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.
First off, apologies that this month’s column is late. It was for a good reason, though! Instead of writing my column, I went to an all-day ska festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that was topped off by a backyard after-party that didn’t end until three in the morning. That, along with the obscene amount of music that was released in June, has put me a couple of days behind. It’s summer, though, so time is a social construct, right? Anyway, here’s the June column (just pretend it isn’t July when you’re reading it).
Ska
Big D and the Kid’s Table – The Good Ole American Saturday Night
In a world overwhelmed with despair and hate, a listen to The Good Ole American Saturday Night might just be the cure for what ails you. It’s a slice of the real America where we look out for each other and encourage each other to live life to the fullest. It’s a giant celebration, comforting hug, and one hell of a party all rolled into one. I’ve been a fan of Big D since the days of Good Luck, and this is the most inspired I’ve heard them. Musically, the album is tight and overflowing with love and positivity. I don’t know if I’m ready to crown it the best Big D album in their discography yet, but it’s pretty damn close.
Boikot – No Les Interesa
Hailing from Madrid, Boikot has been bringing their brand of ska punk to the world for almost 40 years now. Their new album is an intense ska punk ride that also dabbles with incorporating accordion, Celtic punk, and Balkan music with ska core and faster ska rhythms. With how intense the music was, I found myself translating the lyrics to several of the songs so that I could enjoy the music at more than face value. There’s really a lot going on here, both musically and politically. It’s well worth giving this album a deep dive and the extra effort of translating if you don’t speak Spanish. You’ll be glad you did.
Joker’s Republic – “Tellin’ Lies”
On the heels of their recent Green Day cover, Joker’s Republic is back with their rendition of a Menzingers classic. “Tellin’ Lies” is transformed from melodic punk to a ska punk/pop punk hybrid. Joker’s Republic successfully keeps the heart of the original intact while making it something completely their own. Produced by Pete Steinkopf from The Bouncing Souls, Pete also offers up a killer guitar solo for the track as well.
Knackers – Out In Front
While Out In Front just released, it was actually recorded almost 20 years ago. After hearing it, I’m glad it’s no longer “lost.” It’s a perfect blend of instrumental trad ska, 2-Tone revival, and ska jazz. There’s even a country track thrown in for good measure. If you’re a fan of bands like Skatalites, The Specials, and New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, it’s time to rediscover Knackers for yourself.
Monkey Gang War – Monkey Invasion
Monkey Invasion is six tracks of pure infectious ska punk madness. From South Korea, Monkey Gang War shifts between singing in their native language and in English. Musically, Monkey Gang War is extremely talented, and this EP is my first taste of what they can do. While they spend a lot of the album in the up-tempo 3rd Wave ska punk realm, they can also slow it down to a more danceable skank rhythm like on “Happy Cactus” and “If.” If you’re a fan of 3rd Wave ska, then Monkey Gang War needs to be in your rotation.
The Aggrolites – Super Atomic
Almost 25 years in, The Aggrolites have yet to release a bad album. Super Atomic is the latest and greatest. It does an amazing job of showcasing why The Aggrolites are one of the best bands in the business today. Their brand of skinhead reggae, trad ska, and early Jamaican-inspired music is as strong as ever. With the one-two punch of Roger Rivas on keys and Jesse Wagner on vocals and guitar, The Aggrolites have one of the most experienced and dedicated in the trad revival scene today. One thing that also shines through on Super Atomic is how well it captures the energy and vibe of an Aggrolites live show. If you close your eyes and listen, you’ll swear you’re there dancing along to the music.
The Boy Detective – “The Beach Boys Were Full Of It”
“The Beach Boys Were Full Of It” is the perfect (anti) summer anthem as only The Boy Detective could write. It takes the magic and allure of finally getting to enjoy summer weather and the beach and pulls the curtain back to expose the reality of the summer. The song is built around the gap between what summer is supposed to feel like and what it often actually is: sunburned, overstimulated, weird, loud, and full of people making questionable decisions in public. Musically, the track matches that energy with fast horn-driven ska punk, sharp hooks, gang vocal urgency, and the band’s usual mix of humor, frustration, and self-aware storytelling.
The Doomstompers – Take a Beat
Along with Steppin’ Razor Blades last month, The Doomstompers are my favorite ska discovery of 2026. Take a Beat is their debut full-length, and after listening to it, you’ll realize just how special it is. While mostly inspired by the trad ska, reggae, dub, and rocksteady, there’s also plenty of New York punk and grit woven through each song. It’s an album that makes you want to dance first and foremost and starts strong with “Actin’ Up.” There’s also a lot about relationships, politics, and life in general. The organ-forward grooves get you dancing, but when you stop to catch your breath and listen to the lyrics, you’ll enjoy Take a Beat on a whole new level. This one will be in my top albums of the year lists for sure.
The Kittyhawks – “The Devil’s Offbeat”
The Kittyhawks debuted in 2024, and I’ve been waiting for new music ever since. The wait is over with the release of their new single, “The Devil’s Offbeat.” While the horn line in the song is killer and completely infectious, the meaning behind the song really highlights what I love about ska music so much … the community. “The Devil’s Offbeat” is a song about finding your people, supporting one another, and sharing in a little rebellion along the way. It’s a good reminder about the importance of independent music and DIY spaces.
Punk
Chemical-X – Is This Tomorrow?
Except for two tracks on the album, Chemical-X offers up ten blisteringly fast punk songs that clock in at under two minutes each. Reminiscent of bands like Black Flag and Suicidal Tendencies, Chemical-X is fast and aggressive, but extremely melodic. The songs on this album are pure id, harnessing an aggression and frustration that offer a sense of catharsis when you listen to them. The songs are immediately relatable, and while on the more aggressive side of punk rock, they’re extremely catchy.
Making Friends – Anyway
This EP is my first exposure to Making Friends, and I’m immediately in love. They’ve got a melodic skate punk meets orgcore sound that resonates with everything I love about punk rock these days. While punk rock has a lot of pop sensibilities and technical arrangements with their music. The drumming serves as the backbone for each song, helping frame the melodies and singalongs in a tight musical package.
Moonraker – “Find Your Fangs”
Rebelmatic – Sting The Devil
Rebelmatic is what happens when you take New York hardcore, add in a dash of Black Flag, a sprinkle of Bad Brains, and a little bit of Death and King’s X for good measure. Their music has that classic hardcore punk sound with accents of hip hop and heavy guitar work. The result is one of the more innovative and diverse punk bands in the scene today. Sting The Devil further cements their place among the greats. The topics on the album are highly political, and unfortunately still relevant in 2026 America. It’s good to see such an outspoken band continuing to speak truth to power.
Sincere Engineer – Probable Claws
How can you not like that a new Sincere Engineer album is out? Probable Claws captures the magic that is Sincere Engineer. From the humor to the angst and anxiety surrounding growing older, it’s all here. While it does a great job of capturing the feelings bouncing around Deanna’s head, above all, Probably Claws is just a fun record. With plenty of earworms to be heard, you will get the songs on this album stuck in your head, and you will actually be happy about it. The hooks are melodic and loud, the choruses are catchy, and the guitar work is great. Sincere Engineer is one of my favorite punk bands in recent years, and this album is their strongest to date.
Tim Barry – Clear Blocks Ahead
Up until now, most of Tim Barry’s post-AVAIL career has been him and an acoustic guitar. This time around, he’s back to having a band behind him to give his storytelling lyrics a bit more of a punch than usual. You can’t help but be completely engaged by the stories Barry tells in his songs. They’re stories of railroads, working-class living, and family. If you’re unfamiliar with his work, you’ll love him if your fans of musicians like Frank Turner, Dave Hause, and Chuck Ragan. It’s Americana folk punk through and through.
Other Junk
Flesh Produce – Hyper Chasm
When I listen to Electronic music, I either want it to sound like synthy new wave, or I want it to be jarring, grimy, and off-putting. Flesh Produce is the latter in the best way possible. It’s filled with glitchy EDM, cyberpunk, and grind. Lots of experimental loops and beats also blend into noise punk at high RPMs. Whether it’s disjointed or more melodic (“Blisters” and “Devine Design”), Hyper Chasm is one hell of a ride.
Matt Pless – Water Sign Language
Matt Pless is an Americana folk singer who dabbles in roots rock, punk, and even hip hop. He’s got the sensibility of John Prine and Bob Dylan, with the attitude of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. While he’s more folk than punk, Pless fits right in with both genres of music. Weaving between songs about love and loss, as well as songs with more political and social commentary, Matt Pless excels at accentuating his music with thought-provoking and witty lyrics.
Norman Sann – The Monsters They Made
Norman Sann just keeps getting better with each release. While his music is filled with modern sensibilities, he embodies what made the early days of hip hop so amazing. Socially conscious, political, and filled with pop culture references and everyday observations, The Monsters They Made might just be the best pure hip hop album to get released this year. If modern hip hop leaves you numb and disinterested, Norman Sann will wake you up with poetic verses and a healthy dose of boom bap.
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.