History of L.A. Ska: One On One Sessions

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist, Gabrial McNair, best known for his work with No Doubt, Gwen Stefani and Sublime With Rome. We also preview Cali Vibes festival in Long Beach, CA where Gabe will be on double duty on February 17, 2023.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with three incredible drummers from the Southern California ska scene - Willie McNeil (Jump With Joey, Big Willie's Burlesque, The Solsonics, Sono-Lux, The Untouchables, Tupelo Chain Sex), Korey "Kingston" Horn (Gogol Bordello, The Aggrolites, Shuffle & Bang, Kingston 10, The Rhythm Doctors), and Fritz Zar (The Steady 45s, Thee Ill...

For this 2023 Year in Review Roundtable, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler are joined by musician/producer/dub master Brian "Dub Robot" Wallace (Mobtown, Long Beach Dub Allstars, See Spot, Western Standard Time), DJ/promoter/journalist Middagh Goodwin (This Is Ska), and music enthusiasts Dub Sisterz (Alice Christensen and Sheila Rene).

Host Junor Francis talks with singer, songwriter and producer Vernon "Maytone" Buckley of legendary roots duo, The Maytones.

Host Junor Francis talks with four members of Los Angeles' Blanco y Negro - singer/guitarist Mario Fuentes, guitarist Erick Troncoso, saxophonist Mila Cruz, and trumpeter Ivan Mazas. We also preview their upcoming SkaMania show at The Glass House in Pomona, CA on January 13, 2024, where they will open for Ken Boothe.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary bassist, vocalist, producer, composer, and music educator, John Avila, of Oingo Boingo fame, and now of the group, Oingo Boingo Former Members. John has also produced an array of ska acts, including Reel Big Fish, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Pilfers, Madness, Neville Staple, Save Ferris, and Sekta Core.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter, Roddy "Radiation" Byers of The Specials fame, who now fronts his own group, The Skabilly Rebels.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with three key players from Southern California's massive Latin ska scene - "Senor Kalaca" Jaime Hernandez (8 Kalacas), Azael Hernandez (La Pobreska, Concrete Jungle Ent), and Jimmy Mercado (Red Store Bums).

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two veterans on the east coast ska scene - singer/multi-instrumentalist Roger Apollon Jr. and bassist Marc Wasserman - both of Bigger Thomas, Rude Boy George, and now, The Phensic. Marc is also author of Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History and Roger is founder of Copper Son Brewing.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with five alumni from San Diego's highly influential and beloved The Donkey Show - David Hillyard, Matt Parker, Creedy Bates, Kent Graves, and Rob Dominguez.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two members of Philadelphia's own, Catbite - lead singer Brit Luna and guitarist/singer Tim Hildebrand.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two veterans on Southern California's ska, vintage reggae and soul scenes - guitarist/songwriter/bandleader Wally Caro (Mobtown) and DJ/record collector Mark Morales - who are partners in Angel City Records. We also preview the upcoming Mobtown reunion show taking place at The Glass House in Pomona, CA on October 20, 2023 where they will sh...

Host Junor Francis talks with promoter Tim Receveur, co-founder of Supernova International Ska Festival, which takes place September 14-17, 2023 in Fort Monroe, VA

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Opie Ortiz, vocalist/songwriter from Long Beach Dub Allstars and talented tattoo/visual artist.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with front man of The Aquabats and co-creator of Yo Gabba Gabba, "MC Bat Commander" Christian Jacobs.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with four talents who are woven into the fabric of Southern California's ska and reggae scenes -- bassist Jeffrey Govan (Smoke & Mirrors Soundsystem, Mobtown, Rude Boys Outta Jail, Angel City Allstars), singer Brian "Spanky Kingston" Settles (Kingston A Go Go, Rude Boys Outta Jail), drummer Chris "Krees" Borbon (The Capso...

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with 4 popular selectors from Southern California and Mexico - "Boss Harmony" David Orlando, Ian "Mr. EN" Olivera, Miss Ivy Satana, and "Soul Station #1" Donald Lewis.

Host Junor Francis talks with legendary singer/musician Monty Montgomery Neysmith of Symarip and The Pyramids fame. We also preview his upcoming appearance at SkaMania's Jamaican Independence Festival at The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA on August 5, 2023.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two key players on the Latin ska punk scene - singer/guitarist Jose Padilla of Matamoska and singer Bernie Leos of Los Kung Fu Monkeys.

Host Junor Francis talks with guitarist, songwriter, DJ, and dub master, "Agent Jay" Jayson Nugent of The Slackers, who's also known as "Crazy Baldhead."

In celebration of Women's History Month, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with author/lecturer Heather Augustyn and filmmaker Joanna Wallace. Heather's 8th book, Rude Girls: Women in 2 Tone & One Step Beyond, was just released and Joanna's documentary, Blue Beat Baby: The Untold Story of Brigitte, is continuing to enlighten fans around the world.

Host Junor Francis talks with three members of one of Los Angeles' most talented and buzzing ska/rocksteady/reggae groups, The Steady 45s - guitarist Joe Nieves, bassist Eric Crucial, and saxophonist Ian Jacks.  We also preview the March 18, 2023 show at the El Rey Theatre where The Steady 45s will be backing ska legend, Stranger Cole.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with singer Jon Pebsworth and guitarist Jonas Kleiner of San Diego, CA-based, veteran ska punk group, Buck-O-Nine.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with their longtime friend, Roger Steffens, a radio DJ legend, reggae archivist, author, lecturer, photographer, and actor.

Host Junor Francis talks with Brooklyn-based subculture and alternative dance specialist and instructor, Aranivah.