On The Upbeat

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...

This week Brian and Jacob from Ghost Tones join us. We discuss ska music videos, how Ghost Tones got started, the bands writing process, the Connecticut ska scene and we his to a song of their new EP, Plague/Curse. All this with Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. Ghost Tones: https://www.instagram.com/ghosttones?igsh=MWdwdmpiaXdoOWE2Mw== On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska.com Ska News……. -Title Ho...

This week we caught up with the Bad Time Records Tour as it stops by in Orange County, California. We talk with Tara from Half Past Two, Dominic from Bad Operation and Mike and Drew from Kill Lincoln. We talk about life on the road, pre show routines, tour food, new music and tour planning. All this and Ska News! Bad Time Records: www.badtimerecords.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska.com Ska News……...

This week Michi and Mike from Mega Infinity join us to discuss their new album, Harmonic Convergence. We also breakdown what cartoons are the most ska. We talk about the ever changing music industry and we listen to their song The World. We also give you Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week!  Mega Infinity:  https://megainfinity.band/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_b...

This week Zach and Nate from Sorry Sweetheart join us. We discuss the band’s beginnings and their journey to their new album. We talk about song writing, recording, horn solos and song titles. We listen to their song 20 Million in 20’s and we share our thoughts on Punk In The Park. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.  Sorry Sweetheart:  https://linktr.ee/sorrysweetheart?utm_source...

This week Eric and Heather join us to discuss Pioneer Valley Ska  Festival 3. We learn the history behind the festival and what goes into making it happen. We also learn about Heather’s band , Futon Lasagna and we listen to their song How Many Times? All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.  Pioneer Valley Ska Festival: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/413-ska-presents-pioneer-va...

This week James White (Jimmy Jam) from Left Alone joins us. First, we discuss nicknames and favorite baselines in ska/ska punk. James tells us about getting in to playing bass and joining Left Alone. We talk about the band’s latest record, True To  Form and we listen to their song Some Days.  We also discuss how being from Los Angeles impacts the band’s sound and James’ work as a tattoo artist. Al...

This week we talk to Dallas’ own Set The Tone! Nick and Dustin join Matt and Anthony to chat about our favorite closing songs on ska album, the Dallas ska scene, the push and pull of writing music with trained and untrained musicians. We also take a listen to Set The Tone’s song “Hope For Tomorrow” and discuss what the song means to the band. And of course it wouldn’t be On The Upbeat if we didn’t...

This week Nat and Becky from The Iron Roses join us. First we discuss problem solving in the ska scene. Next Becky and Nat tell us how their two person vocals came to be. They also discuss early days of the band and the importance of writing songs that mean something. We also breakdown why it’s important to speak your mind. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the week!  The Iron Roses: http...

This week Heather and Tom from Pink Slip join us. First we discuss what kind of pizza is the most ska. We also learn Heather and Tom’s journey into music and how Pink Slip got started. We listen to the band’s latest single, Sick and Tired and they tell us what drives them to play music. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.  Pink Slip: pinkslipska.com   On The Upbeat: ontheubeatska....

This week Sean and Ben from The Taj Motel Trio join us. We discuss the ska records we know all the words to and we learn the band’s history. We also discover the story behind the bands name and we listen to their new song. We talk about Christmas music and the Atlanta, Georgia ska scene. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week. The Taj Motel Trio:  https://ttmt.bandcamp.com On The Upbe...

This week Josue and Luis from Los Domingueros join us. First, we share what makes us happy. Josue and Luis talk about the band’s history and their musical influences. We discuss Latin Ska and the Albuquerque, New Mexico ska scene. We listen to the band’s new song and we talk writing and recording music. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the week.  Los Domingueros: losdomingueros...

This week music reviewer and ska fan, Dane Jackson, joins us. We learn about Dane’s history with ska  music and what lead to him to doing music reviews. Dane tells us what he liked in 2025 and we talk about what we are looking forward to in 2026.  And of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.  Dane Jackson:  https://linktr.ee/danejackson?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c80aa7e4...