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. Since I listen to more than just those two genres, I also 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.
Happy New Year (I think?)! Ska, Punk, and Other Junk is back for another year of exposing you to the music that really gets me going each month. Because I don’t do a column in December 2024, my first column of 2025 is a little super-sized. A few releases came out late last year that I just couldn’t ignore … so I snuck them in here.
That’s because January 2025 has been the longest year of my life. These releases helped keep me sane in an insane world. If you use music for self care, or you just want to learn about some great new tunes, keep reading, because there’s lots to cover!
Ska
A Kick In The Bits – Don’t Break It
Leicester’s A Kick In The Bits sound equal parts classic and modern. Listening to Don’t Break It, I’m immediately reminded of both ’70s punk and 2 Tone ska. It’s like Sex Pistols and The Clash meet The English Beat and The Specials. I also hear a bit of reggae and dancehall blended in for good measure as well. And it helps that the band is just as political as many groups from that era of English music.
Admiral Ackbar’s Dishonourable Discharge – Q. Are We Not Ska? A. We Are AADD
I love a good Star Wars reference, but bands often hide behind pop culture to get over with fans. This Melbourne ska-punk band backs up the name with talent and catchy music. Sure, there’s a song called “It’s a Trap,” but it’s not cheesy at all. In fact, it shreds. As in, it’s a fast-paced ska punk song with a arena metal guitar solo squarely in the middle. The other tunes on the EP are clever and engaging. AADD’s horn line is one of the best I’ve heard in a while with lots of power behind them. While I enjoyed the entire EP, “If You Think This Song Is About You (You’re Probably Right)” is my standout. The interplay between the electric and acoustic guitars creates some amazing moments.
Calypso’s Curse – S/T
Hailing from Southern California, Calypso’s Curse immediately transported me to an idealized version of California in my mind. They deliver laid-back ska with good vibes and multiple influences. At times, reggae kicks in. Then it gets replaced with some distorted 311 vibes that morph into intricate guitar work a la Carlos Santana. It’s like ska meets reggae meets jam band, and I’m here for it.
It would be wrong to pigeonhole Calypso’s Curse as a beach band. For instance, “Death” has plenty of distortion and industrial leanings, both musically and lyrically. The group reminds me of a kaleidoscope, giving you something different each time you spin the tube. Producer Reade Wolcott deserves recognition because she did a great job of harnessing the band’s talents to make a memorable EP.
Deadbeat at Dawn / Chupaskabra – NERVE-O-RAMA
On NERVE-O-RAMA, UK ska-punk outfit Deadbeat at Dawn team up with Virginia’s Chupaskabra for seven inches of fun. The Deadbeat at Dawn offering, “4321,” is a high-octane anthem filled with energy, gang vocals, and a countdown of sorts, preparing the flip side. Chupaskabra offers up two songs on their side of the release. The first song, “As Good As It Gets,” is a party song through and through. It’s the musical equivalent of getting together with a bunch of buddies and reminiscing about all the crazy shit that happened to all of you in the past. Chupaskabra also teams up with Deadbeat at Dawn’s lead singer for their second song. It’s a lot heavier and dabbles into more of a ska core/metal sound.
Gringo’s Paradise – Too Much Fun
Gringo’s Paradise is a new ska punk band from Portugal. Everything about their band, from its name to each song on its debut EP, is filled with satire and commentary about our world. The band focuses on several thought-provoking topics affecting society today – socioeconomic inequality, gentrification, mental health concerns, and unhealthy work-life balances. The music accompanying the serious lyrics is highly energetic, landing somewhere between ska, punk, funk, grunge, and reggae. The result is a dynamic debut EP that keeps you dancing and thinking.
Hub City Stompers – Drinking Rage
Hub City Stompers have been going strong for over 20 years now, and with Drinking Rage, they’re showing absolutely no signs of stopping. What I like most about this band is that you can’t fit them in a single box. They appreciate and honor every ska wave. This roster of talented musicians can do it all. The album delivers 2 Tone, trad ska, big band ska, and ska jazz. There’s also some punk, skinhead reggae, and oi to go around as well. “In the Mind of a Skin” and “Won’t Lose Sleep” are highlights of an album filled with hits.
Jamaican Jazz Orchestra – All For a Reason
What happens when extremely talented jazz musicians take on the challenge to merge jazz music with traditional Jamaican music? You get Jamaican Jazz Orchestra/ Traditional ska, rocksteady, dub, and reggae provide the rhythm and foundation to each song on All For a Reason. The Jamaican influences weaved throughout each song resemble bands like The Skatalites. From there, the band layers on a thick jazz component for a completely dynamic sound. There’s a bit of big band jazz sprinkled into each song, but where the music really shines is with the solo work.
Les Testarudes – La Previa
A nine-piece act from Barcelona, Les Testarudes inject some much-needed diversity into the scene. Focusing mainly on traditional styles, La Previa is a love letter to trad ska, rocksteady, and reggae. Admittedly, I don’t understand what their songs are about because I don’t speak Spanish, but that doesn’t stop me from not catching the vibe. There’s no hiding how talented this band is. They’d be a perfect addition to Supernova, as it would expose them to an entire new segment of ska fandom!
Mega Infinity / Bad Mary – Mega Bad Disaster Party!
Just like a compilation album, splits are a great way to discover new (to you) bands. In the case of Mega Bad Disaster Party!, it was my first dose of Bad Mary. After listening to their two songs, it definitely won’t be my last dose. Their sound is loud, late-’70s punk with chunky riffs and powerhouse vocals. They have an almost arena rock feel with a DIY punk aesthetic. It’s like if Debbie Harry fronted Green Day, but with horns.
For me, Mega Infinity was the known entity. I’ve followed them since pandemic times, and they just keep getting better. They’re alt-rock indie-ska with intricate guitar melodies and an absolute dynamo fronting the band. Their growth is on full display with “Eyelids 2024.” It’s a reconstruction of a song from Mega Infinity’s 2017 EP, Behind Glass Walls. The original song was more alternative punk leaning. This new version, which features members of the New Orleans ska band Joystick!, finds new life as a ska-punk banger. It went from Paramore to Catbite and Flying Raccoon Suit, and this metamorphosis really excites me.
Misadventure – Demo
This group came out of nowhere earlier this month. Randomly scrolling Instagram one night when I should have been asleep, I saw an ad for a demo, and I had to check it out. If this demo is any indication of the band’s skills, Misadventure is going to be on everyone’s radar soon. They play organ-driven ska music a la The Chinkees, Bruce Lee Band, and Westbound Train. It’s incredibly soulful and danceable. I know it’s only the first month of the year, but Misadventure might just become my favorite ska discovery of 2025.
New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble – “Filthy McNasty” featuring Nathan Breedlove
It’s absolutely unfair just how talented New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble is. They’re a ska band that have consistently successfully blended danceable ska rhythms with big band jazz. I always recommend them to people who say they love jazz but not ska. After a few songs, the naysayers are usually hooked. Continuing with their “Skallaboration” series, “Filthy McNasty” has NYSJE joining forces with Grammy-nominated jazz trumpeter Nathan Breedlove. It’s as good as you can imagine. You’ll dance, stop to have your mind blown by the amazing solos sprinkled throughout the song, and then dance some more. Great stuff.
Obsidian Hearts – Born 2 Lose
I don’t know how a two-person band can create music that sounds so big, but Obsidian Hearts does it. They’re like if the Misfits and Social D played psychobilly-tinged ska punk. There’s even a little California-inspired surf rock thrown into the mix as well. My favorites song on the album include “Master Plan” and “Kody Coyote.” Being a duo offers up a lot of freedom and exploration opportunities, and that shows throughout Born 2 Lose. This is an ambitious album, and it truly pays off here.
Paint Bomb – “California”
With “California,” Canadian ska-punk band Paint Bomb offer up a fun anthem about wanting to visit California. No hidden meanings here! It’s just a raucous good time filled with uptempo ska riffs, saxophone blasts, and charm. With some California third-wave ska meets Assorted Jelly Beans throughout, not all songs need some deep hidden meaning. Sometimes, it’s okay to just escape. Time to run off to “California” with Paint Bomb.
Skanimals – Unleash the Skanimals
Norwegian band Skanimals bring us Unleash the Skanimals, a debut that highlights a fusion of multiple styles. While ska and ska-punk are the stars here, there’s also a healthy dose of straightforward punk, party rock, and even some metal. Because they’re such talented musicians, I’m glad the group can veer away from straightforward ska and show off a little. It creates a more complete listening experience. I’m glad the Skanimals have been unleashed. The ska scene is better for it.
The Boy Detective – “Unrealized Gains”
It wouldn’t be my first column of the year without an appearance by The Boy Detective, right? The band responsible for my favorite album of 2024 is back again this January with the single, “Unrealized Gains.” It finds the group stepping out a little bit into a new arena a bit. Sure, there’s still the dual vocal threat of Benny and Nicholas belting out gravelly ska-punk, but the horn arrangements show a lot of range from the beginning of the song to the end.
“Unrealized Gains” is the most overtly political the band has been to date. The song, which can also be found on the Rock Against Trump compilation, is an anthem for the despondent. It really touches on the idea that our kids are supposed to do better than their parents as they grow up. But with the massive inequality in our society today, that’s not likely to happen. It’s a call to arms to do something about the wealth disparity in our world. It could be a great song to use as a rallying cry in 2025.
The Sneak Eazies – Fine Wine & Party Wings
For the last few years, Common Sense Kid has been my major resource for discover new (and new to me) UK ska bands. He tipped me off on Bristol’s The Sneak Eazies earlier this month, and I’m glad he did. Fine Wine & Party Rings packs a lot of punch in just six songs. What immediately drew me in was just how good the horn players are. “Jasper” has sections where the brass players have to do rapidly fluid note changes. “Jack Thompson” borrows from “Korobeiniki,” and “Burning a Life” has some sweet sax lines throughout. That’s not to say the rest of the band is chopped liver. Together, they’re an unstoppable force in 2025 UK ska punk.
Punk
Drop It First – Fundamentals
As a melodic punk powerhouse, Drop It First provides machine gun drums and metal-influenced guitar riffs. Fundamentals will immediately resonate with fans of later Strung Out and Rise Against. While listening through each song on the album, I found myself mesmerized by the drumming. I just don’t know how someone can keep up with such a frenetic pace for so long. The lyrics are meaningful and relatable, touching on life, death, love, and the hills and valleys of existence itself.
Latecomer / Fuck Yeah, Dinosaurs! – Sauna Sessions Volume 1
Two Pittsburgh punk rock staples team up to release Sauna Sessions Volume 1. Latecomer reminds me of Face to Face meets Descendents meets skate punk. I could just as easily hear these songs on a skateboard video or Tony Hawk video game. While most of their contributions on this album are fast-paced skate punk anthems, “The Collapse” clocks in at almost six minutes and gives Latecomer a chance to show off a bit.
Fuck Yeah, Dinosaurs! uses dinosaurs to point a magnifying glass at our society. It’s punk rock meets garage rock with lots of distortion, pounding drums and bass lines, chunky guitar riffs, and anthemic choruses. Being from the metro Detroit area and growing up during ICP’s “glory” days, I felt a particular connection to “Paleo Juggalo.” Much like “The Collapse” on Latecomer’s side of the split, FYD! also ends their side with an almost six minute epic. I’ve been a fan of this band for five years now, and they just keep getting better!
Oh The Humanity! – Ground To Dust
Some of the lyrics on this album are absolutely gut-wrenching. But listening to a song like “Gutted” provides some essential catharsis. I just wanted to give lead singer Kevin Athas a hug after listening to that one. It talks about trying to come to terms with the things you deserve and the inner thoughts that say you don’t. As someone who suffers from imposter syndrome more than I’d like to admit, I could immediately relate to this song. That level of vulnerability doesn’t let up either. Hell, the very next song on the album after “Gutted” focuses on wanting to move forward while being stuck in the past.
The music on Ground To Dust hit just as hard as the lyrics. It’s fast-paced punk rock and melodic hardcore filled with plenty of metal riffs and guitar shredding. It’s an album that demands your undivided attention – both lyrically and sonically. You can’t put this one on in the background and going about your day. As I listened to it, I kept being reminded of A Wilhelm Scream. Turns out, AWS guitar player Trevor Reilly recorded the album. Hdid an amazing job working with Oh The Humanity! because Ground To Dust will stick with me all year.
Pigeon Pit – Crazy Arms
I’m such a sucker for folk-punk that leans into real country music. Crazy Arms from Pigeon Pit is a masterclass of the genre. Like most great folk music, these songs are written with intelligence and substance. Each one is a story with a purpose. The album is a love letter to the human spirit – no matter how flawed it might be at times. It’s about trying to maintain your humanity in an ever-changing world that makes it harder and harder each and every day. In short, it’s the perfect listen for 2025 when each of us will be tested more than ever before.
Popclaw – Atomic Summer
We’ve got lots of debuts in the column this month. Popclaw is a two-piece punk band from Southeastern England. The pandemic proved that we could connect and collaborate remotely for just about everything. In fact, the two members of Popclaw have never met in person and recorded Atomic Summer remotely. I can’t tell though, because it sounds like Dan Lawley and Chris Bird were in the room together. This EP exudes raw power. Like The Stooges, a lot of distortion and garage rock flows through the political punk of this EP.
YEAR001 – “Chances”
“Chances” is the perfect kick in the ass for 2025. The song focuses on the good and bad about taking chances in life. As someone who often talks himself out of pursuing his dreams, “Chances” might just be my anthem to keep my self-doubt away and take a few risks. Musically, YEAR001 is a gruff power trio that reminds me of Hot Water Music, The Lawrence Arms, and Face to Face. With a debut full-length coming out later this year, you will want to pay attention to this East Bay punk band – and if “Chances” is any indication.
Other Junk
Jared Hart – The Condor
In just 15 minutes, Jared Hart’s first solo release in a decade pays tribute to the kind of friend who changes your life and deserves to be memorialized. Consisting of three originals and a cover of Mac Miller’s “Come Back to Earth,” The Condor hits all the beats of a life well-lived. There must be something in the water in New Jersey because Hart’s poetic lyricism and smoky dive bar vocals reminds me of Sammy Kay, Brian Fallon, and Bruce Springsteen. While the circumstances surrounding the inspiration to the songs on this EP are sad, the result is beautiful and timeless.
Panoramic View – Revolution Resolution
The themes of Revolution Resolution play with the concepts of time. It starts with the placement of notes on the steel drum, which are usually played counter clockwise. From there, Panoramic View’s Aaron Abrahamson Cote called upon his bandmates in The Sunshine Melodies to put some additional meat on the bone. From there, the trio put together 12 songs inspired by the months of the year with an album length of 20 minutes and 25 seconds. Part exercise in music theory and part catchy instrumental reggae music, Revolution Resolution hits on multiple levels.
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, BlueSky, and Facebook accounts.