On The Upbeat

This week Devon Kay from Devon Kay and The Solutions joins us. We discuss the role of the audience in creating art and we breakdown the band’s new record, World’s Greatest Album. We listen to their song Wannabe and we talk about keeping the dream alive. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the week. Devon Kay and The Solutions: https://linktr.ee/DevonKayandtheSolutions On The Upbea...

This week we chat with Joshua and Mike from Doc Turbo. They tell us how they got into ska music and how a school talent show lead to the group’s formation. We the breakdown the band’s new record, What’s So Important? We discuss song writing, guest vocalist and live shows. Also, since it’s episode 311, we give you facts about the band 311. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the week. Doc Tu...

This week Ken and Geoff from Be Decent join us. First, we discuss what Halloween candy is the most ska, Law and Order and 90’s ska music. Ken and Geoff tell us how they got into music, how the band got started and where their band name came from. We breakdown their new record, Now’s The Time and we listen to their song You Better Work. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week....

This week we chat with Jeremy and Eddie The Originals. The Originals are a Reel Big Fish cover band from Arizona. We discuss the band’s origins and their history with ska. We share our thoughts on the best RBF album and we breakdown the differences between a cover band and a tribute band. Eddie and Jermey also tell us how they got the opportunity to preform with RBF. Also this and of course Ska Ne...

This week Shane and Lou from Calypso’s Curse join us. First, we discuss which Looney Tunes love ska music? Shane and Lou breakdown the band’s upcoming EP and we world premiere their song Back Of The Line. We discuss being in the studio, musical influences, show rituals and venue must havens. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the week. Calypso’s Curse: https://linktr.ee/calypsosc...

This week Adam Davis from Omnigone joins us. We talk about ska podcasting and guitar solos in ska. We share our mutual love for Half Past Two. We breakdown Omnigone’s new album, Turn Up The Fear and we discuss the album’s darker tone. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. Omnigone: https://linktr.ee/0mnig0ne?fbclid=PAVERFWAUF1gtwZG9mAmZkaWQWUNuImnFM64cNEK_BycV__PwHh9z4pmV4...

This week we recorded a live episode with Karen Roberts of Chase Long Beach. This episode was recorded on Saturday, August 15 in Garden Grove, California from the Summer Ska Classic. First, Karen tells us about managing the band Hooray For Our Side and we learn the details of a Chase Long Beach van crash. Karen also brought us a new song called Aftershock. There is also special guest appearances f...

This week Brayden and Ryan from The Skariginals join us. First we discuss how phones work and we discuss what Disneyland rides are the most ska. Ryan and Brayden break down the bands new record, Get Out Of Your Head and we listen to the song Outfit off the album. All this and of course we give you Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. The Skariginals: https://linktr.ee/Skariginals On The Upbeat:...

This week Tyler and Spence from Swigfoot join us. First, Matt talks about going to see Spider-Man for far too long. Next we tell you some of our favorite ska lyrics and we give you some ska news. Next Spence and Tyler tell us about life on the road and what it’s like booking shows in 2026. We listen to Swigfoot’s song Permanently Lost and we learn about fun things to do in Arizona. Lastly, Tyler a...

This week Adam "The Ska Mailman” Wallace joins to talk about Lab Brats. First, we discuss the return of Reel Big Fish and we give you some ska news. Adam talks about opening for The Aquabats, write the new Lab Brats album, the albums title, the albums themes and we listen to a song of the album. All this and of course our Ska Picks of the Week. Lab Brats: https://labbrats.bandcamp.com On The Upbea...

This week Brandon and Heath from The Operators join us. First we discuss how to handle conflict and then we give you some ska news. Heath and Brandon talk about what the band has been doing the last five years. They also talk about the new album they are working on and we listen to a brand new track. We also discuss writing songs and how to book shows in 2026. Lastly, we give you our Ska Picks of...

This week Tim and Jamie Ankeny join us to discuss their fundraiser, Rock For Choc. Listen as Tim and Jamie tell us why they started raising money for Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Hear how a ska community supported them through a difficult time. It’s an inspiring story you won’t want to miss. Carter Strong Forever: https://www.chocwalk.org/Member/MyPage/10172303/Tim-Ankeny Rock For Choc Ti...

This week Dave McWane, Matt Appleton and Joe Gittleman join us to breakdown the new album from Big D and The Kids Table, The Good Ole American Saturday Night. Listen as they discuss the song writing, recording and producing of this new record. Matt (Vest) and Anthony give you their thoughts on how bands can get themselves out there and of course Ska News. Big D and The Kids Table: bigdandthekidsta...

It’s a host only episode!!! Matt, Evan, RJ and Anthony tell you what ska hill they are ready to die on and they reflect on the history of the podcast. Join us as we tell you how the show started, favorite memories, favorite interviews and the fights we’ve had behind the scenes that keep the show going. Also bands and fans share their memories of the show. Join us for this super sized episode. On T...

This week Harry Katz from Harry Katz and The Pistachios joins us. We first tell you some interesting music facts and Harry tells you how he got into music. Harry tells us about the early days of the band and we listen to their song, Similarities. We also discuss Harry’s singing voice and the LA ska scene. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. Harry Katz and The Pistachios: https://c...

This week Kay and Ilan from The Doomstompers join us. First we discuss what donut is the most ska. Kay and Ilan tell us how the band got started, the origin of the band’s name and they give one word thoughts for each track on their new album, Take a Beat. They also describe their early success and the New York ska scene. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. The Doomstompe...

This week Paco from Wondermelon joins us. We discuss the banana man situation. Paco tells us how he discovered ska, how Wondermelon started and we discuss their new EP, Modern Vintage. Paco also talks about picking songs to cover and we chat about the Orange County, California ska scene. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. Wondermelon: https://linktr.ee/wondermelonband?utm_source=...

This week we are joined by Brandon Lewis, owner of Punkerton Records. We discuss the labels beginnings, what it means to be a DIY record company, how Brandon finds bands, the importance of standing up for what you believe and we world premier a new cover from Joker’s Republic. It’s their version of Tellin’ Lies originally from The Menzingers. All this and of course Ska New and our Ska Picks of the...

This week Callyn and Mike from The Wavebirds join us. First, we discuss what video games are the most ska. Callyn and Mike talk about the writing and recording of the band’s new album. They tell us about the album’s art work and the hardships of being in a band in 2026. All this with Ska News and are Ska Picks of the Week. The Wavebirds: https://thewavebirds.bandcamp.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeat...

This week Evan Worhman from Hooray For Our Side joins us. We discuss side projects of ska bands. Evan talks about getting into music and we listen to the band’s latest song, Better Off Gone. Evan and Anthony go head to head in a ska lyric guessing game. And of course we give you Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. Hooray For Our Side: hoorayforourside.bandcamp.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska...

This Week Sara Rose and John from Bounce House Ska join us. We discuss the band’s history, their song writing process, playing in California for the first time and the Arizona ska scene. We also talk about what makes for a good ska venue, Ska News and we give you our ska picks of the week. Bounce House Ska: bouncehouseska.bandcamp.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska.com Ska News….. -Skappository On...

This week D-Ray and Greg from Bad Operation join us. We discuss what it takes to build a ska community, life on the road, the band’s new record, Spotify and the pressure of making your sophomore record. We of course give you Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. Bad Operation: https://bio.site/badoperation?fbclid=PAVERFWARfp6xleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAafC56YhLLzaaUZE7...

This week Harrison Nida from Victory Kid join us. We discuss ska life highlights, the band’s new album, Fortnite, the music industry and we listen to Escape Our Fate by Victory Kid. We also give you Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. Victory Kid: victorykidband.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska.com Ska News….. -Swigfoot On Friday April 17th Swigfoot released a new song called permanently lost...

This week Neil and Drew from Late For Life join us. We talk about a band’s most popular song vs their best song. Late For Life discusses how they pick the shows they play, the San Diego music scene and we listen to the band’s song On The Take. Neil tells us how he tongues his trombone, we breakdown album art and the band talks about their stage presence. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska...

Suburban Legends return! Brian and Vince join us to talk about the band’s upcoming UK tour. We also discuss life on the road, getting hit by horns, time zones, closing of legendary venues and fan interactions. All this and of course Ska News and Ska Picks of the Week. Suburban Legends: https://linktr.ee/SuburbanLegends?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAREAHRleH...