Franz Nicolay – Band People: The Art of Making Music
I spent a few years in my 20s playing in a rock band with some friends. Skill-wise, I...
Music Book Review
Francesca Royster – Black Country Music | Art as Cultural Revolution
Country music provided a solid third of my childhood musical diet. Another third came from actual children’s music,...
DJ Screw: A Life in Slow Revolution | Celebrating the Humanity of an Icon
In a different timeline, I would have listened to the music of DJ Screw in high school. I...
Eric Harvey – Who Got the Camera? | Reality Rap vs Tabloid Television in the ’90s
One of my most formative musical experiences occurred in Fall 1991. It was 7th grade. I’d made first...
Hell of a Hat – The Rise of ’90s Ska and Swing | Book Review
I’ve listened to ska music since 1996 and I can honestly say the spotlight currently shining on the...
Architects of Self-Destruction: The Oral History of Leftover Crack | Book Review
Covering almost 30 years from the perspective of 60 people, Architects of Self-Destruction is for ska punk what The Dirt...
Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History by Marc Wasserman | Review
When most people think of American ska music, their head immediately goes to the days of the Third...
Kim Ruehl – A Singing Army | Unearthing the Untold Story of Zilphia Horton
According to that overused cliché, “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” While there is...
In Defense of “In Defense of Ska” – A Book Review
Opening Statement Every ska fan gets ridiculed by friends and family about their favorite music genre. From mozzarella...
Fangirls | In Praise of Being a Fan
Bearded Gentlemen Music has never shied away from talking about fandoms. Some of the most-clicked and commented-upon articles...