On The Upbeat

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...

This week we chat with Jeff Richey from Control This. Jeff tells us how he got into ska and about his time in The Toasters. We also learn how Control This got their start and we listen to a song from the band. Jeff talks about how he got his start in being a promoter and he shares his tips over other promoters. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. Control This: https://www.f...

This week we talk with Caleb and Bill from Must Build Jacuzzi. Bill and Caleb tell us how they got into ska, how the band got it’s start and where their name came from. We listen to their new song and they tell us how they describe their sound. We also give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. Must Build Jacuzzi https://mustbuildjacuzzi.bandcamp.com/music On The Upbeat Social Media: www. In...

This week Gary, Shelly and Tam from Backyard Superheroes join us. Shelly and Tam tell us how they got into ska and we learn about their former high school band. We discuss Backyard Superheroes new holiday song and we discuss this years Arose Such a Clatter. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. Backyard Superheroes https://backyardsuperheroes.square.site/?fbclid=PAAaYKC7xA6Hh...

This week Tahlena Chikami from Bite Me Bambi joins us. We discuss the band’s upcoming tour, their latest music video and celebrating two years on Twitch. We also discuss Bite Me Bambi’s upcoming holiday song and what the future holds. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. Bite Me Bambi: https://www.bitemebambi.com On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbea...

This week Bret and Casey join us from The End Times. They tell us how into ska music and how the band got their start. We learn how covid affected the band and we discuss the band’s upcoming new EP. We also listen to a new song and we learn about the bands writing process. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. The End Times: https://linktr.ee/theendtimes On The Upbeat So...

This week we chat with the director of Pick It Up: Ska in the 90’s, Taylor Morden. Taylor tells us how he got into ska music and how Pick It Up came to be. We learn how the film got it’s writer and narrator. We also hear many behind the scenes stories of our favorite moments from the film. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. Taylor Morden: skamovie.com On The Upbeat So...

This week Andi, Julia and John from The Fuss join us. They tell us how they each got into ska and how the band got it’s start. We also listen to their song Life In Person and we discuss the writing process of the band. We even learn about the ska scene in Washington DC. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. The Fuss http://thefussdc.com/ On The Upbeat Social Media: www....

This week Obi Fernandez from Westbound Train joins us. Obi tells us why the band decided to release their new album without an announcement. We learn about the recording, writing and cover art for this new album called Dedication. Obi also tells what’s going on with The Inevitables and he shares some thoughts on the current state of ska. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the w...

This week Jason, Ted and Joe from Orangetree join us. They tell us how they each got into ska music, how Orangetree got it’s start and what brought the band back together. We listen to a classic song from the band and we learn what the future holds for Orangetree. Lastly, we have ska News and our ska picks of the week. Orangetree: https://orangetreestl.bandcamp.com On The Upbeat Social Media: www....

This week Curtis Meacham from Monkey joins us. Curtis tells us how he got into ska music. We also learn about the early days of Monkey and what the ska scene was like at the time. We here a new song from the band and Curtis tells us about touring in the UK. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. Monkey: https://monkeyskaband.tumblr.com/ On The Upbeat Social Media: www. In...

This week Dave Kirchgessner from Mustard Plug joins us. Dave tells us about how he got into ska music and about the In Defense of Ska tour that band is currently on. We also discuss the 25th anniversary vinyl for Evildoers Beware and that albums legacy. Dave talks about life on the road and he gives some advice for up and coming bands. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the wee...

This week Daniel and David from Bumsy and The Moochers join us. They tell us about how they got into ska music. We discuss the band's new record, Diet Violence. We listen to the new song Not Gonna Have It and we discuss playing the new songs live. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. Bumsy and The Moochers Bandcamp: https://bumsyandthemoochers.bandcamp.com/music Diet Vi...