In Defense of Ska

Latest Episodes:

In Defense of Ska Behind The Curtain: I Worked at Asian Man Records w/ Skylar Suorez Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

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
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In Defense of Ska Ep 132: Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz, Sad13) Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 131: Fred Reiter (New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, The Toasters, The Scofflaws, The N.Y. Citizens) Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 130: Tom May (The Menzingers, Bob And The Sagets) Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 129: Joe Genaro (The Dead Milkmen, The Low Budgets, Joe Jack Talcum, Touch Me Zoo) Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

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!

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: Asian Man Records Sneak Peak w/ Mike Huguenor Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 128: Fred Armisen (Trenchmouth, The KGB, Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, Documentary Now!) Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 127: GG Guerra (Soul glo, Gatherers) Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 126: Bad Operation (Greg Rodrigue, Daniel "D-Ray" Ray) Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

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!

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 125: Joe Gittleman (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Avoid One Thing, Gang Green, SideOneDummy Records Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

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!

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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