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. 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 honestly feels like I wrote my June 2024 column last week. I’ve been having so much fun this summer that the time has zoomed by. All the great music I listened to this month has aided in that fun. Here’s what caught my ear the most this month!
Ska
Andy B & The World – “Let’s Talk About Feelings”
I try to avoid featuring the same bands in consecutive months, but when they release an amazing single two months in a row, I can’t avoid it. Last month, Andy B & The World blessed us with a ska punk song about the current political climate in America. This month, they shift gears to discuss mental health. With how much of a stigma is still placed on mental health in the world, we should highlight media that normalizes caring for yourself.
“Let’s Talk About Feelings” finds band leader Andy Baker sharing vocal duties with Aaron Carey. Baker has a more straightforward singing voice, while Carey delivers a more uptempo vocal that toes the line between singing and rapping. The result is a nice duality of styles that makes the song much more engaging and dynamic.
Musically, you’ll get a bit of folk, a bit of skate punk, and some catchy ska music. It’s okay to not be okay, and if listening to this song helps you realize that, then it did its job.
Backyard Superheroes – Mass Hysteria
With Mass Hysteria, fans get a different version of Backyard Superheroes. After some lineup changes, the band took a bit of a break before recording this album. Whatever they did worked because the album feels like they’re back with a renewed energy.
More and more these days, bands are getting more comfortable being more vulnerable with their lyrics. There’s a new maturity and relateability with the songs on Mass Hysteria. Lead singer Josh Hershkovitz isn’t shying away from talking about mental health, the negative aspects of social media, and coping with all the madness surrounding us daily.
However, this more serious side of Backyard Superheroes doesn’t diminish the fun you’ll have listening to their music. They still deliver high energy New Jersey ska punk with a robust horn section. You’ll also still get plenty of sing-a-longs, anthemic choruses, and riffs galore. More of that please!
CodeName: Rocky – Foundation
In the early days of the pandemic, when most of the world was shut down, most of us picked up new hobbies, danced on TikTok, or put together a lot of puzzles. A lot of bands that had either previously broken up, gone on hiatus, or just faded away started talking again. One such band was SoCal ska punk band CodeName: Rocky. Emerging from their slumber post-pandemic, they wrote a lot of music and got in the studio as soon as they could. The result was 2022’s EP, Blueprint.
The band’s new music continues this month with another EP, Foundation. This time, CodeName: Rocky isn’t alone. Two of the four songs feature vocals from The Last Gang’s Brenna Red and Bite Me Bambi’s Tahlena Chikami. Brenna Red’s track, “Killing The Chemist,” reminds me of Propagandhi mixed with The Last Gang. This forceful track will be a crowd-pleaser with its heavy doses of skate punk and more aggressive ska punk.
“Little Devil,” Chikami’s song, shows a side of the singer that isn’t featured regularly with Bite Me Bambi. It’s pretty cool to hear her in a new light. The other two tracks rounding out the EP are equally engaging. If you’re a fan of the Orange County ska scene in any of its time periods, than Foundation is essential listening.
Devon Kay & The Solutions – & Knuckles
If you haven’t been properly introduced to Devon Kay & The Solutions yet, all you need to know is that they’re the best band in the world. Whether that claim is earned or self-proclaimed is up for the listener to decide. The group teamed up with Ska Punk International to release a 7-inch featuring covers of two iconic video games songs – “Still Alive” from Portal and “Escape From the City” from Sonic Adventure 2.
With both covers, the spirit of each song remains intact, while the arrangements feel more like Devon Kay originals rather than covers. That’s a testament to how good this band is, as the manic energy is vintage Devon Kay & The Solutions. The Portal cover falls more into the punk with horns category, while “Escape From the City” takes Sonic’s “Gotta Go Fast” mentality to heart, delivering a high energy ska punk dance tune that will be killer to see performed live.
Goldfinger (featuring Less Than Jake) – “I Had Some Help”
When it comes to covering songs of popular music, Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, and Less Than Jake are the three best Third Wave ska bands. Reel Big Fish backed Ice Nine Kills last month on a cover for “Walking on Sunshine.” This month, it was Goldfinger and Less Than Jake’s turn. Instead of going for another ’80s classic, the two groups went for something more current: Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help.”
Posty’s version of the song is definitely more in the country space (and features Morgan Wallen). Goldfinger speeds it up a tad, trades country twang for punk guitars and horn blasts, and swaps out Morgan Wallen for LTJ’s Chris DeMakes. I’d listen to the cover over the original any day. No offense to Post Malone, I just like this better as a ska track … and without Morgan Wallen.
Goulamas’K – Sempre Aqui
One thing I’ve learned this year after making a more conscious decision to seek out more international ska? France is loaded with amazing bands. It really is a shame that I didn’t know what ska was when I lived there in my teen years, because I likely would’ve been treated to an embarrassment of riches. This month’s discovery is Goulamas’K, a seven-piece ska band from Puisserguier in L’Occitane region of France.
Sempre Aqui is their new album, and it’s a 40 minute party. Most of the songs on the album provide a faster beat, perfect for dancing until you sweat through your clothes. These songs have a specific energy that is unmatched by most groups creating ska music these days.
Don’t let the fact that Goulamas’K might not be singing in your language deter you. Musically, they’re just so tight. While ska is the main sound here, they also break down into a heavier metal-influenced ska punk sound. “Ponhat de Favas” is my favorite track with this element, as I can just picture it being played live, complete with a circle skank pit. Another aspect of the band’s music that makes them unique is their use of various types of woodwind instruments. When the gralla or flabiol start going, it elevates the band’s music to another level.
Les SkartOi Rocksteady Orchestra – One Drop of Ska
When you put on the first track of One Drop of Ska, you immediately hear the respect and reverence Les SkartOi has for traditional Jamaican music. The album showcases a heavy dose of trad ska, reggae, rocksteady, and dub throughout. It’s impossible to not dance to this album.
The music soared throughout my office and lifted my spirits in the best way possible. I found myself bobbing my head and taking little skank breaks at work as I made my way through each track. I clapped in approval during horn section solos. And if you’re a geek about horn players showing off, check out “Nanny of the Maroons.” This instrumental gem holds up to modern heavy hitters like Hepcat and The Slackers, as well as vintage masters like The Skatalites. The album also has lots of soul, as the vocals on “When You’re Gone” and “Misery” gave me flashbacks of Amy Winehouse.
Ska music is universal and knows no borders. That statement is backed up by the fact that this band is from Greece, and they play in the trad style. I just couldn’t be happier to have discovered this group. If you love traditional Jamaican music, Les SkartOi Rocksteady Orchestra is a must-listen.
Omnigone – Feral
If you’ve been following my writing for the past few years, you know that Omnigone holds a special place in my heart. Each of their last two albums made it to my year-end lists, I’ve interviewed Adam Davis, and I even brought their latest album to a podcast I guested on. With 2023’s Against The Rest still so fresh in my mind, the last thing I expected this year was a new album from the group. When Feral got announced, I couldn’t wait to hear what the band was up to. After listening to it a few times, the only real answer to my question is releasing another killer album.
I love the previous two Omnigone albums dearly, especially their raw energy. Feral harnesses that energy and cranks it up to another level entirely. This time around, Davis only focuses on vocals, letting Russ Wood and Nick Tournie handle guitar duties. Those two then teamed up with bass player Barry Krippene and drummer Brent Friedman to form a killer quartet.
Following the fierceness and aggression that comes with a name like Feral, Omnigone ditches the horns for the album. Skacore provides the sonic backbone, but you get lots of hardcore punk as well. Davis and crew don’t shy away from tough topics either. One track talks about loss and how you process grief, while another looks at the societal pressure driveing toxic masculinity. With “Regress,” Omnigone calls out the walls society forces us to build because of the negativity towards showing emotion. There are also songs about self-reliance, unity, the evils of capitalism, helping the youth by getting out of their way, and the troublesome way history is reported for future generations.
Bravo, Omnigone! I hope you’re working on another album because now I want one a year. While you typically function more as a collective with only two permanent members, I adore this configuration of the band. You should find a way to make this your primary lineup, because it is the best you’ve ever sounded.
Save Ferris – “Lights Out in the Reptile House”
Save Ferris is back with a brand new single! If the rest of what they’re working sounds as good as this, I’m ready for a long-awaited new full-length. “Lights Out in the Reptile House” feels influenced more by ’80s ska, new wave, and pop than anything before. Imagine The B-52s and The Specials getting together to create a song with a catchy hook and eerie atmosphere. This incredibly unique song features one of Monique Powell’s strongest vocal performances on a track ever. Her tremendous vocal range is met with bombastic horns, a pounding bassline, and some really cool organ effects. This is Save Ferris as I’ve never heard them before. Refreshing!
The JB Conspiracy – Propagation House
The JB Conspiracy is one of the best UK ska punk bands in the scene today. Propagation House finds the band veering a little closer to a more ska punk sound than usual. Sure, there’s still some prog and hard rock layered throughout the songs, but this EP feels a little more stripped down. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of layers to the songs here, especially on a song like “Up In Smoke” that features some eerie effects, and “Newspaper Window” that has a more metal guitar backbone. Even when I feel like The JB Conspiracy tries to create a more traditional ska punk offering, they still show off and shove how talented every single person in the band is in our faces.
The Magnetics – Skangre Latino
Rocksteady, reggae, trad ska, soul, and dub from Italy? Yes, please! With Skangre Latino, The Magnetics blend the best influences of ’60s Jamaica to make their own sound that sounds equal parts throwback and modern. While the vocals are in Italian and Spanish, I was still completely engaged with lead singer Olly Riva because he reminds me of a mix between Obi Fernandez and Vic Ruggiero.
The Magnetics are another discovery on my 2024 ska world tour, and I’m so glad I happened upon them. If you’re a fan of the band Inspector, then you’re in for a treat with this album. Not only do they cover an Inspector song, but Jesus Arriaga chipped in on some of the writing for another track. There’s lots to like about The Magnetics. I can’t wait to dig into their older albums now because Skangre Latino sounds great!
Punk
Chaser – Small Victories
When I first heard Dreamers, I dubbed Chaser the second coming of No Use For a Name. After listening to their new album, Small Victories, I’m even more confident with my earlier assessment. Now, before you come at me with your pitchforks, there will never be another No Use For a Name or another Tony Sly. I jjust think Chaser is the closest we’ll ever get.
Musically, they embody everything I love about that California melodic skate punk sound. Their lyrics are sharp and thought-provoking. Small Victories reminds us that you can’t fix things in one grandiose act. It’s okay to “Control the Bleed” and fix what you can. I appreciate their realistic approach to what’s going on in the world today. Musically, they’re energetic and everything a fan of the ’90s Fat and Epitaph bands would absolutely love. It was one of my favorite eras of music, so listening to Chaser makes me so happy.
The Follow Ups – Know Who Your Friends Aren’t
Get ready for hard-hitting punk rock from Canada that takes the punk formula and ups the intensity and the velocity. Think Ramones by way of The Queers, Guttermouth, Screeching Weasel, and Teenage Bottlerocket. Know Who Your Friends Aren’t is meant to be played loud. If you’re a fan of this brand of punk, then The Follow Ups will be right up your alley.
While I dig the nasally/bratty vocals and three-chord pop-punk, I found myself paying attention to the drumming the most. I couldn’t believe how fast the drummer could play. What was even more impressive was how well the rest of the band was able to keep up. If you’re a fan of that old Lookout Records sound, then you need to listen to this album immediately.
Other Junk
beccs – Stay Moist
When I first heard “Good Comin'” by beccs, I felt that same joy I get when listening to artists like Lily Allen, Melanie Martinez, and P!nk. Sure, Stay Moist has plenty of light and airy tunes, but it also contains songs with a harder edge that leave the ethereal to enter a world that is more alternative and pop. With a dreamy vocal range combined with playful and clever songwriting, beccs makes for a delightful indie pop experience. I have no doubt she’ll be joining the ranks of her well-known contemporaries soon.
Carter Vail – 100 Cowboys
This is probably the most unexpected entry in this month’s column. I only learned who Carter Vail in Summer 2024 because of the Dirt Man meme on Tik Tok. I just assumed he made good jingles for the algorithm. Expecting more of the same, I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard throughout 100 Cowboys. Instead of goofy jingles, he delivered well-crafted alternative pop-rock songs that serve as a cathartic release after a bad breakup.
Even though the subject matter is a bit more serious and dark than the Carter Vail I know on TikTok, his charm and upbeat sound shines through. If you like bands like Foster The People, Owl City, and MGMT, then 100 Cowboys is right in your wheelhouse. I also hear some classic America rock-n-roll and jam band undertones complementing Vail’s modern arrangements as well. For instance, “Marilyn Monroe” sounds heavily influenced by “Touch of Grey” from The Grateful Dead.
100 Cowboys is my reminder to always try new things. Some of it won’t turn out how you’d like it, but when something hits, the discovery was worth it. Vail’s new album is catchy, anthemic, and full of feelings without sounding angry. You get the sense that he’s taking his breakup in stride and using it to grow. I’m really glad I ventured away from the dirt man to hear the “real” Carter Vail.
Sammy Kay – July 1960
July 1960 is Sammy Kay at his most stripped-down and vulnerable. This ten-song album offers up more evidence of why Sammy should be considered one of the best storytellers in folk music today. He has the voice of someone who has really lived. It’s weathered, gruff, and leathery – you want listen to more intently because you know there’s wisdom in his words.
The simple complexity of these tunes deliver whimsical, almost dreamlike feelings. It’s an absolutely beautiful album filled with living life and trying to understand who you really are. John Calvin Abney’s pedal steel guitar accompaniment gives Sammy’s songs a different life, one that straddles folk and goes into what I like to think of as real country music.
This is one of those albums that changes the trajectory of someone’s career. Sammy has never sounded better. To me, it firmly places him alongside musicians like Chuck Ragan, Tim Barry, Jason Isbell, and the Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.
The Bridge City Sinners – In the Age of Doubt
The Bridge City Sinners join a long list of bands that I discovered by going to see Frank Turner live. Over the years, some of those bands have gone on to become staples in my listening habits. After seeing them live earlier this year and then listening to their new album on repeat all month, The Bridge City Sinners are one of my favorite discoveries of 2024.
They play Americana with a twist. It’s bluegrass, folk, blues, and Dixieland jazz all rolled into one. Their music is also laced with dark intentions, sinister undertones, and punk rock. The songs on this album are hauntingly melodic at times but also filled with raw power.
Like the musical traditions that shape the band’s sound, In the Age of Doubt is narrative and engaging. Libby Lux and crew weave amazing pieces of art. It’s incredible how seamlessly Libby can transition from an enchanting singing voice to a guttural banshee wail, like during “The Crawl and “Spears and Blades.”
Every single song on this album gives each member of the band a chance to shine. They’re all amazing musicians. Sometimes, I just sit with my headphones, completely in awe with what they’re able to do with their instruments. For instance, “Spears and Blades” features an almost trance-like use of the banjo that feels like it’s going to possess you and take control of your thoughts at any moment. Go ahead and let it. There’s no use resisting the power of The Bridge City Sinners. You might as well succumb and join their legion of fans, just like I did.
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.