On The Upbeat

This week Eric Abbey from J. Navarro and the Traitors joins us. Eric tells us how he got into ska music and where that love for ska has taken him. He also discusses how J. Navarro and the Traitors got their start and we listen to a song of the new record. Eric talks about the writing and recording of the new record and what has changed in the ska scene over the years. Lastly, we give you some ska...

This week Aaron and Courtney from The Prizefighters join us. Courtney first tells us how he got into ska music and how lead to him joining the band. Next, Aaron and Courtney discuss the meaning behind their new album’s title, Punch. They also discuss the recording of the new album , we hear a track off the record and so much more. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  T...

This week Max Beckman from Half Past Two joins us. Max tells us about the band’s upcoming shows, what it’s like to be playing outside of Southern California and what it has been like to work with Reade from We Are The Union. We listen to Half Past Two’s song. Max also tells us about working on the new Amy Gabba album and some favorite ska memories. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of...

This week Ben Fortosky from Minivandal joins us. We learn his ska origin story, how he started playing music and how Minivandal got their start. We also hear a new song of their upcoming album, what we can expect from the new record and their future plans. We also give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Minivandal: http://minivandal.com/ On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska.com Ska News -E...

On this episode RJ sits down to talk w/ Eric Mazurak AKA Super Tiger AKA Gain Stages. He's an all around great dude, as well as a writer, performer, and producer. That's right listeners, Eric is a triple threat! We get a bit into how his new album "Super Duper Sampler" came about, his history in and out of the ska community, as well as how he met many of the vocalists that contri...

It's Telethon time! Join RJ, Matt, Epic 18, Foolish Relics, The Prizefighters and 2 super-fans in an attempt to raise money for charity! Which charity? Which ever charity you'd like! Take a screen shot of your donation and e-mail it to OnTheUpbeatSka@gmail.com and be entered to win a prize full of ska merch! If you have trouble picking out a charity, here's suggestions from our hosts and guests! R...

This week Tahlena Chikami from Bite Me Bambi joins us. Tahlena tells us about the band’s upcoming tour, their Prince cover and taking a fake bath in front of your friends. We also discuss Summer Sizzler 3, playing different instruments live and being in a band with your partner. And of course we have Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.  -Bite Me Bambi: https://www.bitemebambi.com On The Upbeat...

This week Kyle Jewitt from The Filthy Radicals visits the podcast. Kyle talks about how he got into ska music and how he starting playing music. We learn about the early days of The Filthy Radicals and how the band became who they are today. Kyle also talks about the ska punk scene in Toronto, Canada and making pizza for his friends during the covid lockdown.  Lastly, we give you some ska news and...

This week we chat with Josh, Matt and Miguel from Secret Cajun Band. We learn how the band got their start and what early shows  were like. We discuss their 1994 album  Big House coming out on vinyl and their reunion show. We also discuss what’s different about the scene from we they started. Lastly, we give you you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Secret Cajun Band- Instagram: https:...

This week we are joined by author Heather Augustyn. Heather has written seven books on ska music and she joins us to discuss her eighth, Rude Girls: Women in 2Tone and One Step Beyond. Heather tells us how she got into ska music and why she started writing about ska. We also learn about the women of the 2Tone movement and the challenges they faced. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska pic...

This week Middagh Good from This is Ska Radio. Middagh tells us about how he got in ska music and about his first few ska shows. We also discuss the upcoming Maximum Ska n’ P festival and we announce new bands. Also, Middagh gives us some inside info into what it’s like to be a concert promoter. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Middagh Goodwin: https://www.facebook...

This week Devon Kay from Devon Kay and The Solutions joins us. Devon tells how he got into ska music and how the band got its start. We also learn about the band’s musical progression and why they are finally making a ska record. We also discuss song writing and how they came to work with Bad Time Records. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Devon Kay and The Solution...

This week is a host only episode. RJ and Matt spend much of the episode discussing a video of teens reacting to ska music. In Ska Around the World RJ tells us about a ska band from Indian. Lastly, we give some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  On The Upbeat Social Media:  www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska   www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska   www.twitter.com/ontheupbeatska On The Upbeat Patre...

This week Chris Malone from The Pandemics joins us. Chris tells us how he got into ska music and about the early days of The Pandemics. We hear a new song from the band and we discuss song writing. Chris also tells us about all the bands he has shared the stage with and the places he has been able to tour. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  The Pandemics:  https://th...

This week we are joined by Amy Gabba. Amy tells us about her recent trip to Dubai and we learn all about the Kickstarter for her new album.  We learn what all went into writing and recording the new record. Amy discusses what drives her to write and preform music and we hear two songs off the new record. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. Amy Gabba Kickstarter ht...

This week we are joined by Tommy, Dominic and Chris from Do It With Malice. We learn how they each got into ska, how the band got started and the history behind the band name. We also discuss their song writing process and what it was like making a record with RJ. Lastly, we share some ska news and our ska picks of the week. Do It With Malice https://doitwithmalice.bandcamp.com/ On The Upbeat Soci...

This week's episode is a Patreon bonus episode. This was recorded in January of 2022. Matt sat down with Dave McWane from Big D and The Kids Table to discuss their song Shining On. Dave gives us all the info about the writing, recording and meaning of the song. This kind of bonus episode is called Going Deep with Matt. It's a series of episodes where Matt takes a deep dive into one song from a ban...

This week Alex Stern from The Pomps joins us. Alex tells us how The Pomps got their start and how he would describe their sound. We also discuss the writing and recording of the new record. Alex tell us how the band ended up on Bad Time Records and what he would like to see change in the ska scene. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. The Pomps: https://thepomps.bandcam...

This week Nick and Jordan from Noise Complaint join us. We discuss video games, how they got into ska and how the band got it's start. We listen to a song from their latest release and we discuss their writing process. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. Noise Complaint Bandcamp: https://noise-complaint.bandcamp.com/music Noise Complaint Merch: http://noisecomplaint.li...

This week Matt, RJ and Gary answer the question, Do you think the wacky reputation ska music has with non ska fans has hurts ska? They cover all things ska jokes and it’s effects on the ska scene. They also give you ska news and the ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska www.twitter.com/ontheupbeatska On The Upbeat Patre...

This week Jamie and Alan of Not From Concentrate join us. They each tell us how they got into ska music and how the band got it’s start. We also learn the origin of the band’s name and we listen to their song Clark Kent. And as always, we have ska news and our ska picks of the week. Not From Concentrate: https://nfcskrunge.com/?mibextid=uc01c0 On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheup...

This week Chris Reeves from Ska Punk International joins. We discuss how he got into ska music, his time as a DJ and how he started Ska Punk International. We also learn about the upcoming SPI Fest and one of the newest artists on SPI Records. Lastly, we also give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. Ska Punk International: SPIfest.org https://skapunkinternational.bandcamp.com/ On The Upbea...

On this episode we are pleased to talk w/ Eric Daino of The Holophonics again! We discus about what went into writing and recording the latest Holophonics record "LAVOS" as well as what the title is referencing. We also get insight into Eric's album creation process, and some hints of projects to come! All that, plus Ska News and our weekly Ska Picks! Get yr tix to SPI Fest: https://www.eventbrite...

Have  you ever been to a ska show that changed you life? That's what Gary  & RJ are here to talk about on this week's On The Upbeat! Plus new "Here  Today Ska Tomorrow", "Ska Picks of the Week" and "Ska News" segments to  keep you informed and inspired in the world of ska. We absolutely DON'T  talk about the X-Men forming a ska band... Matt told us not to. On The Upbea...

This week we are joined by Tara Hahn from Half Past Two. Tara gives us an update what’s happening with the band. We spend most of the episode discussing ska highlights of 2022. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. Half Past Two: halfpasttwoska.com On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska www.twitter.com/ontheupbeatska On T...