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.
I say this every month, but this month, I really mean it. The end of July just snuck up on me. I’ve been collecting potential candidates all month, thinking I had plenty of time to write this column. But then I blinked, and here we are. It’s a good thing I thrive under pressure.
This summer been one for the record books in terms of stress. So, kick back and release some stream as you chill out with these amazing musical selections.
Ska
Foolish Relics – Somebody Please Just Wake Me Up
Back in 2022, Foolish Relics released their first full-length album. The overarching theme focused on aging and living your life to the fullest. Dino and crew took their own advice to heart because they came out swinging with Somebody Please Just Wake Me Up. They’ve leveled up in every department. The songs are more developed, the sound is even more dynamic, and the production is absolutely great.
There’s no a sophomore slump for Foolish Relics. The band delivers a few references us older heads might appreciate on a different level (“Childlike Empress” anyone?). They also constructed one hell of an album that any ska and ska punk fan will enjoy. One of my favorite tracks on the album, “Sweet Oasis,” features a guest spot from Dunia Best. It talks about finding the place that gives you peace of mind and safety. Listening to this album might help me find my own version of that spot.
Joker’s Republic – “Panic! Panic! Panic!”
Welcome to the Joker’s Republic’s first single from their upcoming full-length releasing in Fall 2025. They’ve taken where they left off on Necessary Evil and upped their musicianship. This electric tine reminds us to be mindful of how panic can affect your life and to not let anxiety ruin your relationships and overall well-being. It’s a ska punk rallying cry for mental health awareness. A great reminder, especially these days.
Lickshot – Inside The Ride
I find myself drawn to bands that use ska as a base and then completely morph it into their own sound. That’s the case with newcomers Lickshot from Southwest UK. They blend together with ska include nu-metal, hip hop, punk, and grime. This interesting combination of styles works so well together. The UK ska punk scene has some of the most innovative and unique in the genre right now. With Lickshot as part of their ranks, don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Millington – Better Safe and Sorry
Power pop punk, emo, and ska. Millington’s new EP puts all of the best Drive-Thru Records bands together into a blender, gives a few members some horns, and hits “Pulse” a few times. The entire EP rips, but “RADIO” is a standout.
Nick and the Adversaries – “Don’t Change”
Boston’s Nick and the Adversaries take the INXS classic “Don’t Change” and give it a punk-meets-rocksteady makeover, a la The Clash. Not only is it a fun rendition of the original, but proceeds from the downloads of the song go towards the Teen Cancer Trust. It’s a noble cause to support and a great cover to boot. Win-win, if you ask me.
SKANKt – No Going Back
No Going Back features two songs from UK ska punk band SKANKt. Filled with 2 Tone sensibilities, the title track is catchy and socially conscious. This highly danceable tune delivers a rallying cry to push towards a better life for all and not going back to the way things used to be. It’s a lesson I hope Americans learn before it’s too late, but the jury is still out. If you like bands like The Selecter, Bad Manners, and King Prawn, SKANKt is right up your alley.
The No Ways – “Red Headed Demon”
A brand-new ska band out of Southeastern Michigan, The No Ways has lovely vocals and a SoCal Third Wave Ska feel throughout their debut single, “Red Headed Demon.” Think a more soulful Save Ferris. The powerful horn section can shift from high-energy ska punk to a sultry lounge vibe without missing a beat. I can’t wait to hear what’s next for The No Ways.
Punk
Dads on Couches – After Two Years of Grinding, All We Have Are These Measly Demos
Hailing from a small rural town in Southeastern Michigan, Dads on Couches blends tongue-in-cheek humor with meaningful lyrics about life, love, and parenting. Immediately relevant and relatable for an older parent like myself, I enjoyed the EP on more than just a musical level. I heard a strong Misfits and Face to Face inspiration throughout, as well as a little Billy Idol guitar work, too. As I age, I gravitate towards more music like this, but younger folks should still enjoy Dads on Couches. There’s lots of energy, anthemic courses, and hardcore yells for the kids!
Darko – Canvas
Darko sounds like AFI and A Wilhelm Scream getting together to jam. Canvas is the final release in a conceptual trilogy from the band. This dynamic album showcases soaring metal riffs, hardcore screams, big-time breakdowns, and intricate musical textures. And we still get the melodic hardcore Darko is known for, too. It’s a feast for the ears.
Heartwells – Ollie
Ollie is a six-track gut-punch that tugs at the heartstrings. On the outside, Heartwells push forward with good old-fashioned California skate punk. Musicianship is second to none here with tight arrangements and well-structured songs. It is punk after all, so things occasionally go off the rails in the best way possible, like the killer guitar solo in “Backstabbers.” I also love how the lyrics match the intensity of the music. Filled with references to personal struggle, social unrest, and fractured family dynamics, Ollie is a challenging, but cathartic, listen.
Korean Church – Don’t Call Me Black!
Korean Church came out of nowhere for me. TikTok started feeding me some of his videos, and all of a sudden, I was hooked. Don’t Call Me Black came out digitally earlier this month. With lyrics brimming with political and social relevance, the tracks on this EP hit as hard as the music. Think Bad Religion meets Bad Brains with a dash of Pennywise for good measure. It’s a classic punk sound with modern sensibilities, especially when the EP ends with a Sublime feel. Pay attention to Korean Church. There’s something there, and he’s going to catch fire.
Lot Lizards – The Horrors of Adulting
While they’ve put out singles and EPs in the past, The Horrors of Adulting is the first true full-length from Lot Lizards. Musically, you get a solid dose of melodic punk with heavy inspiration on bands like Bigwig, Lagwagon, and No Use For a Name. Speaking of NUFAN, Lot Lizards lyrics hit as emotional as Tony Sly’s do.
However, the album’s name isn’t just a catchy title, it encapsulates exactly what you get. It has songs about watching disease take over a loved one’s life followed by tracks about throwing it all away to just start traveling. The Horrors of Adulting encapsulates the feelings and experiences many in the young Gen X and elder millennial crowds currently battle.
The Gamits – Japan Tour 2025 Documentary
As someone who lives for live music, seeing a show in Japan is on my bucket list. Every clip I see and every account I read reveals a fanbase filled with passion. Seeing the film through the lens of The Gamits further solidifies my need to get over there.
This fan-made documentary feels extremely professional. It’s one part live video and one part travelogue, offering up unprecedented access to the Denver, CO pop punk band. With high production values and quality, the filmmaker does an amazing job of giving the viewer a complete picture of what it looks like to be on tour in Japan. Even if you don’t know who The Gamits are, this documentary is well worth your time.
Other Junk
Heavy Seas – By Degrees
Recorded and produced by J. Robbins, By Degrees is the perfect album for fans of bands like Jawbreaker, The Get-Up Kids, Jawbox, Fugazi, and The Casket Lottery. Robbins also performed the bass lines himself, providing a little extra added incentive for folks familiar with him, but not familiar with Heavy Seas, to purchase the album. Emo and post-hardcore with a slight punk edge, By Degrees is an emotional powerhouse. Layered within the fuzzed-out guitars and intricate chord structures are lyrics filled with self-reflection and purpose. “If Only I” was a personal favorite of mine, but the entire album is a must-listen.
Held Steady – Maybe By The New Year
Ricky Held is the bass player for my current favorite ska punk band, The Boy Detective. Like an ogre though, he’s got layers, and you can see them in his current solo musical endeavor, Held Steady. Between his work with TBD and Maybe By The New Year, I’m in awe of his talent. He weaves poetic lyricism filled with heart and emotion around killer bass lines and intricate guitar hooks.
Musically, it gives me 2010’s emo vibes with some hints of indie power pop. Think The Wonder Years meets early Panic! At the Disco mixed with one of my favorites, Bedford Drive. I want more Held Steady, and now I also want more Ricky vocals for The Boy Detective.
Kae Tempest – Self Titled
Most modern hip-hop and rap bores me. It sacrifices heart and meaning for generic anthems and beats. I grew up loving bands like De La Soul, BDP, Tribe, and Public Enemy, so I need more than most hip-hop offers these days. Enter Kae Tempest. While I’d never heard of Kae Tempest before this month, the music immediately hooked me. Self Titled is a poetic celebration of self-discovery and acceptance backed by boom bap, EDM, grime, and spoken word. This is one hell of a powerful record.
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.