On The Upbeat

This week Dave Kirchgessner from Mustard Plug joins us. Dave tells us about the themes and making of the new Mustard Plug album. We also get  inside info on the music video for their song Vampires. Dave also talks about working with record labels and about the modern ska scene. Lastly, we give you some ska News and our ska picks of the week. Mustard Plug: mustardplug.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeat...

Woo ha do we have a hootnanny of an episode for you! Matt and RJ are breakin' down that recent article by The Hard Times about the best ska bands in each state. Do they agree with the picks, do they think they can do better? Listen up to find out! Also, if you're not from the US, and you're thinking this is a little too "America-centric" well... we sure hope you can find some...

This week Steve Lonergan from Sgt. Scagnetti joins to talk about the band’s latest album, At Least More Than Halfway Dead. Steve tells us about playing at Supernova international Ska Festival and what it’s been like to release a new album in over 20 years. We break down the write, record and the art from the new record. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Sgt. Scagnet...

This week we chatted with Tim Snow from Ninquid Records. Tim tells us how he got connected to ska music and what lead him to stating a record label. Tim also discusses how he chooses the albums he releases and the bands he signs. Tim tells what he loves about the current ska scene. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Tim Snow: ninguidrecords.com On The Upbeat  ontheup...

This week we talk with Nate, Nick and Kiera from Poindexter. We discuss how they each got into playing music and the band got its start. We listen to their song 11 to 8 and we take a deep dive into the recording of their album Treats. Last, we give you song ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Poindexter:  https://fanlink.to/poindexter-treats?fbclid=PAAaZ2llwjABnLwN_XPnukEmLBwaUsEaosL246UR_mPv...

This week Saxton from Runaway Ricochet joins us. We learn how Saxton started playing music and what lead them to playing bass. Saxton tells us about the early days of Runaway Ricochet and we world premiere their song Optimist. We discuss song writing and working that ska beat into music. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Runaway Ricochet: runawayricochet.bandcamp.co...

This week Jason and Kevin from Simple Minded Symphony join us. We discuss the writing and recording of their new record. We listen their song Deceivers and Nonbelievers and we discuss their new music videos. And of course we give you ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Simple Minded Symphony: simplemindedsymphony.bandcamp.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska.com Ska News: -Random Hand On August...

This Week John Roy from Smoke and Mirrors Sound System joins us. First, John tells us about starting Escape Hatch Records with Michael Buchmiller. We discuss the in’s and out’s of running a record labels and we hear the latest Smoke and Mirrors Sound System song. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. John Roy: smokeandmirrorssoundsystem.com On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska....

This week we chat with Cody Okonski from Millington. Cody tells us what it has been like playing more live shows and we discuss the bands new album, Welcome Home. Cody reveals the hardest song to sing while playing bass and we discuss emo music. Lastly, we give some ska news and our ska picks of the week.  Millington:  https://linktr.ee/millington On The Upbeat: ontheupbeatska.com Ska News….. -Bea...

Oh hey there! It's yr old pal RJ, coming at you with a brand new episode, and this week I'm talking w/ the members of Ska City from Asheville, North Carolina! I'm joined by Gabe, Garrick, and Julia to talk about their recent album, what the Asheville ska scene (or lack there of) is like, and we get some specifics on their song "Ska City." All that and our usual Ska News and S...

This week’s episode was recorded live from Orange County, California. It features local ska punk legends, Chase Long Beach. CLB joins us to to break down three of their songs. We hear the stories behind We’ve Got Pockets Like Nobody’s Business, Joe vs The Cricket and Mammoth. Chase Long Beach also plays each of these songs live. The band takes questions from our live audience and we play a game ca...

This week, Aaron Bertram, Brian Klemm, Vince Walker and Brian Robertson from Suburban Legends join us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Rump Shaker. We take a deep dive into the early days of this legendary Orange County ska band. We learn the history of how Suburban Legends came to play a full summer of shows at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California and how that lead to the creation of their...

This week Logan and Adam from Epic 18 join us. First, they tell us how they each got into ska music and how Epic 18 got their start. We hear about the band’s early days and we listen to a song off the new record. Logan and Adam tell us how the new record, Stop Procrastinating, was written and record. We also discuss playing live shows and video games. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks...

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...