In Defense of Ska

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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.

Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB
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In Defense of Ska Ep 140: Bill Stevenson (The Descendants, All, Black Flag, The Blasting Room, Higley) Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 139: Jorge Pezzimenti (The Loving Paupers, The Pietasters, The Legwarmers, The Decepticonz) Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 138: Steve Douglas (GWAR, The Resignators, Mud Helmut, Log, The Shiners) Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 137: Open Mike Eagle Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

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!

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: I Worked at Asian Man Records w/ Lazlo Happenstance Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 136: Ian Fowles (The Aquabats!, Death By Stereo) Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 135: Sam Grinberg (The Simpsons, Scumburbia) Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 134: Popes of Chillitown (Matthew Conner, Arvin Bancil, Thiago Trosso) Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 133: Scott Klopfenstein (Reel Big Fish, The Littlest Man Band, Nuckle Brothers, The Scholars) Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

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!

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

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