On The Upbeat

RJ and Gary take over host duties this week. They update you on some new ska releases. They also discuss Epic Games buying Bandcamp. Next they discuss what it was like to try and find new ska bands in an era before social media. Lastly, they give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska www.twitter.com/ontheupbea...

On this week’s episode we chat with Salvador Luna from Meskales. Salvador tells us how he went from listening to ska music to play ska music. We learn about Salvador’s first band in Mexico and how he later moved to the states and started Meskales. Next we listen to the band’s new song, Mis Amigos. Salvador also talks about being in a Latin ska band in an area where there aren’t many other Latin sk...

This week we are joined by The Rudie Librarian, Brian Cambra. Brian tells us how he got into ska music and why he started The Rudie Librarian. Brian also tells us about starting his podcast and all that he has learned. Brian tells us about some of his favorite books and ska from 2021. Next, we have a group discussion on what literary characters would be into ska. Lastly, we give you ska news and o...

This week is a host only episode. First, Gary talks about living in snow and Matt talks about his birthday weekend. Next, they give you ska news and RJ breaks downs the ska history of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Than Gary gives us his list of five NFL team names that would make good names for ska bands. Lastly, Matt and Gary give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. I...

This week is our 100th episode. We celebrate this milestone with Tahlena Chikami, T-Bone Willy and Mike Berault from Bite Me Bambi. We discuss how Mike and T-Bone got into ska music. We also hear some fun stories from Bite Me Bambi’s Midwest tour. Tahlena tells us how the band finds its sound. T-Bone shares with us about the Orange County Ska scene in the 90’s and his time in Save Ferris. RJ asks...

This week on the podcast we are joined by Josh Douglas from Urban Crater. Josh tells us how he got on the ska and punk music. We also learn about the early days of the band and where their name came from. We also discuss paid to play shows and the Baltimore ska scene. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.faceb...

This Week Matt and Gary are joined by King Django and Matt Wixson. They discuss how they both got into ska, how Stubborn Records got it’s start and how the Still Stubborn compilation came to be. Django and Wixson also tell us how the songs were chosen for Vol.1 of Still Stubborn and their thoughts on the current state of the ska scene. We also talk pizza, Italian Restaurants and Blues Traveler. La...

This week Matt Sullivan of Title Holder visits the podcast. First, we chat about putting shopping carts back and we discover Matt Vest (Podcast host) is a lazy jerk. We also give you some ska news and Gary returns with another installment of Here Today, Ska Tomorrow. Next, we discuss Matt’s (Title Holder) journey into ska music and what got Title Holder started. We listen to their latest song, Han...

We are back with our first episode of 2022. First, RJ and Matt discuss their holiday breaks. We announce that Gary from Backyard Superheroes will be joining the On The Up Beat team. Gary tells us about the Canadian ska band,The Barrymores, in a new segment called Here Today, Ska Tomorrow. Next, RJ and Matt discuss their 2021 ska favorites. Lastly, the give you ska news and their ska picks of the w...

This Patreon bonus episode was recorded and shared with our patreon subscribers in August of 2021. Is this the greatest episode of any podcast known to humans? Gary and RJ think it just may be! While attempting to cover the first twelve issues of Jeff Lemire's "Sweet Tooth" they may get off on a few tangents, including but not limited to Gary's previous jobs, the band Cake, and other non-superhero...

This Patreon bonus episode was recorded in April of 2021 and shared with our patreon subscribers in July of 2021. For this bonus episode, Matt is joined by Tara Hahn from Half Past Two. Tara and Matt discuss Half Past Two's song, Bitter. You will learn the story behind the song, how it was written and how it was recorded. You will also learn just how Tara and Matt became friends. Please consider j...

This week Tara from Half Past Two and Gary from Backyard Superheroes join us. This is our last episode of the year. We spend most of the episode discussing the ska highlights of 2021. And of course, we give you 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 Jessica and Kerley from Flying Raccoon Suit join us. Jesssica tells us how she got into ska music and how she joined the band. They also tell us how they came to be on two awesome ska compilations. We have a short discussion about whether or not time is real. Jessica and Kerley also give us hints as to what 2022 hold for the band. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the wee...

This week we are joined by Bex and Gary from the Backyard Superheroes. They join us to discuss this year's Arose Such a Clatter holiday compilation. Bex tells us how she got into ska music and the Backyard Superheroes. Gary tells us about the bands on this year’s compilation. We also have a discussion about things you should not do at shows. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the we...

This week Matt and RJ chitchat about what they’ve been doing for the last week. Matt also gives you ska news and RJ breaks down the feud between Prince Buster and Derrick Morgan. Matt and RJ also tell you what they are thankful for and the give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska www.twitter.com/ontheupbeats...

This week Trosso from Abraskadabra joins us. Trosso tells how he got into ska music and how Abraskadabra got their start. We also learn about some cool music venues in Brazil. Trosso talks about how the band ended up on Bad Time Records. We also discuss the role media plays in promoting ska. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/...

This week we are joined by Tara, Max and David from Half Past Two. They give us all the inside info on their new self-titled record, Half Past Two. They tell us about their latest video and how they have grown over the past twelve years since their last full length record. They also give us a breakdown on what to expect at their record release show. We also give you ska news and our ska picks of t...

This week Aaron Porter from The Prizefighters joins us. Aaron tells us how he discovered ska music and how The Prizefighters got their start. We also learn how Aaron helped grow his local ska scene. Aaron also discusses the pros and cons of of working with a label. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook...

This week we are joined by Austen Gray from Joker’s Republic. Austen tells us how he got into ska music and how Joker’s Republic got their start. Austen also tells us the hardships of keeping a band together and he tells us some cool info about the bands next album. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.fa...

On this week’s episode Matt and RJ give you some ska news and they discuss some rare ska items they own. Next, RJ tells us about a ska band from Bulgaria named Wickeda. Matt tells us about legendary ska artist Derrick Morgan. Lastly, Matt and RJ give you their ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook.com/ontheupbeatska www.twitter.com/ontheu...

This week Caitlin and Chris from Bumsy and The Moochers join us on the podcast. Caitlin and Chris tell us how they got into ska music and how the band got their start. We also learn how the name Bumsy and The Moochers came to be. Caitlin and Chris tell us about the bands early days and about the Chicago ska music scene. Lastly, we give you some ska news and our ska picks of the week. On The Upbeat...

This week we are joined by Andy Baker from Andy B and the World. Andy tells us how he got into ska music. We learn about one of his early bands, Upbeat Allstars. We discover how they came to be and how their 2012album, Wake Up got a re-release through Ska Punk International. We also lean how Andy B and the World came together and what the future holds for that project. Lastly, we give you ska news...

This week on the podcast Matt and RJ discuss what they did with their two week break. Matt gives us a breakdown of the Brew Ska Ska music festival he went to on September 11, 2021. Matt and RJ discuss ska music’s association with beer and drinking. RJ tells us about a ska band from Costa Rica in Ska Around The World. Lastly, they also give you ska news and their ska picks of the week. On The Upbea...

This week we are joined by Phil from Ska Punk Daily. Phil tells us how he got into ska music. He also describes the creation of Ska Punk Daily and it’s growing influence in the ska scene. We also talk about the Ska Against Racism record and the creation of Pay Attention Records. Phil also tells about the one thing he would like to see change in the ska community. Lastly, we give you ska news and o...

This week we speak with Dave McWane from Big D and the Kids Table. Dave tells us how he got into ska and how Big D got their start. We also learn what Dave has been in between Big D records. We also discuss the new record that officially drops on October 22, 2021. Lastly, we give you ska news and our ska picks on the week. On The Upbeat Social Media: www. Instagram.com/ontheupbeatska www.facebook....