Hornpod: A Ska Podcast

The Slackers podcast is back!  Horn section, Dave Hillyard and Glen Pine join JJ and Matt to talk about their new single, "What We Gonna Do Now?" / "Pick and Choose" on Pirates Press Records.

Released to coincide with 2024 US Presidential Election, the new single deals in themes of freedom, democracy and justice.

We also find ourselves thinking a lot about communication this time… connecting with live audiences, finding the clearest lyrics and expressing thoughts through horn solos.  And we get a little mushy trying to figure out how The Slackers really feel about each other.

JJ and Matt are joined by Daniel Rachel, the author of Too Much Too Young, the 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism, and the Soundtrack of a Generationout NOW from Akashik Books.

In the book, Rachel gives us a comprehensive history of this era in ska, full of insights, trivia and controversy. Now he joins us to go even deeper into British youth cultures and how the unique vision of Jerry Dammers reinvented the ideal Rude Boy.

Dicky Barrett sang in the Mighty Mighty Bosstones for 39 years, and announced for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show for 18 years. In 2022, his stance on COVID vaccines seemingly ended both careers. Nowadays he writes and sings in 90s punk supergroup The Defiant, alongside members of Smash Mouth, the Offspring, the Street Dogs, and the Briggs. He joins Hornpod to share stories about the earliest days and highest heights of U.S. ska, as well as his place in the world these days. Hornpod theme written by Matt Wixson. Performed this episode by Brunt of It. The Hornpod Ska Canon lives at hornpod.org

You know him as a modern-day dub master and ska producer, but now we're calling him "professor" as Victor Rice takes us to production school.

Ricey shares his advice on composing, performing, recording and mixing your music- it's like Masterclass but for ska kids.

Rebroadcast of an episode of the Monster Boogie Show, originally aired March 5th, 2024 on WCSB 89.3FM Cleveland

Cleveland native and trombonist Greg Robinson (Mephiskapheles) guest hosts the Mikal Reich Memorial Show. For two hours, Greg spins rare, early Mephiskapheles tracks from 1992-1996, along with vintage ska from the 1960s that Mikal loved, and a few selections from the bands Meph toured with back in the early days. In between, there are brief interview segments from the Mephiskapheles circle as well as guests from the NYC scene who knew Mikal and pay tribute to him on-air. Together, we remember this brilliant, creative person who touched so many lives significantly with his friendship and his enthusiasm for ska music and living life to the fullest. We hope you'll find time to listen and remember Mikal too.

Guests: Mike Drance, Dave Martinez, Andre Worrell, Mike Bitz, Rob “Bucket” Hingley, Brendan “Brendog” Tween, Irena Hyena

RIP Mikal Reich (Mephiskapheles, Barbicide)August 28, 1965 - February 20, 2024

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (TSPO, or Skapara) has been making records since 1990, but their music has been hard to come by in the US for much of their career. However, after their Supernova debut, and the availability of their entire back catalog for streaming, TSPO is finally getting the recognition they deserve.

JJ and Matt have decided to become experts on the legendary band, and with the help of Chris Malone from The Pandamics, The Pilfers, and Bigger Thomas, they will take you through the history of TSPO.

Matt recently had the opportunity to hop on a Zoom with Coolie, Vinny and Nick from The Pilfers! Their seminal record from 1999, Chawalaleng is available for streaming for the very first time, and this coincides with a reunion of the band's original lineup.

This is Coolie Ranx's third visit to Hornpod, check the feed for episodes 027 and 028 for the full Pilfers' Saga.

It's been a fantastic year for ska music and we have been making lists. JJ and Matt welcome the curator of the BIG 2023 Ska Releases Spotify playlist, Cody Freedom and author/blogger of Ska, Punk and other Junk, Dane Jackson to the show.

We each share our own Top Ten lists, find some common overlap and reflect on another year in ska.

It's Christmas time again! Yes, again. Some folks were disappointed that nothing was added to the Ska Canon in the last episode. We're fixing that with a self-proclaimed Christmas Ska expert, Sean McCabe from Rocky Sullivan, Psy D and Bomb The Music Industry!

JJ and Matt are in a Christmas mood, so we've brought on Jesse Wagner (The Aggrolites) and Eitan Avineri from Western Standard Time to talk about their new record, Bluebeat Holiday. It's a classy mix of Big Band, Ska and Christmas favorites.

And in Ska Canon, we try to find some Christmas Ska that's worthy to be inducted.

Guests, James McDonald, I-Peace Unikue and their band Eastern Standard Time are playing Supernova Ska Festival 2023!  More than that, they’ll also be backing up Sister Nancy and Dr. Ring-Ding!

Eastern Standard Time joins JJ and Matt to tell us what it’s like infusing traditional Ska with non-traditional amounts of Jazz- and finding the right balance over their nearly 30 years together.  We get into the nuances of playing Ska-Jazz, and also, when things get too far out.

JJ and Matt are joined by Victor Rice and Kristoph Toth to discuss their new project, Heritage: On Bartok's Path, which combines ska with traditional Hungarian folk songs. A true ska visionary, Rice conceived of the new genre-mixing album years ago, and enlisted Toth's band, the Pannonia Allstar Ska Orchestra to make it a reality.

We talk Scofflaws! We talk about Samba Rocksteady! And of course, we talk Bela Bartok!

The Prizefighters are a Minneapolis band who really studies Jamaican music. This has led them to be picked to back living Jamaican legends including Stranger Cole, Patsy Todd, Roy Panton, Yvonne Harrison, Charlie Organaire, and "King of Ska" Derrick Morgan. Aaron, Tony, and Courtney from the band join us to discuss the nuances and particulars of playing Jamaican music and the ways it has and hasn't been done since the 1960s.

It’s the 1981 documentary that captured the energy and excitement of the ska scene during the height of the 2 Tone movement in Britain. Featuring electrifying live performances by bands like The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter, it remains a cult classic, one that played a key role in kickstarting the third wave in the US. 

Recently remastered, remixed and rereleased by the British Film Institute, we are finally given the chance to see it restored to it’s original glory… it’s DANCE CRAZE and the latest episode of the Hornpod Film Club!

Our special guest is Marc Wasserman, he's the author of Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History; host of Ska Boom podcast and bassist for Rude Boy George & Bigger Thomas

Here's a special episode to address the recent announcement of an Operation Ivy reunion by way of the new band, Doom Regulators. Or should we say, Bad Optix? Whatever they're called, we've got Jimmy Doyle (The Fad and The Forthrights) to serve up Rancid trivia and hot takes!

In this episode of Hornpod Film Club, we review the 2019 documentary, Shella Record: A Reggae Mystery. Directed by Chris Flanagan, the film tracks his decade of searching for the soulful siren featured on a 10-cent record he bought in a thrift store, credited only with the name Shella Record. His journey takes him from record shops in Toronto to the legendary recording studios of Jamaica, where he discusses the history of Jamaica's music with some of reggae's greatest hitmakers. Along the way, Chris's own artistic practice of carefully crafted miniatures helps to tell a playful story of obsession, the power of music, and final redemption. Tune in to our discussion with special guests and hear the tale of Shella Record: A Reggae Mystery, plus Ska Canon.

In this episode of Hornpod Film Club, we explore the 1997 hit movie, Grosse Pointe Blank. Starring John Cusack as a hitman attending his high school reunion, the film blends action, comedy, romance and maybe a little Rude Boy mythology. The soundtrack is iconic and peppered with ska and reggae classics like "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, “Rudie Can’t Fail” by The Clash and “A” Message to You Rudy” by The Specials.

Our special guest for this episode is Ryan Reeves, guitarist for the band, The Exceptions. Ryan compares his experiences growing up as a ska kid in Detroit in the 80s to what we see on film, but also offers insights into the main character’s psyche. We get into it!

All this, and Ska Canon.

Hornpod Film Club 01 The Harder They Come (1972)

It’s the story of a Jamaican country boy who comes to the big city with dreams of becoming a Reggae star but ends up exploited by the music industry, cheated by the drug trade and eventually gunned down by the police.

It’s Jamaica’s first feature film, a cult classic and is widely credited with introducing Reggae to the world.

It’s The Harder They Come from 1972 and it is our first movie in The Hornpod Film Club!

Heather Augustyn is our special guest, she is the author of Ska: An Oral History and many other books about Jamaican history. 

JJ and Matt welcome Cody Freedom, curator of the Spotify-complete-ska-release-playlist every year.  Together, we reflect on a year in ska and we compare our Top Ten lists.  

JJ and Matt are joined by many guests tonight as we explore the pop side of ska. First, Agent Jay of The Slackers and Ali and Danny of Stop The Presses call in talk about their new album, Got It. Then, Tim from Supernova Ska Fest joins us to talk about Ska Canon and other big announcements.

JJ and Matt are joined by Adam Reeves, creator of the forthcoming biography of The Skatalites' legendary trombonist Don Drummond.  Drummond's creative genius helped shape ska music in its earliest days, but his life was short and marred by tragedy.  We celebrate his music, learn about his extensive legacy and even consider a few albums for the Ska Canon.

Jazz is one of the major musical elements of Ska, so what's the deal with Ska-Jazz?  JJ and Matt sit down with the Jazz experts of Westbound Train to help us break it down.  Westbound's Obi, Rich and Thad help us crack the code of Ska-Jazz, and even elevate a few classics into the canon.

Way back in Hornpod episode 001 JJ and Matt told you how they defined ska. In this latest episode, they're putting it to the test! 

 First we sit down with Dan Lord and Adam Guthrie of the band Salvo. We talk about the 1990's when the "horn punk" band was called Pain. We talk about the long hiatus and triumphant return, including their new album The Traveler, out August 26th via Asbestos Records. What do the guys think of Skatune Network's cover of the Pain song "Jabberjaw"? Why is it important that their fans know they don't play ska?  

And then, at long last, we submit releases by Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution and Streetlight Manifesto to the Hornpod Ska Canon. Was Tomas Kalnoky talking about doing the BOTAR project before he even left Catch-22? How old are some of these songs, actually? Why don't we talk about Streetlight Manifesto as an ethnic folk-punk band? And which of Tohkay's 21st century albums are Canon-worthy?  All this and more in the least ska edition of Hornpod: a Ska Podcast yet!

Coolie Ranx returns, and he's brought former Oingo Boingo bassist, John Avila! John brings stories about producing Boingo, Reel Big Fish and of course, The Pilfers Chawalaleng. 

JJ and Matt are joined by genuine ska celebrity, Coolie Ranx (The Toasters, The Pilfers) to talk about dancehall attitude, improvising live and committing to ska long-term.

Legendary percussionist, Larry McDonald joins us to discuss his latest collaboration with Dave Hillyard of The Slackers.  Dave and Larry have been making music together for decades as the Rocksteady Seven and their new album, Plague Doctor is out now!  We talk about Larry's days in pre-ska Jamaica all the way up to his recent work with the late Lee Perry, and everything in between.

JJ and Matt are joined again by all six members of the Slackers for more conversation about the band's new album, Don't Let The Sunlight Fool Ya. This time the focus is on the songwriting and the stories behind some of the album's songs.

The Slackers' brand new album, Don't Let The Sunlight Fool Ya will drop on April 15th- but we're here with a track-by-track preview of the record.  Dive deep with JJ, Matt and the members of The Slackers as we reveal the new tunes and the stories behind them!

It's a takeover!  Jimmy Doyle and Sean McCabe straight up infiltrate Hornpod HQ and do their own episode- all about the Long Island ska scene.  They are joined by JT Turret of ASOB and Brian Diaz of Ednas Goldfish.

JJ and Matt sit down with the author of the new book, Hell of a Hat The Rise of 90s Ska and Swing, Kenneth Partridge.  And don't you know it, we have opinions on 90s Ska and Swing.

King Django, founder of Stubborn Records has been working with our own, Matt Wixson on a very special compilation the past year, and they are joining us to reveal the details of this monumental undertaking.  

JJ and Matt reflect on a year in ska- the trends, the music, the memories.  Join us as we compare Top Ten lists and throw a few more ska-mpilations into the canon.

JJ and Matt look back to time when the 3rd Wave had crashed, but the ska scene carried on. Joined by the legendary founder of Jump Up records, Chuck Wren, we discuss a massive compilation designed to rally the scene at a time when all seemed lost.

The ska compilation: a perfect way to discover new bands and new labels. For many, a SKAmpilation album was their entry into the ska world. JJ and Matt sort through some of our favorite ska comps while reminiscing about some of the truly terrible ones.

In August 2021 reggae pioneer Lee "Scratch" Perry passed at away at the age of 85. We gather with Emch and Larry McDonald of Subatomic Sound System, Scratch's bandmates during his final decade, to honor and celebrate a man who lived his life as art and changed music forever. Join us as we connect by proxy to the WiFi of the inventor of dub, the son of Neptune, Lee "Scratch" Perry.

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.

In the final episode of this miniseries, we're joined by trumpeter Adam "Flymo" Birch who has played alongside Laurel Aitken, Derrick Morgan, The Toasters and The Specials.  Flymo tells us about overcoming addiction and reconnecting with ska at a Supernova festival.  

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.

This time, we've got one of the most anticipated acts of the upcoming Supernova 2021-  an all-star, all-female, all-ska supergroup called Rude Girl Revue.  Debuting at Supernova 2021 with 16 women on stage, they promise to make history and melt your face.

We're joined by Marcia and Katie from the soul-ska band Bowcat, Jenny Whiskey from Hub City Stompers and Tara from the Checkered Cast podcast! 

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.

On this episode, we're joined by one of the founders of Supernova Ska Festival, Tim Receveur, who has seen it grow from very modest beginnings into perhaps the largest gathering in the ska scene.  Tim tells us about the challenges of organizing this event during the pandemic and the rewards of actually pulling it off.

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.  

On the first episode, we're joined by Hepcat frontman, Greg Lee to discuss their unexpected journey to Supernova this year. 

JJ and Matt welcome Marc Wasserman back to the show to discuss the notion of traditional-ska-punk. Is it real? Can we even agree on what it is? Does it belong in the canon?  We answer these questions... and more!

JJ and Matt enlist the expertise of fellow ska scholar, Marc Wasserman to shed light on a seldom-discussed era of ska history- the 1980s.  Marc tells stories from his new book Skaboom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History, and contributes to a lively Ska Canon discussion.

Berlin Studio Days

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends.

This time, Ara and Jay are back and we're talking about side-projects, dub theory and some foggy memories of the "Berlin" sessions.

Boss Medication

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends. 

For episode five, we are joined again by trombonist, Glen Pine and Slackers' lead singer, Vic Ruggiero to reminisce about the Boss Harmony Sessions, Self Medication and all tunes lost and found.

Back in Hornpod episode #005 Matt and JJ examined the sounds and styles of the emerging reggae sound sweeping Kingston in the late 1960's. But that isn't the end of the story. Those early funky reggae jams were reborn around the turn of the century as bands like the Slackers and Aggrolites inspired a global resurgence. Then we discuss a few relevant albums for the Ska Canon.

The Making of Peculiar

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends. 

For episode four of the series, Dave, Matt, and JJ are joined by Slackers drummer Ara Babajian and later by singer Vic Ruggiero, as well, to discuss the making of the band's 2006 album Peculiar. The album boasted a new lineup, a novel recording process, and an evolved sound for the band.

2001-2003

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends. 

For the third episode of this series, Dave, Matt, and JJ are joined by Slackers trombonist and vocalist Glen Pine to discuss the process of creating the band's 2003 album Close My Eyes. You'll never hear the song "Old Dog" the same again after this one!

More Wasted Days

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends. 

For the second installment, Dave, Matt, and JJ are joined by Slackers bassist Marcus Geard and guitarist Jayson "Agent J" Nugent to discuss the band's 2001 album Wasted Days, including discussion of the drastically different vinyl tracklisting and the impact of the iconic title track on the band.

1996-2000

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends.

In the first of this miniseries Dave, Matt, and JJ are joined by Slackers keyboard player, vocalist, and songwriter Vic Ruggiero. The four discuss the period around the band's first few albums.

In this long-overdue deep dive, JJ and Matt are joined by ska-jazz musician and aficionado Rich Graiko (Westbound Train, the Attractors, Void Union) to discuss the origins, output, and ongoing legacy of the legendary Skatalites. How many of their albums belong in the Hornpod Ska Canon? The answer may surprise you!

JJ and Matt compare lists of their favorite ska/reggae albums of 2020. Then they consider a couple albums for the Ska Canon that seemed to predict a resurgence of 2-Tone influence in ska-punk

JJ and Matt are joined by Obi Fernandez (Westbound Train, the Inevitables) to just totally nerd out about the Slackers, a favorite of all three. This is part one of two, and covers the period of the band up to and including the Close My Eyes album. Then some shocking decisions are made when it comes to placing Slackers albums into the Ska Canon.

JJ and Matt are joined by author Heather Augustyn to discuss often overlooked women in ska and reggae history. Then they consider some notable records for the canon.

JJ and Matt are joined by Vinnie Fiorello (The Inevitables, ex-Less Than Jake) to discuss how ska is received outside of the ska scene, and also talk about his new ska supergroup and book.

JJ and Matt trace the origins of modern EDM back to 1960's Jamaica and then see how it has fed back into ska over the years. Then they consider some albums for the Ska Canon.

In this special episode JJ and Matt pay tribute to Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, of Toots and the Maytals, who passed away on September 11, 2020.

JJ and Matt chat about supergroups and all-star combinations in ska music, and consider some albums that fit the theme for inclusion in the Ska Canon.  

JJ and Matt look at toasting, chatting, and dancehall in the ska scene. Then, keeping to the theme of the episode, consider some albums for the Ska Canon.

JJ and Matt take a closer look at ska puns and portmanteaus, and tell you which are the good, which are the bad, and which are just plain ugly. They then consider a few examples of wordplay band names for the Ska Canon.

Hornpod Offbeat is a new occasional series where JJ and Matt stop talking about ska and start talking about other things they like. Consider it bonus content. In this mini episode the boys have a conversation about Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, recorded before a previous episode.

JJ and Matt consult a real expert to discuss mento, the Jamaican music that preceded ska, and discover that maybe it's wrong to link one to the other. They then consider which essential mento collections necessitate inclusion in the Ska Canon.

JJ and Matt take on the past and present of skacore with the help of their first guest contributor, Jimmy Doyle (the Fad, the Forthrights). Then a few skacore albums are considered for the Ska Canon.

JJ and Matt praise their favorite soulful ska and reggae singers throughout history.  Possible inductees into the Ska Cannon include two records from the soul-ska movement of the mid-2000s.

JJ and Matt take a close look at the Specials, a band that redefined ska for decades to come. Then they consider some Specials albums for the Ska Canon.

JJ and Matt head to the late 1960's to look at the earliest music of the emerging genre called reggae. What's the difference between this music and the Jamaican styles that came before and after it? Then your hosts debate some albums that defined the genre at the time.

JJ and Matt look back at the 2010's and discuss which ska albums stand above the rest. Will any of these newer records be worthy of the Ska Canon?

JJ and Matt discuss the new documentary Pick It Up!: Ska in the ‘90s, and in particular reevaluate their thoughts on the role of Reel Big Fish. Then they consider six – SIX! – big albums from the mid-‘90s for inclusion in the Ska Canon.

JJ and Matt discuss how their respective spouses feel about the music they both love. Then they pit two Mephiskapheles albums against one another in a head-to-head showdown for Ska Canon glory: it’s God Bless Satan vs. Maximum Perversion.

JJ and Matt discuss what should and should not be considered ska. Who’s definition is broader and who is the “gatekeeper”? Then they consider two albums for the Ska Canon from artists who were there at the very beginning: Prince Buster and Carlos Malcolm.

JJ and Matt talk about their personal histories with ska, JJ as a radio host and Matt as a musician. Then they discuss their first candidates for the Ska Canon, considering bands from their home towns: the Suicide Machines and MU330.