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. 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.
The groundhog saw his shadow at the beginning of the month, which means six more weeks of winter. Honestly, while I’m ready for the big thaw and the rain to make its mark. But if more winter means more music like I heard in February, I might be okay with that. Check out the music that made me see my shadow and wish for six more weeks of tunes. Ska leads the way again this month, but I’m really digging the diversity of styles at play in Other Junk.
Ska
Bite Me Bambi – Eat This
There’s a new aggression to Bite Me Bambi with Eat This. The album starts with “Too Many People,” a fast-paced organ-heavy ska track addressing energy vampires. It’s got a catchy chorus, it’s highly danceable, and it’s a perfect introduction to this new look Bite Me Bambi. The entire album is a coming out party for the band’s new attitude. I detect more edge, a lot more dancing, and an increased level of authenticity to the songs. Tahlena Chikami offers up some extremely personal lyrics on Eat This, and those are the best songs on the album. If the group takes this new direction, then sign me up.
Brunt of It – It’s a Mad, Bad, Sad, Rad World
Thirteen is widely considered an unlucky number, but if you’re a fan of Brunt of It, it’s the luckiest number around. That’s how many years since the last Brunt of It full-length. On their 30th anniversary, the band released an album the world needed. Good things come to those who wait.
Refusing to be pinned down to a single ska sub-genres, Brunt of It are masters of them all. On one track, you’ll get a catchy ska punk anthem, and then immediately after that, you’ll get a song inspired by Latin rhythms and music styles. You’ll often hear multiple genres in a single song, including heavy ska core and danceable 2-Tone.
The album a love letter to all forms of ska. It’s a musical roller coaster that takes you on a ride. Sometimes, it’s a controlled energy, but we all know what happens when we get up to the top of the hill. The songs pulsed with anticipation and nervous energy, and I couldn’t wait to hear where they were taking us next. In this current mess we’re all facing, It’s a Mad, Bad, Sad, Rad World is required listening.
Buford O’Sullivan and The Robots – Attack!
For the uninitiated, Buford O’Sullivan is an American ska icon having played with bands like The Scofflaws, The Toasters, and The Easy All-Stars. But Buford O’Sullivan and The Robots is all him. He plays every instrument, does the vocals, and all of the additional music programming. That level of freedom allows for lots of experimentation with jazz, dub, reggae, trad ska, and 2 Tone sounds throughout Attack!. As the follow-up to 2019’s Stolen Soul, I get a futuristic feeling with some of the songs, even though the music is rooted in the beginnings of the genre. This is a great album to sit back and vibe to, but also one you can add to the turntable and dance to on a Friday night.
MAYSON’s PARTY – GO
I absolutely adore MAYSON’s PARTY, and GO further cements that adoration. It’s a 25-minute burst of frenetic energy that never lets go and leaves you exhausted once it’s over. The music overflows with grandiose horn blasts, chunky punk rock guitar riffs, uptempo skank rhythms, and anthemic choruses. If this album doesn’t get you hyped up, you should head to the hospital to get your vitals checked. Japanese ska punk is absolutely amazing as a whole. But if you’re not familiar with that sould, your journey of discovery should start with MAYSON’s PARTY.
Merry Malady – Healthy Life
This album came out the week after I finished my January column. It’s so good I had to make sure I gave it a spot this month. Healthy Life is one hell of a debut full-length. It’s ska punk, but it’s also prog rock and new wave and folk punk. Aside from the unique and distinct sound, Merry Malady also assembled an Avengers level band to help bring this album to life. We’re talking about Eric Daino (The Holophonics), Liz Fackelman (The Best of the Worst), Bex Rose (Joystick! and PWRUP), Karole Alexander (Rude Girl Revue), and Tara Hahn (Half Past Two). I would put that line-up against any supervillain. This impressive all-star team brought Merry Malady’s vision to life. It’s an extremely personal album that navigates between the pain of living and the joy of persevering.
The Boy Detective – “Ixnay on the Ondescensioncay There, Chet”
I’m starting to think it’s not a coincidence that The Boy Detective releases music right around the time I need to write a column. Post-Art Theft era Boy Detective is really stepping out of their comfort zones and merging their specific brand of ska punk with other styles. That trend continues here with “Ixnay.” It starts with drum beat influenced by “Ballroom Blitz” and continues with a horn section that’s equal parts Streetlight Manifesto and The Write-Ups. It’s been so much fun being a fan of this band as they continue to evolve and grow into a powerhouse in the modern ska scene. If you haven’t gotten on The Boy Detective train yet, why not?
The Pomps – Partial Eclipse of The Pomps
We’re only two months into 2025, and I’m making a bold prediction. When I sit down to write my year-end best of list, The Pomps will be in the top five. This band is special, and I can’t see Partial Eclipse of The Pomps leaving my rotation anytime soon.
One of the reasons I loved their previous album was the heavy ’80s New Wave influence. That New Wave influence is still present with Partial Eclipse, but it’s more subtle now. This time, the band gives us less synth but way more organ, which complements the guitar work wonderfully. If you’re a fan of New Wave, Post Punk, or 2-Tone Ska music, then Partial Eclipse of The Pomps might just become your favorite record.
One of the other things I really appreciate about The Pomps is how much I relate to their music. This album is political but intellectual. Alex Stern and company aren’t dishing out generic unity anthems. They offer up observations and shining lights on areas of society that demand our attention. Some songs call out wealth inequality, while others take aim at family-level issues. For example, “Stage Dad” hits me hard, because I often struggle with the line between overbearing activity dad and letting my kid struggle through problems on their own.
There’s a lot to love with this album. The Pomps deserve the world because they’re so fucking good. See you in December in my Top Five list.
The Sybians – Saddle Up With The Sybians
Hailing from Amsterdam, The Sybians expertly play trad ska and reggae. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Saddle Up With The Sybians came out in the ’60s. If you’re a fan of vintage aesthetics and vibes, whether it be from original bands or the modern ones keeping the scene live, you need this band in your rotation.
Punk
City Escape Artist – Modern Ghost
Modern Ghost is Philly melodic skate punk with a metal edge. There’s a definite political edge to the songs on this album. Given the times, that approach makes total sense. Musically, it’s like Bad Religion got together with Avenged Sevenfold and Strung Out. The band also isn’t afraid to slow it down and strip the music down to the bone. On “Passageway,” the band writes a painfully honest ballad about masking and pretending things are fine while dealing with hidden struggles.
R-NØT – Dumpster Fire
Hailing from the Washington, D.C. area, it’s no surprise that R-NØT just dives right into the political battlefield immediately. With a title like Dumpster Fire, it’s pretty easy to figure out what side of the nation’s current predicament they’re on. High energy and melodic, R-NØT mixes catchy power-pop with punk to create infectious and relatable music. The album also takes aim at mental health, isolation, and life in general. With songs like “Ritalin” even borrowing from grunge, this album is addictive.
PunchCard – Soap Box Hero
I’m starting to sense a theme with the first few punk entries this month. Let’s call it “political disharmony.” PunchCard’s brand of political punk is more Lagwagon than Bad Religion. That only tells a part of the story though. The band doesn’t shy away from from topics like social instability in society, political issues, and not being able to trust yourself. Musically, the band weaves lots of ’90s skate punk throughout their sound. So, if you like Epitaph and Fat Wreck Chords, you should dig this album.
The Rumjacks – Dead Anthems
It’s just not fair for everyone else when a band that’s been around for almost 20 years continues to get better. After listening to Dead Anthems, I can say The Rumjacks just aren’t fair. In fact, the band found new inspiration and passion when Mike Rivkees joined the band as lead singer in 2020. With him up front, it’s Celtic punk rock from Australia via Boston. The group’s global and multicultural background makes for some very well-rounded music. Filled with pub anthems, blistering punk rock, and traditional Celtic instruments, if you like Celtic punk but don’t listen to The Rumjacks, you’re in for a major treat.
Winona Fighter – My Apologies To The Chef
I heard Winona Fighter for the first time about a year ago, and I’ve been waiting for this full-length ever since. On My Apologies To The Chef, the band serves up urgent punk rock with hooks for days and catchy anthemic choruses. The album is a love letter to the genre while also being affirming to mental health concerns. Life simply isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes, the band switches to a more aggressive tone, while at other times, the lyrics take a sarcastically cathartic turn. In other words, the record absolutely captures the emotion and energy of our current times.
Other Junk
Autogramm – Randy
With Randy, power-pop quartet Autogramm offer up two immediately irresistable singles. The title track is an original, while the other single is a cover of “Jenny’s In a Sleep World” from Toronto’s The Diodes. “Randy” is a synthed-up anthem that would make DEVO proud. It’s a confidence boost and the kick in the butt you need to face the day in troubled times. And even though the song is for a cat, the lyrics works just fine for humans. Then with the cover, Autogramm reinterpret a classic garage rock song with chunkier guitars and synth. Just awesome!
Michigander – S/T
While Jason Singer lives in Tennessee now, I’m still claiming Michigander as a Michigan band. Eleven years into the band’s existence, this self-titled album is their full-length debut. The last decade of singles and EPs led to this moment: A fully realized record that perfectly encapsulates Michigander a band.
Lyrically, Singer’s words are poetry put to music. The music? Sincere, indie pop-rock filled with warmth and tremendous musicianship. There’s a magic with how the words complement the music so well. I’ve heard Singer describe the album as the movie version of the band, and I can’t think of a better description. It’s grandiose in all the best ways, while still reflecting the heart of Michigander.
The vulnerability and anxiety on display are so relatable. But through it all, the album remains positive and uplifting. “Emotional” acknowledges just how hard things are but says we need to keep going. “I’ll Be OK” could become my personal anthem for the next four years, especially with the lyric – “I’ll be OK, but I’m not OK right now.” It normalizes taking care of your mental health, which is more important than ever right now.
Norman Sann – The Audition
TikTok strikes again. My algorithm is so in tune with what I like. Most of its hip hop-related recommendations are so spot-on. It’s how I found OKNice all those years ago, and now, it’s how I found Norman Sann. His music is everything I love about hip-hop from boom-bap rhythms and production to interesting beats, passionate lyrics, and more. He’s one of the most intelligent and uplifting MCs I’ve heard this year. Truly inspiring.
Silverstein – Antibloom
Making music for 25 years is one hell of an accomplishment. In 2025, Ontario’s Silverstein enters that milestone year in style by releasing two albums. The first is their anniversary offering: Antibloom. This album condenses every era of the band into eight heavy-hitting tracks. From the emo-leaning “Don’t Let Me Get Too Low” to the synthy and experimental “A Little Fight,” the album celebrates the group’s ever-evolving sound. There’s even some more hardcore metal screamo here too with “Mercy Mercy.”
Thankfully, it doesn’t feel like a greatest hits album or a phoned-in cash grab. Each song on this album absolutely rips. Not only will it make existing Silverstein fans happy, but it’s destined to scoop up some new converts as well.
The Unfit – Disconnected
A sonic punch in the face, Disconnected is garage rock with distortion and punk attitude. As a band, The Unfit are all over the place musically, which is a great thing because it keeps you on your toes. In one instance you’re listening to a song like “Bad Guy” with a very deliberate melody. Immediately after, the group hits you with three intense songs that clock in at under four minutes total. After that, the title track is a five minute wall of sound and distortion.
To say the album keeps you on your toes is an understatement. It’s At The Drive In meets The Strokes with Jack White and Black Flag thrown in for good measure. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while.
VIOLET NIGHT – “Does It Even Matter?”
With “Does It Even Matter?,” VIOLET NIGHT uses dreamy power pop melodies with an alternative rock edge to explore the end of a relationship. While it’s easy to call this a break-up song or a relationship song, the band’s talents help the song rise above such a simple definition. When you’re in a situation that isn’t right, no matter what, it’s always better when it’s over. Add in a few catchy choruses, and “Does It Even Matter?” becomes an earworm that you don’t want to end.
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 Instagram, BlueSky, and Facebook.