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 first month of the year is almost over already. Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess. With the column going on hiatus each December, the first column of the year is always a bit tougher to get right. It feels like I’m coming back from vacation and trying to play catch up, while also doing the this month’s work.
What made January 2024 more challenging is that, every time I finalized my featured artists, more amazing music got announced or released. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had a January this packed. My first draft topped the scales at 40 releases. Don’t worry – I got it down to a brisk 21. You’re welcome.
In all seriousness, it’s good to be back with an embarrassment of riches at my disposal to cover. Here’s what got my attention the most.
Ska
Annalies Tang – Disappearing Act
After listening to Disappearing Act, you’ll have a hard time believing this was lead singer Annalies Tang’s first real exposure to ska music. As the story goes, the origin of this band begins with a series of demos getting passed around the country. The members didn’t even meet each other officially until they got in the studio and started working out the songs that would become this four-track EP. It’s astonishing to realize that the first time they worked on these songs together was in the studio.
Consisting of members from bands like Poindexter, Grey Matter, Odd Robot, and She/Her/Hers, Annalies Tang formed an indie-ska supergroup. Think Pauline Black or Gwen Stefani suddenly fronting a band like Flying Raccoon Suit or Mega Infinity.
Lyrically, the songs challenge the listener. While they’re catchy, they’re also incredibly moving – both emotionally and spiritually. There’s a lovely storytelling aspect to each song, especially with the lead single, “Jasmine Tea.” It’s a song that confronts and attacks society’s expectations of women and stereotypes of Asian women.
Call Me Malcolm – “One Cure to the Head, Two to the Chest”
The last time Call Me Malcolm put out a proper full-length album, it ended the year on my top ten list. The band is back in 2024, and they’ve officially joined Bad Time Records. If this single is any indication of what to expect from the rest of their BTR debut, we’re all in for an absolute treat. Call Me Malcolm is self-care through ska-punk, and Malcolm’s lyrics are cathartic and raw, serving as therapy for those who need to hear them.
Musically, the first single off Echoes & Ghosts is a great introduction to fans who might not be familiar with the UK ska-punk powerhouse. Pounding drums work hand-in-hand with a horn line that demands your attention. Mix in heavier (and dare I say a dash of metal?) punk riffs and ska upstrokes, and you’ve got a great representation of current UK ska-punk.
Half Past Two (featuring Adam Davis of Omnigone) – “Turn Back the Hands”
One of the most anticipated new albums is what’s next from Half Past Two. I’m a fan of their older music, but they’re making some magic in their Southern California studio right now. I’ve seen a completely new approach to their music ever since they started working with Reade Wolcott on new material. It’s more personal, vulnerable, and mature. I don’t know how long we’ll be waiting for a new full-length. Until then, I can survive on the dopamine hit this a new single gives me.
HP2 is joined by Adam Davis from Omnigone to give us parent-ska anthem. It’s a song about trying to balance life as a parent with your other activities. This catchy tune reminds us to do our best and to remember we’re more than just parents. It’s the second time we’ve had Tara and Adam on a song together. The world needs more of that, too.
IndiSKA in Decay (featuring Flip and the Combined Effort, Holy Schnikes!, The Hellas, Sad Snack, and Musicubes) – “COULDA BEEN SKA”
Taking a page from Jeff Rosenstock’s SKA DREAM, Indica in Decay is re-imagining songs from the first act of their synth rock opera. The first song to get the ska treatment is “COULDA SHOULDA WOULDA.” One of my favorites from the original project, I was especially intrigued to see how it would sound as a ska song. The short answer is … it’s amazing.
IndiSKA in Decay was able to take the essence of the tune and completely change the listening experience. It’s 2 Tone meets synth with a dash of Tom Waits. Indica in Decay didn’t do it all themselves, as they were joined by some extremely talented ska bands. After hearing how good “COULDA BEEN SKA” is, bring on the rest of the rock SKA-pera.
The Boy Detective – Art Theft
Today’s opening bands have the possibility of being tomorrow’s favorite band. That’s why I do everything I can to get to shows on time. Opening the show has to be stressful enough, but it’s dejecting if people aren’t there or engaged.
That’s how I discovered The Boy Detective. The band opened for J. Navarro & The Traitors last month, and they absolutely blew me away. I immediately listened to everything I could get my hands on, and then found out they had a new release on the horizon. Art Theft was the first album I heard in 2024, and boy (detective), what a way to start the year.
The Boy Detective blends ska with punk, emo, and hardcore. And, true to the album title, there are lots of Easter eggs throughout that were “stolen” and placed in each song. It’s a fun little game to play while you’re listening. There’s a lot here about growing up and what it means to be an adult, raising a family while also trying to date your partner, and the feelings when a relationship goes sour.
The music is incredibly energetic, matches the energy of their live show, and has several vocal layers. There’s plenty of gang vocal choruses to sing along to, and having trombone and two different saxophones makes for a very dynamic and powerful horn line. I absolutely love this band now, and I can’t shut up about them. We’re one month in, and I guarantee the band will find a stop on my Top 24 of 2024 list at the end of the year. They’re that good.
The Write-Ups – self-titled
The Write-Ups play a brand of ska music as gritty as their birthright of Flint, MI. They wear their feelings and politics on their sleeves, and it drives the band’s music. Flint is awash in political corruption, and The Write-Ups don’t shy away from any of it, no matter how painful it might be.
That’s clearly evident when they come out full force against former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder for the Flint Water Crisis. That was an absolutely dark time in Michigan’s history, and issues still remain a decade later. They don’t just call out our former governor. With “Operation Arrowhead,” The Write-Ups take aim at a controversial downtown policing program in Flint.
It’s not all politics. “Going Back Home” is a love letter to friends, family, and your hometown. “Living in the Meantime (We’re All Gonna Die)” is a call to action to live your life to the fullest because our time on this rock is finite.
Whether its speaking out against oppression or corruption, or singing an upbeat song about living life, The Write-Ups perform with absolute conviction. Musically, they’re a cross between ska, org-core, and crack rocksteady, but without the controversy. Led by the gravel-voiced Dan Moilanen, The Write-Ups are primed to take 2024 by storm.
Various Artists – New York New Tone
Back when I started really listening to music, the most common way I found out about it was through compilation CDs. Most of them were label-specific, but they were always low-cost and turned me on to a lot of bands I still listen to today.
When it comes to ska, the major players back then were Jump Up! and Moon Ska. While the latter is no more, Staten Island-based Root Down Sounds hopes to fill some of the hole they left. Their first release is New York New Tone, a compilation album aimed at shining a light on bands from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
Label head Jaime Rails took great care to curate a selection of new and upcoming bands, as well as ones just hitting their stride. This love letter to the region showcase of 20 bands you need to know. They’re either at the cusp of hitting the next level of popularity, or they deserve to be. Highlights include Barbicide, Sgt. Scag, Kmoy, Mega Infinity, and Joker’s Republic, all of whom had their last full-lengths hit my year-end lists.
But with any good comp, it’s not about bands you know – it’s about who you discover. The three new-to-me bands who caught my ear the most were Goblin City Rat Boys, Llama Tsunami, and The Agonizers. There’s a little something for every ska fan here.
Punk
Definitely Maybe – “Are We Having Fun Yet?”
“Are We Having Fun Yet?” tackles an issue I struggle with continuously. It’s the desire to do something, but instead of doing it, watching others live your dreams. Definitely Maybe paint a realistic picture though – actually getting up and doing the thing isn’t all it cracks up to be. The Chicago group packs everything you’d expect to hear in a modern pop-punk song within three minutes and change. If you’re fans of bands like Paramore, All Time Low, and Meet Me @ The Altar, then Definitely Maybe needs to be in your rotation as well.
Eevie Echoes & The Locations – The Cons of Being a Wallflower
This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. I’m so glad The Cons of Being a Wallflower came out in January, because I’m not sure I could have waited any longer. My expectations were pretty high for this project, so I worried that it wouldn’t stack up to how I built it up in my head. Luckily, It’s better than I imagined.
Eevie Echoes & The Locations is a special band; one that comes along and changes the game considerably. While they’re on Ska Punk International, I’m always going to consider them a punk act. It helps that Eevie Echoes is empathetic and angry and intelligent and emotional and overflowing with raw power. She has the ability to hold you up or kick your ass in gear, which makes The Cons of Being a Wallflower a 30-minute jolt to your system.
Eevie Echoes embodies the best of artists like Laura Jane Grace, Courtney Love, Kurt Cobain, Iggy Pop, Brody Dalle, and Kathleen Hannah. She approaches punk rock from a more genre-diverse landscape. Sometimes, you’ll hear ska. Other times, you’ll hear indie, hardcore, or grunge. One time, even The Pixies and Radiohead seemed to drop by and say hello for part of a song. The real magic comes from how Eevie puts all of these inspirations together, creating one of the most important punk albums you’ll hear this year. It’s an album filled with pain, but ultimately, it’s also an album filled with love and acceptance of self.
Middle-Out – “Ballerinas”
Recently signed to Punkerton Records with a full-length due in May, Detroit punk trio Middle-Out leans more towards the aggressive and gritty side of punk rock. While still melodic, their new single “Ballerinas” has attitude to spare. The anthemic chorus is flanked by pounding drums, and a dual guitar – bass attack that puts me in mind of Off With Their Heads, A Wilhelm Scream, and Alkaline Trio.
The subject matter fits in with the sound. The lyrics discusses the idea of what happens when you become too stubborn and set in your ways. That approach starts to grate on the folks in your life to the point that they stop coming around, or they just don’t act the same with you anymore. The song gives you plenty of opportunity to let the meaning sink in and then belt out the chorus. I have a feeling this one will be a ripper live.
Neck Deep – Self-Titled
While the band has been successful for years now, Neck Deep approached their self-titled release on Hopeless Records with a look to the past. Instead of working with multiple collaborators and producers, Neck Deep kept it simple as a nod to their roots. They heightened the mood by recording at the warehouse space in their hometown.
After nearly a decade together, the DIY feel of their fifth full-length benefits from how much the band has learned as they perfected their craft. I think Neck Deep the band fully actualized into what they’ve wanted to always be, a melodic punk band that can have fun and have something to say at the same time.
The songwriting is top-notch, the music is polished and tight, and a certain energy flows through the album. I suspect that’s because of the added excitement and pride that results from only relying on themselves to make a killer record. If you like melodic pop punk and haven’t heard Neck Deep yet, this self-titled release is a great jumping-on point.
The Speakeasy – Self-Titled
Even though The Speakeasy formed in 2017, this album is their debut full-length release. After listening to it a few times, it’s pretty safe to say the wait was well worth it. Hailing from Montreal, The Speakeasy’s brand of punk rock is predominantly skate punk, but they play with elements of folk and alternative as well. They’d fit in nicely on a bill with bands like Face to Face, Bad Religion, and Millencolin.
These talented musicians can stack up to any skate punk bands performing these days, but The Speakeasy shines in their songwriting. There are no throwaway or jokey tracks here. Instead, the band tells their fans a story with every single song. The Speakeasy’s lyrics reminds me of songwriters like Tim Barry and the late, great Tony Sly. Through these narrative tunes, The Speakeasy calls for a revolution of mind and spirit. Their music is so engaging and thought-provoking, so it’s a revolution I can get behind.
18Fevers – Death Punk Disco
When I write this column each month, I try to stick with releases that came out in the given month I’m working on at the moment. Unfortunately, I can’t catch them all. That’s why from time to time, I let my unwritten rule slide a bit when a band comes my way that I want to make sure gets on people’s radars. That’s why, even though Death Punk Disco came out in Summer 2023, I’m featuring it now.
18Fevers is a punk band from Seoul, South Korea that deserves a larger platform. They’re loud, abrasive, and sing about some pretty important topics, especially these days. They fill their songs with criticism on the disconnect between social issues and capitalism, feminism, LGBTQIA+ rights, and standing up for the oppressed. With the importance of these issues, 18Fevers isn’t playing nice. Instead, they’re hitting you in the face and demanding you listen. Their music is confrontational, refusing to compromise their beliefs. If you listen to War on Women, older AFI, or L7, then you’ve got a pretty good idea about what to expect.
Other Junk
CZARFACE – CZARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
If I had more time with this album last December, it would’ve made my Top 23 of 2023 list. I’m a sucker for a good hip-hop supergroup, and CZARFACE has consistently been my favorite since they formed. Featuring Inspectah Deck from Wu-Tang, as well as 7L & Esoteric, CZARFACE scratches every itch for me. Deck, 7L, & Eso have spent the better part of the last decade building up the mythology of the CZARFACE Universe. It just keeps getting better with every new chapter they introduce.
Relying mainly on slick production and boom-bap beats, CZARFACE pay homage to the golden and silver ages of hip-hop in the same way they use gold- and silver-age comics as one of the primary conceits in their rhymes. CZARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE reminds me of listening to audiobooks telling essential tales of the CZAERFACE world. Like Voltron or Devastator, the three members of the group combine to make them more powerful than they otherwise would be. Pop culture, comic books, and professional wrestling. Seriously, you can’t go wrong!
Dowsing – No One Said This Would Be Easy
A longtime fixture in the Chicago emo scene, Dowsing is back with No One Said This Would Be Easy. While the members of the band are now spread out across the country, this album is proof that when they get together, they make magic. It’s an album about heartbreak, death, and loss during pandemic times. No bells and whistles, just a straight forward emo album completed to perfection.
No One Said This Would Be Easy is essential, no-frills emo. Dowsing rely on their professionalism and talent to guide you through a 30-minute journey about heartbreak. Highly catchy with hook-laden guitars and meaningful lyrics, Dowsing’s latest is a superb start to 2024 for emo fans.
glass beach – plastic death
After nearly a five-year hiatus, glass beach is back with a new full-length album. The band is clearly inspired by an absolute spectrum of musical styles, and they found a way to fuse them on plastic beach. No matter how overwhelming that may sound, it’s an amazing feat and sounds absolutely amazing. At one point, you’ve got heavy synth, then things morph into heavy industrial, and then slow down again with more of a singer-songwriter feel. And that’s just one song!
Throughout the album, you’ll hear punk, ambient jazz, new wave, and more. The talent to put all of these influences into a cohesive composition is an inspiring treat for the ears, as if Radiohead, Mars Volta, and The Talking Heads are playing the same bill simultaneously. This beautiful act of chaos demands your attention, and you won’t get the fullest possible enjoyment without active listening. I can’t count how many times I stopped, rewound, and started again as I listened my way through plastic death. I was afraid to miss anything.
House Parties – Side Effects
I suspect the typical fan of House Parties much younger than I am, but that doesn’t mean old hats can’t appreciate newer bands. In fact, Side Effects even contains a song about the negative talk that creeps up when you second-guess life. “Get a Grip” focuses on quieting the negative voice inside of each of us and instead realize we’re worth it. It’s my favorite track on the EP because I need to battle that voice more times than I’d like to admit.
Ultimately, the music focuses on helping the listener see themselves as who they really are, insecurities and all. It’s time for all of us to embrace that and start facing the world as our true selves – even when we try to hide the negative like Chaney Elaine and crew sing about on “Waterworks.” Falling on the emo-pop spectrum, House Parties has the musical chops to support such strong lyrics, but they also show off plenty of pop-punk, rock, and chunky guitar riffs.
Lumpy – “Dreamt Me Up”
The mastermind behind Lumpy is multi-instrumentalist Bryan Highhill. “Dreamt Me Up” is a synth-driven dreamy pop composition that leans more into the indie realm. There’s also an amazing flugelhorn solo on the track that’s elegant enough to be featured in an orchestral piece of music. I’m always in awe of what Lumpy comes up with because he has a creative mind mixed with immense talent. You can’t go wrong with Lumpy’s musical offerings.
Manganista – “Human Being”
The narrator in Manganista’s “Human Being” lives among humans and reports back about the human race. The entire conceit is a great way comment on Earthling behavior in a non-confrontational way. Musically, we’re treated to catchy melodic power pop with dashes of synthy, New Wave influences and a face-melting guitar solo about two-thirds through the song. This is the kind of track that easily becomes an ear worm, as I’ve literally sung the chorus out loud at random times throughout the day since I first heard it.
Teens in Trouble – “Playlist”
When the dust settles on 2024, Teens in Trouble will likely be one of my favorite new discoveries of the year. With a full-length releasing in Spring 2024 on Asian Man Records, they’ve dropped singles to get us hyped for that release. The latest is “Playlist,” and, to put it bluntly, it rocks. Lead singer Lizzie Killian sings with the ferocity of Kim Deal mixed with the melodic tones of Neko Case. Fuzzy guitars, ’90s alternative, garage rock, and synths complement Killian’s vocals and words perfectly. Frankly, I need the upcoming album now.
The Missing Peace – “FIREWORK”
I’m pretty picky when it comes to hardcore music. My ear isn’t educated enough to appreciate the nuances of the genre. So, I know a band is special if they get me to stop and give them multiple listens in a row. One such band is The Missing Peace from the Washington DC area. “FIREWORK” delivers the guttural vocals during the breakdowns you’d expect with a hardcore group, but there’s so much more. I’m impressed with the level of experimentation and melody, as it has me thinking more Turnstile and Deftones than Every Time I Die. If you’re seeking out the next great post-hardcore band, look no further. The Missing Peace are here to stay, and they’re destined for greatness.
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! You can also reach out to me on my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.