In Defense of Ska

The Chains are a new ska band out of Denmark. Their sound leans more into the trad ska, rock steady, boss reggae style of the music. They put out an incredible LP last year called Crying On The Dancefloor, and they are set to play Supernova International Ska Festival this year. Even though they are new, the members have been involved in the Denmark ska scene for many decades. This week, we talk to three members of the group to learn about their awesome album, their formation, recording techniques and opinions on ska. Plus, we also get a full history of ska in Denmark. We also learn about the band’s connection to RX Bandit/Link 80 member Steve Borth. 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

Today we ask the question that is on everyone’s mind? What exactly is the sub-genre known as crack rock steady? We discuss the musical elements of the style, the aesthetics, lyrics and who the main (and lesser known) groups in this scene are. But since Aaron and Adam are not crack rock steady experts, they brought on an expert—author/ska fan, Jeff Burk We of course talk about Choking Victim/Leftover Crack. But we also talk about other important groups like Public Serpents, No Cash, Team Spider, The Stupid Stupid Henchmen, Beng Beng Cocktail, From the Cradle to the Rave and many others. We also talk about the Stza problem, which band is Jeff’s favorite and look at where the genre is now. Plus, we find out Jeff’s connection to the book, In Defense of 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab Read less 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

When people say they want ska to come back, what they’re really saying is they want ska music to be pop music once again. If that ever happened again, it wouldn’t sound like 90s ska-pop (ie Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, Mighty Mighty Bosstones). The reason: Pop music has completely changed. So, would kind of ska would fit into the current stratosphere of pop? This is the theme of our conversation with Catbite and producer Sarah Tudzin as we discuss their new EP, Doom Garden. The record is incredible, and in my opinion, fits the sound of current moment of pop, while also honoring the traditions of ska. I have no idea if the EP will reach a pop audience, but I do think it warrants a conversation about its pop elements. The producer, Sarah Tudzin is a former guest of the podcast, plays in the band Illuminati Hotties, and has produced big indie artists like Weyes Blood, Boygenius and Speedy Ortiz. So we get to analyze the EP from all angles. Plus, we talk about Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump’s feature on “Tired Of Talk,” how they nearly got Tierra Whack on the record, and the influential role that Ashlee Simpson and “Jingle Bell Rock” played. 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

Back in the mid-90s, ska was on the rise in the US. A new band formed in San Jose, CA that played ska-punk and pop-punk tunes. They were called Smash Mouth. Oh, they did have one garage-pop song on their debut record. That song, “Walking On The Sun” blew up on alternative radio. Smash Mouth hasn’t played any ska since. That is until a recent single—a ska cover of The Beatles, “Love Me Do.” In celebration of Smash Mouth’s return to ska, we talk to Paul De Lisle, their bassist—and only current original member—about the band’s ska years in the mid-90s. We cover their formation, the grinding years and their debut album, Fush Yu Mang, which was recorded independently and later picked up by Interscope Records. Lots of great San Jose content in this episode too, including Taco Bravo, Dot 3, Frontier Wives, Cactus Club, Laundry Works, and Monkey. Plus, we learn all about the original members of Smash Mouth’s early ’90s 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

For most of his life, the legendary Bob Marley was actually something of a cult artist. After his death in 1981, though, his popularity only grew and grew. Now, he stands as a bonafide icon. On this episode of In Defense of Ska, Bob Marley expert Roger Steffens joins the podcast to chat about where Marley's legacy stands in 2025. Listen now. From his hugely popular posthumous album Legend to last year's biopic One Love, every year it seems like the reggae icon gains even more fans. Steffens -- who has penned several books on Marley, including the 2017 definitive oral history So Much Things to Say -- has some thoughts as to why. The crew discusses One Love and analyzes several other key moments from the past 40 years that have elevated Marley’s place in culture. Steffens also leads the gang down several fascinating side journeys, like Marley’s relationship to U.S. soul artist Johnny Nash. 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

Kayleigh “Kmoy” Malloy released The Precure Album in 2021. It’s a brilliant, ska concept album that could be described as “Laptop Ska.” That’s changed. Now Kmoy is a full band with guitars and drums. And it sounds incredible. But something else is happening in the world of Kmoy. The Precure Album is finally getting a vinyl release. You can pre-order it here! This week we talk to Kayleigh (and Anj Capizzi, who did the art for the vinyl re-issue) about The Precure Album, Kmoy the Band and what it’s been like for Kayleigh since she’s transitioned. We also talk about the art book, the mix on the record, a few key songs on Precure, and we get to hear Kayleigh’s riveting Jeff Rosenstock story. Plus, we get the full story of Kmoy The Band’s cover of “Shed Some Skin” by Slow Gherkin. 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

Maybe it’s not fair to call Los Fabulosos Cadillacs a ska band. They blend the genres with reggae, rock and various Latin rhythms. However, when they started in the mid-80s, they were strictly a ska band. Their rise in popularity helped create a movement of ska in Latin America. So today, we talk with one of the group’s founders, sax player Sergio Rotman. We discuss how the oppressive politics of Argentina at the time informed their music, and how they chose to fight back. We discuss the group’s first couple of ska-heavy lyrics and also talk about how Argentina’s economic issues in the late 80s set them back for a bit. But a funny thing happened in the ’90s. They blew up thanks to their killer song “Matador” and a global rise in interest in Latin alt-rock music. And so much more including collaborating with salsa queen Celia Cruz, covering a Clash song, and how Madness was a major influence on Los Fabulosos in their early 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

Here on In Defense of Ska, we love a good Mike Park story. So, this week, we bring on Chris Candy, Mike Park’s BEST friend. Chris Candy is an actor, musician and son of John Candy. (Yes, the brilliant comedic actor from Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck). Chris is a huge lover of ska. His early bands were all strictly ska. So, he came on to delight us was Mike Park stories. We also talk about a lot of other things too, like photographer Hiro Tanaka, trips to Hawaii, Chris’ prog-punk band Chotto Ghetto, famous Stockton booker Middagh Goodwin, Vans Warped Tour, and the surprising story of how Chris started to direct music videos for Coldplay. Even Ralph Macchio is part of this story! 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab Read less 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 2008, when the “Jesus Is a Friend of Mine” video blew up on YouTube, it seemed almost too good to be true. An early '80s Christian ska video from public access television? Was this even real? The video is hilariously of its time, the lyrics are religious but also kind of silly, and the ska music at its core — incredibly — is actually good! On this episode of In Defense of Ska, the gang gets into the true story of the ska-tastic piece of internet history. First off, the video is very much real. It was penned by Sonseed, a catholic band from New York that formed in the ’70s and broke up in the early ’80s. Shortly before breaking up, they appeared on a small television show in New York called The First Estate. Then, twenty-five years after the song was recorded, it unexpectedly went viral. To tell the story of the video, the In Defense hosts talk to four people: Sal Polichetti (bassist of Sonseed and writer of the song), Paul Williams (leader of the British ska band The Skapones), Jamie Loftus (internet culture expert and host of 16 Minutes), and Doug Prinzivalli (owner of Dougsploitation, the site that introduced the web to the video in 2008). So, sit back and listen to the story of the greatest viral video to ever graze the internet above, 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

There are some excellent new hardcore bands out right now. Soul Glo. Scowl. Sunami. Today we focus on Zulu, and talk with their guitarist Braxton Marcellous, who played briefly in a ska band when he was in high school. Not only that, but he attended many ska shows. We discuss it all! We discuss the Inland Empire in Southern California, since that’s where he’s from, and it’s where he’s done most of his skanking. We dive into the ska bands of this area, and also talk about Braxton’s love for glam metal, his Van Halen tattoo, Sublime tattoo, and his initial reaction to hearing Choking Victim We also talk about Zulu’s excellent album, A New Tomorrow, which has plenty of non-hardcore interludes, including some reggae and a song title that references Bob Marley. We also learn what Braxton’s favorite 90s ska song 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

We need more ska supergroups! Mutiny and Rude Girl Revue are both amazing. But today we reveal that Joan Jett the Blackhearts drummer Michael McDermott is in the ska group The Kilograms, which formed in 2023, along with Mighty Mighty Bosstones bassist Joe Gittleman, THEE Sammy Kay, Craig Gorsline and J Duckworth. After a handful of releases, on April 4, they release their debut LP, Beliefs and Thieves. We had a delightful conversation with Michael about the Kilograms, Joan Jett and his string of ska and punk bands he’s drummed in since the ’90s: The Bouncing Souls, Murphy’s Law, Skinnerbox, Stubborn All Stars, Mephiskapheles, and apparently, he played percussion for The Slackers one time. Plus, we learn which stage one of the biggest shows McDermott ever played was: WWE SmackDown! 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

Ska and reggae are global genres but also take on the unique properties of the musicians that play them. Today, we direct our focus to British reggae-ska band The Skints, who pull from many UK subgenres. These are such specific niche influences, that The Skints are a band that could only have happened in the UK. They’ve created a very cool and very distinct sound unlike any other group playing at the moment. We bring on the group’s guitarist/vocalist Josh Waters Rudge to dissect the group’s influences. It helps illuminate the Skints’ sound, but it also is a window into several distinctly British subcultures: the early 2000s UK ska-punk scene, grime, garage, lovers rock, British dancehall, and more. We also get a sense of how big The Skints have gotten in recent years, discuss their US tours, talk about collaborators like Tippa Irie, the influence of British pirate radio, how Capdown influenced the group, and we try to figure out just how many instruments member Marcia Richards plays in the 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

The Beatles changed everything about music in the ’60s. That’s a discussion for another day. This week, we want to look at the group’s relationship to ska and Jamaican music. The group had a couple instances of playing with Jamaican rhythms during their time as The Beatles (and more post-Beatles as solo artists) As big of fans as we are of The Beatles on this show. We cannot conduct his conversation alone. To thoroughly pick apart every moment of ska in The Beatles catalog, we bring on two active ska musicians that also happen to be diehard Beatles fanatics. That’s Jorge Pezzimenti of The Loving Paupers, and formerly of The Pietasters. And also, Jay Nugent of The Slackers. It’s a lively conversation about all things Beatles and ska! We also talk about cod reggae, Fela Kuti, Prince Buster, and Jay declares The Beatles to be the inventors of ska-punk! Spicy hot take! 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. Donating for LA fires: California Fire Foundation Pasadena Humane Mutual Aid LA Support The Music Community - Fire Loss + Resource Tab 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

Welcome to season 5 of In Defense of Ska. To kick things off, we are in full nostalgia mode for the 90s. Music critic Rob Harvilla knows this and he knows a lot about ’90s music. So he’s the perfect person to host a podcast about the music of the ’90s. That podcast, 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s, was a hit. In fact, he ended up doing 120 songs for the series. But, in those 120 songs, not one was a proper ’90s ska song. So, now that Rob has moved on to explaining the 2000s, we thought we should bring him on In Defense of Ska and do the ’90s ska episode he should have always done. There’s only one obvious choice for the ’90s defining ska song: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ “The Impression That I Get.” It was the only song in the ’90s to hit #1 on the Billboard chart, and it was everywhere for a little while. People unconnected to ska that grew up in this era know this song. Rob agreed and officially deemed “The Impression That I Get” as the 121st song that explains the ’90s. This episode is a deep dive into this song, ska in the ’90s generally, and we also learn about Rob’s history playing bass in the ska band, Skantily Plaid. 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. Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla. 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 is taking a few weeks off for the holidays. But don’t worry, we're re-running our favorite episodes from Season 1 to hold everyone over. This week, we’re revisiting an early episode that many of our listeners missed with Alex Begay about the Tuba City venue The Crack Shack. Back in the early 2000s, the Crack Shack was one of the wildest, coolest DIY venues. It was located in the Native Nations community, Tuba City in north Arizona. The venue was pretty much an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere. A bunch of bands played there including The Slackers, Link 80, Falling Sickness, and This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb. We wanted to re-run this episode because, earlier this year, we spoke with Jordan Steele of Lo-Cash Ninjas. He spoke about The Crack Shack briefly. So, we wanted our listeners to get the venue’s full story. We’ll be back with a new episode next week. See you then! If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! Listen to the 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 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 is taking a few weeks off for the holidays, but don’t worry, there will still be an episode every Wednesday! We’re re-running our favorite episodes from Season 1. This week, we’re re-running our all-time favorite episode: Tim Cappello. Who is Tim Cappello some of you may be asking. If you grew up in the ’80s, you probably saw him in the horror film, The Lost Boys. He had a small part early in the film, playing sax and singing “I Still Believe” on an outdoor stage. It is one of the most iconic scenes in ’80s cinema. But Tim is a legit musician who has played with Tina Turner, Carly Simon, Peter Gabriel, and Billy Crystal. He also has the best stories! So join us this week and sit back and listen to Tim tell us all of his best stories. You won’t regret a single moment. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! Listen to the 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 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

2024 is just about finished, so In Defense of Ska hopped on the mic and looked back at our episodes. This year, we talked to two members of 311, and 1 member of Operation Ivy and did a full breakdown of Skachella. In order to properly discuss this year’s episodes of In Defense of Ska, we brought on THEE Mike Park and our editor, Chris Reeves. Mike is very opinionated this year. Did we have some bad episodes? Mike thinks so. Listen to find out which ones Mike didn’t think were that great. Plus Mike drops some TOO HOT FOR THE MAIN FEED content. You need to hear these exclusive stories! Sign up to the Patreon to give the full episode a listen! If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! Listen to the 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 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

As you know, In Defense of Ska is taking a few weeks off for the holidays, but don’t worry, there will still be an episode every Wednesday! We’re re-running our favorite episodes from Season 1, continuing this week, we’re re-running our first itner our first interview with Fall Out Boy singer Patrick Stump. We first chatted with Patrick back in 2021 and learned that he is a huge ska fan (And is very knowledgeable about the genre as well!) Since that interview, I interviewed Patrick for the expanded 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska, and we spoke to him a 2nd time on this podcast. But this episode is where it all began. Listen to our shock every time he namechecks an obscure ska band. You can also hear his cover of Reel Big Fish’s “Sell Out.” He recorded all the instruments and vocals. It’s an amazing rendition. This episode is the perfect way to entertain yourself while your hiding from your family this holiday season! If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! Listen to the 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 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

We’re taking a few weeks off for the holidays. But don’t worry, there still will be an episode every Wednesday. We’re re-running our favorite episodes from season 1. To start things off, we’re re-running our Hepcat interview. Hepcat was one of the first US ska bands to take heavy influence from ’60s trad ska. For this episode, back in 2021, we brought on drummer Greg Narvas and lead singer Greg Lee. They talked primarily about their experiences growing up in LA in the ’80s and the long journey to discovering the original style of ska. 2 Tone ska and US ska bands like The Untouchables and Fishbone were around, but original ska tracks were hard to come by. Greg and Greg scoured record stores and searched for any information they could get their hands on to learn about the roots of this genre. When you listen back to this episode, it explains why Hepcat became the band they became, and why they had so much grit and passion. We lost Greg Lee earlier this year. A tragic loss. So this episode is dedicated to his memory and everything he contributed to ska, this vibrant subculture, and all the smiles he brought to people’s faces. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! Listen to the 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 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

As the end of 2024 draws closer, we wanted to bring on our good friends Blammos to talk about their new album, Sometimes I Wish You Were Dead, which was released on December 6th. The Blammos play power-pop but have a lot to talk about ska. We dig into The Phenomenauts, a band they both played in until recently. The Phenomenauts were a science fiction New Wave band (A band from outer space?) with no ska songs but played frequently we ska bands. We also talk about Jimmy Boom’s ska roots. He’s played in ska bands since back in the day, like Kongo Shock and Red Session. And he currently fills in on drums with The Slackers whenever Ara Babajian can’t make a tour. This episode has wild Gnarboots stories (including the time Adam and Aaron protested a Phenomenauts show in Santa Cruz), a Vic Ruggiero story where he got James Mercer to admit that The Shins are a ska band, and we learn why it took The Blammos a decade and a half to finish and release this record. Listen to the 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 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