Talk The Ska

On this absolute monster of an episode Mattie is joined by Courtney and Aaron of The Prizefighters. In a somewhat shocking change of pace we mostly talk about ska. What it was like during the so-called "Dark Ages", how the scene is doing today and above all else to be kind.

Come join Mattie as they talk with Tara of Half Past Two about their new record, joining Bad TIme, tales of Hollywood, Disney magic and the best darn burger joint in Los Alamitos.

Oh, hey there Talkers. It's been a bit since we've done an episode, but we're back with a doozy. Kicking off our return to the podcast scene is a new interview with Duck and Bex of Joystick. It was an absolute honor to get to interview them about their new EP Dwell. But there's so much more we talk the ska, dogs, head injuries, philosophy, the Bad TIme Family and though we tried our darndest not to, BEANS.

Come along as we talk to Lexington, Kentucky's The Rough Customer on an all new Unstructured! We discuss their new album, old albums, various pop culture topics, and of course SKA!

Short and sweet. We're back. We play ska. We talk about the ska. Same as the last 149 episodes before this one and it feels so good. Featuring music by Big D & the Kids Table, The Bakesys, The Simulators, Stop The Presses, Last Edition, TheNix86, The JB Conspiracy, Flying Raccoon Suit, The Best of The Worst, Joystick, and Animal Chin.

Yes, this is the May! We said we were gonna do it and now we have. While we aren't the biggest fan of Star Wars we are a big fan of ska and there is a lot of ska based on it. This ended up being a bit more 90's focus than we intended it to be. Though that's where our head has been at lately, so can't say we're too surprised. Some come along and listen to some tunes by The Prizefighters, Greenhouse, Orange Tree, Eclectics, Skabba the Hut, Luke Skawalker, RedEyed Jedi, The Double Deckers, The Blackouts, Wreckinghorn, and Thumper.

That's right everyone, we are finally back (again) with a new episode. It's a little later than we would have liked, but there's been a lot going on lately. But it seems like the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight and we are gonna talk about some ska dagnabbit! An astounding amount of awesome tracks in this episode from longtime scene stalwarts and young up and comers alike. Featuring music by Buster Shuffle, The Busters, Los Super Duppers, The Third Rates, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Link 80, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Ghost Tones, The Sensibles, Skaffolding, and The Slackers.

There are two very important lessons I learned in the production of this episode. 1) It has been far too long since our last proper episode and I miss it terribly. 2) Never again will I record in my kitchen, it's sort of a sonic nightmare. I also should take notes, but we all knew that already. One the plus side this episode features loads of new music, stuff we missed, the birth of "Talkers" and even a contest! Featuring music by Wild Man Riddim, The Abruptors, The Regards, The Resojets, Something To Do, Backyard Superheroes, O Leopardo, tryingtogetby, Chango Munks, The End Times, Culture Shock, and Jeff Rosenstock!

Well hello there! It's been a bit since we last posted an episode, but we're finally back! This one has been in the works for quite awhile and it shows, because it's massive! Featuring music by Gentlemen's Dub Club, The Bakesys, Rude City Riot, The Penniless Loafers, Left Alone, The Rude Ways, El Piloto Ciego, Ska Freaks, Skabara, Meskales, Dance Contraption, Belangkon Haji, and The Bruce Lee Band! It's certainly a great time to be a ska fan here in 2021.

I am absolutely delighted by this weeks guests. As I note in the episode, Joystick was played all the way back in the very first episode of Talk The Ska. So it's a pretty big deal to have them on talking about their hotly anticipated new album. Also their next album...not really. But maybe? This also pretty much cements beans being a thing now.

What a few weeks it has been! We had our equipment finally actually die on us, it was sad. But it meant we got to replace it with better stuff! Which also then died on us.... but that brings us to this! The same new equipment but this time it works! So rather than go another week without an episode we came up with this one when we should have been working! Featuring music by Flying Raccoon Suit, Daly's Gone Wrong, Rundown Kreeps, Joystick, Sgt. Scag, Hans Gruber & the Die Hards, Harijan, The Rocksteady Conspiracy, The Resetters, Mr. Kingpin, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.

Hey party people! ...sorry, that was awkward. It's been a bit since we've done a proper episode and I certainly think that it shows. Heck, I forgot to clean up the audio on my end! Total rookie move! Luckily, I have mastered the art of song selection and that's what really counts. We're back to bringing you new ska sounds from all around the globe. This week features tracks by Coolidge, Safe Sax, Cartoon Violence, Half Past Two, TLA, beat sunset, Buena Onda Reggae Club, Tape Girl, Easy Out, Madaline, and The Porkers!

We have another interview for you all. Even better these episodes have a name, Unstructured! Today we talked with Anthony of The Guilty Parties and big time X-Men fan. I'll be very honest in saying this whole episode is about 95% comics talk and 5% ska. But that's just how it happens sometimes!

We are just tickled pink to have Andrew, Brandon, Derek and Jessica of Flying Raccoon Suit with us this week. We talk their upcoming album Afterglow, beans, Mario, beans, the Mandela Effect, beans, and much, much more! Oh, did I mention beans? There's loads of that! Trust us that this is one of our best chats yet!

With 2020 behind us we are ready to look ahead to 2021. This seems somewhat silly, what with it being over two weeks in. Yet, that's where we seem to have found ourselves. More of what you've come to expect from our show. New ska sounds from all over the world. Featuring music by The Georgetown Orbits, Mount Mouth & the Ska-Mans, Los Casettes, The Tellways, Nate Funk, Roshambo, Felices Adicciones, Archaic 3 featuring Hans Gruber & the Die Hards,The Best of the Worst, Small Town Get Up, and Andy B & the World!

Another year has come to an end and we couldn't be happier about it! But before we go completely out with the old, we must take a look back. This is our first totally spoiler free blurb. So it's all pretty simple, we talk about our 10 favorite albums from the past year, playing a song from each! Let us know how wrong we got it!

It's Christmas eve! But, there's also some newer stuff to feature. So yeah, this is our strangest episode ever! Happy holidays everyone! Featuring music by MU330, The Backyard Superheroes, Suspense Hero Syndicate, Mr. Incommunicado, Lollypop Lorry, Sari Ska band featuring Schola Sw. Jozefa, Steadydrop, Buena Onda Reggae Club, Tape Girl, Prince Loogie, and The Skajects!

Hold on to your hats, ladies, gentlemen, and fine people everywhere. Gary of the Backyard Superheroes returns to Talk the Ska to chat about the forthcoming charity compilation, Arose Such A Clatter. But before we got to that we talk about comics, movies, toys, our love of 90's ska and so much more. All in our raw and uncut new interview style.

Spoiling everyone this week with 2 episode in a single week! When's the last time that happened? Sure the last one was a special chat episode, but this time around it's the real deal. Up to our usual bag of tricks, bringing you ska sounds from around the globe. Featuring the tunes of The Goodwin Club, Voodska, the Rude Ways, M'Ghadi, The Intercepteurs, The Shady Street Allstars, Cosmic Shuffling, The Cascadians, The Magnetics, and The Uptones!

Is it true? Has a ska podcast joined the legendary Goodwin Club??? You could listen to find out! Or you could just listen as Mattie chats with Tami and Jesse about the current goings on and loads of fun stories from their past!

Hey everyone! You miss us? Well fear not as we are back with an all new episode! No way we're gonna repeat last year and just disappear. This year has yet to slow down with awesome releases and we are bringing you some stellar new stuff. Featuring song by AKA The Syndicate, Crazy Baldhead, Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos, Jah Jazz Orchestra, King Kong 4, The Swashbuckling Doctors, Divide By Zero featuring Millington, Las Melinas, The Prizefighters, Don Robalo, Steady Rockers, and Lo(u)ser!

Whoopsie doopies, we missed last week. Things have been as hectic as usual for this time of year. But we are set on at least getting something out every other week. With the amount of great music out coming out and yet to be played, that's a pretty easy task to hit! In this episode we've got tracks by GirlsGoSka, ALSKA, The Roosterz, Mike Park W/ Brittany Luna, Millington w/Half Past Two, The Prizefighters, Rude Boy George, Jamacian Jazz Lovers, The Bluebeaters, Healthybody Sickmind, and The Void Union

Despite an incredibly busy week, we managed to put together a new episode! It wasn't exactly what we set out to create, which for once is a good thing! What started as a NoSKAlgic episode turned into a look at new releases. Including what we feel is a strong contender for album of the year! Featuring music by Bad Operation, Orangetree, Flip and the Combined Effort, Doberman, Shady Street Allstars, Gypsy Ska Orquesta, Spy Kids,The Bakesys, Les Happycuriens, and The Abruptors! Theme song performed by Stop The Presses Logo by Robot Skull

It wasn't always the case, but we love cassettes! We've been amassing quite the collection over the past 15 months. So given the fact that it is Cassette Week 2020, we wanted to showcase some of our favorites. So yes, this is an all cassette tape episode. The first of it's kind (for us)! We didn't intend for it to be all older stuff, but that's just how it worked out. Featuring music by The Skunks, Skavoovie & the Epitones, Monkey, The Specs, Mealticket, Let's Go Bowling, Eastern Standard Time, Skavenjah, Alien Spy, Dr. Green, Can't Say, and King Apparatus! Theme song by Stop The Presses Logo by Robot Skull

Welp, we did it again! Another episode of all new music for two weeks in a row! We kind of ramble about goings on in the world of ska for quite a bit. This is also probably our most diverse episode in terms of subgenres of ska covered. Which is exciting to say after 3 years! Featuring music by Cosmic Shuffling, Fiesta Fiasco, The Makeways, Count Bobo, The New Normal Collaboration, Simple Minded Symphony, The Rough Customers, The Taj Motel Trio, Joystick, and Skatsune Miku!

This will be a little hard to believe, but this episode only features songs from 2020. We can't recall how long it's been since that's happened! Probably never. As much as we love the older stuff, there was just too much latest and greatest not to feature. This week we have music by Angel Town Combo, Tito Pontet, The Roon Station, Calavera NY Club, Something To Do, We Are The Union, The Planet Smashers, Too Many Crooks, Salón Victoria, and Me, Mom, & Morgentaler. Theme song written and performed by Stop The Presses

We're back with another new episode of ska from all around the globe! Oddly enough we spend most of the time talking about things we have no part in. Be that the wonderful Toots tribute episodes Ska Parade and Windy City Sound System had done, or a number of upcoming stream festivals. Though that's not to say we don't spend time with great new music and old favorites. Featuring music by Toots and the Maytals, Dakka Skanks, The Bakesys, King Kong 4, Belanagkon Haji, Shore, Rude Stompers, Sonorous Rising, La Banda Invitada, and Rude Tins.

Can you believe we've been doing this for 3 years? We sure can't! But here we are with our first episode of our toddler phase and we are ready to celebrate. We are debuting our theme song and taking a look back at some of our favorite tracks of the past few years. But no worries, we are still taking a look at some newer acts and tracks too! Here's to another 3 years! Theme song written and performed by Stop The Presses Episode features music by The Hempsteadys, Sentimental Moods, The Kubricks, JER, Nice Things, Bumsy and the Moochers, Collywobbles, Just Say Nay, Stanislavsky, The Resignators and Animal Chin

Things got kind of weird in this one for a moment. Most of it got cut out because it was frankly distracting, which is the last thing we want. We're here to shine a light on ska from all around the world. Not silly goofs. For what it's worth though, it's the Tasman Sea. Featuring music by Dr. Ring-Ding, Holygrass, Maria Blues, Mungo Hi-Fi x Mariana P, Holysoul, Runaway Ricochet, Battle Ska-Galactica, Modus Fire, and Honey Shop Screamers.

That's right, we just did one and now it's time for another NoSKAlgic episode! This time around we are taking a look at the state of Texas. Featuring music by The Grown Ups, The Fabulous Bowler Boys, Slaphappy, Burn Toast, Secret Agent 8, The Impossibles, Fixed Ideas, The Vent-o-Lators, and The Suspects

It's still really hot out, so I've been recording with my windows open. Didn't realize how clearly the crickets would come through on the mic! They're like a special little guest host I didn't even know about. Besides that we have loads of ska-punk in this episode. Far more than usual! Featuring music by King Prawn, Turkey Blaster Omega, No Way Dad, Catbite, Kill Lincoln, Swift Kixx, Free Kick, Los Sin Vida, and S.M.A

In this week's episode we have music by Fratelli Lambretta Ska Jazz, Mala Suerte Ska, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra, The Pirateska Rebellion, Coolie Ranx, Over Limit, Bad Habit Budapest Ska, Flip and the Combined Effort, and The Pressure Boys.

We are back with a somewhat hastily thrown together Noskalgic episode. This time we're checking Pennsylvania off the list of US states to look into. I only say it's hastily thrown together because I didn't spend months agonizing over finding material. It all accidentally came together within a week and turned out pretty darn good! Featuring music by The Skablins, Public Service, Ruder Than You, The Freakin' Cads, Skaliosis, NotchoMa, The Go Go Rays, The N.C. Thirteens, and The Upstanders!

Like the title says it's hot out, here was a spider attack during the record, and that's it. Just those two things. Despite those minor calamities we are pleased as punch to bring you more new music from around the world. Featuring music by The Rough Customers, The Slackers, Rude Beard, Sally and the Monkeys, Backyard Superheroes, Eastbay, The Suitcase Bandits, 2 Stone 2 Skank, and Tin Circus.

Geees this one is late. I blame this hot, hot, humid weather mostly. That and continued technical issues, but we worked through all that! No set backs are gonna keep us from bringing you all the hot new ska sounds from around the world. There's something for every fan 's of genres falling under the sweet ska umbrella. Featuring music by Stop The Presses, Tape Girl, Skata Tones, El Colectivo Sabinas, Tree House Fire, The Easy Notes, Travellers All Stars, Dancing Moods, and Skapa!

This was a weird episode to record for a couple of reasons. Foremost, we went with the "classic" flow of an episode starting with a song and skipping our intro. That part made sense and was intentional. What didn't make sense were whole parts of the recording just not recording. So if bits of the talking seem more jumpy, that's why. Still loads of great new music here and even something we've never done before! Featuring music by Bowcat,Vieja Skina/Rock'n'Lobos, The New Rulers,Pussycat Doghouse,The Brothers Ignatius Big Band, TLA,The Marginados, Unknown Era, and Punch The Clown!

After our time looking at CT ska of the 90's and an unplanned week off, we are back in the present. There's new stuff, some old stuff, and best of all some upcoming stuff. It's really a nice set of sounds to come back to. Featuring the music of Kill Lincoln, The Meddlers,Downtown Fiasco, Mad Caddies, Girls Go Ska, The Bartenders, Ska Jazz Messengers, and Filibuster!

Last week was a huge success, so we're back with more 90's CT Ska! Okay, we would have been back with more even if it wasn't a success. There's also a single track from the 80's, which is always nifty to include in these retrospectives! Here's hoping it's as well liked as the previous episode! Featuring music by 6 Feet Under, The Incognitos, Mock Turtle Soup, Sgt. Scagnetti, 5 Knuckle Shuffle, Nigel Six, Choke Puppy, The Spicy Gribblets, and The Radiation Kings

This is my most requested topic to cover thus far. Connecticut had a pretty wild ska scene back in the 90's. An absurd amount of bands from all over the state of just about every style you could think of. It was such a joy looking into it all that this is a two parter! There's of course some well known bands popping up and, hopefully, ones you'd only really know if you were from the region. Here in part one we have music by Johnny Too Bad & the Strikeouts, Ska King Crab, J.C. Superska, The Snappers, Flip Ya For Real, GOLGO, The Fryalators, 6 Under Par, and Spring Heeled Jack!

It seems that things just never get any easier this year. Thankfully there will always be music there to help us through. Whether it's the simple act of taking our minds off things or voicing our very frustrations. It is a marvelous thing! Some come along and listen to sounds of Howay, Ska Beat City, Papa Dee, Parahyba Ska Jazz Foundation, New York Ska Jazz Ensemble, The Skata Tones, Thirsty Guys, Apathy Cycle, and The Brass Monkeys.

These songs just seem to keep getting longer and longer these days. Not that I'm complaining about that. I just worry that people won't stick around to the whole episode. So this week we're cutting back on the chit-chat and keeping that music rolling. Featuring music by Half Past Two, Cinicos Sinceros, Lauren Naiper & Vic Ruggerio, The Skamotts, The Players Band, Hockey Hook, Eastern Function, Beta 7, and The Sky Rangers!

It was a busy week for us over here and this episode almost didn't make it. Even now I'm fighting off sleep just to get it posted! Thankfully we were able to pull through and get loads of new music for you all to enjoy. Featuring the music of Victor Rice, SkammingSunday, The Skallions, Buster Shuffle, Call Me Malcom, Mad Apple Circus, The Spitfires, Catbite, and Skam Imparied.

With everything going on in the world, music is the one thing that feels normal. It seems all the more exciting now when a band releases a new, long over due song. It's even better when a long dormant band comes out of hibernation. This week we have both occurrences and then some. Featuring the music of The JB Conspiracy, 0mnigone, Liska!, Faintest Idea, Los Kurados, The Juks, Wersja de Lux, Rocksteady 7 meets Crazy Baldhead, and The Ted Dancin' Machine

-We are in complete shock that it is already May. Maybe it's due to the self isolating, but it feels like March never ended. Despite how crazy things may seem we're pretty thankful for all the new music that continues to roll out. Not to mention the new ways in which bands are finding to interact with their fan base. For now though come along and check out some new music by the likes of Mango Wood, The Statement, Tef London, Younger Than Neil, The Chinkees, Cosmic Shuffling, The Skatnaps, Jamaican Jazz Orchestra, and Tropican's!

The longer we're isolating ourselves, the less time seems tot exist. Has it been a week already? How does all this new ska music keep coming out? We aren't really sure, but we aren't complaining either! Oh, but there is also quite a bit of rambling in this episode. Quite a bit more than usual, even for me. Nevertheless, we have a collection of new ska from all around the globe featuring the likes of Jim Murple Memorial, Chinatown Ska, The Freecoasters, Skapocalypse Meow, The Bar Stool Preachers, Sklero Zero, The Ska Junctions, Beat the Smart Kids, and Checkmate!

One thing we're not really minding about this lock down is all the new ska! Every time we start to feel down something new pops up and lifts our spirits. So this week we are back in the modern day looking at just a fraction of our favorite recent releases and some upcoming ones. Stay safe, stay ska. Featuring the music of The Makeways, Millington, T-Killas, The Uppertones, Crazy Baldhead, Social Steady Club, Alpheus, The Georgetown Orbits, and Something To Do.

Here we are doing a totally Noskalgic episode! Yes it's a look back at the Utah ska scene before the turn of the millennium. Why Utah of all places? Despite a huge number of quality bands, it remained woefully unnoticed back in the 90's. Only a handful of groups made any kind of impact nationally and it's a crying shame. So now is the time to share it with the world at large. Featuring songs by 004, Insatiable, The Soulutions, My Man Friday, Id and the Superegos, Sturgeon General, Skeptictank, Stretch Armstrong, Model Citizen, The Shriners, and GOGO13

Back with a new episode of some more fantastic ska music from all around the world. Most of it is new, though we dip our toes into the past a bit more than usual. All told, we're just happy to be doing this for you all for another week. So forget your troubles as best you can and listen along to music by The Red Stripes, Terra Ferma Ska Band, Might of Henry, The Kyber Rifles, The Suicide Machines, Esaope, TNB, Poindexter, and Bim Skala Bim

Back with another episode of ska and related sounds to help get us through these times. Speaking of time, it was really easy to lose track of it. Self isolation just has all the days blending together. Luckily we still have some new ska to look at and the means to do so. So come along and listen to new music by Kalles Kaviar, Proyecto Secreto, Those Fine Strangers, The Skatastrophics, The Dendrites, No Villains Left, Barbicide, The Sklutzz, and Spring Heeled Jack U.S.A!

The world sure does change a lot in one week. Still, we're blazing ahead with our ska-punk episode. Now more than ever we feel it's important to keep the music playing. So if there's something you like please consider supporting the group. Featuring the music of Bite Me Bambi, The Manipulators, The More Or Less Whoever, Runaway Ricochet, Grey Matter, Beat The Smart Kids, Black Sky, La Mueska, Gelugugu, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Back with a new episode, two weeks in a row! There is a wealth of brand new music to look at this week from some of the worlds best bands. We're also still working through all the stuff we missed due to the hiatus. It's something of a music overload, but if there were ever a perfect time for it it's now. Featuring music by The Prizefighters, The Oldians, Don Cosmic, Mampy, The Jamons, Los Tres Puntos, Half Past Two, Highmoon, and The Launchers.

Why hello, it's been way too long! That's right we're finally back with a brand new episode. Honestly, we had grand ambitions of doing three episodes this weekend to make up for lost time. A lot has been going on in the ska world and it's International Women's Day. Unfortunately I've had a nasty cough and it had other plans. So figuring one episode is better than no episode, we have this amalgamation of what we had in store. So come along and listen to some of the finest ska inspired music from around the world! Featuring the music of The Loving Paupers, Johnny Reggae Rub Foundation, Ska.As.One, The Upstarters, Open Season, Maleducazione Alcolica, The Kubricks, Last Edition, Just Say Nay, and Dakka Skanks

It's our final episode before our end of year/decade extravaganzas! This week we aren't only taking a look at late in the year releases, oh no. There is also a song I've been wanting to share since March! So come along with us and listen to some of the finest ska around. Featuring The Hotknives, The Offenders, The Rude Dudez, The Kubricks, The Re-Adjusters, The Bandulus, Top Shotta Band featuring Screechy Dan, Newport Secret Six, and Slow Gherkin!

Season 2 rolls on with a steady mix of ska, both new and old. Still feeling out the new format as we go. Talking about ska is one thing, but shining a brighter light on some easily missed things? Not to mention calling out exciting ska news going on? Bold new era, but we are taking it all in stride! Featuring the sounds of Thumper, The Busters, Skaface, Simple Minded Symphony, Tip The Van, The Launchers, Mephiskapheles, Guantas, and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra!

We are back with a new season of Talk The Ska! What does that mean exactly? Well, there are segments now of sorts. Ska news to speak of outside of just what's being played. Featured bands and synergetic catch phrases! So We're figuring it out as we go along. What we do know is there's loads of great ska from Something To Do, Bruce Lee Band, The Skalars, The Abruptors, Just Say Nay, The Void Union, Los Beretta, No Authority, and Alla Spina

We're back with another episode of new music from all around the world. Covering some new stuff from the past week and some from a little earlier. Loads of stuff for any ska fan to enjoy. Featuring the music of Los Barrelshots, The Big Skandal, The Seattle-ites, Space Monkey Mafia Epic XViii, Spirit of 87, Chango Munks, The Hostiles, and Death of Guitar Pop.

Well we are finally done with all our 90's nonsense. At least as far as the podcast is concerned. So we are back in the present day looking at some releases from the past month and a few upcoming ones. The ska world never slows down as of late and we're back in the mix covering the whole lot of it! Featuring music of The Hot Stompers, Mr. Tea & the Minions. Alla Spina, Red Soul Community, The Skaloggs, The More Or Less Whoever, Adhesivo, Polemic, and Soul Ska!

We have made it to the end of our 90's nonsense episodes. This one was an extremely hard one to get down to a manageable length. But ultimately I decided to just pick some of my favorites of the era from when I was a teenager, some I still like regardless, the ones that really got me into ska, and one I foolishly didn't enjoy then but love now. There's also a lot of story telling about some of these releases. So even trimming it, it's still our longest yet. Featuring the music of Chickenpox, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, Five Iron Frenzy, MU330, Spring Heeled Jack, SKankin' Pickle, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Pietasters and Hepcat!

For the past few weeks we've been reviewing regional 90's ska on our Instagram page. We call it Pick It Up Review and these are some of our favorites of the bunch. It has been especially fun to look into bands I wasn't familiar with back in the day. It's even more exciting to learn about some of the people who were in these bands! So come along and hear some fine tunes from the likes of The Specs, Perfect Thyroid, Low Pressure, Franceska, Big Lick, The Offbeatniks, Short Millie, Alien Spy, Curbside Service, and Gals Panic.

Sitting here between two 11 hours shifts, I thought "does the world need to hear me talk about ska?" I went with yes, obviously. There has just been so many wonderful albums coming out here in the present that we've been missing out on. So we are taking a break from out 90's themed nonsense to look at some of the very best releases August has had to offer (and it is just a few!). Featuring the music of The Simmertones, El Golpe Ska, The Tellways, Hans Gruber & The Die Hards, Lead Shot Hazard, The Von Tramps, The Sensibles, La Suite Ska, and Bedouin Soundclash!!

This week we are traveling through space and time to listen in on some 90's ska sounds from all around the globe. We hit nearly every continent (had a timeline SNAFU with our African selection) and even talk a little plate tectonics! Exactly what every ska fan wants to hear about. Along the way we have music by Flashlight, The beNuts, Komando Moriles, Dr. Green, Skarface, Tijuana No, Liberator, Skapa, Area 7, and Knuckles!

We are carrying on with our 90's madness this week. A whole bunch of different theme ideas popped into our head while putting this one together None of them seemed to click right though. So what can ya do, but throw all of them together and get a nice little ska stew going. Featuring the music of Mento Buru, Bim Skala Bim, Gangster Politics, The $ellouts, The Alcoskalics, Link 80, Blue Beat Players, The Insteps, and Urban Blight!

It's an all new episode of all new songs!!! Okay, I keep going on and on about how all the tracks are new. It really seems like a crutch to justify a non-90's episode here in the heart of the 90's. But really there has just been loads of fantastic new music coming out lately and I just had to play some of it! Featuring music by The Dualers, Sir Jay and the Skatanauts, Los Placebos, Los Calzones, Thirsty Guys, King Punch, Flea Market Politics, For The Record, and Sorry Sweetheart.

I honestly wish I could say I planned this to correspond with the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing. What with Ska Satellite being a Moon Ska subsidiary and all. But no, chock it up all to pure happenstance! We finally get around to that last missing piece of our Moon Ska retrospective by revisiting the majority of this sublabel's releases. Featuring the music of Highball Holiday, Army of Juan, Johnny Too Bad & The Strikeouts, The Robustos, Buford O'Sullivan, Critical Mass, The Checkered Cabs, Edna's Goldfish, The Strangeways, and One Groovy Coconut!

We are stepping away from our look at the 90's to return to the modern day. Much has occurred in the past weeks and who are we to ignore it? Brand new singles from much beloved bands, old favorites dropping stellar new albums, and plenty of new bands showing they have the musical chops to make an impact in this scene we love. It's all here in this weeks new episode of all new music! Featuring the music of The Clockmakers, Babylove & the Van Dangos, Cherry Poppin Daddies, Danny Rebel & The KGB, Los Chicklets Ska, Boomshot, Ayahuaska, Ska Pai, and Red Soul Community!

Join us as we recount some of our favorite underrated ska albums of the 90's! The only rule we had for a release to eligible was it could not have been re-released physically after 1999. That little bit and a computer crash actually made nailing it down somewhat difficult. It's by no means a definitive list, just our favorites. Featuring the music of Can't Say, Stretch (Armstrong), The Suspects, Gangster Fun, The Pacers, Stinkfish, The Indecisives, Animal Chin, Eclectics, and Mealticket!

In celebration of reaching 90 episodes, we're taking a deep dive into all things 90's ska. This episode kicks it off with a quick run through of each year of that decade. There's some big named bands and there's some bands mostly forgotten to history. But most importantly there is a song from each and every year in chronological order. Featuring the music of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Allsorts, Elevators, Johnny Socko, Punch The Clown, J.C. Superska, Red Session, The B3's, The Agents, and Skavoovie & The Epitones!

We have a special interview episode for you. This time around we are talking with rising French reggae band, Subpressure. Join Mattie as they chat with Frédérick about the bands upcoming plans, influences, and how finances may be tight but it's never a reason to stop.

This week we decided to go way off our charted course. There are no 80's ska songs and only one of the bands is from Michigan. It seemed foolish to do a bunch of theme episodes all in a row. Besides, loads and loads of great new stuff came out! Waiting to showcase it would have been absolutely agony for us! A little more United States focused than most episodes, but we're still bringing you those world wide sounds! Featuring the music of Stop The Presses, El Grande, Roka Hueka, J. Navarro & The Traitors, Skaosss, Peerplex, Westbound Train, Hot Tropic Ska Jazz Club, and The Aggrolites!

It's an odds and ends episode to round out the month of May. More old favorites and plenty of bands that are completely new to us. So why not share the wealth! There's plenty of talk of the month's big releases, so we figured we would focus on some of the smaller releases. Featuring the music of New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, The Valkyrians, Ska-Frika, Ska-Jazz Messengers, The Gravelites, Boss Melody, Felices Adicciones, Codename Colin, and Half Past Two!

This is one that I've wanted to do for quite some time. An all instrumental episode, the only voice you hear being my own. Okay maybe I didn't think that part through, but the song choice is solid! A nice mix of older and new stuff from all over the globe. Featuring the music of The Ska Flames, Rotterdam Ska-Jazz Foundation, Los Barrelshots, Tito Pontet, Proyecto Secreto, Tommy Tornado, Sentimental Moods, Off The Shelf, and Yeska!

Back with another episode in which we have ska from all across the globe. Well, 4 of the 7 continents at least and that's not too shabby. For a first time since the early days we also have a group of bands that have never been featured on the show! It's my great honor to bring you music by The Crepitans, Skampararas, Bad Habits Budapest Ska, Pikazos RSF, Circle Cloud, Persiana Jones, Memoria Insuficiente Ska, The Gringos, and The Opskamatrists!

Well I really put the "Talk" in Talk The Ska this week Don't let me chatterboxing deter you, as we have plenty of fresh sounds from the around the world. The releases are still coming at a breakneck speed, so we're mixing it on things missed and brand new music. Featuring music by The Domingoes, The Scotch Bonnets, The AceTones, Los Apartamentos, Marzela, Hooray For Our Side, minivandal, Blackwood Kings, and The Planet Smashers!

We are taking a look at seemingly forgotten era of ska between the third wave boom and present day. Many a fine band got their starts or released some of the best music of the careers in this period. This episode is far more of the former, than the latter but all top notch. Highlighting some of my personal favorites of the time. Featuring the music of The Liptones, Open Season, Babylove & the Van Dangos, Green Room Rockers, Buster Shuffle, Abraskadabra, T-Bone, Beatdown, and Mr. T-Bone.

On this weeks episode we continue our look at April's releases. Play a few tracks from upcoming releases. Plus talk about how crazy May's release schedule is shaping up to be. Featuring the music of The Downsetters, The Indecision, Souljah, King Prawn, Banana Peel Slippers, Horny Lulu, The Pomps, Tenfold Path, and King Zepha!

I know, we're a little late getting this one out. But there was a holiday and I lost my voice for a little bit there. Really though, there were just a whole bunch of releases this month and it was hard to find the time to give them a proper listen. So here's some of this months strongest efforts thus far and a little look at things to come! Featuring music by Bowcat, Joker's Republic, Noise Complaint, Eastern Standard Time, Control This!, Gary Marshall featuring AKA Paperboy, Buck-o-Nine, K-Man & the 45's, and The Reflections.

Almost took this week off to deal with some mental stuff, but then I thought nah. But since I had nothing planned this episode kind of just happened and became a look at hornless ska bands. When I first was getting into ska I assumed horns equaled ska. I quickly learned that couldn't be further from the truth. So let's take a look at what popped into my head as some standout hornless ska bands. Featuring the music of The Slums, Stray Bullets, Common Rider, Dance Hall Crashers, The Heat Machine, My Superhero, The Rudiments, Unicorn Injection, and The Gadjits!

After talking about it for the past few weeks, we finally have a Japanese ska focused episode. This is by no means a "best of" episode or anthing of that nature. Just a grouping of bands, both new and old, that I love and have yet to play on the show. It was a lot harder to put together than I thought and as I write this, realize I left out a bunch of bands! But if you want to hear some Japanese bands that don't get a lot of mention, this is the show for you! Featuring music by Doberman, One Step Bus, Gollbetty, Seven Step, The Silver Sonics, Rollings, Potshot, midnightpumpkin, Coquettish, and Pez Stomp!

This felt like a tricky one to make given the events of the week. But once again music came through to practically make an episode all on it's own. So listen along as we say hello to a loads of new music and goodbye to a legend. Featuring music by Bowcat, Madaline, Flying Racoon Suit, North East Ska Jazz Orchestra, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, The Glow, Rocksteady Breakfast, Zero Talent, and The Beat With Ranking Roger.

We decided last minute to completely change this weeks episode. So much great new stuff had come out recently. We could have waited, but it just didn't feel right. More proof that the scene around the world is going strong. Featuring the music of Catbite, The Rocksteady Conspiracy, The Rude Dudez, Well Charged, The Middle Volga Social Club, Papa Beat Sunset, Collywobbles, NH3, and The Skallions

This one is a bit of a stylistic grab bag. We've got traditional, we've got third wave, we've got skacore and more. Mixing it up with bands from all over the world both established groups and some just getting their feet off the ground. In this episode come listen along to the sounds of Dakka Skanks, Pontious Pilate & the Naildrivers, King Tut's Revenge, Love Shuttle, La Suite Ska, The Topshots, Brainwreck, Garbage Olympics, and Pilfers! Stop Hate, End Racism

Yesterday was International Women's Day! To celebrate we're going on an around the world tour of some of our favorite female fronted groups, both past and present. So jump aboard the Talk The Ska Express and enjoy the fantastic island sounds of The Far East, The Fundamentals, Mr. Wallace, Die Tornados, Discoballs, The Drops, The Republicats, The Serial Killer, and Stop The Presses

As February comes to a close, the new releases slowed down ever so slightly. But it appears as if March isn't one to be out done. Loads of new music for your listening pleasure this week. Featuring songs by Half Past Two, The Loving Paupers, The Indecision, Bombskare, Last Reel Hero, Hockey Hook, Pocket Billards, Bandulus, and No Nonsense!

We missed a week last week, our bad. But that gave us a chance to catch up on the avalanche of releases that came out. An absolutely shocking amount to be exact, 3 of which I fully expect to see on Best of lists come years end. Pretty impressive for only being 2 months into the year!!! Featuring new music by Be like Max, Younger Than Neil, The Donald Trumpets, Matamoska!, Shootki, La Tremenda Korte, Short Necked Giraffes, The Operators, and The Prizefighters!

First my body and then my equipment conspired against me from getting this episode out. But we didn't take an inability to talk or software crashes stop us! There has been loads of exceptionally excellent ska related music released these past few weeks, and we were gonna try to get the world to listen. Some come join us and listen to tracks by Roy Ellis and The Transylvanians, The Beat Featuring Ranking Roger, The Anchorage, Gentleman's Dub Club, Subject A, Rude Tins, The Von Tramps, Cynimatics, and The Specials!

After a few days of temperatures well below zero, we needed some warm thoughts. What better way to pass the time stuck inside than listening to some classic records. That's just what we did and thought we'd spread the love. So this week we are finally getting around to taking a look at the roots of this genre we love. Featuring music by The Skatalites, Derrick Morgan and Patsy Todd, Prince Buster, The Maytals, Millie Small, Alton Ellis, Laurel Aitkin, Charley Organaire, Desmond Dekker, and The Soul Brothers!

Many months after our first Jump Up Records tribute, we finally have a second part! This time we are taking a look at the labels releases between '98 & 2000, the last grasp of the ska boom. Spoilers, Jump Up is still around and thriving! But this episode features some of our absolute favorites from that era, from the best label out there. Featuring the music of Runforyerlife, First Grade Crush, The Stand, Thumper,Orangetree, Doctor Manette,Hot Stove Jimmy, Dr. Ring-Ding & the Senior Allstars (featuring Doreen Shaffer), The Porters, and The Telegraph!

We've got another ska-punk themed episode for ya this week. Yeah, there's some other stuff in there too. But if we've learned anything by now it's that we are consistently inconsistent! We've got more 2018 releases we missed out on, some interesting new sounds and one of the hottest singles of 2019! Featuring the sounds of Masons Arms, Rude Tins, The Almighty Uprisers, Codename Colin, TalkBats, Bitter Grounds, Sideshow Luke Perry, Nutty Skunk, and The Skints!

This weeks episode went through a lot of last minute changes. It was a bit all over the place and we opted to slow things down a bit for once, mostly. We're still catching up on some things from 2018 we missed. But there's also some sweet new sounds from 2019 rolling in. All that and two Jamaican legends, not too shabby! Featuring the music of Desmond Dekker, The Ignobles, Mr. Leu & The Nyabinghers, The Fanculos, Durruti, Black Square, The Twilights, Staya Staya, and Stranger Cole & The Steadytones!

It's our first episode of 2019, so of course we take a look at the things we missed from 2018. There were some absolutely fabulous late year releases, a few we were late to the party on, and a few that were standouts on otherwise so-so albums. All that and a track off one of our most anticipated albums of the upcoming year! Featuring Capone & the Bullets, Megative, Must Build Jacuzzi, The King Kong 4, TheSkalipsouls, Sin Seekas, Some Ska Band, Natalie Wouldn't, and The Prizefighters!

It's our big finish to 2018! Call it best of, call it a favorites. Here's the 10 full lengths that stuck in our heads the most this year. It was hard to chose after such a phenomenal year of releases. Though that really just speaks to how alive the worldwide ska scene is! Here's to an even more exciting 2019! Spoilers! Top Ten Favorites 10. "Plan B's Get Degrees" by The b Sharps 9. "Intermittent Waves" by Monkey 8. "Twenty Four Hours" by Les Skartoi 7. "Ourselves" by The Fuss 6. "Stormin'" by The Drop Collective 5. "Ko-Ou-Doku-Mai" by Kemuri 4. "Spaced Out" by Bumsy & The Moochers 3. "Grazie Governo" by The Bar Stool Preachers 2. "I Was Broken When You Got Here" by Call Me Malcom 1. "Séance! Séance!" by The Hempsteadys

It's part one of our best of 2018 year in review. In this first part it's our top 5 E.Ps and top 5 singles released throughout the years. Extra talking about why we like each and every one. But not too much talking, just the right amount! Come back tomorrow for part 2 featuring our top 10 full lengths. Top 5 E.Ps "Natural Born Chillers" by The Bennies "Fool's Gold" by Tree House Fire "Boomtown United" by Boomtown United "Million Dollar Reggae" by Double Jabs "The Brooklyn Sessions" By The Royal Architects Top 5 Singles "What If?" by The Backyard Superheroes "When That Needle Drops" by King Kong Girio "Make Hey" by The Porkers "The Girl Who Cried" by Susan Cadogan "She's Kerosene" by The Interrupters

It is Christmas time and I was issued a challenge to do a Christmas episode. My day to day work schedule was very much against me (thus two week absence), but here it is. There's new takes on holiday classics and some new ones in the making. Featuring music by The Toasters, Leo & The Lineup, MU330, Detroit Riddim Crew, Goldfinger, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Selecter, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and Dr. Ring Ding!

For working far too much at our real job, we sure did pull this together. Some exciting end of the year releases to be heard this week. Putting a nice pin in the excellent 2018 for Jamaican inspired music. And yes, we made a dumb ska pun as an episode title. It was bound to happen eventually! Featuring the music of Desorden Público, Double Jabs, Lollypop Lorry, Yellow Cap, Moon Stompers, The Void Union, YamalDivan, Sgt. Scagnetti, and The Skarsoles!

Work life has been pretty rough this week. Nevertheless, the show must go on! So we have some new stuff, some old stuff, and some sleep themed stuff! So come along with us and listen to some ska tunes from all over the world. Featuring the music of Napoleon Solo, Les SkartOi, Skastra, The Slackers, Telegraph, Tantra Monsters, Flip and the Combined Effort, Slap Sandwich, and Moon Invaders!!

It took 62 episodes, but we've finally gone and done one devoted to the SoCal 90's ska scene. Initially we wanted to include the best of the best of the era. But that seemed a little too easy to pull off. So instead we went the route of some bands I feel like were a bit forgotten. Is that true for all those feature, absolutely not. Either way, jump in our time machine and enjoy the sounds of Ocean 11, The Nuckle Brothers, Lone Raspberry, The Decapitones, Grover's Headache, The Goodwin Club, The Hippos, Checkmate, and Jump With Joey.

Snow has blanketed the ground here in our Midwestern town. The drop in temperature also brought sickness to us. Fortunately it also brought a cavalcade of new music to lift our spirits which we humbly share with you in this episode. It was a tough record, what with the wheezing, sneezing, and coughing (all cut out, hopefully), but we did it. So come for the ska and maybe listen to my fever ramblings. Featuring music by The Magnetics, The Uppertones Aidid & Friends, Contenders, Intensified, The Penguins Band, Cartoon Violence, The Hot Knives, and The Selecter

October was a weird month, but now it's done and it is time for reflection. So come take a listen to some of our favorite releases of the month, one we forgot, and one upcoming release we are just super ecstatic about. Featuring music of Baked A La Ska, King Kong Girio, The Punchers, Ska-p, [spunge], We Are The Union, Millie Manders and The Shutup, Mad Apple Circus, and Beat The Smart Kids!

Happy Halloween everyone! As promised it's part two of our Halloween Spooktacular in this all covers episode! Once again they are presented in the order of the original songs release! We forgot we had done this last year and got real excited about such a concept! Featuring The Checkered Cabs, Kalles Kaviar, Maddie Ruthless, The Robustos, Soul Radics, Uptown Rulers, Thumper, and The Best of the Worst!