Time Records. It starts with Mike’s band, Kill Lincoln, which started in Washington DC a little over a decade ago. Mike tells us how his scrappy ska-punk band started at a time when no one cared about the genre, to him starting his own record label—that quite a few people cared about!

And we walk through the Bad Time Records catalog and see how Mike created steady growth and a revived interest in ska-punk. It didn’t hurt that Brooklyn Vegan took an interest in the genre in 2020 and gave Bad Time a lot of much-deserved attention.

So, listen as we discuss, at length, a whole bunch of great BTR bands: Catbite, We Are The Union, Bad Operation, Best of the World, Kill Lincoln, and others. Hopefully, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how the ska-punk scene grew in the last couple of years.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 52: John Bunkley (Gangster Fun, Atomic Fireballs) Jan 12, 2022

The Midwest played a key role role in the development of American ska. Bands like Mustard Plug, MU330, Suicide Machines, Slapstick and Blue Meanies pushed and pulled on the genre's boundaries, with little concern for what a ska band was supposed to look or sound like. The band that influenced every single one of these groups was Detroit's first ska band: Gangster Fun.

Formed in 1986, the group got huge locally within months. And not long after that, they developed a sizable following throughout the Midwest. Their impact elsewhere was minimal. And as they were slowing down, other Midwest ska bands gained traction.

On this episode, we speak to lead singer John Bunkley. We talk about the group's history, legacy and penchant for crazy ska covers that includes songs by Duran Duran, Nirvana, KISS and Billy Ray Cyrus. We talk about how Detroit shows were a bit more chaotic than anywhere else in the country, and he spills the beans on which now famous musicians used to skank at Gangster Fun shows. Hint: It's Insane Clown Posse, Kid Rock and Jack White.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 51: Ted Leo (The Pharmacists, Chisel, Citizens Arrest, The Both) Jan 04, 2022

In 2003, indie-punker Ted Leo released the dissonant, Thin Lizzy-esque rocker "Where Have All The Rude Boys Gone?" The song pays tribute to The Specials, but also comments on the state of rock 'n' roll in the US during the post-911 era. On this episode, we bring on Ted and he gives us a full explanation of what inspired him to write this critically lauded song. He tells us he's previously been coy about fully explaining the song's meaning. So sit down and listen to its fascinating backstory.

We also dig into Ted's history as a ska lover. He's a huge 2 Tone fan, and also loved the 80s New York ska scene, with bands like The Boilers and N.Y. Citizens. He tells us about having his mind blown after seeing Fishbone in the 80s in New York.

The episode is also takes journey through Ted's career as a hardcore singer to mod/post-punk/indie musician in the 90s, and how he further evolved in the 2000s and beyond. As he grew confident as a songwriter, he wielded influences from the 70s, without coming off as retro. He also navigated the DIY touring landscape while also gaining critical praise and feeling completely out of touch with many of his rock 'n' roll contemporaries.

He comes armed with lots of good stories, including a solo gig he tells us was one of his worst.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 50: Pabst Blue Ribbon (Ska Beer?) Dec 29, 2021

If you’ve found yourself on Twitter during the pandemic, you might have noticed Pabst Blue Ribbon tweeting about everything from pro-wrestling to milk to ska. And these ska tweets haven’t been generic mainstream 90s ska memes. No, Pabst has expressed their undying affection for Asian Man Records, MU330, and has even released several “Rat Jamz” mixes that include new ska bands like Catbite, Kill Lincoln, We Are The Union, Grey Matter, Bad Operation, and Omnigone.

But who is Pabst? We did some deep digging and found out that the Pabst social media manager is Corey Smale. And get this…Corey played in a Missouri ska band in the late 90s/early 2000s. Obviously, we needed to bring him on the podcast and tell us his entire ska story.

But first, the three of us determined which beverage is the most ska. Was it Pabst, Arizona, Surge, or Ska Brewing? Listen and find out! Plus Corey tells us that the Rat Jamz were curated by Get Tuff, who you might have seen do guest vocals on Skatune Network’s cover of Britney Spears “Toxic.” We also discuss Eve 6, Corey’s band opening for MU330, and we make a deal for Pabst to sponsor a Catbite cartoon! We even suggest the plot for episode 1 be a dramatic retelling of their heroic journey to rescue Mannequin Pussy’s stolen van. Hopefully Pabst makes this happen!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 49: Sonic Boom Six (Laila K., Barney Boom) Dec 22, 2021

The UK had an exciting ska-punk revival in the late 90s/early 2000s that included bands like Capdown, Lightyear, King Prawn, and Spunge. One of the bands from this era, Grimace, broke up and reformed as Sonic Boom Six. They were so eclectic that their pool of influences included grime, hip-hop, dubstep and even just a dash of bhangra. But at their core, they played ska-punk. The group came into their own in the mid-2000s with their debut full-length, The Ruff Guide to Genre-Terrorism. And they had a brush with mainstream culture in 2012 with their song “Virus.”

This week, we bring on singer Laila K. and bassist/vocalist Barney Boom to talk about the group’s long and interesting career. But we also discuss how The Specials influenced non-ska bands like Blur, The Streets and The Prodigy, and talk about what it means for Sonic Boom Six to be punk rock and to create passionate political statements in their songs, and not give people love songs.

We also talk about Moon Ska Europe, which outlasted Moon Ska US (And even released records by some non-ska bands). The band tells us what it was like to work with Coolie Ranx, we get their take on the mozzarella stick/Andy Samberg ska meme culture that reduces the genre to an embarrassing joke. And we dig into what made this UK ska-punk scene unique and exciting.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep 48: Buck-O-Nine (Jon Pebsworth, Jonas Kleiner, and Tony Curry) Dec 15, 2021

Buck-O-Nine’s breezy, feel-good ska-pop song “My Town” took off on radio in 1997, but its video didn’t make it into MTV’s heavy rotation. This was due to some delays in the production of the video, making it so that by the time Buck-O-Nine had the video ready, the moment had mostly passed. “My Town” is remembered from this period of mainstream ska in the sort of in-between zone, not quite The Bosstones’ “Impression That I Get” territory but definitely above indie ska band level.

Before, during, and after this brush with mainstream attention, the group was on the road a lot. True road dogs. In fact, several guests on this podcast (Suicide Machines, Link 80, Mustard Plug) mentioned touring with them at some point or another. So, understandably, a large percentage of this week’s episodes revolves around the glorious misery that is touring. We are joined by Buck-O-Nine’s Jon Pebsworth, Jonas Kleiner, and Tony Curry, who tells us about their mindblowing and hilarious experiences on the road.

There were some surprises in there too, like their time on the road opening for Primus, and then later touring with Smash Mouth. Neither of those tours went great. But they certainly led to some funny stories.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 47: Mustard Plug (David Kirchgessner, Colin Clive) Dec 08, 2021

This month, Grand Rapids’ Mustard Plug celebrates 30 years of playing ska-punk. Though they often get associated with the late ’90s “third-wave” ska-punk boom, there is so much more to the group. We aimed to explore this in our interview with lead singer Dave Kirchgessner and guitarist Colin Clive.

For starters, before ska was on the tongue of MTV VJs, Mustard Plug was blowing minds in their hometown with their blend of punk rock and ska. And to top that off, they brought a bunch of out-of-town ska bands like Skankin Pickle and Let’s Go Bowling to Grand Rapids before anyone in their midwest town had heard of them.

During the late 90s, Mustard Plug nearly scored a hit with their cover of The Verve Pipe’s “The Freshman,” but ended up staying in the indie category on Hopeless Records. During the 2000s, when ska was declared dead, Dave started the “Ska is Dead” tour, proving that ska was in fact not dead. The band even released one of their best albums during this era, the political In Black and White.

Even today, as a new crop of ska bands revive the genre, Mustard Plug has seamlessly blended into the scene. At this year’s Fest, they shared the stage with a whole bunch of Bad Time Records bands. New bands and Mustard Plug.

We discuss this important history and also touch on some other fun stuff like opening for Weird Al, getting in food fights with Green Day, and just how much mustard they poured on Craig DeYoung’s face for the Big Daddy Multitude album cover shoot.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 46: Uncle Peckerhead (Matthew John Lawrence, Jeff Riddle) Dec 01, 2021

It’s movie night here at “In Defense of Ska.” Grab some popcorn and go watch the 2020 horror-comedy film “Uncle Peckerhead.” Watch it before you listen to our latest episode because spoilers are discussed. “Uncle Peckerhead” is a great movie about fake DIY punk band DUH. Like “Green Room,” this punk-on-the-road film turns horror. But it’s quite different and involves a people-eating roadie. Fun!

You’ve probably heard us talk about this movie in prior episodes. When we chatted with Slapstick, we asked them if they were aware that this movie had an entire scene built around their song “There's a Metalhead in the Parking Lot.” (They were not). And after we interviewed Augusta Koch (Cayetana, Gladie), she told us that she did all the vocals for the female character in the band, which we mentioned in that episode’s intro. So it was inevitable that we would eventually do an entire episode on the film.

For this episode, we talk to Matthew John Lawrence (writer/director) and Jeff Riddle (Actor, songwriter, Five Hundred Bucks) and we dig in deep. We learn how their history as touring punk musicians informed the film. (Spoiler: Matthew played in a ska band at one point.) We discuss how the writing of the film and the music happened alongside one another. And we also discuss how difficult it was to clean up some of the gore scenes. It even soured a few familial relationships. Check it out and be on the lookout for a DUH album in the near future.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 45: Jason Thinh (Short Round, Chinkees) Nov 24, 2021

Asian Man Records has released some breakout records, like Pezcore (Less Than Jake), Goddamnit (Alkaline Trio), and People Who Eat People Are The Luckiest People in the World (AJJ). But the label has also released several great, lesser-known albums. For this episode, we will focus on Language by Short Round, which was released in 2002.

More specifically, we brought in Jason Thinh, leader of Shortround to discuss this great record. But we also discuss his time in The Chinkees—he was only 17 years old when he joined—and his later project Marathon States, which he recorded with Max Feshbach and Morgan Herrell of Hard Girls (And released on Phat ‘n’ Phunky Records)

We touch on a lot of other topics too, like Jason’s recent move to Japan, the face slapping game he used to play with Adam Davis, and the time he met Jay Navarro from The Suicide Machines and pretended to not speak English. He also tells us about this interesting time in his life when he used to ask strangers if they’d take photos with him, pretending to hold him like a baby. Surprisingly they usually said yes.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 44: Jordan Morris (Jordan, Jesse, Go!, Bubble, Good Mythical Morning) Nov 17, 2021

In Jordan Morris graphic novel Bubble, a character finds a flyer for the hip new DJ in town, a person that was in Mighty Mighty Bosstones for a short stint and won’t shut up about it. And yet, in the strange post-apocalyptic world of Bubble, this ex-Bosstones DJ dude is cooool. It’s a tiny detail that makes Morris’ book such a fun read. However, the primary story is quite unsettling. A monster-filled planet where humans live in culturally appropriate bubbles, and make ends meet by working relentless gig economy jobs. Terrifying!

Jordan, our guest today, is also a long-time ska fan. He grew up during the OC ska heyday and was deep in the scene. He saw all the big names, and he also went to Christian ska shows at churches. He was a part of all these different sides of this ska, and he lives to tell the tale.

We discuss his time in the scene, his graphic novel, and also his time co-hosting the podcast Jordan, Jesse, Go with Jesse Thorn, who, in the early days, frequently teased him about loving ska. Jordan also tells us about how recently, amidst the pandemic, his love for ska has been reawakened. There’s just something about the world being horrible and no longer caring anymore what anyone thinks, that brings you right back to ska.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 43: Screaming Females (Marissa Paternoster, Jarret Dougherty) Nov 10, 2021

If there’s anything we’ve learned this year, it’s that deep down, everyone loves ska. This week we provide yet another example of an unexpected band releasing a ska song: Screaming Females.

They will be releasing a cover of The Selecter’s “On My Radio” next month. The song is being released as part of the deluxe edition of the comic series What’s The Furthest Place From Here? which is written by punk lover Matthew Rosenberg, who has written many popular comic books (Spiderman, Wolverine, etc)

We got a sneak of Screaming Females’ “On My Radio” cover, and let me tell you, it is awesome. Good enough that it inspired us to bring them on the show to tell us about the tune and their relationship to ska. We also discuss the New Brunswick scene (Where Catch 22 are kings!), how guitarist Marissa Paternoster nearly played in The Slits, how drummer Jarret Dougherty’s bout of tendonitis led to an obsession with Our Band Could Be Your Life, The Minutemen, and DIY culture. And last and perhaps most importantly, we talk about Taylor Swift.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 42: Jamie Woolford (Animal Chin, The Stereo) Nov 03, 2021

In the first few months of this podcast, we used to joke that this was the “Animal Chin” podcast because, even though we’d never had anyone from Animal Chin on the show, we talked about them a lot. Well, guess what, now we have Animal Chin’s singer-songwriter Jamie Woolford on the show. So we finally get to ask him all of our burning Animal Chin questions. (Ie: this is kind of a long episode!)

Animal Chin was an interesting group. Arguably in the top five 90s ska-punk groups. They influenced Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Jeff Rosenstock, and Barry Johnson (Joyce Manor). And yet, they were one of the lesser-known bands from the 90s ska era. We brought Jamie on the show to discuss, among other things, the classic Animal Chin record All The Kids Agree, which he told us he has a hard time listening to without cringing, even though it’s an AMAZING record, in our opinion, anyway.

We hope that our conversation helped him see the album’s inherent brilliance. We also discussed his non-ska band The Stereo (With The Impossibles’ Rory Phillips). We listen to his stories about Animal Chin taking needless risks changing drivers in the van and not stopping. And we hear about Jamie’s time in a few other bands at the time, most notably The Pacers.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 41: Hepcat (Greg Lee, Greg Narvas) Oct 27, 2021

LA ska band Hepcat once appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. They were an early signing to Epitaph subsidiary Hellcat Records and were flown all over to open for a wide variety of bands. But they were—and the band admits this—never going to blow up. The group consisted of several LA ska scene kids from the 80s who loved original Jamaican ska. Not a commercially viable genre. And back then, you would have to search far and wide to find these old records.

This love they shared for the music united them and led to the formation of Hepcat. Their original plan was to replicate old ska music, but they realized that not only was that not possible, but mixing it with newer influences made it more interesting. And that they did, but rather than blend it with punk, they pulled from R&B, soul, Latin, and pop. And they produced some fantastic songs in the process!

On this episode, we spend some time with Hepcat’s singer Greg Lee and drummer Greg Narvas to learn about LA 80s’ ska scene, so that we can understand the culture that created Hepcat. We dive into both Gregs’ origin stories, learn how they discovered ska, and why they gravitated to the older stuff. We also talk about Hepcat too: from fights at shows to being scared out of their mind right before playing “Can’t Wait” on Conan O’Brien. And how through all the highs and lows of the “third wave” ska boom, the members of Hepcat just wanted to make the music they wanted to make.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 40: David McWane (Big D and the Kids Table) Oct 20, 2021

By now, most of us know that ska wasn’t dead in the 2000s. But it was uncool. Really uncool. Bands were fleeing from the scene, and describing their sound as “Rock with horns”—anything other than “ska.” But the scene continued, fueled by the passion of dedicated fans. During this weird time, one group that did quite well was Boston’s Big D and The Kids Table, who even managed to chart on the Billboard Top Heatseekers with their excellent 2007 album Strictly Rude.

Big D formed in ’96 but didn’t release their first album, Good Luck, until 1999, which was right when ska was freefalling from mainstream culture. The group persevered during the ska-wasteland era and remains popular to this day. They are releasing their latest record, Do Your Art, on October 22nd on Side One Dummy Records. It’s their first collection of original tunes in years. We brought lead singer David McWane on to the show to talk about the album and their legacy as a not-quite-90s ska band going on two decades now.

We covered a lot of ground, including two of their best-known cover tunes: The Specials’ “Little B***h” and Propagandhi’s “Ska Sucks.” We discuss how the group drove across the country to play a show for Mike Park, in hopes that he’d sign them to Asian Man Records. (Which he did!) And we spend a fair amount of time dissecting their Strictly Rude record. We even find out about the group’s unlikely relationship with Japanese noise rock band Melt Banana. Dave also tells us a very compelling story about surviving cancer. Fortunately for him, he caught it early and is doing great.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 39: Max Collins (Eve 6, Chevy Mustang) Oct 13, 2021

Up until last year, alt-rock group Eve 6 was best known for their hit 1998 single, “Inside Out,” or as some people refer to it, “the heart in a blender song.” But times have changed. Now Eve 6, specifically lead singer Max Collins, is best known for taking over Twitter. It started last December when he tweeted that he was a virgin when he wrote “Inside Out.” Since then, he hasn’t stopped tweeting a chaotic mix of weird jokes, hot takes, embarrassing rock n roll stories, and leftist political rants. It’s everything a band’s Twitter account shouldn’t be. But it’s also the very thing that makes Twitter a little bit more tolerable in 2021.

And in Max’s Eve 6 tweetstorms, oftentimes ska pops up. But it has been unclear to what extent he was a fan of the genre. That is until October 7th, when he and ska band We Are The Union surprise-released a collaborative cover of Operation Ivy’s “Sound System.” It’s a brilliant version of the ska-punk classic that doesn’t veer from the joyous spirit of the original. In fact, it highlights just how good the song is. And clearly, everyone is having a lot of fun playing the song.

We were fortunate enough to get an exclusive interview with Max a few months before the song was released. We asked him to predict how the song will be received. We also learned about his very real ska roots, what he thinks about #SkaTwitter, which Gorilla Biscuits song he plans to cover at Fest this year, and he dug pretty deep into his perspective on life, including a recent proclamation that he is a Christian Anarchist. And at the end of the interview, Max told us that we have been his favorite podcast he’s ever done. Take that other podcasts!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep 38: Augusta Koch (Cayetana, Gladie) Oct 06, 2021

Augusta Koch’s first band was called The Blue Bananas, a ska band. They had a few originals and performed a Choking Victim song. They didn’t last long. She’s since gone on to play in some incredible non-ska bands like Cayetana and Gladie. And she even sang vocals for the fictitious group DUH in the horror-comedy film Uncle Peckerhead. But ska has remained important to her. During the pandemic, she found comfort in revisiting some of her favorite bands from when she was younger. RX Bandits have been a particular favorite for her.

Augusta talks with us, not just about her ska roots, but also what it’s been like for her the past couple of years, creatively and personally. We discuss a blog post she wrote about starting smoking again during the pandemic and she also tells us about Jeff Rosenstock asking her to contribute to SKA DREAM by screaming on a few tracks. We discuss the Sparks cover she made with Mike Park, and we also get into a discussion about what her favorite Mountain Goats record is. And most importantly, we try to understand why the ska scene just feels so much better to be a part of than other “cooler” scenes. We come up with a few theories.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 37: Homer Flynn (The Residents, Cryptic Corporation) Sep 29, 2021

Avant-garde band The Residents have spent the last five decades anonymously creating music that is at times unsettling, goofy, bizarre, and always pushes the boundaries of music. Even the very idea that The Residents are a band is up for debate. They are more of an art collective that pretends to be a band. And though they prolifically create music, they are perhaps best known for the imagery they’ve put out into the world, specifically the photo of the four band members with eyeball-heads, who are wearing fancy top hats.

But it makes sense for The Residents, who are pioneers in the realm of multimedia entertainment. The visuals are a critical element of their music. They are even music video innovators. And have always explored art in a way that challenges and often confuses their audience.

Since the identities of The Residents are unknown, we couldn’t bring them on the show. Instead, we spoke with Homer Flynn, the president of the Cryptic Corporation, and public relations for The Residents. We asked him all of our many Residents questions, like how they recorded their bizarre Eskimo album and who exactly were the offbeat individuals in their music videos? He did his best to answer them. We even threw the big question at him: Do The Residents like ska? In all the years that Homer has been speaking on behalf of The Residents, I’m pretty sure this is the first time anyone has ever asked Homer this question.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 36: Mike Park (Asian Man Records, Skankin' Pickle, Chinkees, The Bruce Lee Band) Sep 22, 2021

Asian Man Records will be remembered as one of the best outlets for ska-punk in the 90s, with bands like Slapstick, MU330, Slow Gherkin, Less Than Jake, and other bands that still hold up decades later. The label is the brainchild of former Skankin Pickle singer/saxophonist Mike Park. Initially, Skankin Pickle started Dill Records, as a means to release their own music, and eventually, put out the music of other great bands. It was Mike’s idea for Dill to be a serious venture, and he did much of the legwork. So when he went out on his own, of course, Asian Man Records (1996), was a big indie success.

Mike has a long, influential career as a musician and label owner, and remains active and highly respected. On today’s episode with Mike, we discuss his days with Skankin Pickle, the early releases of Dill and Asian Man, and we hear all kinds of great stories from various times in his career. Mike tells us about discovering Less Than Jake, meeting Jeff Rosenstock, and all about the time he suggested Skankin Pickle reject an offer from Restless Records in 1991! Thanks to watching a documentary of MC Hammer and getting really into Fugazi, he figured that he could do it himself much better. And he was probably right.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 35: Kenneth Partridge (Hell of a Hat: The Rise of ’90s Ska and Swing) Sep 15, 2021

The 90s was a weird time for mainstream music. After Nirvana and the “Grunge” scene blew up, major labels were on the prowl for the next big thing. A lot of unlikely bands and music genres had their 15 minutes of fame. Ska, of course, was one of those trends, as was the “swing revival.” We could debate whether it was good or bad that a handful of ska bands got launched into the mainstream for a few years, but regardless, the very fact that ska and swing were flavors of the month is a bizarre phenomenon worth exploring.

Kenneth Partridge, this week’s guest, has spent considerable time analyzing bands from this moment in time, like The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, No Doubt, Royal Crown Revue, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and Sublime. His new book, Hell of a Hat: The Rise of 90s Ska and Swing takes an analytical approach to study why these groups blew up in the US at the time they did. Kenneth also tries to understand what the defining characteristics were of mainstream 90s ska in the US and to explain what value they hold that is unique to their time and place in culture.

It is a great read and we talk about his book at length. But before that, we ask Kenneth to defend swing, and then he offers to defend “Skaturday” (The 2-hour ska special on MTV in 1997, hosted by Carson Daly) and we also discuss some of the lesser-known bands that Kenneth grew up listening to like Thumper, Spring Heel Jack and Johnny Too Bad and the Strikeouts. And you might notice a subtle noise in the background during the interview. At the very end, we explain exactly what that sound was. So stay tuned for the entire interview!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 34: Angelo Moore (Fishbone, Dr. Madd Vibe) Sep 08, 2021

A couple of years before ska broke on the radio, Fishbone—who was on Columbia Records at the time—released arguably the greatest ska song of the 90s: “Unyielding Conditioning,” a beautiful tune with a deep message that challenges us to re-examine the very fabric of our shared reality, and to grapple with the forces that control us and make us miserable. In 1993, the public was not ready for this amazing tune, and would not accept ska in the mainstream until Sublime’s “Date Rape” got into heavy rotation in 1995. But can you imagine what ska’s legacy would have been if “Unyielding Conditioning” had been a hit instead?

This song came after a decade of Fishbone completely taking over the underground landscape within nearly every scene. They also released several landmark albums and had become the band everyone assumed would blow up. They were good enough, but the fact that they were so competent in all these genres worked against them as potential pop stars, even though, their secret weapon, Angelo Moore, was one of—if not—the greatest frontmen of all time. It was too much for the mainstream which preferred simple and easy to categorize.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we talk with the great Angelo Moore and devote some serious time breaking down the lyrics for “Unyielding Conditioning.” We also discuss several key moments in Fishbone’s history, like their wild Soul Train performance, and their bizarre cameo in the cult film Tapeheads, which starred a young John Cusack & Tim Robbins. Angelo tells us what it feels like to stage dive from a literal balcony (He did it near the beginning of the 2010 documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone). And he even tells us about his odd role in the alternate reality game, Jejun Institute, which would later inspire Jason Segal’s AMC drama Dispatches From Elsewhere.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 33: Jessica Lipsky (It Ain't Retro: Daptone Records & The 21st-Century Soul Revolution) Sep 01, 2021

Soul music has never gone away, but different versions of it come and go. In 2007, when Sharon Jones, 51 at the time, released her third album 100 Days, 100 Nights, she reached a significant audience. That made a lot of people declare "retro" soul back. But Sharon wasn’t retro, and the story around her success was much more complex. It is tied to the record label Daptone Records and her backing band, the Dap-Kings.

The story of the label and the bands associated with them (Sharon, Charles Bradley, The Frightnrs, and Amy Winehouse who worked with the Dap-Kings on your brilliant Back to Black album) is documented in the new book It Ain't Retro: Daptone Records & The 21st-Century Soul Revolution. It is filled with amazing stories about the unlikely rise of this cool music scene.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we speak with the author, Jessica Lipsky. We discuss several of the great artists on Daptone, like the brilliant and haunting rock steady group The Frightnrs. We discuss Jessica’s ska roots and some of the ska articles she’s published. Two years before every major outlet declared ska back, Jessica wrote about it for Billboard. And of course, we talk about Amy Winehouse, her love for ska, and how she had plans to record some ska songs on what would have been her third record.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 32: Ian Fidance (The Ska King of Comedy, Crank Yankers, The Last O.G.) Aug 25, 2021

Why is it that most stand-up comedians pretend that they hate ska? We all know that they’re big nerds, so why don’t they relish in their dorkiness and not put on some big show that they’re cynical, sophisticated tastemakers too intelligent for ska! Oh well, at least not every comedian is this insecure. New York-based comedian Ian Fidance—the ska king of comedy—is an unabashed lover of ska music and he wants you to know all about it.

Fortunately for us in the ska community, Ian is out there, gigging every night all over the country. He also appears in and writes for several TV shows like Crank Yankers and The Last O.G. And whenever he gets a chance, he is trying to convince his fellow comedians and TV actors to give ska a chance. And occasionally, he is successful.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we try to understand why the comedy world is so negative about ska. We also learn all about Ian’s old ska band and discuss why the music is so important to him. And he gives us the dirt on what Dave Attell and Nikki Glaser think about ska.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 31: Brad Logan & John Gentile (Architects of Self-Destruction: An Oral History of Leftover Crack, F-Minus, Punknews) Aug 18, 2021

Leftover Crack is a band of dumpster-diving, drug-abusing, cop-hating crust punks…so begins the opening section in the book Architects of Self Destruction, an oral history of the band. The story of Leftover Crack is strange—unbelievable at times—and filled with bizarre decisions, weird characters, and as the title implies, copious self-sabotage. They were also a very unique band, formed in the ashes of Choking Victim in the late 90s that mixed ska, dissonant punk rock, and angry black metal in a unique way.

As unbelievable as many of Leftover Cracks stories are, the fact that these stories are now documented in a book is almost more unbelievable. The author, or rather authors are Brad Logan, longtime guitarist in the group, and Punknews contributor John Gentile. The two collaborated on this project by interviewing a whole bunch of people and stringing together their stories and contradictory perspectives to give the reader an unfiltered view of what exactly happened…as told by those that were there.

On today’s episode, we discuss some of the stories in the book, like how Choking Victim broke up 2 days into recording their one album, how Leftover Crack wanted to name their first album Shoot the Kids At School but Hellcat Records told them no, and we also discuss the polarizing leader of the band, Scott Sturgeon.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 30: Dan Potthast (MU330, Death Rosenstock, The Bruce Lee Band, Sharkanoid) Aug 11, 2021

At one of the first out-of-town shows that St. Louis ska band MU330 played, booking agent Steve Ozark, approached them, interested in working with the band. MU330’s members were excited and told him yes! But only if he agreed to book them as much as humanly possible. From Ozark’s perspective, it was a strange request, but one he was happy to meet. For much of the 90s, MU330 hit the road as much as they could. Even with these many stages they played, they still hovered at cult status, though they released some of the best ska-punk records of their time.

As MU330 was winding down, lead singer and guitarist Dan Potthast stayed very active, both as a touring act and in terms of his creative output. He released solo records, formed new bands, and in recent years, joined Jeff Rosenstock’s group. On this episode, Dan joins us to discuss different moments in his musical career.

Much of the conversation revolves around Dan’s time in MU330, but we also talk about his role on the SKA DREAM album, discuss what it’s like to tour people’s homes as a solo artist. And we get to hear the epic tale of how MU330 crossed paths with the band Crazy Town.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 29: Mystic Bowie (Talking Dreads) Aug 04, 2021

In 2019, My wife and I took a week-long trip to Jamaica. It wasn't just a tourist trip to Montego Bay or Kingston, we went a few hours into the mountains to the small village of Accompong and experienced the Maroon Festival. Every year, on Jan 6, this village of roughly 600 balloons up to 10,000 people to celebrate hundreds of years of Maroon independence. It began in 1759, when the Maroons signed a peace treaty with the British, establishing their independence, something that would not happen for the rest of Jamaica for many years.

The festival is an amazing gathering with loud music, fantastic food, and ice-cold Red Stripes, but it is also contains important ceremonies for Maroons all over the world to remember back to when their ancestors fought the British and won, refusing at all cost to be enslaved.

The person that took me to the Maroon Festival is reggae musician Mystic Bowie, who sang in Tom Tom Club for many years, and who currently fronts Mystic Bowie's Talking Dreads, a band that combines Mystic's passion for reggae music with his love of Talking Heads songs. It's an incredible experience that steers clear of being a gimmick, even if the juxtaposition seems odd at first.

Mystic, our guest this week, explains the sincere place in his soul where Talking Dreads emerged from, and he also tells stories from his childhood, when he hung out around Chris Blackwell's famous recording studio, Compass Point Studios and met a bunch of famous musicians, like Keith Emerson, Ringo Starr, and his future Tom Tom Club band-mates Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. And of course, Mystic and I discuss the 2019 Jamaican trip. I do my best to recall what was one of the best experiences of my life, while Mystic gives the detailed history of the Maroon people.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 28: Jason Navarro (Suicide Machines, J. Navarro & The Traitors) Jul 28, 2021

Many of the 90s ska bands signed to major labels were based out of sunny California. Then there was Detroit ska band The Suicide Machines, the only band in their area to ink a big deal. And there is nothing sunny about The Suicide Machines. Taking influence from the city’s gutter punk and lawless hardcore scene, while also pulling elements from local chaotic ska legends Gangster Fun, Suicide Machines were the most punk rock band of the ska major label feeding frenzy. And their debut Hollywood Records album Destruction By Definition is a timeless masterpiece.

Our guest today is Suicide Machines lead singer Jason Navarro, who joined the band shortly after its inception and remains its only consistent member. Jason gives us the history of the band signing to Hollywood Records and the recording of Destruction By Definition. We talk about the band’s 2020 release Revolution Spring. We also get into the time he met Kelsey Grammer, and discuss how Nick Offerman worked on a 90s Suicide Machines video. Jason doesn’t even know who Nick Offerman is because he doesn’t watch TV.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 27: Laura Jane Grace (Against Me) Jul 21, 2021

It’s been a rough year and a half. This past April—in response to our collective trauma—Laura Jane Grace tweeted that the “current ska revival is a sign of just how emotionally vulnerable we all are after the past year.” A perfect sentiment for the moment we’re in. While a lot of people have been using ska as a cheap punchline, her tweet honed in on just how meaningful and earnest the music is, and why it is matters to people in dark times. Clearly a true ska fan.

That wasn’t her only recent ska tweet. There were a few about Operation Ivy in there too. So, we needed to bring her on the show and talk about the genre. Her history with ska goes back to her early days in the South Florida punk scene where rude boys and rude girls co-mingled with punks, skinheads, and every other alternative subculture.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we go deep into her ska history, learn about which ska bands made the trek down to Florida, which didn’t, and we hear about which band gave her mixed feelings about the genre. We also talk about We Are The Union and geek out on Operation Ivy for a while. And of course, we discuss why an Op Ivy reunion would be so healing for everyone after 2020.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 26: Marc Wasserman (Ska Boom, Bigger Thomas, Rude Boy George) Jul 14, 2021

The US had a healthy, diverse underground music scene in the ’80s. Among the goths, art-punks, and lo-fi freaks were plenty of rude boys and rude girls. And yet for some reason, the story of ska in the US is nearly wiped clean from the oral history of American music during the ’80s. You even had bands like Fishbone—who mostly played ska at the time—and The Untouchables signed to major labels! Not only are these ska stories an important piece of the musical landscape, but they also help explain how ska seemingly popped up out of nowhere in the mid-90s—it was bubbling just under the mainstream for a decade and a half.

Our guest today, Marc Wasserman wrote the book Ska-Boom!: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History, which chronicles this lost decade of ska music. His book, which you can order here, is exhaustive in its research and plentiful in its interviews and tells the origin stories of several key US ska bands during the 80s—some familiar like The Toasters and Bim Skala Bim, some obscure like The Boilers and The Boxboys. His incredible book will show you not just that ska was popular during this time period, but that it was an amazing scene.

In the episode, we talk to Marc about his book, which includes a mindboggling and short segment on Cyndi Lauper’s debut album (It started ska!) And lots of other interesting, unlikely cameos by folks like Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits. We also talk about Marc’s musical projects, including his collaboration with Sal Polichetti, the guy that wrote and sang the viral hit, “Jesus is My Friend.” There was even talk of doing a split release with the evil ones themselves, Mephiskapheles. But that never happened. What a shame!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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In Defense of Ska Ep. 25: Catbite (Tim Hildebrand, Brit Luna, Chris Pires) Jul 07, 2021

Philadelphia 4-piece ska band Catbite have only been together a couple of years, but for a lot of people—and I’m one of them—they are one the top new bands currently in the genre. This is largely due to how incredible their debut 2019 album turned out. The band seemingly came out the gate, fully formed, with a unique approach to ska that incorporated power-pop, soul, and garage-rock elements, with amazing songwriting, killer musicianship, and fantastic vocals.

But now a couple of years later, Catbite has finally released their sophomore full-length, Nice One. It is absolutely a better album, both in terms of songwriting and production value, and that’s saying a lot. The record will release on Bad Time Records on August 6th. You can pre-order it right now.

On this episode, we chat with Catbite about their new album. But we also get the full story on how they found Mannequin Pussy’s stolen van, we learn about Tim Hildebrand’s old band, The Snails, and how the Future Islands guys basically forced them to stop using the name (Not cool dudes!). And of course, we dig into the two alternative versions of Catbite’s debut album: The hardcore version (Catfite), and the Yee-Haw version (Catlite). But unfortunately, they wouldn’t tell us which style they’re going to do next!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 24: Nick LaVallee (Wicked Joyful) Jun 30, 2021

Many of us collected action figures as kids. And guess what, it’s OK to keep on collecting them, especially if you’re buying the offbeat variety that you can't find at Toys r us: Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze’s Chippendales dancers. Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, Will Forte’s SNL character Macgruber, or Bill Burr’s Star Wars character, but with a heavy emphasis on his Boston accent (Wicked Awesome!) These unique and creative custom action figures are the work of Nick LaVallee (Wicked Joyful). They are awesome! Some even go to absurd lengths, like Eminem’s “Mom’s Spaghetti.”

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Nick walks us through his life as a ska musician turned comedian turned custom one-of-a-kind toy designer. Wicked Joyful has gotten a lot of attention in the past year, with several celebrities purchasing or even specifically requesting Nick’s figures. If you follow him on Instagram, you can easily see why. We also talk about his weird contribution to the Big D and the Kids Table universe, how he got Adam to start wearing shirts that were too tight, and what pro-ska joke he used to tell on stage back when he did comedy.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 23: Chuck Askerneese (The Untouchables) Jun 23, 2021

In Los Angeles, in the early ’80s, you would see rows of scooters on the street outside of ska shows. Inside the clubs, kids would be dressed in their best suits. And there was a full-on mod revival happening. At the heart of this local scene was The Untouchables, one of the best bands in the US ska scene at the time. And one of LA’s biggest bands in the ’80s. Unfortunately, they never made it to that next level. But in the DIY world at that time, they were huge.

The Untouchables played a unique blend of 2 Tone inspired ska, poppy reggae, and upbeat Northern soul. Their love for scooter and mod fashion was front and center, so much that they wrote an early song called “Ska mods.” Their history is particularly interesting. They appeared in several low-budget films, most notably Repo Man. At one point they were managed by Ramon Estevez (Emilio and Charlie Sheen’s younger brother) and even played some birthday shows at Martin Sheen’s house in Malibu. And while they could not get any interest from any US label despite incredible success in the indie world, UK label Stiff Records showed up at one of their shows and signed them.

On the episode, we chat with The Untouchables lead singer Chuck Askerneese. We dig into The Untouchables’ unique history as part of the American DIY musical landscape in the ’80s. He tells us all the crazy twists and turns of their career. And we also discuss Chuck’s post-Untouchables career as a Hollywood property master. He’s worked on several Adam Sandler films and currently works on the TV show This Is Us. He even plays in a band with Adam Sandler. But the real question is…does Adam Sandler like ska?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 22: Elliot Babin (Touche Amore, Dad Punchers, Warm Thoughts) Jun 16, 2021

Touche Amore drummer Elliot Babin wasn’t always a post-hardcore kid. In Fact, he spent many of his formative years on the Aquabats forum in the early 2000s. He’s even an official aquacadet. And for Elliot, t’s not just the Aquabats. He’s a big-time ska fan and he’s not afraid to shout it from the mountain tops, no matter what the rest of his music peers think of the genre.

Elliot joins us on this episode of In Defense of Ska to lay out—in full detail—his ska roots. We learned that the Aquabats forum played a major role in his life, and even led to him landing the gig as Touche Amore’s drummer. We also talk about his friendship with Joyce Manor’s Barry Johnson, his solo project Warm Thoughts (Formerly Dad Punchers) and we learn what ska band he plans to show his Touche Amore bandmates the next time they hit the road. It’s not going to be Aquabats this time around.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 21: Tara Hahn (Half Past Two) with her aunt Heather McNeil Jun 09, 2021

SoCal ska band Half Past Two have a lot of great songs. But there’s something particularly special about their track “Heather.” It’s a simple track about lead singer Tara Hahn’s aunt, Heather McNeil. Heather played a fundamental role in Tara’s life. She introduced her to ska. In the late 90s, she started lending Tara her ska CDs and eventually started taking her to ska shows. Without Heather, Tara may not have become a ska superfan, and likely wouldn’t now be singing in Half Past Two.

It’s a relatable story for many of us. Most ska fans have that person in their lives that introduced them to ska and made them fans for life. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we peel back the layers of Half Past Two’s tune, “Heather,” and hear both Tara and Heather’s side of the story. And in the process, we get an intimate glimpse of the OC ska scene in the late 90s.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 20: Reade Wolcott (We Are The Union) Jun 02, 2021

On April 23, ska-punk band We Are The Union, released one of its greatest singles of the band’s career: A catchy ska-punk tune called “Morbid Obsessions.” The song was also released alongside a huge announcement: We Are The Union’s lead singer Reade Wolcott was coming out as a trans woman. And the song “Morbid Obsessions” spoke to this journey openly, directly, and with plenty of emotion. And so far the ska community has embraced Reade’s announcement with open arms.

The tune was the lead single off of We Are The Union’s new album, Ordinary Life, set to release on June 4, 2021. It is a phenomenal record that will not only elevate the ska-punk genre but expand its borders. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we talk with Reade about the new record, her journey to be her true self, and some other fun We Are The Union stories over the past decade. Fun pancake-themed kickstarter campaign videos anyone?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 19: Tim Cappello (Tina Turner, Carly Simon, Peter Gabriel, Lost Boys) May 26, 2021

Has there been an 80s movie more iconic than The Lost Boys? Has there ever been a scene as legendary as the Boardwalk scene, where an oiled-up, muscular sax man wails through The Call’s “I Still Believe”?

No, there has not.

The sax man in question, Tim Cappello has become a cult icon. Synthwave bands invite him to play on their tracks, and TV shows, like The Break with Michelle Wolf, invite him on to harken back to that classic scene. And he’s huge on the convention circuit. Everyone wants a signed Lost Boys photo. But Tim Cappello is so much more than all this—he’s a phenomenal musician with an amazing resume that includes Tina Turner, Carly Simon, and Peter Gabriel.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we spend some time getting to know the musician side of Tim Cappello. We of course begin the conversation by talking about ska and asking him technical saxophone questions. But then we hear all about Carly Simon’s intense stage fright, how Tina Turner bought him his first codpiece, how he landed an unlikely gig backing comedian Billy Crystal, and we learn about one of his bands that were so outrageous, they were banned from CBGB’s. We also get into his iconic Lost Boys scene. We learn how he got the role and all the details behind the recording of the scene. It’s an amazing conversation.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 18: Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy) May 19, 2021

Patrick Stump is used to playing for huge crowds. His band Fall Out Boy plays massive venues. But when he was younger, he was quite shy. So in order to go see Reel Big Fish, a band he loved dearly, he had to work through his social anxiety. Once there, he found an unassuming spot in the back of the venue and danced to his favorite genre of music: ska.

During the 90s, Patrick loved ska quite a bit. As a drummer, it was his go-to style to play. And though he didn’t go to a lot of shows, when he did, it was usually to see a ska band play. It was his introduction to the wide world of music. Years later, his own music would get associated with mid-2000s emo, but he got there through ska. Some of the bands that took him there were of the more obscure variety. Animal Chin, for instance, was formative for him to not only expand his musical tastes but also teach him how to be a singer. When Fall Out Boy tours, he will occasionally soundcheck with Animal Chin songs.

In this episode, we hear Patrick’s untold story about his love for ska. Surprisingly, it’s not been talked about before. Ska was such a significant part of his formative years, both related to his development as a person, and his development as a musician, it’s actually a very important part of his story. We talk about which ska bands got him into the genre, how often he listened to Chuck Wren’s radio show, and what he thinks about Misfits of Ska 2. We also find out that Patrick has a folder of ska tunes he recorded on his computer. But will he ever release them?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 17: Kamala Lyn Parks (Book Your Own Fucking Life, Plot 66) May 12, 2021

In 1989, east bay punk musician and booker Kamala Lyn Parks was getting a ton of calls from bands asking if she’d book a tour for them. She didn’t even know most of them! She was so fed up with the unsolicited calls, she vented about it to Maximum RocknRoll founder Tim Yohannan: “I want to tell these bands to go book their own f*****g tour.” Tim, amused by her outburst, suggested she write an article telling these bands just how to book their own tours.

This article was so popular, it would ultimately inspire the Maximum Rocknroll standalone magazine “Book Your Own F*****g Life,” which single-handedly got thousands of ska and punk bands on the road in the 90s and enabled them to string together amazing DIY shows in basements, backyards and rented halls across the country. Kamala had plenty of experience booking tours.

By the time she’d written the article in the late 80s, she’d been booking DIY tours for nearly 4 years. It was a no-mans-land back then. And she built her tour connections from scratch. But, because she assembled these connections with a lot of care, love, and patience, she was able to help create a DIY touring network.

Kamala, our guest on this episode of “In Defense of Ska,” talks about the many amazing bands she booked in the 80s and 90s, including Operation Ivy—their one and only US tour. We also talk about Book Your Own F*****g Life, and of course 924 Gilman. It was her and Victor Hayden who spotted the building and convinced Tim Yohannan to use it for an all-ages DIY venue. We also talk about her numerous bands, and we dig into one infamous night at Gilman when all the punk rockers banded together and beat the s**t out of a group of Nazis that had been harassing people at Gilman for some time. Spoiler alert: They never returned after they got their asses kicked.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 16: Jeff Rosenstock (Bomb The Music Industry, Arrogant Sons of Bitches, Death Rosenstock) May 05, 2021

In 2016 some group calling themselves Skankral Ska Hotel released an all ska version of Neutral Milk Hotel’s indie opus In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. Interesting concept, terrible execution—deliberately so—with ska being the punchline. But imagine if a band made an all ska version of a classic album, but did it well. This is exactly what Jeff Rosenstock did. And the brilliant album he turned into ska, was his own, the critically acclaimed 2020 release NO DREAM.

He called the album SKA DREAM and presented it potentially as an April Fool’s joke, with absurd ska pun titles and 2 Tone dancing figures pasted on the original NO DREAM album cover. But SKA DREAM was real—a reverse Skankral Ska Hotel, an amazing bittersweet ska album, with clever structural choices and layers of instrumentation, the product of copious guest performances and quarantine style recordings. Everyone involved emanates so much joy, which clashes—in the best way possible—with Rosenstock’s depressing NO DREAM lyrics. And every bit of humor on the record is done with love towards ska, not making fun of the genre.

Jeff Rosenstock is our guest on today’s episode of In Defense of Ska. We spend some time dissecting SKA DREAM. But we also talk about what it’s been like for him to sneak in the back door of hipster indie rock cred, and why credible journalists like to ask him about his 1:30 minute-long ska song “Rainbow.” We also get the full scoop on Jeff’s greatest side project of all time: Shitfinger.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 15: Slapstick (Brendan Kelly, Rob Kellenberger) Apr 28, 2021

Ska-hating punk rockers will permit a few ska bands in their playlist. Operation Ivy, of course, is fine. Also, Chicago’s Slapstick is a perfectly fine ska band. Like Operation Ivy, they were a short-lived, gritty punk band that also happened to play ska. But in the case of Slapstick, it was in the mid-90s during the ska-boom, and they had a raging horn section.

Slapstick could have been huge. They were offered a contract with Epitaph, which they turned down. They broke up not long after. Who knows what would have been if they’d released an Epitaph-backed record in 1997. What we do know is that the members went on to form several amazing, and successful bands in the ashes of Slapstick’s demise: Alkaline Trio, Lawrence Arms, Tuesday, The Broadways, and many others.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we chat with Slapstick singer Brendan Kelly and drummer Rob Kellenberger. They explain in detail why they refused to sign to Epitaph, and reflect on whether that was a mistake or not. We talk about a few Slapstick shows that were in some of the shittiest venues imaginable and bring up a little nod the band got in the recently released Netflix horror film, Uncle Peckerhead. We also discuss the band’s reunion gig at Asian Man Records 15-year anniversary show and find out which band from the Slapstick family tree both Brendan and Rob think was the best.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 14: Jeremy Hunter (Skatune Network, JER, We Are The Union) Apr 21, 2021

In December 2016, multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Hunter got bored and decided to record a ska cover of “Feliz Navidad,” calling it “Feliz NaviSKA.” This silly idea got a lot of eyeballs, way more than they anticipated, so Jeremy kept recording ska covers of songs by Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Blink 182 and other groups. The views continued to grow. This was the birth of SkaTune Network, a YouTube channel with nearly 200,000 subscribers, and several viral videos.

Jeremy is our guest on In Defense of Ska. They have shocked countless people outside of the ska scene who’ve assumed the music is dead, and can’t fathom how Jeremy has so many fans. SkaTune Network has also become an entry point for ska that has brought thousands of people to the genre. Additionally, Jeremy also plays trombone in the band We Are The Union and creates original music as “Jer.”

On today’s episode, we walk through Jeremy’s career in ska, focusing on several key moments in their life, including the Talent Farm, their introduction to Community Records, and joining We Are The Union. We also discuss Jeremy’s time at Waffle House, winning PUP’s “Free at Last” cover competition, and that controversial TikTok video they made that argues why you should pour your milk before your cereal.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep. 13: Duck (Joystick!) Apr 14, 2021

“I’m new and improved. So much better than I used to be. I was an awful alcoholic. I was a shitty drunk, and fucked up on drugs.”

These are Duck’s words from the song “Rinse and Repeat” off the new Joystick album, I Can’t Take It Anymore (release date April 16). It, the band’s 4th full length, is a great skacore album, with a heavy dose of hardcore, mixed with an almost jazzy style of ska. If there were ever any doubts that ska-punk is more than just silly music, this album puts thoughts to rest. It’s a very serious, very personal, and very heavy ska-punk album.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Duck, the lead singer of Joystick, joins us to talk about I Can’t Take It Anymore. He also talks about getting sober, what life has been like on the other side, and how challenging and rewarding it was to make that decision. We get into the nitty-gritty of how Joystick created that perfectly surreal album cover. We also ask him questions provided to us by several Bad Time Records bands. One of them involves a strange story at the “Cat S**t House.”

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 12: Leanor Ortega Till (Five Iron Frenzy) Apr 07, 2021

A decade ago, the idea of crowd-funding a record was still somewhat novel. One of the earliest successes was, in 2011, when Christian ska band Five Iron Frenzy used Kickstarter to raise over $200,000 for a new album—their goal was $30,000. For a lot of people, this seemed out of nowhere. Who was still listening to—not just ska—but Christian ska? A lot of people were.

But Five Iron Frenzy was not just part of some specific, niche Christian ska scene. They’d built a loyal, hardcore fanbase by operating entirely in their own sphere. Rather than choose between the insular Christian world and the non-Christian ska scene, they utilized both, and anywhere in-between. They created a space that made weirdo, outcast punk rock Christians, and lovers of ska feel like they had somewhere they belonged.

Our guest today is Five Iron Frenzy’s saxophonist Leanor Ortega Till, who has played with the group since its formation in 1995. We talk about what it was like to be the only Christian band on the Ska Against Racism tour. We also talk about her role as producer on the film Pick It Up! - Ska in The 90s. The conversation gets pretty deep, and Leanor explains how she and the group have been, and are at odds with the current mainstream Christian Conservative movement. She says that this group only represents a small segment of Christians in this country. And she gives a pretty compelling argument of why other Christians fed up with the bigotry and polarization happening in mainstream Christian conservatism shouldn’t abandon their faith.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 11: Thou (Bryan Funck, Mitch Wells) Mar 31, 2021

For the last fifteen years, Louisiana doom metal band Thou has filled eardrums with unsettling noise, and guttural screams. They are a magnificent group, one of the few sludge metal bands that gets accolades from music critics at typically-tame venues like NPR. However great this attention has been, the critics at NPR have failed to ask Thou one specific, but incredibly important question: Do they like ska? The answer is a little complicated.

To help unravel this complicated question, Thou lead singer Bryan Funck and bassist Mitch Wells were kind enough to join us on In Defense of Ska. They promised to explain their positions on ska and go into detail about their personal connections with the genre. And it’s a fascinating journey.

In this episode, Bryan walks us through the various ska-punk bands he was once a fan of back in the 90s. He even made us a two-hour ska-punk mixtape that included detailed linear notes! Mitch, on the other hand, gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of the awesome Bad Operation videos he shot last year during the pandemic. We also discuss Bryan’s affinity towards juvenile pranks, what Mitch likes to do to celebrate 311 Day, the infamous folder filled with unused touring connections that inspired a brutal Thou song, and which Operation Ivy songs they’d cover if they HAD to

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 10: Clemente Ruiz (Evoekore Media, La Resistencia) Mar 24, 2021

Los Angeles has one of the best ska scenes in the country. A huge part of that is because, in LA’s Latino neighborhoods, ska is really popular. Over the past decade, festivals like Los Angeles Skawars & L.A. Skacore Invasion have brought thousands of kids out to local parks and underground spaces to skank with all their might and sing along to their favorite bands. These festivals are strictly DIY and showcase mostly local bilingual ska bands, as well as groups from Mexico, and occasionally bands from the larger US ska scene. And at the heart of this vibrant ska scene is Clemente Ruiz.

Clemente would rather not refer to himself as a promoter. He prefers to think of what he does as event production. Besides he does a whole lot more than just put on shows. He drums in the ska-punk band La Resistencia, and he’s involved with various sides of the music industry, like audio engineering, photography, and content creation. With the live shows, he never got into it to make money; it was born out of necessity. In the early 2000s, the LA Latino ska bands were playing backyard parties and random one-off spaces. When they’d approach big venues, they were told, “We don’t book Spanish rock here.” Rather than get discouraged, they built their own scene.

And what a scene it is! I visited Los Angeles Skawars in 2015 and was blown away by how much fun it was, and how fresh the music felt. I couldn’t believe that literally thousands of kids were at a mostly-local ska festival, and excited about it—in 2015! It gave me so much hope about the future of ska.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, we talk to Clemente about how this scene got started, and why it grew into such a healthy, consistent scene (as opposed to something trendy like what happened to ska in Orange County in the 90s.) We also talk about his ongoing working relationship with Travis Barker, The Deftones, Pepe Aguilar—and that one time he got to work with Post Malone. He also brings up that time he played drums with Stevie Wonder.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 9: Steve Choi (RX Bandits, The Chinkees) Mar 17, 2021

The late ’90s were a busy time for Steve Choi. While he was playing drums in the punk band The Blockheads—a band that Lookout Records were considering signing—Mike Park invited him to join his new all-Asian ska-punk group The Chinkees. At the same time, he moved to Santa Cruz and filled in on various instruments with Slow Gherkin. Oh and somewhere in there, he played keyboards with The Specials for a tour.

As a child, Steve was given a formal education in music. But ska and punk music allowed him to let go of all the complex training, and feel music on a deep, fundamental level. But eventually, he would learn how to bridge these worlds. That moment came when he joined Southern California ska-punk band RX Bandits in the early 2000s.

As he joined the group, they were moving away from ska, and going into much more musical intricate territory. Steve was able to take his formal training, and apply it to punk. He helped RX Bandits forge a whole new identity, one that initially sparked a backlash amongst some of their ska fans, but would eventually find a fan base that had longevity as the years went on.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Steve talks about his early days playing ska and punk. He also describes the philosophy that guided RX Bandits when he joined and talks about his time producing beats, most notably for rapper Lil Peep. We also discuss the physically demanding Plea For Peace bicycle tour he did, his process for creating content for his new podcast, The Musician’s Guild, and how he and Mike Park ended up creating a new Chinkees EP in 2020.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 8: Brian Diaz (Edna's Goldfish, The Reunion Show) Mar 10, 2021

In 1999, Long Island ska band Edna’s Goldfish got a few plays on MTV with the video for their ultra-catchy song “Veronica Sawyer.” Behind the scenes, the group was being courted by major labels wanting to “take them to the next level.” But the band’s indifference to label support and the changing tides away from ska in the mainstream ultimately flat-lined any of these plans. They broke up in 2000 with no record deal to hold on to.

Our guest today is Edna’s Goldfish’s lead singer Brian Diaz, who would go on to form a few other bands after Goldfish, but in 2003, would make the transition to guitar/bass tech for prominent bands such as Fall Out Boy, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Primus and Motion City Soundtrack. Basically, Diaz has been on the road for a couple of decades now! Though this past year, with live music canceled, he’s been at home more than he can remember ever doing in this free time. That’s given him the free time to dig up and digitize old Edna’s Goldfish footage, something he’s wanted to do for years.

It also afforded him the time to chat with Adam and me about his ska past. We talk about the time Edna’s Goldfish toured with Link 80 on what was supposed to be a Buck ‘O Nine headlining tour. Buck left the tour after their bassist had a medical emergency, but Edna and Link 80 continued on regardless. We also discuss the story behind Veronica Sawyer, we reveal what ska band Patrick Strump (Fall Out Boy) loves, and what it was like to have Atlantic Records wining and dining Edna’s Goldfish over a plate of shark.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep. 7: Alex Begay (The Crack Shack) Mar 03, 2021

Touring as an indie musician often leads to playing unexpected spaces. When my band, Flat Planet, toured the US in the mid-90s, we played skate parks, backyards, public parks, recording studios, trailer parks, and one time we played in the middle of the desert, thirty miles from Las Vegas with nothing but a generator and a few lights. Adam Davis, co-host of this podcast, also played a ton of DIY spaces while touring with Link 80 in the late 90s and early 2000s. Of all venues he played, one of his all-time favorite spots was “The Crack Shack,” an abandoned house in Tuba City, which is a small city on the Navajo Nation Reservation in Arizona.

The Crack Shack only lasted from 1999 till 2003, but it housed a raging punk scene that left an impact on Adam. Years later, Adam found one of the main Crack Shack promoters, Alex Begay, on MySpace. Alex not only promoted shows at The Crack Shack, but he played in the Tuba City punk band Downplay—at the time, the only punk band in town.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Adam and Alex reminisce on The Crack Shack days. And try to understand why oftentimes, it’s the punk rock venues in the least likely, most off-the-radar spots, that have the best scenes. Alex talks about The Crack Shack’s history, what lead to it being shut down, about the time he enjoyed Navajo Tacos with Vic Ruggeiro (Slackers), and we also discuss the time Glenn Danzig got socked in the face in Tuba City. That wasn’t at The Crack Shack though.

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If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep. 6: Brent Lawrence Friedman (We Are The Union, Bad Time Records) Feb 24, 2021

Brent Lawrence Friedman has seen all sides of the music industry. He’s booked tours and done marketing for various ska and punk band (MxPx, Goldfinger, Five Iron Frenzy, Mr. T. Experience). His current gig is “merch fulfillment” for Skatune Network, Kill Lincoln, and other ska groups. He also plays drums in the group We Are The Union. When he’s not doing any of those things, he’s frantically posting about ska on social media, and getting tagged in literally every ska meme—a role he’s come to embrace. His Instagram and Twitter handle is @pleasetagmeinyourskaposts.

I first interviewed Brent (along with Jeremy Andrew Hunter) back in 2018 for my book, In Defense of Ska. We Are The Union were on tour with Reel Big Fish, and so I chatted with them backstage at their Reno show. I wanted to get both of their takes on what it’s like to be entirely identified for liking ska, to have everyone refer to you as a “ska person,” and to feverishly tag you in all online ska content. For Brent, his non-stop online ska talk started as a joke, but he saw that some people were genuinely appreciating his ska persona.

“The ska thing is always a butt end of the joke. After a while it started annoying me to where I started defending ska on social media,” Brent told me. “I started talking about ska a lot. I became an exaggerated version of what these people thought I was. Then ska kids in bands across the country would tell me, ‘Man I love that you defend ska so hard.’ Apparently, this is making some people happy. I’m just going to keep f*****g doing it.”

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Brent tells us the full story of how he went from We Are The Union super-fan to being their drummer. He gives us some insight on the business side of DIY ska including a glimpse behind the scenes of We Are The Union’s Self-Care Kickstarter campaign, and how he came to book the infamous Jesse Michaels/Leftover Crack concert that was eventually covered in Vice. We also talk about how truly awful most ska jokes are when they come from ska-haters. Can’t they at least learn a little bit about the music and subculture first?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 5: Barry Johnson (Joyce Manor) Feb 17, 2021

Music critics love Joyce Manor’s blend of Jawbreaker, The Smiths, Guided By Voices and Weezer—and cite these influences with delight. But in every conversation music bloggers have about the band, they fail to mention the role that ska has had on Joyce Manor singer-songwriter Barry Johnson.

Skaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

As a teenager, Barry fell in love with ska. His introduction to indie rock even came from getting into Asian Man Records ska bands (MU330, Slow Gherkin) and then checking out some of the non-ska bands on the label. The first band of note he played in, Kid Gruesome, was highly influenced by Operation Ivy, making his first batch of songs he wrote ska-punk. He maintains that learning how to write ska songs, had a huge impact on his songwriting style.

When I interviewed Barry for my book, In Defense of Ska, he had this to say: “Learning how ska works makes you a better songwriter,” Johnson says. “Like how a ska bassline dives in. The role of the guitar in a ska band is way different than a rock band…countermelody, dynamics. How to make a song move and be infectious. If you’ve never tried to write a ska song, you’re doing yourself a disservice.”

Ska ska ska

Barry was kind enough to let me and Adam interview him on the podcast. He breaks down his ska past in detail, including the story of the mysterious kid who wore all black and sang an incredible acapella rendition of The Aquabats’ “The Cat With 2 Heads.” Barry also talks about his ongoing creative relationship with The Impossibles’ Rory Phillips, and how Goldfinger’s John Feldmann almost produced a Joyce Manor record.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 4: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin: (Link 80, Scream) Feb 10, 2021

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin was a founding member of East Bay ska-core band Link 80. The band members started playing together in 1993 while they were young teens. Their first album, 17 Reasons, was released in 1997 on Asian Man Records—the first official release on the label not including albums that were brought over from Dill Records. 17 Reasons is a truly unique ska-punk record that blends hardcore, street punk, ska and filters it through an abrasive Gilman vibe and has surprisingly loose grooves mixed in with its intense punk rock explosions.

The group gained some notoriety for being the ska-punk band that romance novelist Danielle Steel’s son Nick Traina fronted, but this factoid was much less interesting than the band’s music, and who they were together as a group. They toured relentlessly and maintained a loyal cult audience, but never got mainstream attention. They also didn’t fit in with other ska bands at their time but would influence the sound of ska-core in the 2000s and beyond.

Matt quit the band in 1998, but went on to a successful career in Hollywood, directing films. His next movie, Scream (also referred to as Scream 5), is set to release in January 2022. The film features much of the original cast from the original 1996 film.

On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Matt talks about Link 80’s origins, what it was like touring with the band. He also delves into his friendship with Nick Traina, and answers the big question on everyone’s mind: Will there be ska Easter eggs in the new Scream film?

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep. 3: Slow Gherkin (James Rickman, A.J. Marquez, Phil Boutelle) Feb 03, 2021

Santa Cruz, California is best known for its primo surf spots and as the location of the classic 80s horror-comedy The Lost Boys. You can still hear reverberations of “sexy sax man” Tim Cappello singing “I still believe” right there on the outdoor stage at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. But during the 90s, ask any local what band best defined the city, and they would without a doubt say Slow Gherkin.

Though they never reach a large national audience, Slow Gherkin were local legends. Even when they throw together reunion shows, you can be assured they will pack the largest venues in the city. But it’s a shame the rest of the world never had Slow Gherkin fever in quite the same way. The group was one of the most original mid-90s ska bands out there, a time when many people felt that ska was oversaturating the market. Gherkin mixed New Wave hooks, syncopated Fugazi breakdowns, and sad indie rock laments with some of the most fun, cathartic ska of its era.

In this episode of In Defense of Ska, Adam and I talk to three members of Gherkin: James Rickman, A.J. Marquez, and Phil Boutelle. We chat about their early days in Santa Cruz, the time John Avila (Oingo Boingo) approached them in New York to work on some tunes, and debate whether their 2002 album Run Screaming was a deliberate move away from ska or not.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep. 2: Keith Lowell Jensen (Punching Nazis and Other Good Ideas, Not For Rehire) Jan 27, 2021

I met comedian Keith Lowell Jensen shortly after I moved to Sacramento in 2013. We first got to know each other when I interviewed him for the local newspaper, Sacramento News and Review, but soon became friends. Before the pandemic, we were getting wieners on a regular basis. (It technically started as hot dogs for lunch, but soon wieners became synonymous with hanging out)

Of the many things we bonded over, a mutual love for ska was high on the list, especially when Keith learned I was writing a book about ska. He insisted that I include him in the book with a chapter called “My Friend Keith Likes Ska.” That didn’t happen, but here we are a few months before In Defense of Ska releases and “My Friend Keith Likes Ska” is now a reality—as a podcast episode.

Keith always hires a clown for his birthday parties

In this episode, Keith talks about local Sacramento band Filibuster (Who Keith attempted to manage for a minute), his love for Fishbone (He was at that crazy Warfield show at the beginning of Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone), and a slew of other topics. One highlight this week comes by way of co-host Adam Davis, who revealed that his childhood church had a “No Skaw dancing” policy at their dances. Scandalous!

Check out Keith’s latest special Not For Rehire on Amazon Prime and leave a review.

Also be sure to pick up his book Punching Nazis and Other Good Ideas.

Keith also has a podcast. Make sure you listen to the episode when he brings on In Defense of Ska author Aaron Carnes.

Follow Keith on Twitter. His next book, What I Was Arrested For will be available for pre-order soon. It’s getting released by Clash Books—my book publisher!

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Defense of Ska Ep 1: Flat Planet (Aaron Carnes, Adam Davis) Jan 20, 2021

Raise your hand if you’ve never been in a ska band.

I don’t see many hands up. That’s because most of us have been in a ska band at one point in our lives. And no matter how big (or small) that band was, it was really important. To you, at least.

My band, Flat Planet, went on three DIY tours, released 2 demo tapes, and recorded a full-length album that was never released. If you’re not from Gilroy, California, and you happened to have heard of us, then you likely heard our song “Mr. Goodbuddy” on the Misfits of Ska II compilation, or maybe you heard the couple of songs we contributed to the Bay Area Ska compilation.

Even though we never had a large fan base, the couple of years I played drums in Flat Planet, were some of the most important years of my life. I even met my wife on our second tour. I devoted a couple of chapters in my book “In Defense of Ska” strictly to telling Flat Planet stories. (It’s my book, I can do what I want!)

In this, the first episode of my In Defense of Ska podcast, I chat with fellow Gilroy musician and longtime friend Adam Davis about Flat Planet. He was in the band for only a short period, but he was a fan and a friend during our early years. After the band, he went on to play to larger audiences as the guitarist for Link 80.

In the coming weeks, Adam and I will interview people from the ska scene. But for this episode, we thought we’d start by just chatting, only the two of us, about Gilroy’s great one-and-only ska band, Flat Planet.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon!

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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