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.
My column normally comes out on the last Monday of each month. But between the holiday weekend and some last-minute decisions to catch seven bands live in two days, it was a little delayed. I’ve always heard that good things come to those who wait though, so you’re welcome for making you wait. Enjoy these amazing releases!
Ska
Ben Basile – Benergy
Known primarily as the bass player for Big D and the Kid’s Table, Ben Basile strikes off on his own with Benergy. It’s a ten-track exploration of the fusion between jazz, ska, rocksteady, dub, and reggae. For this project, Basile is joined by many of his Big D band mates, as well as folks like Greg Robinson from Mephiskapheles. This truly transcendent album rivals the work of bands like New York Ska Jazz Ensemble.
Catbite – Doom Garden
Not only is Doom Garden the most ambitious and musically diverse release of Catbite’s career, but it might just be their best. While only six tracks long, the album reveals a hefty amount of growth. “Die in Denver” starts things off, and it’s the closest to the classic Catbite ska sound. From there, “Tired of Talk” features a more laid-back ska groove, as well as a vocal (and trumpet) feature from Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump.
The EP continues to get even more interesting, from Elvis Costello vibes and Riot Grrl vibes to a solo vocal ballad that really shows off a side of lead singer Brittany Luna we’ve never before. Since the first time I heard Catbite, I said it’s wasn’t a matter of if they hit it big, but when. With Doom Garden, they’re even closer.
Ska’n’Ska – SKA på svenska
I love how this column helps me discover so many amazing international bands. This month’s biggest find hails from Sweden. Ska’n’Ska blend Balkan music with ska, punk, and a dash of Latin flair. Think the big Romani punk energy of bands like Gogol Bordello with the big band ska feel of Russkaja. Admittedly, I have no idea what Ska’n’Ska is singing about, but based on the album cover, I probably align with them politically and socially. Their musical talent and energy is up there with some of my favorite bands.
Skappository – For Your Health!
Combining the sonic influences of Hub City Stompers, Skoidats, The Specials, and Operation Ivy gets you pretty close to the sound and spirit of Skappository. For Your Health! packs the dancing spirit of trad ska with the political overtones of 2 Tone and punk rock. It’s a refreshingly modern take on that classic ska sound, and I can’t wait to hear more. “Sometimes Antisocial (Always Antifascist)” might be my new theme song.
The Mercenaries – Turn It Up
Coming to us by way of France, The Mercenaries scratch all the right itches for me. I’m a sucker for organ and keys-driven ska punk. Turn It Up offers that in spades. The tracks are high energy, attention-getting, and filled with important sociopolitical commentary. While the album mostly contains anthemic ska punk songs, The Mercenaries aren’t afraid to show off their instrumental chops as well, especially on the groovy danceable track “Madness.” This album is going to stick with me for a while.
The Players Band – SKAZILLA!
This album is so good, it’s really not fair. The Players Band has been wowing big band ska fans for over 25 years now. Skazilla! released this month after a successful crowdfunding campaign. The Players Band seamlessly flow between ska, rocksteady, reggae, and dub. Over an hour long, the album contains collaborations with Vic Ruggiero from the Slackers and mixing from Victor Rice. It really has a little something for every type of ska fan.
The Red Stripes – Better Must Come
The Red Stripes make traditional ska heads proud. The band assembled Better Must Come with extreme amounts of love and respect to the roots of the genre. However, the music also feels extremely modern, as this Hong Kong-based ten-piece constructs danceable ska songs that touch on all facets of life. The big band motif also provides for some amazing horn solos, my favorite being in “Burn a Fire.”
Punk
FRND CRCL – JRSY FRSH
FRND CRCL leads the charge for what pop-punk sounds like in 2025. The JRSY FRSH EP leads off with “Shup Up,” which could become an important song. It’s fast and catchy, but the songwriting really stands out as it details a friendship gone past the point of repair. Some synths, DJ textures, and effects got mixed into arrangements, making for a modern take on pop-punk with added of depth.
Old Neon – Resolution
Resolution provides the kick in the pants you need to push through the difficult parts. It’s all about endurance and perseverance, no matter the challenge. Pittsburgh’s Old Neon knows better days are ahead, but we can only get to them if we never give up. Complete with metallic and crunchy guitar tones and soaring vibrato choruses, the scenarios conjured in these songs focus on more personal types of hardships. But we can all relate to the universal drive to push through and conquer.
secondSELF – The Current Dissent
This Nashville punk trio comes out swinging for the fences with their debut full-length, The Current Dissent. The music is fast, melodic, and aggressive. Imagine Propagandhi and A Wilhelm Scream, but more raw and uncompromising. Machine gun drumming powers each song, sounding like the march of an army running towards you in battle. That description fits because secondSELF’s urgent tunes offers commentary on the current state of political affairs. If you like aggressive and unrelenting political punk rock, you need to check out this debut.
Skinny Lister – Songs From The Yonder
Songs From The Yonder is lucky number seven for Skinny Lister. Expanding from 2023’s Shanty Punk, these songs are more folk and shanty than they are punk, but they still encompass everything fans have grown to love and cherish about the band. The title track is a Pogues-esque duet between Lorna and Daniel that resembles to “Fairytale of New York.” You can have good fun listening to this album, as it’s filled with plenty of sing-a-longs and gang vocals that won’t let you get bored.
You Vandal – this is where people come to die
Hooks for days and intricate guitar melodies reserved mainly for emo punk, You Vandal offers up a unique blend of pop punk, melodic punk, and emo. Listening to this is where people come to die answers the question “What if Midtown had even more guitar melodies?” The guitar work on this album stacks up well against folks like Moneen, Keep Flying, and A Wilhelm Scream.
Other Junk
West Riviera – S/T
My surprise for the month is West Riviera’s self-titled album. The press release said they were an Italian funk band, but I had to hear it for myself. Being from the Detroit Metro area, I grew up with Motown, so I found such marketing claims a little hard to believe. However, I didn’t let my geographical bias creep in when I put the album on for the first time. The music deserved an open mind. To my utter shock, West Riviera blew me away nearly instantly. They play soul, funk, and jazz on par with some of the classic masters of the genre. This is a bold statement, but West Riviera is up there with the Funk Brothers.
Mostly an instrumental project, West Riviera gives the listener space to just groove and vibe, whether you’re at work or a dinner party. You can also focus on the nuances with an expensive pair of noise cancelling headphones, especially the smooth saxophone solo on “Nice Camicia.” I’m so happy I gave this album a chance.
WYLDLIFE – sorted.
sorted. is a blast to listen to. It’s just riff-heavy, melodic rock with a splash of glam, punk, and garage. It’s The Stooges and The Hives, if they stayed in basements and dirty rock clubs for their entire careers. A sense of grit and attitude dominates WYLDLIFE’s music. They know how talented they are, and they’re confident enough in themselves to make sure the listener knows it, too. The album is a love letter to rock music, a reminder to those who might have drifted away just how pure rock music can be.
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, TikTok, and Facebook.