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.
September felt so long, yet so short at the same time. Any month filled with some of my favorite things and a medical scare that landed me in the ER for emergency surgery will create such feelings. Yet, no matter what happened in my personal life, the music never stops. Thankfully, I’m stitched up and mostly recovered, so it’s time to sit down to the buffet that was September’s musical offerings. Get a bib. I hope you’re hungry!
Ska
Brasser – Ruidoso EP
I’m in awe of this brass-heavy ska punk from Vancouver, British Columbia. The saxophone and trumpet soars throughout adding the exclamation point to an already solid musical background. This project is only a taste of what Brasser has.
Aside from the dominant horn work, the uptempo melody with clean guitar work and gang vocal opportunities keep things moving throughout. I can already envision how awesome Brasser would be live. Like any good appetizer, it left me satisfied while I was listening to it and sad when it was over. The band has lots to build on after Ruidoso, and I can’t wait for my next taste.
Hans Gruber & the Die Hards / The Sensations – Tokyo Two Step
More of these splits please! The robust and diverse Japanese ska scene deserves much more global exposure. With Tokyo Two Step, Ska Punk International’s Hans Gruber & the Die Hards teams up with The Sensations, a Japanese ska punk band. For the split, each band offers up an original and a cover.
The original from The Sensations is a fun ska punk rager with an anthemic chorus and some big ’60s rock ‘n’ roll guitar riffs thrown in for good measure. Hans Gruber offers up “Trepanation,” showcasing why they’re one of the best skacore bands in the scene right now. Pure energy, abrupt style changes that seamlessly fit into the entire composition, and organized chaos: It’s epic.
For the covers, The Sensations turn The Muffs “On and On” into a ska punk jam. Then, just in time for spooky season, the Gruberites give us a truly hypnotic and inspired rendition of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins classic, “I Put a Spell On You.”
Jaune Toujours – Vertigo
Take Gogol Bordello, add some funky second line brass orchestration from NOLA, then overfill with ska music, and you’ve got Jaune Toujours. Hailing from Belgium, this music collective masterfully blends ska with jazz, jam band, punk, Balkan folk music, and big brass marching band. The danceable energy will keep your head bopping for the entire album.
Monkey – Barrel of Dub
While not technically a ska album, Monkey is a ska band, so I’ll let it slide. Plus, without ska, there is no reggae, so there! Barrel of Dub takes the long-standing ska band’s best reggae tunes and hands them over to some of the best dub masters in the scene today.
For this nine-track album, you’re not just listening to Monkey’s music, you’re listening to a sound experience. For example, “Unity Re-Dub” takes the laid back tune “Unity Pub” and strips it down to its base levels with distortion and effects. Amazing dub musicians like Victor Rice, Roger Rivas, and Crazy Baldhead contributed their talents to this collaboration. Barrel of Dub is a treat for fans of Monkey and fans of dub reggae alike.
Peg & the Rejected – Top Rankin’
With this album, Peg & The Rejected deliver covers of two iconic songs, as well as instrumentals for each. Up first is “Top Rankin’,” off Survival, the 1979 album by Bob Marley & The Wailers. This rendition keeps the core big brass moments from the Marley classic, but speeds it up a bit with a trad ska feel. Very enjoyable cover.
After that, they take aim at The Clash’s “Garageland.” They strip the punk aggression out of it and inject the song with more of a drum and bass meets ’80s 2 Tone feel. Such a clever way to handle The Clash. Wherever Joe Strummer is right now, he’s smiling down on Peg & The Rejected.
Pontius Pilate & The Naildrivers – Are You Ready?
Sometimes, you listen to a band because their name catches your eye. As I was going through this month’s new releases, this one stuck out to me. After listening to them, I was pleasantly surprised. Hailing from Cork, Ireland, Pontius Pilate & The Nail Drivers feel influenced by The Clash, David Bowie, ska from the 2 Tone era, and a slight dash of good old-fashioned American rock ‘n’ roll.
This four-track EP is a showcase, as each track highlights different talents. From the big band guitar ska sound of “Are You Ready,” to the more low key ballad “Ophelia,” there really is something for every ska fan here. I want to explore more of Pontius Pilate’s music because this four-track sampler wasn’t enough.
Rude Girl Revue – The Supernova EP
The best ska supergroup going these days is Rude Girl Revue. Formed at Supernova Ska Festival years ago, the band has now become an annual attraction at the ska festival. As each year goes by, they just get stronger, shuffling in some of the best female ska musicians to join the core group of the band.
This EP features two originals as well as covers of EnVogue’s “Never Gonna Get It,” Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield,” and The Queen of Soul’s “Respect.” With “Rude Girl Shake,” the group gives a strong ’60s funk and soul vibe along with the ska. It’s a fun anthem of sorts for the band, featuring multiple vocal features. “This is the Year” has more of a reggae groove with “Exodus” vibes that complements Lady Hatchet’s vocals perfectly. It’s a political track that demands change while highlighting just how powerful women are.
The covers are just as inspired as the originals. Lindsay McCarthy from The Skluttz and Karole Alexander from Stop the Presses lead the charge for En Vogue. Dunia Best is joined by flute solos on “Love is a Battlefield.” Then, Ali Presses from Stop The Presses continues her domination of songs from bad ass women. After Kathleen Hanna and Dolly Parton on two earlier releases, Aretha Franklin feels like a natural progression. Aretha’s got big shoes to fill, and Ali Presses rose to the occasion and knocked it out of the park. Rude Girl Revue is a bad ass supergroup.
The Chains – Crying On The Dancefloor
Since my name is Dane, of course I’ll feature a Danish ska band in my column at every opportunity. All jokes aside, Copenhagen six-piece ska band The Chains deserve all the attention and more. They’re heavily entrenched in the more traditional ska and reggae styles.
Reminiscent of bands like The Aggrolites, Green Room Rockers, and Westbound Train, The Chains captured me with the first organ note. They kept me engaged because of their talent. They’ve got some amazing dance tunes on Crying On The Dancefloor, but The Chains aren’t afraid to touch on more political and social topics with their music. If you like organ-driven ska music with a danceable beat and fuzzy guitar work, then this album is right up your alley.
The Loyal – S/T
Towing the line between trad ska and trad reggae influences, Detroit’s The Loyal is a band worthy of your attention. This self-titled project sounds better than most band’s full production releases. While the backbone of the band’s sound stems from more traditional Jamaican rhythms, their Motor City roots add elements of soul, R&B, and Motown.
The soulful vocals of Lead singer Cara Stefanides give The Loyal’s songs s smoky underground jazz club vibe. Aside from being extremely good songs, they also just feel so cool. As she sings on “Soldier On,” “We’ve got shit to do. Let’s dance the night away.”
The Maka Sticks – The Nation’s Skapital
To be honest, when I see a new band with a ska pun in either their name or album title, I immediately think I’ll hear the Orange County Third Wave Ska sound. So, when “Friday Night” greeted me with uptempo 2 Tone ska flair and a killer saxophone, I learned my lesson. It’s not nice to just a new band by its ska pun. Even better, “Friday Night” was a fluke either.
Each track on this six-song EP is filled with pure ska joy that puts them up there with contemporaries like The Prizefighters and The Abruptors. After listening to The Nation’s Skapital multiple times, I’m already waiting for a full-length. With the right support, The Maka Sticks should have a long and fruitful career in ska music. They’re just too good to be isolated to the Washington, D.C. area.
The Slapstickers – Silverback
One of the happy side effects of being more adventurous with my music discovery this year is that I’ve found bands who have been around for 20-30 years that are new to me. This month’s entry is The Slapstickers out of Brühl, Germany. They’ve been wowing audiences all over Europe for many years and have over a dozen releases under their belts. Better late than never, I guess.
Silverback is a wonderful introduction to such a talented band. While most of the songs are in English, “Viaje Barcelona” is in Spanish. Musically, this band should be lumped in with bands that cut their teeth on Moon Ska Records. They’re more reminiscent to The Pietasters and Mephiskapheles than punk-forward ska music. While there’s a lot of great things to say about the originals on this album, The Slapstickers did Depeche Mode proud with how they reinterpreted the classic, “Enjoy the Silence.”
Various Artists – New York New Tone Volume 2: No Limits
Last year, New York New Tone Volume 1 immediately introduced me to some great bands I’ve never heard of. That release covered mainly bands in the New York/New Jersey and surrounding areas. This time around, the coverage expanded, hinted at by the subtitle No Limits. The majority of bands fit the same spirit of the first comp, but they’re joined by groups expanding those initial boundaries. For example, acts like Matt Wixson and The Boy Detective (both from Michigan) are included, along with Massachusetts ska core band PWRUP.
New York New Tone has definitely taken a major step up with this volume. If you want to discover new bands the old-fashioned way, then you need this comp, as it has lots of great groups to discover and support. Given how big this year’s incarnation is, I’m already excited for a third New York New Tone. Keep up the good work!
Notable Ska Singles This Month
- Half Past Two (featuring Brittany Luna of Catbite) – “Wrong For You” – Poppy ska song with heavy horn accompaniment and dual vocals by Tara Hahn and Catbite’s Brittany Luna. FFO: Catbite, We Are The Union, The Goodwin Club
- Mutiny – “O Salutaris” – Skacore supergroup with a brand new song to follow up their debut EP release from earlier this year. FFO: PWRUP, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Death By Stereo, Frail, Folly
- The Guilty Parties – “The Last Stand” – Latest single touches on the dreams you have as children being so hard to accomplish as adults. Soaring horn lines and ska upstrokes meets prog rock. FFO: Runaway Ricochet, RX Bandits, Young Costello
- The Kilograms – “Every Street/Drop That Guff” – The unbeatable pair of Sammy Kay and Joe Gittleman picks up right where they left off. Heartfelt lyrics sung with a rasp that indicates a life lived and solid musicianship, the group is hitting their stride. FFO: Joe Gittleman, Sammy Kay, Tim Barry, Mighty Mighty BossTones, Chuck Ragan
- The Slackers – “What We Gonna Do Now?/Pick and Choose” – My favorite band. At this point, they’ve transcended the genre. Never shying away from politics, these two tracks focus on voting and dealing with trying times. Reminiscent of Close My Eyes era of the band. FFO: Hepcat, Westbound Train, The Aggrolites, The Pietasters
- The Wavebirds – “High Score P.L.I.“ – This song warms my arcade-loving heart. This trombone-heavy ska punk band from Vancouver, Canada singing about the geekier things in life. I can’t wait to hear more! FFO: Dancehall Crashers, Mealticket, Flying Raccoon Suit, Tape Girl
- Underneath the Lookout – “City Lights“ – Second single from new ska/reggae/dancehall/EDM duo from the UK. Suzy takes lead vocal duties this go around, adding a new dynamic not yet explored by the band. FFO: Commonsense Kid, Sonic Boom Six, Dub Pistols, Andy B & The World
Punk
All Hope Remains – Find My Way
The first thing that drew me in when listening to Find My Way was the drumming, as Tony Maloney is an absolute madman. At times, it sounds like he’s in a metal band with the furor of his pounding drumbeats. Extra flourishes like this absolutely put All Hope Remains on a higher pedestal.
If A Wilhelm Scream was a straight up melodic skate punk band, I would think they’d sound a lot like All Hope Remains. There’s plenty of melody, gang vocals, and heart to go along for everyone. Musically, All Hope Remains belongs in the same conversation with the best Epitaph bands. They’re that good.
Modern Angst – Part X
Modern Angst hasn’t even been a band for the long yet, and they’re already putting out rippers like Part X. That just doesn’t seem fair. Lyrically, lead singer Jared White has a lot to say. Most of the band’s songs touch on the varying and immense social concerns that come with living in America these days.
For instance, “Don’t Tell The Landlord” is all about wealth inequality and the affordable housing myth that exists in many big cities around the country. “Never Promised Tomorrow” is about living in the present and making it the best you can because the past is irrelevant and the future isn’t promised. It’s a punk rock kick in the ass to live your life. If you like bands like Bad Religion, Propagandhi, and H2O, Modern Angst will become your next favorite band.
The Bad Ups – Life of Sin
The Bad Ups are everything I love about the vintage Epitaph and Fat Wreck Chords sound. Not satisfied to stick with one type of punk rock, The Bad Ups are masters of the genre. At times, I hear melodic punk ala Face to Face, The Bouncing Souls, and No Use For a Name. Other times, they dip their toes into ska punk and pop punk.
If they made a new Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game today, I would campaign to get The Bad Ups on it. They’ve got the right sound. Their music is modern but pays major homage to the past. The Bad Ups will become a force to be reckoned with in the punk scene sooner rather than later. It’s not if but when for this Philly four-piece.
Two Trains Left – Probably For Nothing
If I didn’t already know going in that Two Trains Left was a band from Paris, France, I wouldn’t believe it after hearing Probably For Nothing. It’s 12 tracks of emotional pop-punk perfection. They fit in perfectly well with their contemporaries like Neck Deep, Four Year Strong, and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! I also get some Drive-Thru Records Kung Fu Records vibes too. I could see them playing alongside bands like New Found Glory, The Ataris, The Movielife, and Senses Fail.
It’s not all high energy, guitar-driven punk rock though. Two Trains Left isn’t afraid to slow it down a tad and kick out some heartfelt ballads, too. Messages throughout focus on believing in yourself, evolving, overcoming self-doubt, and having the resilience and perseverance to become best version of you. Probably For Nothing was the realization and transformation of Two Trains Left into their best selves, so it’s a great soundtrack for your journey.
Other Junk
Mighty Tortuga – S/T
Modern emo, fuzzy guitars, and a hint of ’90s alternative rock: That’s my elevator pitch for Mighty Tortuga. Digging a little deeper, this New England band bleeds raw emotion. Adding to their dynamic sound are the dual vocals of Kevin Tiernan and Mike Krische. The album was produced by Fred Mascherino of Taking Back Sunday/Say Anything fame, so you know Mighty Tortuga was in good hands. Mascherino even lends his talent to the track “Without a Doubt.”
The Darcys – Rendering Feelings
I’ve been listening to The Darcys since 2016. This Toronto, Ontario duo is unapologetic about who they are and the music they want to make. One album might be an ’80s neon fever dream, while the next might be inspired by the American West and old cowboy movies. The one thing that doesn’t change about the group is that they’re ever-changing. Seeing what their next evolution will be is part of the fun of listening to their music.
That spirit in their music that hooked me in the first place is still alive and well on their latest album, Rendering Feelings. The evolution for this project is dance music with fuzzy chunky guitars and lots of dark synth programming and effects. It’s hypnotic, trancelike, and catchy. But when you peel back all of the layers, The Darcys are masters at writing catchy pop tunes.
The Meringues – Pavlova’s Dog
Staying in the Canadian province of Ontario, The Meringues should make a splash with their debut Pavlova’s Dog. This Kingston act delivers noisy garage rock meets noise meets post-punk and new wave. It’s White Stripes meets The Strokes meets The Pixies. There’s really a lot going on here, but the music is eclectic, dynamic, and engaging.
Even with the various electronics synth in play, the chunky, yet melodic guitar work is the star. When all the effects and madness are stripped away, you get shredding power pop guitar work that definitely evokes Weezer. One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Nvr Rlly Hnst.” Ontario produces such talented and eclectic bands, so it won’t be long before The Meringues are one of Canada’s top musical exports.
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.