In Defense of Ska

Hepcat drummer Greg Narvas made a cool zine series called "I was a teenage Filipino skinhead." It documented his time in 80s' LA ska scene, becoming a rude boy...mod...and finally skinhead. I learned a lot from these

These zines are why I knew I had to interview Greg for my book In Defense of Ska

Big News! The Slackers drummer Ara Babajian wrote a memoir. It's getting released on CLASH Books in the summer of 2027. I got to read an advanced copy of it and LOVED it. He writes about his childhood, Agent 99, Leftover Crack and The Slackers. I spoke with Ara about it for the Patreon (Link in bio)

One of the greatest bands ever, Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra, just released their latest album. It comes with a companion video game called Phantom Quests. If you play the game you might find this delightful little Easter egg.

I was a guest on the podcast Rock That Doesn't Roll, a Christian music podcast. I talked about...Christian ska! (What else?). The expanded 2nd edition of my book In Defense of Ska covers the Christian ska scene (link to buy in bio). Give Rock That Doesn't Roll a listen, wherever you get podcasts

Hey, I just began the 2nd draft of my novel, Little Black Book of Death.

I also like to talk about it to the camera and say really obvious things! You can listen on my Substack (Link in bio) or my Patreon (link in bio)

The first New Orleans ska show post-Katrina was on Nov 6, 2005 with The Slackers, Captains of Industry and Fatter Than Albert at Maple Leaf Bar. The city was mostly empty and the National Guard was still in the streets. I covered this show in the 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska (link to buy in bio)

Holy Moly! Look at this lineup!

If you are in, near, or willing to travel to LA on Wednesday, Nov 19, you should definitely check out this incredible ska panel discussion!

At my friend Greg's recommendation, I am reading the Nomeansno oral history. Enjoying it already

Jacob Collier ska album when?

REMINDER!

In Defense Of Ska is the worst ska podcast. not because they're bad, but because they're all too fucking good at thier interviews for the genre. Similarly Checkered Past: The Ska'd Cast has too good of bits

SKA-T TAKE

Name Kiefer Sutherland's band!

SKA IS DEAD w/ Voodoo Glow Skulls, Streetlight Manifesto and MU330 in Cypress Hall in Metairie, Louisiana in 2005

This show was booked by Alex Garcia of Shortbus Productions. I interviewed Alex for the 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska

I just dropped his interview on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)

One more ska song with pop icon Julieta Venegas.

This is Mexican ska band Los De Abajo's song "Skapate" (2002), which features guest vocals by Cheko Biloba (Gingo Biloba), Dr. Shenka (Panteón Rococo) and the one and only Julieta Venegas

Here's a clip of pop icon Julieta Venegas playing with Mexican ska legends Tijuana No in 2010 at Vive Latino. Julieta was in Tijuana No briefly before becoming a pop star. She helped write the lyrics to this song, Pobre De Ti (One of the greatest ska songs to ever come out of Mexico imo)

What's your ska opinion that has you feeling like this?

Who is going to skank to No Doubt next year at the Las Vegas SKAphere?

This week on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio), I chatted with Alex Orange Drink (The So So Glows, Bright Eyes). The purpose of our conversation was so I could learn more about why Bright Eyes released a ska song (Hint: Alex was a big reason why).

The "Tim" he refers to in this clip is Tim Armstrong

Hey guess what? I spoke with Bright Eyes bassist Alex Orange Drink about the Bright Eyes ska song for the IDOS Patreon. It's a fun story and Alex has some legit ska roots. Sign up to the IDOS Patreon to listen (Link in bio)

Iconic!

A friend got John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats to sign his copy of In Defense of Ska.

This is way better than getting me to sign it. Not even kidding.

I finished the first draft of my novel, Little Black Book of Death. My wife, Amy Bee, discussed it with me. Give it a listen on the IDOS Patreon (link in bio) or on my Substack (Link also in bio)

There's a McDonald's in the Pentagon

*Ska music intensifies*

We now have three ska days: September 13, August 18 and now July 1.

Tim Receveur, founder of Supernova Ska Festival, chatted with me about how difficult it is to deal with Visa issues when booking international bands.

And it's gotten MUCH worse in the era of Trump 2.0.

Hop on the IDOS Patreon to hear our conversation (Link in bio)

Slow Gherkin played Supernova this year, and they killed!

The reason they played was due to major Visa issues that prevented many of the non-US bands from playing the festival this year.

I chatted with Tim Receveur, Supernova founder, about this.

To listen go to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)

We can all agree that Hepcat rule

Anyone else remember Bruno Mars' ska phase?

I just finished the first draft of a new book. 70,000 words. It's a novel called Little Black Book of Death. I'm very excited about it. Going to take a little break then begin the REAL work (editing 😭)

In the meantime, enjoy this grocery list I found at the grocery list counter

Pitchfork reviewed Operation Ivy's "Energy," and of course In Defense of Ska gets a mention 😎