In Defense of Ska

Oh, wait a minute! We have one more episode. Three-time IDOS guest Sammy Kay couldn’t let us walk away from the podcast without doing a proper exit interview. So this week, Sammy asks Adam and Aaron a bunch of questions about the podcast, what we think our legacy is, and gets some hot takes on ska from us. This is for reals the final episode. Until the next final episode. And the next next final episode and the next next next… Sign up for the IDOS Patreon to support us and hear our entire back catalog of bonus and extended episodes. 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, which was released in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Feral released on July 26, 2024. The 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

Well, folks, this is it. You’ve made it to the end of the podcast. We had a great run. Four and a half years. We talked to everyone in the ska scene, and plenty of folks outside of ska, with some sort of connection to the genre. We had a great time, and to eulogize the podcast, we chat with THEE Mike Park for an hour and a half. Will there ever be more episodes? It could happen. There’s no way to know right now. For now, Aaron is working on a new book, a novel called Little Black Book of Death. And a few other projects. Follow him on his Substack for updates and to witness his creative process in the moment. He’ll also be making frequent updates about it and the other projects to the In Defense of Ska Patreon. Adam is going to be working his ass off on more Omnigone records and tours. Follow them on social media for updates. And we leave you by saying, “Ska Now More Than Ever.” 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. The 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

Are Fishbone the greatest band of all time? Perhaps. But no matter how great any single person thinks the group is, it’s a fact that Fishbone is a super important, very original band. And they still matter in the year 2025. To discuss this point, we bring on a Fishbone superfan, comedian W. Kamau Bell! W. Kamau Bell has been a hardcore Fishbone fan since the early ’90s. And he remains a fan to this day. He was also a fan when the band was less popular. He has a lot to say about their entire catalog. This is the Fishbone conversation you’ve always wanted to hear If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Comedian Felipe Esparza may have won Last Comic Standing in 2010 and is currently touring theaters. But probably the most important thing to know about him is that he loves ska. We’re talking Madness, The Skatalites, Los Skarnales, Toots and the Maytals and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. We talk about all these bands with Felipe. But the group we spend the longest time on is Voodoo Glow Skulls. Felipe is friends with the group; he uses a recording of their song “Fat Randy” for his podcast theme, and he has some lore with the band. We’re talking an unaired episode of his podcast with the group, a TV show with Voodoo as the house band that never got picked up. And, Felipe’s opener, Rodrigo Torres, grew up with the Voodoo guys—he even worked at their record shop, Cheap Guy Records, for five years! So yes, this is a funny episode with a hilarious comedian. But you may actually learn a few things about Voodoo Glow Skulls after you listen to this one. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There were a lot of ska-punk bands in the ’90s. Perhaps, none were more out there than Northern CA’s Janitors Against Apartheid: A wild group that played hyper-fast ska and had a singer who sang about Punky Brewster and Little Caesar’s in a demented Kermit the Frog voice. And the stage show was completely unhinged. Usually, stuffed animals were getting destroyed. This week, we talk to the sax player (And later lead vocalist) Lodge Worster. We get insight into the band’s history, their transformation to The Adjustments, and we also discuss the punk TV script that Lodge is working on with our own Aaron Carnes. Hey! Plus, we find out that Lodge works as a music editor on TV and film projects. So, we learn which ska songs he had a hand in editing into your favorite shows. 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. 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

They said it couldn’t be done! But we did it anyway. That infamous mozzarella stick meme that has come to define ska to people all over the internet—we made an entire episode about it. We dive into its history, its impact on ska and discuss why it is so polarizing. And ultimately, whether its been good or bad for the genre. Many people were interviewed for this journalistic masterpiece including comedians Dave Thomason, Matt Lieb, and Jaime Loftus, as well as Ska Defender Numero Uno Brent Friedman. Plus, we get a little insight about the meme from the person who made the tweet that went viral. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eras of ska are, in part, defined by the ska labels. In our current era, there is Bad Time Records, but also Ska Punk International. This week, we wanted to talk about what defines Ska Punk International, who the bands are, and a bit about its history. To do that, we talk to owner/operator, Chris Reeves. Full disclosure: Chris Reeves is also the editor of this podcast. But we don’t talk about his editing skills this go around. This is a 100% Ska Punk International conversation. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

New Orleans had a surprisingly big ska scene in the late 2000s. This caught my attention after I wrote the 1st edition of In Defense of Ska. This scene would eventually give birth to Bad Operation. I spoke with them extensively about it, and even devoted a huge section of the 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska to this largely undocumented history. When I was touring the country promoting the 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska, I made sure to stop in New Orleans. I hosted a live panel to discuss this New Orleans ska history at Greg Rodrigue’s spot, Hey Café. This week, we are airing that recording. Many folks participated in the panel discussion like Greg and D-Ray, Brian Funck of Thou, Travis of Tha Supaflies, Kirah of the Big Top, Hunter from Fatter Than Albert, and others. Sit back and enjoy a fun, lively and educational conversation. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

2 Tone ska was huge in England. It was also very brief. By the early ’80s, England had moved on to other sounds in pop music. Most of the 2 Tone ska bands had broken up or were playing non-ska tunes. But in this atmosphere in 1983 England, a band called Potato 5 formed. They played ska. But it wasn’t 2 Tone style ska. They were an instrumental band, and they were directly influenced by The Skatalites This week, we speak to four original members of Potato 5, and we learn about their career, which ended in 1989 (Though it started again as of 2018). During their original run, they ended up having three different lead singers: Floyd Lloyd, Spider Johnson, and the legendary “godfather of ska” himself, Laurel Aitken. Plus, they worked with Mad Professor early in their career. We talk about all of it! But we also look at their story as an important early step towards a global traditional ska revival that would blossom in the years to come. Their importance can’t be understated. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. Support In Defense of Ska by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/DLXVmMB Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we travel to the ska-loving country of Japan to interview the amazing ska-punk group, Hey Smith. Specifically, we have Shu, their singer and primary songwriter. To help us translate the interview, we have an old friend and former guest, Ume, who plays in the band Kill Lincoln. He’s currently filling in on trombone with Hey Smith as well! We discuss the band’s history, how their popularity has been growing, their recent US tours, signing to a major label, and how they wrote ska-punk songs for more than one popular Anime program recently. Plus we try to sneak in a few questions for Ume, but he wasn’t having it. 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

This week, we have a special episode. Adam hit the road in March with Omnigone. And he interviewed a ton of ska musicians during his tour. What wanted to know was: What is life like on the road for a ska musician in 2025, and how is it different than it was in the 90s. He got a lot of interviews. He talked to members of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Big D and the Kids Table, Suicide Machines, Jeff Rosenstock, JER and so much more. This episode gives a strong glimpse into the world of touring—but not just for ska musicians. For any DIY artist out there right now, trying to figure out how to make it work, and make it fun. 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

There’s a piece of Gilman lore that involves a huge fight between punks and nazis in the late 80s. And, the punks kick the nazis butts. So much, that they never show their face at Gilman again. This tale was documented in a scene in the excellent documentary Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk. But now, it’s been fictionalized and used as the inspiration for a story in the new film, Freaky Tales. Today we look at this nazi punching Gilman lore. We talk to the Freaky Tale directors, Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, to get a sense of how and why they adapted it for their film. We talk to Turn It Around director, Corbett Redford. And we talk to three Gilman punks that were there when it went down: Kamala Lyn Parks, George Hated and MDC singer Dave Dictor. We also learn how Operation Ivy factored into this whole thing. If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. 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

One of the biggest ska bands in Europe right now are brilliant group based out of Bosnia that meld ska, reggae, hip-hop, alt-rock and fuse it all with Balkan musical elements. They’re called Dubioza Kolektiv and they’re amazing! This week, we talk to them about their music, but also hear their incredible story. We cover the full gamut with the group. It includes the time they were almost on Eurovision, what it was like to grow up during the Bosnian War (and how they would sneak off to shows), meeting Bill Gould of Faith No More, their perspective on the rise of far right governments globally (and how we can fight back), and they talk at length about the role being Balkan has on their entire approach to making music. We also learn that the group has only been to the US once! We need to change that ASAP! If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time. 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 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