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.
May wasn’t messing around this month. It was hit after hit after hit. My first draft of this column had almost thirty releases on it. Instead of overwhelming you, dear reader, I curated it a bit more and ended up with the gems below.
Ska
Courtesy of Tim – Perennial
Courtesy of Tim is back and better than ever. This Wisconsin ska punk outfit fires on all cylinders right out of the gate with “Reintroduction,” a horn-heavy anthem about not hiding who you are and living as your authentic self. There’s a little bit of indie, a little bit of prog, and a whole lot of ska on this EP. At times, I even got some RX Bandits vibes. If you’re new to Courtesy of Tim, Perennial is a perfect emtry point, because it’s the best they’ve ever sounded.
Grey Matter – “Benefits”
Listening to this song is bittersweet, as it’s the first single for Grey Matter’s final album that’s releasing later this year. Since they’re one of the most innovative and intelligent ska core bands in the scene today, I’m pretty bummed they’re calling it quits. At least they’re leaving us something to remember them by. Sounding more Devon Kay than La Dispute, the song is a welcome takedown on the insurance and benefits industry.
Harry Katz and the Pistachios – The Last To Know
Ever wondered what Dr. John would sound like if he was in a ska band? My guess is that would sound slightly like Harry Katz and the Pistachios. With a soulfully velvet-tinged voice, Katz and his co-vocalists put forth a dynamic multi-layered vocal performance. The ska on this album lands somewhere between 2 Tone revival and Big Band, with a healthy dose of theatricality. All told, this talented group creates ska that would sound just as good in a smoky basement jazz club as it would on the stage of a Broadway theatre.
Skanimals – “Seagulls”
What a perfect summer song this is. Filled with steel pan drums, Caribbean rhythms, and ska riffs, Skanimals released a laid-back, feel-good jam that is as infectious as it is good.
Steppin’ Razorblades – Stay Sharp
I’m calling it right now. Stay Sharp will make it through the rest of the year and land on my Top Albums of 2026 list. It’s like Madness meets New England ska revival meets new wave meets ska punk meets dirty reggae. Steppin’ Razorblades takes everything I love about 2 Tone and ska punk and puts them together in a tight package. The lyrics are just as powerful as the music that accompanies them. The heavy use of the keys and sax really add an extra level to the music. Steppin’ Razorblades in 2026 has me just as excited as Bad Operation did when they debuted in 2020.
The Wavebirds – In All Their 2.4 GHz Glory
The opening track of the album, “Can You Pretend It’s 97?,” really hits at where I am mentally these days. Being a passionate gamer and purveyor of nerdom myself, The Wavebirds really scratch an itch for me. They’re a ska punk band from Vancouver Canada who have lovingly embraced third-wave ska, video games, and geek life. You don’t need to be a gamer to enjoy The Wavebirds, but it’ll help you catch some of the Easter eggs in the songs.
Punk
Captain Asshole – I’m Having More Fun Than You
I hate using the term “orgcore,” but the folks who understand what I mean know exactly what I’m talking about. In the case of German melodic punk band Captain Asshole, I’d say they’re orgcore adjacent. There’s still definitely a heavy influence by the bands in that genre throughout the entire album. Lyrically, they’re focusing on relatable situations in love and life while using some in-your-face melodic punk to deliver their words to the masses. Think The Lawrence Arms meets The Menzingers but with faster melodies.
General Chaos – Can’t Please ‘Em All
As the album title states, Can’t Please ‘Em All. But when you’re as good as General Chaos is, you don’t have to. If you don’t like them, it’s really your loss: I’ll be in absolute awe of this talented trio of teenage punks. Montreal has a long history of amazing punk and ska bands, namely The Sainte Catherines and The Planet Smashers. I’m already putting General Chaos up there with those legends. Can’t Please ‘Em All is angry, urgent, and essential. They’ve got the energy of the early days of Rancid, but make no mistake, General Chaos isn’t a nostalgia act. They’re the next evolution.
GRPPLNG – H’s All Around
GRPPLNG is a brand new melodic punk band out of Detroit, Michigan. While they have the added benefit of two famous professional wrestlers in the group, the music stands on its own. Musically, they have that big Detroit garage punk sound a la Norcos Y Horchata, The Stooges, and MC5 mixed with the melodic skate punk sound of ’90s Epitaph Records. For instance, “Hellbound” sounds like ’90s era Face To Face. “Held Out” shows off their multi-part vocal harmonies. H’s All Around is really a sampler platter of what the band has to offer. I can’t wait to hear more.
HummusVacuum – The Art of a Fake Laugh
As an Ann Arbor native, it’s almost sacrilege that I would give a band from Columbus, Ohio space in my column. That’s how you know HummusVacuum is ridiculously talented. I jest about the Ann Arbor – Columbus rivalry, but it’s true, HummusVacuum is amazing. The sarcastic and cynical humor woven through this emo punk album sharpens the biting political and social commentary on the album.
While I’m sure their tongue is firmly in cheek, the sentiments in songs like “G-U-I-L-L-O-T-I-N-E” are sadly extremely relatable these days. There’s also a level of sincerity on the album as well. As a Lexapro user myself, the first song I heard from HummusVacuum was “Lexapro Skater,” and it made me laugh, but it also made me feel seen. The nice balance between humor, sincerity, and anger with HummusVacuum’s music makes The Art of a Fake Laugh highly enjoyable, relevant, and cathartic.
Marc-Alan Prince – RUNAWAY
His second solo acoustic album, RUNAWAY picks up right where Marc-Alan Prince left off with Unforgiven and then levels up. The song construction is tight and filled with personal lyrics of triumph, tragedy, and regret. As someone in the middle age bracket myself, songs like “The Damned” are unfortunately relatable. I’ve been trying to stop counting my regrets and living a fuller back half of my life though. Musically, Marc-Alan Prince belongs in the same conversation as artists like Dave Hause, Brian Fallon, and Tim Barry, some of the best musicians doing Americana-laced folk punk these days. If you’re new to Prince, don’t worry. He’s going to be a household name soon enough.
Nate Funk – Rewind
Most of my exposure to Nate Phung has been in the ska world. He’s now formed a new project called Nate Funk that is predominantly punk, power pop, and California surf rock – and yes, a little ska, too. There’s lots of range on Rewind – from uptempo punk to power pop to an almost Fugazi-esque track. There’s a lot to like on this EP, so give it a shot.
steelboy – Thanks For The Invite…
Hailing from Richmond, VA, Thanks For The Invite… is steelboy’s debut full-length. The songs on the album consist of a high-energy blend of pop punk, ska punk, and classic punk attitude. The record delivers 12 explosive tracks filled with sharp riffs, soaring melodies, and unforgettable hooks. From the Ramones-inspired “Tres Machos” to anthems like “Now or Never” and “Chernobyl,” as well as the ska-fueled fight song “Hell No,” this release captures the essence of punk rock while pushing it into a bold, modern direction.
The Flatliners – Cold World
The Flatliners aren’t just one of Canada’s best punk bands. They’re one of the world’s best punk bands. It’s been four long years since the band’s last full-length, and they’re clearly firing on all cylinders here. Cold War showcases a band that knows exactly who they are. This level of confidence is refreshing.
For fans of The Flatliners, there are some familiar beats to be sure, but the album features a band that isn’t scared to veer off in new directions. A natural continuation of their last record, the music feels really focused as a warning of things to come if the world remains status quo. Cold World is the big I told you so, the aftermath of our decisions. While the subject matter is a bit on the morose side, at least it sounds good.
Other Junk
A1 Beanz – Break Yo’Self
A1 Beanz knows he’s good. His music is oozing with confidence in his delivery as the bars just roll from his mouth. While an underground hip-hop act, I have a feeling his days on the underground circuit are close to being over. With a respect and reverence to that classic boom bap sound, he is everything I love about hip-hop music in one package By focusing more on craft and authenticity, he stands out in a crowded arena of MCs trying to become the next viral sensation.
Drakulas – Midnight City
A supergroup concept of sorts, Drakulas features members of Riverboat Gamblers and Rise Against. The players have traded in their melodic political punk for a synth-soaked ’70s aesthetic. Think of what Gorillaz are to Blur. The band has created their own world where analog textures, new wave, and power pop reign supreme. Midnight City tells the story of that world and its inhabitants. The album is a lot of fun and a refreshing breath of fresh air. It embraces the flair of the ’70s and ’80s while giving that era a modern coat of paint.
Myles Bullen – Afterlife
Myles Bullen is exactly why I like going to music festivals. While I always create a list of folks I want to see before the event, I undoubtedly leave with a new favorite. This time, it was Myles Bullen after my recent visit to the best DIY music festival I’ve ever been to: stoopfest. I’ve been obsessed with Myles since then, and their 2026 album, Afterlife, has been on repeat.
It’s a whimsical mix of indie hip hop, folk punk, and emo. The crowd during the set is as diverse as the music on this album. The album is brutally honest. Whether singing about making the decision to put your beloved best friend down at the vet, police brutality, or class inequality, each song on Afterlife is painfully relatable and relevant. This 30-minute therapy session will make you angry, fill you with happiness, and give you a healthy cry.
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.