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.
Before getting into the column, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge two significant losses that occurred within the ska and pop punk scenes this month. The first is Tim Receveur, the heart and soul of the Supernova Ska Festival. He passed unexpectedly days after this year’s Supernova, and his loss has been felt all throughout the ska community.
The second is New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert. Aside from being one of the band’s founding members, Chad was also in bands like Shai Hulud and Hazen Street. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with cancer this month. Both Tim and Chad were highly influential in their respective lanes and will be extremely missed. My thoughts are with both of their friends and families during this horrible time.
Ska
Be Decent – Now’s The Time
I love when a band’s name is also a call to action. Now’s The Time from Brooklyn’s Be Decent is a call to arms for civility. The album examines what’s wrong with the world today and pushes for a return to civility. A song like “Out For Blood” posits that you can’t make everyone the same, so aggression and posturing isn’t the solution. “Can’t Argue” focuses on not arguing with people who refuse to listen to logic, reason, or science. While I know there’s a time and a place to be angry and combative, the band encourages an approach that I’ve found myself taking more and more of late. The songs help me calm my nerves and anxiety about society knowing there are others that think this way too.
Aside from the message, they’ve got the musical chops to back it all up. Be Decent reminds me of ska meets ’80s power pop and ’70s soul. It’s like Elvis Costello and the Imposters but more ska. In terms of modern bands, if you dig bands like The Pomps and Catbite, Be Decent is a must next-listen.
Doc Turbo – What’s So Important?
This group fits perfectly into that 3rd Wave Explosion sound. Ska, a little bit of a pop-punk edge, and seriously bombastic horn lines. What’s So Important? is loaded with hooks aplenty that get you up and make you want to dance. They’ve even got some heavy hitting guest appearances like Reese Roper from Five Iron Frenzy and Angelo Moore from Fishbone. The album is an absolute ripper even without including ska royalty, so hearing them on this record was an added bonus.
Legitimate Business – First World Problems
Yes, this album came out over 15 years ago. Why am I including it you might ask? Well, after being broken up for a period of time, Legitimate Business will be reuniting at FEST this year. It’s been a long time since they were on the soundtrack for a Tony Hawk game, so I thought I’d shine some light on one of New Jersey’s finest. They were only a band for five years, but they’re back. Here’s to hoping FEST isn’t a one-off!
MUTINY – “Semester Abroad”
Ska core supergroup MUTINY is back with an absolute incandescent tune. “Semester Abroad” spends time letting every member of the band shine. From the dual vocals of Efrem and Chris Ruckus to the rhythm section and the horns, everyone fires on all cylinders for this one. Makes me anticipate their new full-length on Say-10 Records even more now.
Pink Slip – Bathtub Madonna
Boston’s Pink Slip is a ska punk band with hooks for days. Each song is catchy as hell with soaring anthems and sing-along choruses. Recorded and mixed by A Wilhelm Scream’s Trevor Reilly, Bathtub Madonna is one heck of a debut full-length. Being a huge fan of AWS, I was immediately curious how Trevor would do with a ska punk band. I have to say, the album sounds great, and it touches on personal, political, and societal topics. When people try to dismiss ska as a silly music genre, I’ve got another album to point them to that proves them wrong.
Ska Sound System – Total InsKanity
Montreal’s Ska Sound System think like a DJ by taking their multiple influences and creating their own sound. At times, you’ll hear Clash-esque punk rock. Then, they’ll do a complete 180 and give us some Latin flair. After that, it’s time for some 2 Tone or trad ska. It’s a credit to how talented Ska Sound System is that they can juggle so many genres of music and create a cohesive sound. The result is nothing short of spectacular. Extremely catchy and danceable, you’ll work up a sweat listening to this album.
The Family Business LTD – S/T
This one is an absolute game-changer. Fronted by members of The English Beat, RAT BOY, and The Ordinary Boys with support from the likes of Tim Armstrong, Jesse Michaels, and The Calamatix, this album gives me the same excitement and chills as the debut Bad Operation album did in 2020. At ten tracks and under a half hour, it’s the definition of all killer, no filler. Musically, it’s fast-paced danceable 2-Tone through the lens of Life Won’t Wait era Rancid. The Family Business LTD proves that there can still be surprises and excitement in music. This one is an absolute gem of an album.
The Resignators – “Spectre Boy”
Over 20 years in and The Resignators are still pumping out amazing tunes. “Spectre Boy” has a dance-y Moon Ska vibe blended with a big band pop/’50s Doo Wop sound. The song takes the idea of seeming invisible in social situations and juxtaposes it with being a ghost. Great tune with a great sax solo toward the end. And, it’s seasonally thematic to boot.
WIPEOUT – S/T
WIPEOUT is a new ska punk band from the Metro Detroit area. While they’ve already put out a couple of singles, this EP is their first proper release. If this is a taste of what to expect, then WIPEOUT is in for one hell of a career. Think No Doubt meets musically intricate and proggy ska music with a small dash of shoegaze. At one moment, I’m skanking away to some kick ass ska punk, and then they throw in some crazy jam band stuff. It’s almost like the members of the band are trying to one up each other because they’re all just so talented. There’s a lot going on with these five songs, and they’re so good, they deserve your full attention.
Punk
Dads on Couches (featuring Eric Abbey) – “Record Me! Please?!!”
It seems like we’re all slaves to our phones and social media to some extent these days. This isn’t lost on Dads on Couches. With the dual vocals / screams coming from Capauli and Dr. Nick, “Record Me! Please?!!” is as aggressive as it is poignant. Maybe I should log off a bit and touch some grass.
Fire Sale / The Corps – Split Decision
Split Decision is a four-track split featuring two songs each from Fire Sale and The Corps. First up is Fire Sale, who continue to tease me with singles, splits, and EPs instead of releasing a full-length. Beggars can’t be choosers, as they say. Their tracks on the album give off Millencolin mixed with No Use For a Name in the best way possible. Just straight up ’90s melodic skate punk filled with who-ahs, hooks for days, and heartfelt lyrics. The Corps has that ’90s skate punk vibe as well, but their tracks are much more up tempo than Fire Sale. The two bands’ playing styles complement each other extremely well, and this EP makes me want more from both bands immediately.
Follow Thru – Eat Your Heart Out
When I think about Rhode Island, kick ass skate punk isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Now that I’ve discovered Follow Thru, that’s going to change. Their brand of melodic skate punk is on the heavier side of the spectrum, so if you enjoy bands like A Wilhelm Scream and Belvedere, you will love Follow Thru.
The songs are relatable both on a personal level, but also on a political and social level. They sing from their experiences, and unfortunately, those subjects crowd the airwaves these days. As someone with ADHD and social anxiety, I might just be “The Patron Saint of Almost Showing Up.” When they sing, “Let’s raise a glass to every broken plan,” I felt that in my bones.
Generacion Suicida – Hombre Nuevo
Generacion Suicida lives in that space where fast, aggressive ’80s hardcore punk and atmospheric, moody post punk meet. No matter whether they’re on the more punk side of the spectrum or the darker gothy side, the songs on Hombre Nuevo are driven by chunky and melodic guitars. Even though I don’t speak Spanish, I’m enthralled and entranced by the atmospherics of the music on each song. The songs are eerie, ominous, and perfect for this time of year.
Mad Tab – alas! the bomb voyage…
This is one hell of a debut album. Mad Tab’s brand of melodic punk is fused with psychobilly, ska punk, reggae, dub, alternative and hardcore punk. Think Sublime meets Rancid meets Bad Brains meets early AFI meets MxPx meets The Hives. The band’s sound is as diverse as their label’s founder, Norwood Fisher. Their sound is unique, present, and futuristic at the same time. It’s punk rock with an edge to it that we need today, and the band’s sound is so groundbreaking, I wouldn’t be surprised they’re already inspiring tomorrow’s group of bands.
Middle-Out – “Pipe Wrench”
Mixed and mastered by Chris Fogal (The Gamits), “Pipe Wrench” captures the essence of who Middle–Out is, while also charting new territory as a band. Lyrically, it’s a very relatable song, as we all have hopes and dreams for our lives. For whatever reason, we put barriers and doubts in the way of accomplishing those dreams, making them more and more like a pipe dream with each excuse. As I get older, I find Middle-Out to be more and more relevant to my current life experiences. I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad, but at least the soundtrack to my middle age is an absolute ripper.
Perennial – Modernism
Modernism is a marathon in 20 minutes and 5 seconds. From the opening distortion of the title track to full stop at the end of “Emma Peel,” the album reaches out, grabs you, and won’t let go. It’s relentless in the best way possible. An absolute wall of sound ala MC5 and The Hives put through a filter of distortion, free jazz, ambience, Motown, and Dischord Records. Perennial is the band folks who love hardcore and mod culture would flock to immediately. Whether you like Otis Redding or The Blood Brothers, there’s something here for you because at its base level, Modernism is catchy and poppy as hell and makes you want to dance and shake your ass.
Rad Skulls – See You In Hell, Poser
When I first saw the album cover for See You In Hell, Poser, I was expecting some sort of Ramones-core variant to blast through my speakers. Sure, I hear some melodic power pop on the album, but Rad Skulls is not a derivative soundalike. First off, the music being played here is much more complicated and interesting, with breakdowns, killer guitar solos, and intricate drumming. Vocally, the singer has more in common with orgcore and Matt Skiba than Joey Ramone. Rad Skulls is the perfect example of not judging a book by its cover.
Superintendo – “Hearts & Cliques”
What Did You Expect? – “Another Casualty”
“Another Casualty” focuses on the butterfly effect of war and the ripples the decision to join the military has on family. It’s a viscerally honest song with a tremendous amount of heart and storytelling. This is a topic that isn’t really focused on in other anti-war or political punk rock that much, so while it seems odd to describe a song like this in such a way, it was refreshing. It’s also an extremely melodic and well-constructed punk rock song. I will definitely check out more from What Did You Expect?.
Other Junk
Cor De Lux – Year Of The Horse
Politically-driven dream pop with a post-punk edge. Woven within the construct of the songs are atmospheric soundscapes that further accent the aggression when the songs flip. There’s even an element of shoegaze here that further paints Cor De Lux as a band with multiple layers to discover and enjoy.
Myles Bullen – “murder on my cellphone”
I’ve been obsessed with Myles Bullen ever since I saw them perform at Stoop Fest this year. Their full-length is definitely making it on my Top Albums of 2026 list. This month, they released “murder on my cellphone,” a damning condemnation of the Big Brother surveillance state in America today. It also focuses on the desensitization that phones and social media have caused. The production and beats fit the mood, atmosphere, and tone to Bullen’s rhymes perfectly on this one.
Sleep In. – Tangled In The Vines
If there’s an album that I relate to the most this month, it’s probably this one. It’s messy and tight, poppy and melodic, but soaring. Sleep In. have that power pop alternative sound for the most part, which means, Tangled In The Vines has hooks for days. It’s so damn catchy and incredibly infectious. The title of the album is appropriate considering the web of topics it covers. It’s an extremely personal album. Instead of taking big topical swings, it pinpoints specific experiences. That hour where you lay in bed and question everything about your life? Those topics and feelings are at the center of Tangled In The Vines.
The Albert Square – I (Wish I Could) Talk To People
We all have those record labels or people who’s recommendations we trust no matter what. For me, one of those people is Mike Park and his label, Asian Man Records. I’ve been buying and listening to music from his bands for 30 years now, and I trust him. He hasn’t steered me wrong yet.
His latest recommendation is The Albert Square. It’s a indie-pop project from Sim Castro of Teens In Trouble. The songs on this album focus on the toll isolation takes on us in all its forms: mental, emotional, and physical. For such a heady topic, the album is surprisingly light and airy musically. It’s a perfect little pop-rock record with chunky guitars and heart.
The Goods – Goodbye Summertime
If you didn’t know better, you might think the songs on Goodbye Summertime were written by one of The Beatles once they got a bit more experimental. The Goods take that sensibility, mash it up with some sunny indie-pop, add a heaping portion of power pop, and then top it off with some twangy, jangly folk rock. The songs are perfectly composed with melody, heart, and catchy hooks. It’s vintage British Invasion meets 21st century American indie-pop levels of awesome.
Here’s a playlist of selections from this month’s column for you to enjoy.
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.