To understand my love of ska is to understand where I was living when I first learned what ska was. The year was 1995. The place was Southern California. I had just moved to California after living overseas for three years. Sure, I knew who Madness was because of “One Step Beyond,” but that was just ‘80s music to me at the time. In California, I started to hear bands like No Doubt and Sublime and Reel Big Fish. Those bands led me to Less Than Jake and the Suicide Machines and the Specials, which led me to Desmond Dekker and the Skatalites. If it wasn’t for the Orange County ska explosion, I wouldn’t have spent the last 25 years of my life being obsessed with ska music. It was because of all those bands in OC that I learned about the First Wave and 2 Tone. It was almost serendipitous that I found myself in California when I did.
The weird thing is, as fast as it all blew up in the mainstream around the country, it went away just as fast. To the true fans of the genre, they knew better though. While some of the bands went away, the best ones stuck around, and they helped inspire and motivate the younger generation to continue playing ska. While ska has been living in the underground and flying under the radar for a bit, it might just be time to rise again.
One of those bands helping lead that charge is Bite Me Bambi, a seven-piece ska-punk band from … you guessed it … Orange County.
They’re the real deal too, considering the band is partially filled with veterans of the ‘90s OC ska scene. One such member is keyboard player Mike Berault, who originally cut his teeth in My Superhero. While we’re all in quarantine he was nice enough to sit down and answer some questions for me about his new band Bite Me Bambi.
Given where you’re from and who’s in your band, you’re likely always going to be compared to the heavyweights in the OC Ska Scene from the mid to late ’90s. Is that intimidating, or does it motivate you to continue the musical tradition from bands like No Doubt, Save Ferris, and Reel Big Fish?
I wouldn’t say it’s intimidating at all because half of us in the band are from that generation of bands, were in those bands (Save Ferris), and knew those bands before they were big. Some of us went to see No Doubt at teen centers, and free shows at Cal State Fullerton quad, and did shows together in Roll-Up door commercial spaces, and roller rinks, so not intimidating at all. I think we are proud of and motivated by those bands’ contributions to the genre and are looking forward to adding our own verse to the Genre.
This is likely the hardest year for bands to tour and put out music since I can remember. How are you coping and getting by given all the closures happening across the world due to COVID-19?
You are correct, this year is challenging. As a ska band, we can’t really even get together (there are seven of us). We have been writing and producing videos. Just staying sane. To put a positive spin on it, as an up and coming band, the playing field is leveled, meaning every band is at home, so by providing online content, we have been able to get the word out about Bite Me Bambi.
A common misconception about ska is that it died right around the turn of the century, but I just think people stopped paying attention and now the ska scene is poised to be stronger than ever. From someone on the front line of this newfound public resurgence, what is your take on the health of the genre in 2020 and beyond?
Music never really dies… however, it’s true ska got white-hot very quickly in the ‘90s. Just like anything, after a huge rise in popularity, there is bound to be a backlash. Ska has never gone away though. I think it is bigger than ever. Bands like Reel Big Fish who constantly tour, inspire kids to start bands all over so there is a brewing ska everywhere. Smaller local bands are the cornerstone of the ska scene. In regards to the resurgence, I think it has a lot to do with nostalgia for the ‘90s. Kids who went to shows in the ‘90s want to see their favorite bands that are touring again. Also, with ska heavy line-ups like Back to the Beach and Supernova showcasing nearly an all ska line-up, new fans are being turned on to the genre. Also, the documentary Pick it up – Ska in the ‘90s has opened up the genre to a lot of people who wouldn’t normally be exposed to it. Then there is the radio factor, newer ska bands like The Interrupters with a hit song on the radio ties it all together.
What is it about ska that makes you like it so much and to be in a ska band?
For me initially, it was the live shows. The fans and the people were so accepting and inviting, and the shows were so much fun. Then when I listened to the unity message of the 2 Tone ska bands that flowed through to bands like Operation Ivy in the late ‘80s. The genre could be fun but also political, with a social message, and accepting of all people.
What other bands are you digging these days?
I am a music fan so I like bands from many different Genres. For ska, I like Catbite, and Oi Skallmates lately. Other bands – the Menzingers, Spanish Love Songs, and I have dived back into Adam Schelssinger’s catalog with Fountains of Wayne since his passing from COVID-19. FOW was such a great band.
For the uninitiated, what should folks know about Bite Me Bambi?
We are a good time! We like to put out quality music and a rad live show without taking ourselves too seriously.
The new single “Hot Lava” is getting a lot of attention. How much fun was it to shoot that video?
The video was a blast to shoot. We did it at a local bookstore (shoutout to the Bookman in Orange, CA). We shot from eight PM to three AM. Our director Chris Graue made it fun, we always have a good time with each other.
Any plans on releasing a full-length this year?
We like to get music out to the fans as soon as they’re completed. Once a song is mixed/mastered, we shoot a video and get it up on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes right away. We will complete an EP this year of all the singles that we released in the last year for fans. But the truth is you can see and hear anything we have released for free (although if you wanted to be a homie and buy it, please go to iTunes).
What are your quarantine essentials? What’s helping you stay sane?
For me, the ability to play music, guitar, organ, whatever, also Chips Ahoy! Rum, Spotify, or records.
Any words of encouragement for folks who may be struggling right now?
The struggle is real, and we are all in this together. The great news is none of us are really alone, with facetime and zoom everyone of us is in the same boat. There is a sense of unity in this struggle, so if you are struggling, remember you are not alone!
Once the lockdowns lift and we’re allowed to go outside again, what can fans expect from Bite Me Bambi?
All of this idle time, we will be using to write new material, so fans can expect more songs from us. Also, we had a national tour booked before all this happened, so we are hoping to reschedule that and possibly get to some international tours in 2021.
Any last words or plugs?
Check out our YouTube channel and give us a follow on our socials. We are constantly posting. I also do a weekly music podcast Mixtape Mixtape Podcast Podcast – we pick a topic and make you a digital mixtape – available on iTunes. https://www.mixtapemixtapepodcast.com/podcast
Bite Me Bambi Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BMBSkaBand
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitemebambi/