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.
The summer is winding down, and the kids are going back to school. Seasonal depression will surely be on the way for many of us soon. While light therapy is an effective treatment for some, I much prefer music than a fancy light. So, instead of letting the end of summer get you down, take a gander at the bands I wrote about this month and escort summer out with a bang. I’m a sucker for fall personally, so I might listen to some of these bands again when things get really gloomy later in the year. Seasonal Affective Disorder or not, the August bands are amazing. Go discover someone new.
Ska
Half Past Two – “You In a Suit”
I’ve been a fan of Half Past Two for a few years now, but their recent musical output seems to be coming with a new approach and attitude. They went through a bit of a lineup change, and they’ve also been working with Reade Wolcott as a producer. I suspect those two things play a role in these past few singles, especially “You In a Suit.”
Telling the story of a crush, this fast, high energy ska song has an organ backbone and powerful horn line, and I think it would be absolutely amazing live, especially when the horns get going. Also, lead singer Tara Hahn sounds better than ever on this track. It feels like Half Past Two is right on the cusp of reinvention, and I think Wolcott would be the right person behind the boards to held usher in the band’s new era.
Killer Diller – Extended Play
My first taste of Detroit’s Killer Diller was an opening gig for The Slackers in Hamtramck, MI. Even though it was a Sunday evening the week before Thanksgiving, the band fit everyone on stage and away they went. I was absolutely blown away. Inspired by more traditional big bands like The Skatalites, the group blazed through an amazingly tight set filled with originals and covers. After their set was over, you would’ve never guessed it was Sunday. The crowd came to dance, and dance they did. What I still remember from that night was just how smooth they were. Even so many members, everyone stayed connected for an entire set.
Earlier this month, Killer Diller released Extended Play. I was immediately curious if their live presence translated well to the studio. I’m happy to report that it does. While trad ska is the band’s major influence, their music puts a more modern touch on the style. The first track, “Terry Hall,” is an up-tempo big band ska track filled to the gills with toasting, solos, and a danceable beat. The instrumental dance grooves extend further into “Brass Knuckles.” The EP is rounded out by two other tracks, including “Try To Stop Me.” It has a bit of Motown attitude mixed in with the instrumentals. Lead singer Cara Stefanides shines here as she sings about strong women and empowerment.
Simple Minded Symphony – Self-Titled
While Simple Minded Symphony formed in 2010, their 2022 lineup change formed their “new” sound. Their new self-titled EP is a greatest hits of sorts as it include songs from the new lineup and re-imagines songs from the band’s history. While SMS falls firmly on the ska spectrum, this album delivers a heavy dose of jazz, funk, and indie. These multi-layered songs work just as well at a sweaty ska show as they would on the Animal Crossing soundtrack or in a dark, smoke-filled room with tabletops and overpriced martinis.
“Feather” really highlights the group’s talent, and it deserves multiple listens in a row to discover everything they’re doing with the song. I just listen to the bass lines and horn work throughout, and I’m just in awe. I wish I had an ounce of this band’s talent. It’s not fair. Towards the end of the track, lead singer Kevin Silveira opines, “I just wanna feel alright for awhile, I don’t know how to do that.”
I know how. Listen to this album.
Skatune Network – Ska Goes Emo, Vol. 3
Admittedly, I never got into emo as much as my friends did. I was too busy listening to ska to worry about listening to music about feelings. My stance has softened as I’ve aged, but for the most part, I missed the genre’s peak of popularity outside of a few songs here and there. Lucky for me, Jer Hunter has been using their Skatune Network platform to churn out several albums of amazing ska cover songs for years now. The latest installment in the Ska Goes Emo series has helped me learn more about emo and more emotional pop-punk.
While I recognized some of the source material (My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, Green Day, Get Up Kids, Fall Out Boy), Ska Goes Emo, Vol. 3 stands out because it taught me about bands like Foxing. Listening to Skatune Network’s cover of “The Medic” and then the original was a quick lesson in how to really compose a great cover. They took the feel and emotion of the original and transformed it by merging emo with trad ska.
This Foxing cover is why I love these types of compilations. Sure, it’s fun to hear covers of the songs you know, but the real magic is in the discovery.
Various Artists – Roots & Basses: A Latin Ska Compilation
I enjoy exploring how other cultures treat the music I love. While it might not be comfortable to listen to other languages you don’t understand at first, I urge you to step out of that comfort zone. There is so much out there to discover if you leave your own borders.
For instance, there is a massive ska fanbase in the Latino and Hispanic communities. Most of the bands I’ve discovered these past few years are because of Esteban Flores. That’s why I knew I was in good hands when I saw Asbestos Records leaned on him to help curate this compilation of some of the best current Latin American ska bands.
Esteban set his sights on bands primarily found in Mexico, Central American, and Los Angeles for this compilation. There’s really something here for everyone to enjoy and discover. The bands featured here run the gamut from big band trad ska all the way to heavy ska core. I knew a few of the bands on this comp already, but a majority of them were new to me. With only 11 tracks, this comp barely scratches the surface of the musical journey ahead of you. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me to seek out even more Latin American ska bands.
Punk
City Windows – Velvet Divorce
I’m a sucker for a good melodic punk band, especially if the lead singer has a gritty voice. If they’re singing about social issues and politics, that’s just the cherry on top for me. City Windows checks all three of those boxes for me. They’re like if No Use For a Name, Face to Face, Strike Anywhere, and Rise Against formed a collective. Most of the songs on this album are fast-paced with anthemic choruses and hooks galore. Thankfully, the band isn’t afraid to reduce the tempo a bit and let the listener catch a breather before picking back up again. Songs like the title track and the appropriately titled “Interlude” slow things down a bit to show off other facets of the band’s sound.
The first single off the album, “The Price to Pay,” is a masterpiece. It takes on our two-party system, lobbyists, and the divide between the politicians and the people they’re supposed to represent. It’s a rallying cry to hold our leaders accountable, while also pushing for the people to work together to elect better leadership who are more responsive to the true will of the people. It’s an extremely timely song with an important message everyone needs to hear.
Hell Beach – Self-Titled
Hell Beach is part of the first group of releases from Uncle Style Records, the new imprint on Bad Time Records. Now, with two imprints, Mike Sosinski has more freedom to feature even more bands that deserve to be amplified. For example, Hell Beach’s self-titled EP is their debut. Hailing from New Hampshire, Hell Beach is a four-piece punk band that offers up a healthy dose of garage rock, synth, and distortion to complement their punk sensibilities.
Each song blares through the speakers, demanding to be heard. Pardon the dad pun, but this is one hell of a debut EP, packed with sonic rippers that make you want to pogo on the dancefloor. This is just the beginning for this fledgling band. With how good this first EP sounds like, I’m already looking forward to their next thing. I’m really glad Uncle Style Records was formed, and I’m even more excited that Hell Beach is part of the freshman class.
Neck Deep – “Take Me With You”
I can’t help but think Tom Delonge inspired “Take Me With You” in some way. On their latest single, UK punks Neck Deep use the conceit of alien abduction as a commentary on how messed up things are these days. It’s a catchy, anthemic pop-punk song perfect for fans of bands like Blink-182, Yellowcard, and New Found Glory. Instead of sticking around, lead singer Ben Barlowwants to be taken away in order to escape Earth. It’s a funny song, but that humor is more satirical in nature. Neck Deep sees a world where no one can offer any help, so their only chance is to scream into the unknown and hope Tom’s buddies can lend a hand.
Wilmette – Hyperfocused
While Wilmette formed in 2018, Hyperfocused is their debut full-length album. This five-piece pop-punk band from Chicago offers up solid musicianship and honest lyrics. They do not sound like a cookie cutter pop-punk band at all. The group adds their own spin to the genre, with pop hooks, guitar effects, and even a bit of hardcore sensibility. Chicago has a strong pedigree for punk music, and Wilmette fits right in.
Produced by Seth Henderson (Knuckle Puck), Hyperfocused has an intensity that matches the lyrical content. After listening to this album a few times, I predict Wilmette will be a band on the rise. Might as well jump on the bandwagon now and enjoy the ride with me.
Other Junk
Ballyhoo! – Shellshock
Even after nine albums, and Ballyhoo! refuses to phone it in. This time around, the band produced the album themselves. The result is an album that might become the band’s crowning achievement. It’s that good.
Everything before Shellshock prepared the band and its fans for what was to come. While they’ve always masterfully blended reggae with punk and alternative, Shellshock feels different. The songs hit harder this time around, and the band sounds more inspired than usual. They’ve got some new tricks up their sleeve too, weaving new genres into that Ballyhoo! sound. On “Make Believe,” we hear hints of reggae, dub, rocksteady, and even metal. Infusing more heavier distorted guitar doesn’t feel out of place at all. Instead, it enhances the overall mood.
Lyrically, the band is pretty introspective this go-round. We get songs about the music business, mental health, relationships, and remaining true to yourself in the face of pettiness and adversity. The group doesn’t pull any punches, and the freedom they’ve gained from self-producing allows for them to soar. To further emphasize the sonic diversity of the album, the guest stars include Tropidelic, Kyle Smith, The Bumpin’ Uglies, and HIRIE.
It’s an album all Ballyhoo! fans will enjoy while also serving as a hard-hitting introduction to the band for new fans. Shellshock is Ballyhoo! at their most inspired.
The Darcys – “You Up? (featuring Mae Martin)”
Musically, The Darcys can be considered an ever-evolving art rock duo. While the group has indie rock roots, founding members Jason Couse and Wes Marskell made a drastic shift in 2016 with the release of Centerfold. From that point on, they’ve been creating synth-heavy alt-rock-infused pop music. Their latest single, which features a comedic interlude from Canadian comedian Mae Martin, continues the band’s recent trajectory. Lyrically, the tune focuses on a certain kind of phone call people make when they’re trying to find companionship late at night, but musically, it’s filled with infectious hooks and melodies that beg you to move your body.
Ill-Sugi & Brycon – Devastating! Forces of Nature!
I’m a sucker for good hip-hop instrumentals. Optimally, I want them to really grab my attention, but they can’t be overpowering to the point of distraction if I have one playing in a social gathering setting. DJs and producers who can pull that off are top-notch in my book, folks like Dilla, DJ Shadow, MF Doom, RJD2, and Madlib. Well, after listening to Devastating! Forces of Nature!, I’ve added Ill-Sugi and Brycon to that list.
Ill-Sugi and Brycon split duties across the album – both contributing 11 tracks. While similarities in theme and style between the two DJs shaped by the overall theme of the album, the attraction of the project lies in the distinctions between their offerings. For the most part, the music leans more on the ethereal and whimsical side of the fence. My favorite example of their work is “Wind,” but I also enjoyed when the whimsy can be broken on harder-edged tracks such as Brycon’s “Trial.”
The album also inspired me to check out Bandcamp for more independent DJs. There’s a whole world out there to explore.
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!