In Defense of Ska

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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

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.

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.

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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!

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

Show notes

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.

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.

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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