Welcome to “Ska, Punk, and Other Junk!” With this monthly column, I’ll highlight all of the cool things I discovered in the ska and punk scenes each month. And, because I listen to more than just those two genres, I highlight some other junk I discovered along the way too! (NOTE: Not actually junk. I just wanted to go with the rhyme). There’s so much cool music out there these days. This is my attempt to cover as much of it as possible.
Hopefully, you find your new favorite band – or at least some cool new tunes to enjoy.
It’s hard to believe this month’s edition of “Ska, Punk, and Other Junk” is the eighth edition of this column. I started it last year for several reasons, but the main reason is because I wanted to shine a light on as many artists as humanly possible without burning myself out. This column was the logical solution to my dilemma. Now, we’re nine months in, and I’ve covered over 100 bands since then. When you look at that number on paper, it’s a pretty impressive feat.
When preparing my May 2023 column, that number was primed to go up by 30. That’s how many releases I found that caught my ear this month. Knowing that I’m already busting at the seams each month as it is, I made some painful surgical cuts to get my list down to the artists you’ll read about below. If you’ve been following along since the beginning, then you’ll know how hard it is for me to trim this column down. The fact that I got this month down in the teens is nothing short of a journalistic miracle. I did it though, and what you see featured below truly are, in my humble opinion, the best of the best that May had to offer.
Ska
Fishbone – S/T (2023)
Even though Fishbone has been together for over 40 years, I think they’re criminally underrated. They should be playing arena shows and be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Alas, the band hasn’t received the fame they deserve after all these years. They’re still one of the best active groups in each of the last four decades, even though many of the outfits they’ve inspired over the years have received more attention.
I’m just happy Fishbone is still making music. Their new self-titled EP, a playful nod to the band’s debut self-titled debut EP from 1985, features most of the band’s original lineup recording for the first time in years. Produced by Fat Mike and released on his new imprint, Bottles to the Ground, the band sounds just as good, if not better, than they usually do.
They seem to be reinvigorated with the new songs. The project starts off with “All We Have Is Now,” an uplifting ska number with a playful organ fill that preaches appreciation for the present because the future isn’t promised. I also really enjoyed “Estranged Fruit,” which riffs off the Billie Holiday classic. It’s so wonderful that Fishbone is back. Here’s to another decade or so of new music.
J. Navarro & The Traitors – All Of Us Or None
Being from Metro Detroit, I’d had the pleasure of experiencing each band Jay Navarro starts. The Suicide Machines will likely always be the band he’s known for most, but Navarro has such diverse musical tastes, he needs more creative outlets. For example, J. Navarro & The Traitors are firmly planted in a more punk-and-reggae meets 2 Tone ska sound. While Navarro has top billing here, each Traitor is at the top of their respective crafts.
Co-vocalist and keyboard player Eric Abbey is a multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, producer, DJ, and author. Guitarist Ken Haas runs Reverend Guitars. The list keeps going. In many ways, the members of the band serve as connective tissue to the entire Metro Detroit ska (and ska-adjacent) music scene.
When I heard the band’s new album was being released by Bad Time Records, I knew it was in good hands. All Of Us Or None is just another in a long line of amazing albums coming from the Bad Time camp. Lyrically, the record overflows with calls for unity, solidarity, and support in the face of an oppressive world. It’s a call to arms and an inspiration for positive change, complete some guest artists on the album, including Coolie Ranx on “Rob From the Rich.” When the dust settles on 2023, this will definitely be in my top albums of the year. It’s that good. A nice healthy dose of reggae, 2 Tone, punk, and hope for a better world. How can you not like that?
P.O. Box – spaceavailable.
The whole narrative that ska died in the late ’90s is a very arrogant, US-centric concept. The truth is that ska never died: It just lost mainstream popularity in the US. Ska remained alive and well in many other countries. For instance, French ska punk band P.O. Box has been together for over 20 years now with no signs of stopping. Admittedly, it’s been almost ten years between F#Rth#R and spaceavailable., but the old phrase “good things come to those who wait” is more than appropriate here.
Musically, spaceavailable. is punk-forward ska punk. There’s a healthy balance of circle pit uptempo punk rock and generous ska riffs. Songs like “Ouroboros” remind me of Pennywise with ska horn breakdowns. P.O. Box’s brand of punk helps me imagine Propagandhi would sound like if they didn’t think ska sucks. Ska-forward tracks such as “Dancing In Your Shoes,” featuring Stacey Dee of Bad Cop Bad Cop fame, is a very danceable song that’s lots of fun. While P.O. Box aren’t as well-known stateside as they should be, spaceavailable. is a great introduction to France’s best ska band.
St. Thomas Boys Academy – “Reaper and the Ghost”
It’s hard to fathom that the war in Ukraine has been raging for over a year now with no real signs of it ending anytime soon. Yes, there have been several calls for aid and donations to help Ukraine out during the conflict. But as the conflict continues to rage, it’s more important than ever to place a spotlight on what’s happening. Enter Detroit’s St. Thomas Boys Academy.
With their new single, “Reaper and the Ghost,” the ska punk band is raising money to send to Ukraine. While the single is more punk than ska, the message is pretty clear. They use the legends of “The Reaper” and “The Ghost of Kyiv” as the subjects of their benefit track. It’s a fast, blistering punk song, accented with triumphant horn blasts. The band pleads for perseverance in the face of insurmountable odds and tyranny. Ultimately, it’s a song of hope and triumph.
Super Tiger – A Super Duper Sampler
Up until now, I’ve known Eric Mazurak because of his time with Detroit ska band The Tellways and his work with Gangster Fun’s John Bunkley. I knew he recorded music for both acts, but I didn’t realize how far Mazurak’s production work reached until I heard A Super Duper Sampler. Going by the name Super Tiger, Mazurak uses traditional ’60s recording equipment to create a modern take on classic sounds for several bands. He provides all the musical accompaniment as well. Any fan of the more traditional side of ska, rocksteady, dub, and reggae should consider this A Super Duper Sampler compilation as required listening.
Most of the songs featured on this comp were recording during the height of the COVID pandemic, which means they were mostly recorded remotely. My personal favorite is “Lockdown Love,” as it’s a ’60s ska love song in the time of COVID featuring Rachel Stokes from The Tellways. A few songs on the sampler come from John Bunkley’s phenomenal EP Sunshine and Chocolate, so it’s truly is a treat to hear those tracks again.
One of my favorite things about compilation albums is discovering new-to-me bands. On this project, it was Leaving Lifted. They’ve got a smooth R&B sound infused with country and reggae. I really enjoyed their music and can’t wait to hear more.
Punk
Crossed Keys – Believes in You
When music history scholars of the future look at this particular period of music, they will see a strong influence on how the pandemic affected so much of this decade’s music. That theme of isolation and loss is prevalent throughout the entire ten tracks of Believes In You. Like the album title implies, Crossed Keys believes in you, the listener. It’s been tough navigating the last three years, but for better or worse, we did it. The songs here acknowledge the loss we’ve all felt, but also emphasize the growth that has occurred as well. It’s a cathartic 22 minutes because it searches for growth and hope through all the loss.
Musically, Crossed Keys is on the more melodic side of the punk spectrum with the likes of Samiam, Face to Face, Hot Water Music, and The Menzingers. Instead of focusing on fast anthems and machine gun drums, Crossed Keys is more interested in a deliberate sound. It pays to be an active listener while listening to the album, because, when it’s all said and done, this is probably my favorite new discovery of the month.
Jughead’s Revenge – Vultures
Jughead’s Revenge has been a band for over 30 years now, and as their new EP Vultures showcases, they haven’t missed a step. This is the band’s first significant release of new material in years, and it’s got that So Cal skate punk you’ve come to expect and love. This might be the tightest I’ve heard them. It’s a triumphant return for one of the most important bands from the ’90s California skate punk scene.
There’s some fast skate punk on here, as well as some more melodic stuff like “Bridges” with strong Lagwagon and Face to Face vibes. Vultures also has tracks like “My Side” that are aggressive, fast, and burn bright in a very short time frame. It’s only 45 seconds long and the perfect song for starting a circle pit. With “Eighties,” the band sounds more Alice Cooper and The Cramps. It’s amazing how much range Jughead’s Revenge shows in just five songs.
Midtown – We’re Too Old To Write New Songs, So Here’s Some Old Songs We Didn’t Write
Midtown is one of the Drive-Thru Records bands I grew up with. Save The World, Lose The Girl helped break down the wall I put up to block out bands that didn’t necessarily fit my listening preferences. All it took was a Spider-Man reference to hook me. That opening of “Just Rock and Roll” still hits just as hard today as it did back then. After that album, I listened to everything they did and got to see them live. While I was bummed when they hung it up in 2005, but they’ve since returned with some new music.
I’ll always have a sweet spot for cover albums. It’s fun to hear the interpretations each band has on the original. This time around, Midtown offers covers of four songs from bands that inspire them. The EP starts with a cover of Lagwagon’s of “Know It All.” From there, Midtown gives us their covers of Pavement, Elvis Costello, and Hot Rod Circuit. I can happily report that Midtown sounds just as good as I remember. Hopefully, this recording leads to a new album of originals, even if they might be too old to write them.
Versus the World – The Bastards Live Forever
When I think about what makes a good power-pop-leaning punk album, one of the most important aspects are the catchy guitar hooks. With Lagwagon’s Chris Flippin handling most of the heavy lifting on guitar, Versus the World has the hooks locked in. It also helps that Good Riddance drummer Sean Sellers joined the band as he rounds out the rhythm section with more pop-punk oomph.
Riffs, melodies, and hooks are only one part of the equation. You can sound like the best band in the world, but if you have nothing to say, then you get stale pretty quickly. That isn’t a problem here. Lead singer Donald Spence delivers self-reflective, introspective, and insightful lyrics on every song. Packed with lots of self-analysis, The Bastards Live Forever is like a 30-minute therapy session.
“Looking for the Exit” hits home because I’ve never been good at confronting my problems, instead choosing to avoid them or runaway from them. I have an extremely strained relationship with my biological father, so “Are You There Dad? It’s Me” is a tough listen as well. Ultimately, a good album will make you think, make your head bob, and fill you with the urge to dance. The Bastards Live Forever is one such album, and it’s even inspired me to do some soul-searching of my own.
Other Junk
Hot Mulligan – Why Would I Watch?
Being from Michigan, I’m partial to Midwestern emo. With Why Would I Watch?, Hot Mulligan takes that riff-heavy sound and infuses it with a healthy dose of manic energy. The result is an absolute anthem of an album. The melodies and intricate guitar work appear on tracks such as “This Song is Called it’s Called What it’s Called.” The band isn’t really breaking new ground here with the subject matter of their songs – life, regret, loss. Instead of trying to prove how smart they are (which they are), their songs are approachable and relatable, immediately offering an empathetic voice to how we’re all feeling these days.
There’s also an almost playful juxtaposition happening with each tune. The song titles are humorous at face value, but they hide what the band is really trying to get across. It’s almost like when something really hurts, but you use a joke to disguise how you’re really feeling. On the surface, the songs will make you giggle, but when you get a chance to listen to them, there’s a serious tone going on there. Led by the visceral and guttural vocals of lead singer Tades Sanville, the group has crafted Midwestern emo by way of power pop, punk, and math rock.
Indica in Decay – Act One
Just as you’d expect, Act One is the first of multiple EPs telling the story of Indica. As the story goes, Indica is a down-on-her-luck drummer who discovers a magic guitar that writes perfect songs. The EP follows her first set of adventures as she chases fame while others chase after the guitar. Sonically, this rock opera is heavy on synth, distortion, and chiptune. It’s Tenacious D meets Jello Biafra meets Wesley Willis in the best way possible.
To get the full experience of the album and it’s story, you need to listen to the songs in the official track order. The EP only clocks in at around 15 minutes, but those 15 minutes pack a punch. Act One is weird, interesting, engaging, and the beginning of an epic story arc. I can’t wait to see how things shake out in Act Two and beyond.
Tyler Posey – UNRAVEL
The MTV reboot of Teen Wolf was not for me. I was more of a Michael J. Fox and Jason Bateman Teen Wolf fan. So, if you were to tell me that Tyler Posey (the lead actor of that show) had released a solo album, I would have been biased against it. I’m just glad I gave him a chance, because UNRAVEL is an enjoyably engaging solo debut. It mixes screamo, electronic, alternative, reggae, and a dash of punk. If you like bands like The Used, 311, Sueco, and YUNGBLUD, you should check out Posey’s music.
With John Feldmann and Matt Malpass providing the production, Posey was in good hands with this album. The album uses many genres to tell a story of isolation and intoxication intensified by COVID lockdowns. Because of the kaleidoscope of styles and sounds on display, there is 100% something here for everyone. Heading into the summer months, songs like “Runnin’,” “Out Loud,” and “Sing” will be in solid rotation for me.
Ugli – girldick.
Ugli’s music is anything but. Sure, some of the songs are rough around the edges, but that is completely by design. This Philly band brings together grunge, surf, garage, punk, and ’90s alternative to give us a sound that can be as controlled as The Pixies and The Breeders, and as loud and aggressive as L7 and Veruca Salt. Ugli takes everything they’ve learned from those storied bands to craft a sound all their own.
The five songs of girldick pack quite a punch. As soon as “flatsoda.” ends, you’ll immediately find yourself starting listening to the EP again. While each song is great in their own right, “crybabi.” is the standout in my book. It has a slight power poppy Weezer feel to go along with a grunge backbone, makes for a dynamic track with a fun call-and-response chorus.
If you want me to listen to your ska, punk, or other junk, please feel free to contact me here. You might just see yourself in a future column!