New Jersey crust-ska punks Public Serpents (featuring former Choking Victim member Skwert Gunn) released their new song and video “When Pigs Lie” today. The video was shot and edited by Benjamin Clapp. Watch it below.
Tag: ska
The Slackers Announce Reissue Of “The Question” 2xLP
Available On March 3rd Through Pirates Press Records And March 24th Through Record Stores Comes In Two Different Variants New York City, NY — February 10, 2023 — Legendary reggae act THE SLACKERS have announced that their 1998 album, “The Question,” will be reissued via Pirates Press Records. The double LP, available in 12″ Black and 12″ Blue & Green ‘Galaxy’ vinyl, will be available on March 3rd on Pirates Press Records’ webstore and on March 24th in record stores around the world. This release is the latest chapter in the fruitful relationship between The Slackers & Pirates Press Records. With the reissue of “The Question” joining those of “Redlight,” “Wasted Days,” and “Live at Ernesto’s,” the band’s LP output from their explosive creative period between 1997-2000 – as well as the acclaimed 2006 LP “Peculiar” – are all back in print on vinyl for fans & collectors alike! The band has also issued their best-selling brand new LP “Don’t Let the Sunlight Fool Ya” via the label, alongside numerous 12″ and 7″ singles. “The Question” was originally released in 1998 on Hellcat Records and followed up their breakthrough, critically-acclaimed release “Redlight.” While “Redlight” put them squarely in the spotlight of the reggae and ska scenes of the late 90s, “The Question” undoubtedly reaffirmed that they were deserving of such recognition. CMJ’s Mark Woodlief proclaimed “The Question” was “…one of the brightest and most understated moments of the modern ska era.” The Slackers took no time in 2022 making up for two years of inactivity due to the pandemic. Last spring, the band released “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” which hit #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts. They coupled this with relentless touring and could’ve easily rest on this. Instead, they then released a two-song 12″ UV printed record called “New York Berlin / Tell Them No” which added two more tracks to their already massive catalog. In support of these new releases and reissues, the band will continue to travel the world including an already announced U.S. tour coupled with several European festival appearances. ![]() Rolling Stone has hailed The Slackers as “THE legendary New York City ska band” and this is by no means hyperbole. Having formed in 1991, The Slackers released their debut album in 1996, “Better Late Than Never,” and then signing with Epitaph Records and releasing their breakthrough full-length, “Redlight,” in 1997. From there, the band traveled the world and began to develop a prolific audience through their fun and energetic shows. 14 full-lengths later, countless EPs, singles, and touring all around the world playing to thousands and thousands of fans from Tokyo, Japan to their hometown of New York City, The Slackers have remained the standard bearer for modern ska and reggae. Marc Wasserman, author of “Skaboom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History,” says The Slackers’ “…songs are about real darkness, depression, anger, sadness and loneliness, and some of the political songs as well are pretty vibrant.” The New York Times dubbed the Slackers part of ‘the sound of New York,’ and The Slackers just keep at it, only improving with age and experience – writing better and better songs, and continuing to build and strengthen that global Slackers family. Washington Post has described the impact The Slackers have left on the ska scene: “The Slackers have become the elder statesmen in American ska music, setting the stage for a new generation of musicians and a thriving scene….they remain at the top of their game.” |
Catch The Slackers on tour: 04/17/2023 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade 04/18/2023 – Charleston, SC – Tin Roof Alley 04/19/2023 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre 04/20/2023 – Blacksburg, VA – The Lyric 04/21/2023 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage 04/22/2023 – Croydon, PA – Broken Goblet Brewery 04/23/2023 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse 04/25/2023 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop 04/26/2023 – Buffalo, NY – Mohawk Place 04/27/2023 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Opera House 04/28/2023 – Kitchener, Ontario, Canada – The Hub 04/30/2023 – Ithaca, NY – Deep Dive05/17/2023 – St. Louis, MO – Blueberry Hill 05/18/2023 – Kansas City, MO – Madrid Theatre 05/19/2023 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown 05/20/2023 – Denver, CO – TBA 05/21/2023 – Colorado – TBA 05/23/2023 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad 05/25/2023 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom 05/26/2023 – Flagstaff, AZ – Yucca North 05/27/2023 – Las Vegas, NV – Punk Rock Bowling 8/03/2023-8/05/2023 – Blackpool, UK – Rebellion Festival 08/08/2023-08/11/2023 – Tolmin, Slovenia – Punk Rock Holiday The Slackers are: Vic Ruggiero – vocals, organ Agent Jay – guitar Dave Hillyard – saxophone Glen Pine – trombone, vocals Marcus Geard – bass Ara Babajian – drums |
The Amalgamated – True Tone
True Tone is the brand new album from San Diego, CA’s smooth Ska stars, The Amalgamated. Recorded at The After Hours Studio in Ramona, CA by Dub Robot (Brian Wallace). The band says, “We are very proud of the original songs we have written and it is mostly Ska with a few Sweet Rocksteady and Boss Reggae tunes.”
This release provides 12 tracks of, as mentioned, Ska performed by the 10-member ensemble. The sound is heavily influenced by 60s Ska and Jazz with Rocksteady and Reggae influences as well. Musicianship is top notch, as it really has to be to coordinate with that many band members. Vocal delivery is reminiscent of Dr. Ringding, or at times Ansis Purins of Skavoovie and the Epitones, and always smooth.
Standout tracks include “Is It Wrong” with its Dub style winding out the song, and the amazing horn lines on “Deal With It.”
I won’t belabor the point here. Do you like Traditional Ska? If you do, please do yourself a favor and check out True Tone, the latest release for The Amalgamated. You won’t be disappointed.
Cheers!
Jerry Actually
Bio:
Formed in 2007 in San Diego, CA, The Amalgamated are an incredible live band that makes everyone dance to up-tempo beats and also get the audience into a groove with light reggae textures.
Hans Gruber and the Die Hards – With A Vengeance
You’re probably like me. You just want a little bit of Ska Punk to listen to. Maybe you want it to be flavored with a delicate hint of Bluebonnets? Why wouldn’t you? Well then dig into this. “With A Vengeance” is the 4th full album from Austin TX band Hans Gruber and the Die Hards, and it’s pretty damn kickass!
Pre-order’s for the 2nd pressing can be found here.
The album opens with a cumbia inspired track, “Nothing Like a Good Old Fashioned Witch Hunt”. The band has this to say about it:
“Nothing Like a Good Old Fashioned Witch Hunt” started as a musical exploration into Kurt’s obsession with the horn heavy Cumbia sounds he was introduced to while living in Texas. Not being one to shy away from cramming several genres together, we also managed to flow through some hardcore and punk rhythms in the piece.
Lyrically, this song represents some stream of consciousness frustrations Kurt had with some of his friends, family and self, that, in retrospect, also reflect some of the more bizarre aspects of modern American culture.
We’d love to tell you the old fashioned 3D effects applied to this music video is about world views and our split nation. But it’s just because we thought it looked cool. Feel free to read into it and give the video some depth and meaning for us.
“With a Vengeance” is the most “Hans Gruber and the Die Hards-y” album we’ve done. Cliche as it is to say, it’s been a weird time getting this out and we can’t be more proud.
~Kurt, Rosey and Chris
The music and lyrical content is diverse. From the highly controversial “No No Bronto”, a ska punk treatise on the non-existence of the Brontosaurus to the sweep arpeggios accompanying the doom metal sounds of “My Friend Chuck”, into the haunting proto-occult wailings of “Vril Society”, each track rings out a distinct piece of the cohesive whole.
The clearly tongue-in-cheek lyrics of “Let’s Drive Everywhere” provided a glimpse into the band’s environmental standpoint. “Squatcore” featuring Omnigone is a shout along punk rock banger extolling the virtues of physical fitness, obviously.
16 tracks in 29 minutes sets for a breakneck pace, punctuated by an interesting theatrical intermission with their cover of Brazil. It’s a fantastic album. I highly encourage you to check it out, if you haven’t already. As a final note, if you have dandruff, you may want to double check that it isn’t actually ghosts and/or demons. Can’t be too safe.
Cheers!
Jerry Actually
Tracks:
1. Nothing Like a Good Old Fashioned Witch Hunt 01:59
2. No No Bronto 01:46
3. My Friend Chuck 01:20
4. Vril Society 02:18
5. No Outside Tanks 01:52
6. Time, I Don’t Want It Anymore 01:25
7. Blood on the Walls 00:42
8. Brazil 02:21
9. Let’s Drive Everywhere 01:58
10. An Old Man Like Me 02:17
11. Monster of Walgren Lake 02:26
12. Credit Cards are a Product of Satan 01:33
13. Dandruff 01:21
14. You’re Being Watched 01:49
15. Squatcore feat. Adam Davis 01:14
16. Praise to the Algorithm 02:30

Hans Gruber and the Die Hards is:
Chris Thompson – Drums, Vocals, Theremin, Ukulele
Rosey Armstrong – Tenor Saxophone, Vocals
Kurt Armstrong – Vocals, Bass, Trombone, Kazoo
Additional musicians:
Hans Emanuelson – Guitars, Keys, Trumpet, Ukulele, Backing Vocals
Nick Tozzo – Timbales, Congas, Triangle, Guira, Shaker, Tambourine on Tracks 1, 8 and 9
Eric Molina – Baritone Saxophone on Track 1
Jose Noriega – Sousaphone on Tracks 2, 8 and 13
Dave Cavallo – Backup Vocals on Tracks 3 and 8
Drew Leclaire – Backup Vocals on Track 8, Theremin on Track 4
Adam Davis – Vocals on Track 15
Co-Produced, Mixed and Recorded by Drew Leclair
Recorded at Studio 8522, Hokus Tracks and Vine Recording. Mixed at Vine Recording.
Mastered by Luis Crivelli
Bio:
Menacingly fun, Hans Gruber and the Die Hards brand of punk/ska mashes genres together like a toddler eating chocolate cake – with messy intensity for maximum enjoyment. From Boston hardcore to Colombian cumbia, southern gospel to crossover thrash, their live shows are filled with pits, sock puppets, conga lines and confusion – if you are nihilistic enough to jump in feet first.
Formed in Austin, TX as a four piece in 2014, the band shamelessly embraces change. Over the years they added a full time Saxophone player, as well as parted ways with two of their founding members. Their newest album, “With A Vengeance,” represents the best of times with the former lineup, the struggles of a new era after their departure, and finding a new voice through these very same songs.
Much like their ability to combine musical genres, their lyrics tread a fine line between metaphor, truth, sarcasm and lies, assuming their audiences have the know-how to join them on this magical journey.
Possessed by unbridled joy for music, Hans Gruber and the Die Hards continue to push forward looking for the next venue to haunt as they chant: IT JUST DOESN’T MATTER!

The Slackers – Hanging On
Check out the new video from The Slackers for “Hanging On.” Their new album “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” will be out on April 15th, from which they have already released singles “Windowland” and “I Almost Lost You”. They previously released their self-titled album in 2016.
The Slackers Announces New Album And Debuts New Song & Video On Brooklyn Vegan
New album Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya available for pre-order
Click here to watch
New York City, NY — February 3, 2022 —New York City reggae legends THE SLACKERS are debuting the song and video for “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” on Brooklyn Vegan which is also the title track from their brand new upcoming album. This record, their first in 7 years and 15th full-length in their career, is now available on Pirates Press Records’ webstore.
Frontman Vic Ruggiero describes the writing process and meaning behind the song: “Yeah, it’s the springtime…it looks really nice thru the window. The sun feels good… You go outside and all of a sudden you realize it’s winter still… It’s like you thought you put sugar in your coffee, but it was salt.”

(Clip from the video for “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya”)
Rolling Stone recently hailed The Slackers as “THE legendary New York City ska band” and this is by no means hyperbole. Having formed in 1991, The Slackers released their debut album in 1996, Better Late Than Never, and then signing with Epitaph Records and releasing their breakthrough full-length, Redlight, in 1997. From there, the band traveled the world and began to develop a prolific audience through their fun and energetic shows.
14 full-lengths later, countless EPs, singles, and touring all around the world playing to thousands and thousands of fans from Tokyo, Japan to their hometown of New York City, The Slackers return with Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya. Marc Wasserman, author of “Skaboom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History,” says The Slackers’ “…songs are about real darkness, depression, anger, sadness and loneliness, and some of the political songs as well are pretty vibrant.”

“In the middle of 2020, every time we started doing a livestream, we would stay after and start recording new music. By the middle of 2021, we had an album recorded. A lot of these tunes like “Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya” were written right after we had just gotten out of lockdown,” says saxophonist Dave Hillyard.
The New York Times dubbed the Slackers part of ‘the sound of New York,’ and The Slackers just keep at it, only improving with age and experience – writing better and better songs, and continuing to build and strengthen that global Slackers family. Washington Post has described the impact The Slackers have left on the ska scene: “The Slackers have become the elder statesmen in American ska music, setting the stage for a new generation of musicians and a thriving scene….they remain at the top of their game.”

After releasing several singles with Pirates Press Records (“Windowland/I Almost Lost You,” “Nobody’s Listening/Sleep Outside,” and “Love I Bring), The Slackers are once again hitting the road all year long to support a new set of tunes and once again have fans around the world put on their dancing shoes for another evening with these renowned musicians. This album is a testament to the age and experience this band has accrued over their 30+ year career. These special tunes will undoubtedly travel far and wide, just like the band will, performing these songs in a club near you!

(The cover art for Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya)
Catch The Slackers on tour:
03/30/2022 – Harrisburg, PA – Stage On Herr
4/07/2022 – Rehoboth Beach, DE – Arenas
4/08/2022 – Virginia Beach, VA – Bunker Brewpub
4/10/2022 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
5/7/2022 – Jersey City, NJ – White Eagle Hall
5/12/2022 Ottawa, ON – Brass Monkey
5/13/2022 Montreal, QC – Cafe Campus
5/14/2022 Quebec City, QC – L’Antibar
5/17/2022 Salt Lake City, UT – Commonwealth Room
5/18/2022 Denver, Co – Oriental Theater
5/20/2022 – Dallas, TX – Three Links
5/21/2022 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
5/22/2022 – San Antonio, TX – Rockbox
5/24/2022 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
5/27/2022 – Flagstaff, Az – Yucca Room
5/28/2022 – Phoenix, Az – Crescent Ballroom
9/26/2022 – Birmingham, UK – Hare and Hounds
9/27/2022 – Manchester, UK – Retro
9/28/2022 – Huddersfield, UK – Parish
9/30/2022 – London, UK – Underworld
10/1/2022 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
10/2/2022 – Newcastle, UK – Think Tank
10/3/2022 – Bristol, UK – Exchange
10/4/2022 – Antwerp, Belgium – Kavka
10/6/2022 – Haarlem, Netherlands – Patroonaat
10/7/2022 – Den Haag, Netherlands – Paard
10/8/2022 – Sittard, Netherlands – Ernestos
10/11/2022 – Zurich, Switzerland – Komplex
10/12/2022 – Munich, Germany – Feierwerk
10/13/2022 – Vienna, Austria – Arena
10/15/2022 – Sluderno, Italy – Loki
10/16/2022 – Nuremberg, Germany – Desi
10/17/2022 – Hannover, Germany – Lux
10/18/2022 – Berlin, Germany – S036
10/19/2022 – Hamburg, Germany – Molotov
10/21/2022 – Koln, Germany – Gebaude 9
10/22/2022 – Arlon, Belgium – L’entrepot
The Slackers are:
Vic Ruggiero – vocals, organ
Agent Jay – guitar
Dave Hillyard – saxophone
Glen Pine – trombone, vocals
Marcus Geard – bass
Ara Babajian – drums
The Interrupters ‘Live in Tokyo!’ Out Now + Documentary Film Premiere June 24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2021
Contact: michele@epitaph.com
THE INTERRUPTERS
LIVE IN TOKYO!
OUT NOW DIGITALLY & ON VINYL
CD AVAILABLE JULY 9
LIVE IN TOKYO – THIS IS MY FAMILY!
FILM PREMIERE 6/24 @ 6PM PT/9PM ET
BAND ON THE HELLA MEGA TOUR THIS SUMMER
Supporting Green Day, Fall Out Boy, & Weezer

Los Angeles-based band The Interrupters have just released Live In Tokyo! via Hellcat Records. The live record, produced by guitarist Kevin Bivona, is taken from the band’s 2019 performance at Tokyo’s Summer Sonic Festivalin support of their latest album, Fight the Good Fight(2018).
The past few years have been pivotal for The Interrupters. Fight the Good Fightdebuted #1 Heatseekers, #5 Current Rock, and #5 Current Alternative Album on the Billboard charts. The lead single, “She’s Kerosene” charted #5 at Alternative Radio in US, #1 Alternative in Canada, and #1 Rock in Canada making The Interrupters the first female-fronted band with an Alternative Radio hit since No Doubt. The follow-up single, “Gave You Everything”charted #19 at Alternative Radio in US, and #2 Rock in Canada. In addition, the band made their US TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and were featured as iHeartRadio’s On The Verge Artist (Fall 2018).
On top of this success, The Interrupters toured extensively worldwide including sold out headlining dates as well as appearances at Coachella, Punk Rock Bowling, Warped Tour (Main Stage), Hang Out, Epicenter, Sonic Temple, Aftershock Festival, Slam Dunk, Download, Hellfest, and support runs with 311 & The Dirty Heads, and Rancid to name a few.
If you’ve been fortunate enough to attend an Interrupters show, you know that it is not just your typical concert, it is an event. It is a big energy sing-a-long where everyone feels like family. “You want to go to a show to feel better, put your arm around your friend, and dance, and sing, and have a release,” notes Aimee Interrupter. “Celebrate life and forget about your problems. We want to participate in that whole exchange”
In celebration of the release, the band will premiere their documentary film Live in Tokyo – This Is My Family! on June 24 for North & South America at 6pm PT/9pm ET. The film features the live performance from Summer Sonic, behind the scenes footage, and exclusive interviews. The film will rebroadcast twice on June 25; the first being 6pm JST/7pm UTC for Asia & Australia and the second at 6pm BST/7pm CEST for UK, Europe, and Africa. Tickets will be $10 and can be purchased
via https://www.momenthouse.com/theinterrupters. During the premiere and rebroadcasts, fans will have a chance to purchase exclusive merch items.
LIVE IN TOKYO TRACK LISTING
1. Intro / A Friend Like Me (Live)
2. By My Side (Live)
3. Take Back The Power (Live)
4. Title Holder (Live)
5. She Got Arrested (Live)
6. Bad Guy (Live)
7. Gave You Everything (Live)
8. On A Turntable (Live)
9. She’s Kerosene (Live)
10. Family (Live)
The Interrupters will appear as special guests on the Hella Mega stadium tour supporting Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit www.hellamegatour.com.
THE HELLA MEGA TOUR NORTH AMERICAN DATES:
7/29 Houston, TX Minute Maid Park
7/31 Jacksonville, FL TIAA Bank Field
8/1 Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium
8/4 Flushing, NY Citi Field
8/5 Boston, MA Fenway Park
8/8 Washington, DC Nationals Park
8/10 Detroit, MI Comerica Park
8/13 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
8/15 Chicago, IL Wrigley Field
8/17 Columbus, OH Historic Crew Stadium
8/19 Pittsburgh, PA PNC Park
8/20 Philadelphia, PA Citizen’s Bank Park
8/23 Minneapolis, MN Target Field
8/25 Denver, CO Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
8/27 San Francisco, CA Oracle Park
8/29 San Diego, CA PetCo Park
9/1 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest
9/3 Los Angeles, CA Dodger Stadium
9/6 Seattle, WA T Mobile Park
The Interrupters are Aimee Interrupter (vocals) and the Bivona brothers (guitarist Kevin Bivona, bassist Justin Bivona, drummer Jesse Bivona).

For More Information on The Interrupters, visit:
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Ska, I got your back!

I have been reading a book for the last month. It’s a good book. It’s well researched and thorough.It’s not just good. It is a great book.
My initial plan was to tell you about that book. I changed my mind.
I woke up this morning and realized that I don’t want to tell you about the book. I do want you to read the book though, so here’s a little story about how I stumbled into a love of Ska.
I grew up in the midwest in the late 70s and early 80s. Life was easy. We loved Night Ranger and Loverboy. It’s what you loved if you didn’t pledge allegiance to Conway Twitty each and every night. We turned the radio on. We turned the radio up.
Maybe I had it easy on my path to Ska, but I grew up in a reasonably diverse household, musically speaking. My dad loved a wide blend of hippy music and acid rock, and my mom was way into Motown. I started to climb a mountain. That mountain’s name was Rock and Roll.
I will do you a favor and fast forward you a bit through the horrors of later 80s rock radio. It was a lot more bad than good. Let’s leave it at that.
Radio rock aside, I wasn’t really much into music. My older brother was. He was my gateway into other music. It was hit or miss for a while, but when he played Appetite for Destruction for me, I started to come around. When a friend of his was over and played the new Suicidal (How Will I Laugh Tomorrow) I was hooked. I can still feel my hair growing. That’s how metal I was.
New forms of music became my thing. I liked to be on the forward front, all “Have you heard this?” This continued when I went away to college. New Pantera, cool, but “Have you heard the new Voivod?” “Hey what if we listen to Ween?” In that quest for “new”, I found new. New to me anyway. In 1993 I heard “Don’t Know How To Party” for the first time. The Bosstones had me hooked on a new thing.
Later that year I was in a music store (Big Don’s Music City) in Joplin, MO. There was a message board near the front. (For the post-internet crowd, physical message boards were a place to connect with like-minded individuals to sell used appliances and find bass players.) That message board had a “take-a-number” sheet on it looking for members to start a Ska band. Influences including: Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Let’s Go Bowling, Toasters. Welp, I had heard the one, Let’s hear more.
I liked this Ska stuff. It had horns. (was a trombone player once) It was opinionated, but at the same time, friendly.
About a year later, MU330 rolled through the college town I was living in. I don’t even think they had an opening act. Just them doing a solid hour set. Afterward the sat down to chill and talk to the fans. I remember sitting with Dan and Jason (who was on lead vocals at the time). Jason shook my hand with the kind of handshake where you cover the entire handshake with your other hand, and don’t let go until you know the other person’s hand is fully shook. … if you know what I mean. It’s the handshake of long lost friends; the hug of handshakes. We chatted a bit, Jason, Dan and myself. I asked Dan, “how do you get those guitar sounds? I like it, but everything I try comes out sounding like Black Sabbath.” Dan said, “There’s nothing wrong with that. Keep Trying.” Better words were never said.
I was in love with Ska. I tried to tell my brother, to share a bit of what he had given to me. He wasn’t into it. I think maybe the first stuff I played for him wasn’t quite aggressive enough. He was still pretty much a metalhead then. … but things change. Something stuck and he was asking me if I knew of more Ska bands, and where I could get more CDs.
I was living in Portland at the time and my brother came to visit. I took him to Ozone Records and he bought every Ska CD they had in the store. If I have my chronology right, later that year, maybe early the next, I went back home to visit. My brother picked me up in Kansas City and we went to Lawrence for a show at The Grenada. Less Than Jake, Skavoovie and the Epitones, and Chris Murray. IT WAS AMAZING.
Special shout out to Chris. Skavoovie’s keyboard player had decided mid-tour to go back to college (I think that’s the story) So Chris played his opening “Campfire Ska” set, then went backstage, jumped into a suit, and proceeded to rock the full Skavoovie set on the keys. (Many years later Chris played my 20th wedding anniversary party.)
I bought my first Asian Man Records shirt at that show. It was magic. Later that night we went to the record store next to The Grenada. My brother bought me Mepheskapheles “God Bless Satan”, and Spring Heeled Jack (usa) “Static World View”.
Life was a whirlwind back then. I was young, living in a city. Bands were playing all the time. So many. It was hard to keep up. I saw the Pietasters for the first time then. I was enamoured. Cool jazz guys almost, in wrinkled suits, with a couple of drinks in them. Good times. I bought a CD copy of OoLooLoo. I was blasting it in the apartment and one of my neighbors was all “Pietasters? Fuck Yeah!” She was from DC and totally on board with hometown music hitting the West Coast
A little anecdote here, but while I was living in Portland, my rather concervative grandmother came to visit. She wasn’t happy about a lot of the music I listened to, but she loved The Pietasters. She said it reminded her of big bands from back in the day.
Nothing ever changed for me after that, as it pertains to Ska. I mean, one time I couldn’t get tickets to Less Than Jack and Reel Big Fish because the show was sold out. Life goes on though. I didn’t turn my back because of that. I just found new stuff. I’m like, “Up yours Reel Big Fish! I’ll listen to Thumper instead.”
I suppose I could ramble on more about the bands that bent my ear (Suicide Machines) and all the great shows I saw, but it would all be driving to the same destination. Ska is awesome. There is, not now, never once, a reason to be ashamed.
I stand In Defense of Ska. But, as they say, the best defense is a good offense. (I think people say that) So to that end, I say, “GO OUT THERE AND BUY THIS MUTHAFUCKING BOOK AND LISTEN TO SKA!”
Cheers!
-Jerry Actually
THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES
ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM
WHEN GOD WAS GREAT
OUT MAY 7

SHARE “I DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING”

Ska-punk pioneers The Mighty Mighty BossToneS will release their 11th studio record When God Was Great on May 7 via Hellcat Records.
Co-produced by longtime collaborator Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Dropkick Murphys) and Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong (Transplants, Jimmy Cliff), When God Was Great is the culmination of their extensive and all-embracing career and sees the band bringing back friends, tourmates, and bandmates from the past for a sonic celebration that stresses the power of perseverance and human connection during tumultuous times. The album features 15-tracks that initially arose out of a collective sense of loss.
“We were lightly writing songs before the insanity without any sort of timeline in mind. All of a sudden, the world changed and benchmark events in a very long career that we were looking forward to, such as playing with the Madness at the Greek Theatre, were taken away from us,” explains frontman Dicky Barrett. “With all of this time on our hands, we started writing at a quickened pace and we were really inspired. As grim as everything around us was in the outside world, this was the most fun we ever had making a record.
Today, the band shares their new single “I DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING”.
CHECK OUT “I DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING NOW
WHEN GOD WAS GREAT TRACK LISTING
1. DECIDE
2. M O V E
3. I DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING
4. CERTAIN THINGS
5. BRUISED
6. LONELY BOY
7. THE KILLING OF GEORGIE (PART III)
8. YOU HAD TO BE THERE
9. WHEN GOD WAS GREAT
10. WHAT IT TAKES
11. LONG AS I CAN SEE THE LIGHT
12. THE TRUTH HURTS
13. IT WENT WELL
14. I DON’T WANT TO BE YOU
15. THE FINAL PARADE
Since their formation in 1983, the BossToneS have been credited as one of the forefathers of ska punk and the creators of its subgenre, ska-core. With a career spanning over 30-years Boston’s best dressed band has built and continued to build a devoted following with their unique brass-infused brand of punk rock. To date they have released ten studio records; Devil’s Night Out (1989), More Noise and Other Disturbances (1992), Don’t Know How to Party (1993), Question the Answers (1994), Let’s Face It (1997), Pay Attention (2000), A Jackknife to a Swan (2002), Pin Points and Gin Joints (2009), The Magic of Youth (2011), and While We’re at It (2018).

THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES SIGN WITH HELLCAT RECORDS SHARE “THE FINAL PARADE”
FEATURING MEMBERS OF
RANCID, THE INTERRUPTERS, FISHBONE,
THE PIETASTERS, THE SPECIALS AND MORE

Hellcat Records is pleased to welcome the progenitors of ska, The Mighty Mighty BossToneS to the family.
Today, the band shares their new track “The Final Parade.” The track heralds the ups and downs of the band’s journey, the history of ska, and features vocal cameos and guest appearances from many ska-punk luminaries. At nearly 8-mintues, the track has been referred as “The Ska Summit” by Tim Armstrong, who co-produced the track with fellow Grammy award winner Ted Hutt. “It’s a love letter to Ska music and the people that make Ska music and it’s a whole lot of fun,” says vocalist Dicky Barrett.
The features on the track include Tim Armstrong (Rancid), Aimee Interrupter & The Interrupters, Stranger Cole, Angelo Moore (Fishbone), Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers), Jay Navarro (Suicide Machines), Chris DeMakes, Pete Wesilewski, Roger Lima (Less Than Jake), Jimmy G (Murphy’s Law), Toby Morse, Rusty Pistachio (H2O), John Feldman (Goldfinger), Laila Khan (Sonic Boom Six), Robert Hingley (Toasters), Dan Vitale (Bim Skala Bim), Dave McWane (Big D and The Kids Table), Sirae Richardson, Erin Mackenzie, Brie McWane (The Doped Up Dollys), Jesse Wagner (Aggrolites), Karina Denike (The Dance Hall Crashers), Christian Jaccobs (The Aquabats), Jon Pebsworth (Buck O Nine), Peter Porker (The Porkers), Steve Jackson (The Pietasters), Felipe Galvan (Los Skanarles), Jet Baker (Buster Shuffle), Fumio Ito (Kemuri), Glen “The Kid” Marhevka (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), and Roddy Radiation (The Specials).
CHECK OUT “THE FINAL PARADE” NOW
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Since their formation in 1983, the BossToneS have been credited as one of the forefathers of ska punk and the creators of its subgenre, ska-core. With a career spanning over 30-years Boston’s best dressed band has built and continued to build a devoted following with their unique brass-infused brand of punk rock. To date they have released ten studio records; Devil’s Night Out (1989), More Noise and Other Disturbances (1992), Don’t Know How to Party (1993), Question the Answers (1994), Let’s Face It (1997), Pay Attention (2000), A Jackknife to a Swan (2002), Pin Points and Gin Joints (2009), The Magic of Youth (2011), and While We’re at It (2018).
The Mighty Mighty BossToneS are vocalist Dicky Barrett, bassist Joe Gittleman, saxophonists Tim “Johnny Vegas” Burton and Leon Silva, Bosstone Ben Carr, drummer Joe Sirois, guitarists Nate Albert and Lawrence Katz, keyboardist John Goetchius, and trombonist Chris Rhodes.

CREDIT: YOYO YOSEF
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