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.
April was an embarrassment of riches when it comes to music that caught my ear this month. I wish I had enough time to write about them all, but I’m very excited about the releases that did make it into this month’s column.
Ska
Bad Operation – Everything Must Go
When Bad Operation burst onto the scene six years ago, they ignited a passion within the ska scene I hadn’t seen in a long time. While the band has released some singles and an EP since then, fans have waited a long time for Everything Must Go. After listening to it countless times already, I’m happy to report it was well worth the wait. The group picked up right where they let off, except their edge is even sharper this time around.
Originally, the intent was to get together, write some songs, and play a single show. I’m so glad those plans fell by the wayside, because Bad Op is on their way to being one of the most important ska bands of this generation. The songs are catchier, more anthemic, and filled with a welcome helping of Leftist ideology. Everything Must Go is the best thing to come out on Bad Time Records this year, which is saying a lot because 2026 has been another solid year for the label.
Jackie Mendez – This is Jackie Mendez
Jackie Mendez has powerful pipes that rival some of the best singers from the soulful ’60s. Blending vintage R&B with trad ska, rocksteady, and reggae is a match made in heaven. Mendez’s voice is filled with personality, emoting in such a way to enhance the songs even more. This is Jackie Mendez is an absolute treat of an album that should be experienced by everyone with a beating heart.
Lickshot – Lick EP
Lickshot take ska music and turn it completely on its side. While I appreciate when bands stick to the standard tropes within the various ska waves, I’m also a big fan of them exploring the boundaries of what a certain genre can be. With ska as the foundation, the music on Lick EP merges with fast-paced hardcore punk, nu-metal, hip-hop, and grime. The band somehow composes their music in a way that these genres complement each other extremely well.
Reggae Workers of the World – New Thing
Reggae Workers of the World is a trad ska/reggae supergroup of sorts comprised of Vic Ruggiero from The Slackers, Jesse Wagner from The Aggrolites, and Nico Leonard of The Badasonics. Together, the trio flexes their creative muscles a bit more than they often do with their respective bands. New Thing is packed to the gills with classic rock ‘n’ roll, mento, R&B, and soul. It’s evident the three are connoisseurs of lots of different styles of music, because the album is lovingly crafted to give their inspirations room to shine.
The Belmarks – Hand Me The Keys
With a revamped lineup that includes new lead singer Lizzie Rock and John Bunkley (Gangster Fun), The Belmarks are back and better than ever. Their love for traditional ska, rocksteady, soul, and reggae is proudly on display on their new EP. The four tracks are a nice appetizer of this new era for The Belmarks, but I’m ready for the main course already.
The Chains – Be Careful What You Wish For
When I heard Crying on the Dancefloor in 2024, I was instantly hooked. I didn’t expect to hear a band from Denmark making such amazing ska music. Now, after an almost two-year wait, The Chains are back with Be Careful What You Wish For. They combine a traditional interpretation of ska music with boss reggae, soul, and a dash of the distortion and fuzz you get from garage rock. Every song is immediately catchy and suited for both folks who listen to it on a turntable and t hose lucky enough to see the band live.
The Dirty Notion – Something To Sell
Picking up right where they left off with 2023’s False Starts & Broken Hearts, The Dirty Notion continue to completely crush it. The underlying Detroit grit in their music pairs well with their specific brand of trad ska and rocksteady. The backbone of the album is definitely the keys, which add a nice accent point to the love songs, especially if you’re a fan of The Slackers.
The Unsustainables – Every Broken Heart Will Mend
If I didn’t already know The Unsustainables were a modern band from North Carolina, I’d think I was listening to something out of the Studio One days. Their respect and love for the more traditional ska and rocksteady sound is immediately evident, making Every Broken Heart Will Mend one of my favorite discoveries of the year so far.
Punk
Dead End Lane – Crush
Listening to Crush immediately reminds me of punk bands that lean more into the realm of doo-wop, horror, and crooning. Sure, there’s several styles of punk here, but the album is at its best when Dead End Lane breaks into rock tunes and ballads inspired by the ’50s. Bands like Misfits, Son of Sam, Koffin Kats, and certain eras of AFI also offer up some inspiration. Don’t think this is a nostalgia act, though. Dead End Lane is firmly in the 21st century and have the perfect balance of seriousness and humor in their lyrics.
FAKEYOU – Promise To Disappear
I’m an absolute sucker for a punk band with a raspy-voiced lead singer. FAKEYOU’s singer sounds like Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms meets Sammy Kay meets Chuck Ragan. Backing up the vocals are fuzzed-up melodic guitars and rhythmically engaging drum work. Lyrically, Promise To Disappear deals with the pressures many of us feel these days, as well as themes of conformity and identity. It’s the perfect album for a punk fan working their way through 2026.
Scarboro – Hate Season
This album just punches you in the face in the best way possible. Capturing the aggression and intensity of ’80s hardcore and the melodic aspect of ’90s skate punk, Scarboro blew me away with Hate Season. The songs discuss relatable topics like overcoming adversity, processing grief, and just how horrible things are politically. I’m also amazed at the wall of sound this trio creates. They take the best traits from Bad Brains, early Descendents, Black Flag, and Agnostic Front to create their own sound that is equal parts aggressive, technically intricate, and extremely engaging.
Superintendo – Beauty Routine
The most endearing characteristics of Chapel Hill’s Superintendo are their talents and diversity. Not content to stick to one genre of music, they might deliver jazz or bossa nova, while sometimes, prog rock and ska will appear. No matter what though, Superintendo is a punk band through and through. Experimenting with so many musical styles yet creating a ripping album on their own terms adds to their punk cred. The music is highly inventive without being pretentious and arrogant. Lyrically, you’ll hear everything from critiques on billionaires and artificial intelligence to commentaries on mental health. There’s something here for everyone.
Other Junk
Codefendants – LIFERS
While other musicians participate in the studio and in a live setting, Sam King and Ceschi are the nucleus of Codefendants. Three years after This is Crime Wave, the duo is back with LIFERS. Produced by Fat Mike, the album takes the group’s talents and amplifies them to the next level. Make no mistake though, while this album is more polished than their 2023 effort, this new offering retains the band’s classic grit and bite.
Codefendants defy genre labels by exploring them all, though hip-hop, spoken word, punk, and electronic rise to the top. I’m in awe of Ceschi’s flow and ability to rap as fast as he does and still make everything understandable. I’ve been hooked on this band since 2023, and I don’t see that obsession ending anytime soon.
Leah Farmer – S/T
While most folks reading this column likely recognize Leah Farmer from her work with The Bandulus, her debut solo album is pure vintage pop and soul perfection. Farmer’s voice is the star of the show, while her band provides the runway for it to soar. At times, there’s a big band feel, while others, we get funky grooves. No matter the musical style, Farmer excels tremendously, and fans of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings need her album in regular rotation.
Sex Mex – Down In The Dump Trucks
What do you get when you cross Andrew WK, Matt & Kim, and Reggie and the Full Effect? Sex Mex. And yes, it’s as amazing as you think it is.
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.