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’m not sure how it can feel like summer is just starting, but is almost over at the same time. Somehow, the fleeting nature of the season just sneaks up on you every single year. Another thing that helps your month go by is a major case of food poisoning, which happened to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to focus on listening to as much music as I would’ve liked because I was literally sleeping the sickness away. The good news though is that what I did get to listen to in July was still an amazing soundtrack that helped me enjoy the weather and being sicker than I’ve ever been.
Ska
A-100s – Rude And Lovely
A-100s is one of the best new ska bands of 2026. Formed by members of Flogging Molly and Throw Rag, A-100s show an absolute love and reverence to that classic Jamaican ska sound. Co-produced by Roger Rivas of The Aggrolites, Rude and Lovely has plenty of the dirty aggro sound that gives the songs some extra seasoning. I even hear a bit of the grit that can only be found out in the California desert. I was a big fan of Spy Kids when Matt Hensley had that band going, so I’m especially glad he found his way back to ska music. While he plays a mean accordion for Flogging Molly, he sure is a natural at trad ska, rocksteady, and reggae. This one is a must-listen.
Age of Kid – 20 Years
Age of Kid is a Japanese ska punk trio that would make fans of the punk-centric side of the Suicide Machines discography extremely happy. With 20 Years, the trio blasts through ten tracks that have catchy anthems with call-and-response sections, as well as detours into a heavier rock sound. I’m always a big fan of discovering what Japan is up to when it comes to ska music because their scene is so diverse.
Beat The Smart Kids – 30 Minutes Or Less
Beat The Smart Kids fit all of my favorite little ska and punk rock niches together in one neat package. How could I not like them? The band delivers gravelly org core punk anthems, a strong horn section that really asserts their dominance on each song, and big anthems. 30 Minutes Or Less is that perfect album for folks of my generation who listened to a lot of 3rd Wave ska punk in the ’90s but didn’t abandon it when emo got really popular. In all seriousness, the horn work on this album is second to none and becomes one of the major selling points.
Grey Matter – S/T
If I don’t write about the new Grey Matter album, does that mean I don’t have to acknowledge that it’s the final Grey Matter album? For the past seven years, not only has Grey Matter been one of my favorite bands from Michigan, but also one of my favorite bands period. Their brand of ska core is Blue Meanies by way of La Dispute, but on this album, there’s some purposely pop polish hidden between the pure anarchy. Songs like “Benefits” feel like a joint writing session occurred between the band and Devon Kay & The Solutions. The biting social commentary is still extremely evident, but it’s just a more passive-aggressive and cynical this time around.
The band knew they were likely going to wrap things up sometime during the recording process for this album, so it feels like they just gave each other permission to go for it. Every single member of the band shines, making Grey Matter’s final self-titled album a bittersweet success. It’s the most mature work they’ve done and quite possibly the best work they’ve done. It’s a time capsule of the hopelessness we’re surrounded by on a daily basis and a visceral lashing out at those who oppress. More than a ska core album, it’s a piece of performance art.
Lab Brats – Triskaidekaphobia
Mix Reel Big Fish, DEVO, They Might Be Giants, Fenix TX, and The Aquabats together, and you’ll get a pretty good idea of what to expect from the latest album from Lab Brats. Aside from a killer lineup of inspirations, Triskaidekaphobia leans on a heavy dose of science fiction, nerd culture, synth, and most importantly of all, fun. Not everything has to be so serious these days. This albums remind you that it’s okay to shakes things off and relax a little.
MUTINY – “Anthem”
It’s almost bittersweet that the first single from the new MUTINY album released the same month one of the greatest ska core bands ever released their final album. I’m not going as far as calling a passing of the torch moment because both bands deserve accolades on their own. It’s more like the day shift clocking out and the night shift clocking in. We’re losing Grey Matter, but we’ll be in good shape because holy shit, “Anthem” decided to rip everyone’s faces off. The horns are larger than life, matched only by the duel vocals of Efrem and Chris. “Anthem” builds more of the band’s world, and I’m totally here for the rest of the story when the full album releases.
Nick and The Adversaries – “Rah Rah Rah”
Channeling the spirit of the late Joe Strummer, “Rah Rah Rah” is a Clash-infused ska protest song aimed directly at ICE and its practices. Not content to say silent any longer, Nick and The Adversaries push for more action against what ICE does on the streets of America. The band ask people to put their money where theirs “rah rah rahs” are essentially. If what the groups sings about in this song doesn’t make you mad, then you aren’t paying attention. We need these kinds of protest songs right now!
The Loyal – Steadfast
The Loyal is Detroit trad ska, rocksteady, reggae, and soul with a dash of the oil and grease that powers the Motor City. It’s working class in the best way, emoting the grit and lived experience of the city’s inhabitants throughout the songs of the band’s full-length debut, Steadfast. Putting a nice little exclamation point on a strong album is a dub rendition of the opening track of the album, “The Ol’ In & Out.”
Punk
Among Legends – Lose My Grip
Right at the heart of the Venn Diagram between Descendents, Alkaline Trio, The Menzingers, No Use For a Name, and Bad Religion sits Lose My Grip. The new album from Ontario’s Among Legends features songwriting chops that put the band high on the list of the best melodic punk bands out there. While the album shows more sonic aggression than the band’s previous efforts, the tight hooks make everything else sound so smooth. If you’re looking for a melodic punk band that took the next step in their evolution, you will love this album.
Curse Words – “The Privateer”
With “The Privateer,” D.C.’s Curse Words continue the story of their murder mystery space opera. Inspired by the dual-vocal intensity of the Lawrence Arms and the melodic urgency of Hot Water Music, “The Privateer” tells its story from opposite sides of a collapsing empire. A sweeping sci-fi allegory, the song explores the inevitable entropy of civilization. Driven by soaring vocals, massive hooks, and a relentless rhythm, “The Privateer” is a meditation on power, legacy, and the stories empires tell themselves.
1876 – “NDNEYES”
1876 keeps getting better. What impresses me most is that it feels like embrace their heritage and culture more with each release, which in turn makes their music more dynamic. This Portland band made of Indigenous Americans truly forges their own path, creating a genre they call “Pow Wow Punk.” The arrangements on this song are absolutely beautiful and even feature Pat Stump of Fall Out Boy fame as well.
Other Junk
Dead All Day – “Superzero”
From Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Dead All Day cranks out their own brand of prog-infused emo that appeals to fans of Coheed & Cambria, The Used, and My Chemical Romance. Using the imagery of the superhero who can’t help save everything for everyone, “Superzero” represents what it feels like to be helpless. This group definitely would’ve played on the late ’00 Warped Tours and Taste of Chaos tours. If that’s your scene, then you’re in for a treat because Dead All Day can write one hell of a tune.
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.