On The Upbeat

This week we are joined by members of Simple Minded Symphony. Kevin, Jason and Kaine tell us about the early days of the band, the bands writing process, their latest single and the Seattle ska scene. We also have a group discussion about the crossover between nerd culture and ska fans. Lastly, we give you our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www.instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/...

This week we are joined by Tahlena Chikami, lead singer of Bite Me Bambi. Tahlena tells us about learning to love ska music from her parents, how Bite Me Bambi started, their new single, song writing, playing ska in Orange County and unity in the ska scene. We also discuss what our perfect ska festival would be like and we give you our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www.instagram.com/ontheu...

This week Matt and RJ are joined Leanor Ortega Till, saxophone player for Five Iron Frenzy. Leanor talks about how playing in a ska band got her into ska music. She also tells us about the new Kickstarter the band is doing for their new album. Leanor also discuss ska against racism, faith and working on Pick It Up: Ska in the 90's. Lastly, we give you our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www....

This week Matt and RJ talk about some ska songs done by bands/artists that don't normally play ska music. RJ tells you about a ska band from Poland named Koniec Swiata. Matt and RJ also discuss some of their favorite tracks off the new Ska Against Racism compilation. Lastly, they give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www.instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska h...

This Matt and RJ are joined by original On The Upbeat cohost, Aaron Bertram. On this episode we celebrate the one year anniversary of the podcast. Aaron tells us what he has been up to since stepping away 5 months ago. We also make Aaron answer, as fast as he can, all the group discussions he has missed. RJ gives us his thoughts on clothes in the ska scene and Aaron tells us his favorite ska punk...

This week Matt and RJ discuss what they did with their two week break and they discuss the new drinking game that goes along with the podcast. Most of the episode they break down their favorite ska covers. Also, Matt tells you about a ska band from Mexico. Lastly, Matt and RJ give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www.instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska Ska A...

This week we are joined by Vinnie Fiorello. Many will know Vinnie from his time in Less Than Jake. Vinnie joins us this week to chat about his new adventure, The Inevitables. He talks about how this comic book/ska music project came to be, collaborating with other artist, writing songs, crowdfunding and his love of comic books. We also discuss his time in Less Than Jake and his advice to those sta...

This week we are joined by Ethan Luck. Many of our listeners will know Ethan from his time in The O.C. Supertones and The Dingess. Ethan talks about his time in two different ska punk bands, what it was like making music in the Christian music industry, tour life and song writing. We also talk with Ethan about his latest solo album, Let it Burn. Lastly, we give you our song picks of the week. On T...

This week Matt and RJ are joined by James Shaw. James tells us about his new EP, Go Rude Boy Go, song writing, going to Vans Warped Tour and the ska scene in Canada. We also discuss whether or kids are into ska music. RJ teaches us about a ska band from Hong Kong, The Red Stripes. Lastly, Matt, RJ and James give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www.instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.f...

This week RJ shares some interesting info about his name and Matt discusses going to the drive-in. Matt and RJ tell you how you can support the podcast. RJ gets us up on the history of 2Tone Records. Also, Matt and RJ share their thoughts on Pick It Up: Ska in the 90's. Matt talks about a ska/reggae artist from Jamaica, Jimmy Cliff. Lastly, they give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat:...

This week we are joined by Adam Davis, lead singer of Omnigone. Adam talks about his time in Link 80, the new Omnigone record, his writing process and we discuss what has change in the ska scene in 20 years. Adam also tells us some stories from being in a touring ska punk band. RJ tells us about a ska band from Switzerland. Lastly, we give you our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www.instagra...

This week we are joined by Andy and Joe from The Players Band. First we chat about our experiences with fireworks gone wrong. Next we hear a song from The Players Band latest album, Skamorgasbord. Andy and Joe tells us how the band got their start and how it has changed other the years. We also discuss why ska bands love going covers. We learn about a ska band from Australia, The Resignators. Last...

This week we are joined by Tara Hahn, lead singer of Half Past Two. Tara talks about how the bands 2020 plans changed with Covid-19. Tara talks about recording Half Past Two's new EP, Something Blue. We listen to their cover of I Will by The Beatles off the new EP. Tara also gives some tips to other band on how to make the most of their social media. We discuss possible reasons for the gender gap...

This week we learn some ska history via the life of Pauline Black, lead singer of The Specter. Matt and RJ discuss some strange places they have found ska. RJ tells us about a ska band from Argentina. Lastly, Matt and RJ give you their ska picks of the week. Ska History: Pauline Black (The Selecter) https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/30/pauline-black-the-selecter-adoption-memoir htt...

This week Matt and RJ are joined by Brittany and Tim from Catbite. They are a ska powerpop band from Philadelphia. They tell us about how the band got started, how their ska powerpop sound came to be and what went in to the creation of their new EP. We also have a discussion about politics in ska music, protests, using your platform for what you believe in and defunding the police. Lastly, the gro...

This week Matt and RJ are joined by Nick from The Dendrites. We play a song from their new EP, Lunch With The Dendrites. Nick talks about what it's like being in a primarily instrumental ska band, how he joined the band and he talks about the Denver ska scene. We discuss the results from last week's listener poll and the many dress styles of the ska scene. Matt tells us about a ska band from Swede...

This week Matt and RJ go head to head in a battle to pick the best ska punk album of the 90's. You, the listening audience, will decide who did a better job of defending their album. Also, RJ tells us about a ska artist from Netherlands. Lastly, Matt and RJ give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat: www.instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska The theme music is by Mi...

This week Matt and RJ are joined by Evan Wohrman, lead singer of Hooray For Our Side. Evan talks about writing song lyrics, how he got into ska, the current Orange County ska scene and his most memorable shows. The group discusses whether not it's important for new ska fans to know older bands. Matt tells us about a ska band from Spain. Lastly, they give their ska picks of the week. Hooray For Our...

On this week's episode, Matt has a conversation with Lucias (guitar/vocals) from Call Me Malcolm. We learn about the bands history, the importance of mental health and the writing process on the new record. Also, RJ tells us about the band Cartoon Violence, from Wales. Lastly, Matt and RJ give you their ska picks of the week. Call Me Malcolm: https://callmemalcolmband.com www.instagram.com/cmmalco...

This week Matt and RJ give you a few songs to listen to while in quarantine. RJ tells us about a ska band from Indonesia. Matt and RJ discuss their issues with talking about a 4th wave and the usage of other ska terms. Lastly, they give you their ska picks of the week. www.instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2DikTsRPk4dsp...

This week we are joined by Daniel from The Classy Wrecks. Daniel plays us a brand new song and tells us about The Socially Acceptable Distancing Sessions his band is doing. We debut our new theme song by the band Millington. Matt tells us about a ska band from Germany. We also discuss bands who disappeared too soon and we tell you our ska picks of the week. The Classy Wrecks: www.instagram.com/the...

This week on the podcast Matt and R.J. are joined by Amy Gabba from Amy Gabba and The Almost Famous. Listen as they read some fan mail and learn about a ska band from Scotland. Amy tells Matt and R.J. about singing at a young age and about how her bands latest EP, The Heart is Stupid came together. They also discuss bands that took them a bit to get into. Lastly, they tell you about their ska pick...

This week we meet our new cohost, R.J. Phoenix. R.J. tells us about his ska firsts, his other ska podcast and his ska record label. Matt tells us about a ska band from Croatia. Matt and R.J. discuss if Smash Mouth's first album should be considered as a ska record. Lastly, they give you their ska picks of the week.

This week Matt and Aaron breakdown the first three No Doubt albums. It has been said by many that No Doubt's first two albums were very ska heavy and that the band sold out by making Tragic Kingdom less ska. Matt and Aaron are going to challenge that narrative. Lastly, they give you their ska picks of the week. www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska www.instagram.com/ontheupbeatska Spotify Profile: https...

On this week's episode, Matt and Aaron chat with Cody Okonski from the band Millington. They discuss how Cody started working with John Feldmann of Goldfinger and how that lead to the start of Millington. Cody lets us hear a clip of a new song. Cody also talks about writing, producing and recording music. Lastly, Matt and Aaron give you their ska picks of the week. Millington: www.instagram.com/mi...