The Ska Dads Podcast

One year!?!?  Who would have thought?   This show helped us and you get through the craziness of the pandemic.   We look back on the some of high points and even low points.  We pull no punches about our feelings.  Anyways we probably chat and talk about the Busters way too much on this episode.   Nonetheless we love ska and we love all of our listeners...

We are joined by King Django and Matt Wixson to chat about the new compilation, Still Stubborn Volume 1.   We run down a few of the tracks and play a couple clips.   Jeff and Matt chat with us about what's next and share how this collaboration came about.   Check out the links below for info about Still Stubborn and a Spotify playlist with the music you will hear on t...

Episode 21 will feature a special interview with King Django and Matt Wixson about the Still Stubborn compilation.   Before we post the full interview the Ska Dads sat down and had to capture some of our favorite things about Stubborn Records.  For 30 years this label has been putting out some of the best ska, reggae, and all things in between.   So give us a moment to gus...

Eddie Macintosh is a modern day renaissance man.   He chats with us about his music, art, and podcast on this episode.   Eddie played in a number of ska bands in his formative days including The Preschoolers and Checkered Cabs.  After playing in those bands he started two phenomenal rockabilly bands in the Baltimore area, The Boom Boom Cats and Garnet Hearts.   D...

On this episode of the podcast we connect with John Roy from the Smoke & Mirrors Soundsystem to chat about about their masterplan to take over the ska scene.   John is a true ska veteran who has worked with and collaborated with everyone.   Also he chats about Unsteady's latest release on Mix Tape Records and his time in the English Beat.    https://smokeandmirror...

On our last episode of the 2021 the gang digs deep into their collective knowledge of ska/reggae holiday music.   We discuss the implicit nature of this genre in our scene.  Throughout the episode we play tracks from the Scotch Bonnets, Bad Manners, Toots and the Maytals, Go Jimmy Go,  the Skatalites, Strange Manor and much more.

On this episode of the Ska Dads podcast - Ryan, Mike, and Bob select a couple of tunes off an early ska label, Kentone Records.  This label was a subsidiary label of Federal Records and released recordings throughout the early 60's to mid 60's.    On the show we dig into some speculation about the history behind the label.  Also the hosts discuss the legacy of the songs an...

The dads plus regular guest Mike Cuesta discuss their favorite Halloween theme ska/reggae tunes on this episode.   https://jamminjasounds.blogspot.com/2015/10/happy-halloween-from-distinctly.html

AJ, Ryan, Mike, and Bob discuss Supernova ska festival.  AJ talks about his experiences at the festival.   Come hangout with the dudes and take it all in! Below is the article referenced in the episode.  Three Days of Skinheads, Hawaiian Shirts and Cider: Supernova Ska Fest - Recommend If You Like (riylmag.com)

AJ, Ryan, and Bob go through the Supernova lineup and select their top picks.  Joined by special guest from the West Coast Mike Cuesta. Please vote after listening to the episode! https://forms.gle/UwpA5TgfZH22PygcA Voting ends September 15 (Wednesday).

More fashion talk on this episode.   Go check out https://www.missupsetterdesigns.com/ Joanna's fashion playlist The Gaylads "I Wear My Slanders" The Fugitives "Put On Your Best Dress" Skandulous Allstars "American Psychopath" Althea & Donna "Uptown Top Ranking" Alton Ellis "Ain't That Loving You" The Specials "Do Nothing" The Mellotones "Fat Girl in Red" Wailers "Dancing Shoes" Duri...

Joanna Wallace from Miss Upsetter Designs joins us to discuss fashion trends and history of fashion in the ska scene. https://www.missupsetterdesigns.com/ Pork pie hats, boots, heels and suits are all discussed. Joanna also runs the facebook group "Rudies All Around".  Music on this episode featuring the Specials, Let's Go Bowling, Slackers, Hepcat, Madness, the Pepper Pots, Bodysnatchers, th...

Dan Vitale from legendary Bim Skala Bim pops in to chat with us about their new album "Sonic Tonic."   We play exclusive tracks from their new album as well as some classic Bim tracks, Steady Earnest, Pressure Cooker, and Smoke and Mirrors Sound System.    http://bimska.com/ https://thespecializedproject.bandcamp.com/album/bim-skala-bim-sonic-tonic https://smokeandmirrorssounds...

Dan Vitale from legendary Bim Skala Bim pops in to chat with us about their new album "Sonic Tonic."   We play exclusive tracks from their new album as well as some classic Bim tracks, Steady Earnest, Pressure Cooker, and Smoke and Mirrors Sound System. http://bimska.com/ https://thespecializedproject.bandcamp.com/album/bim-skala-bim-sonic-tonic https://smokeandmirrorssoundsystem.com/

On this episode we cover the later career of Laurel Aitken.   This includes his output during the Two Tone Era and his output on Moon Ska Records.   AJ, Ryan, and Bob play some of their favorite tunes from this era and mention his later releases.   ENJOY the tunes!

Heather Augustyn (author of Ska: An Oral History, Women in Jamaican Music, Alpha Boys School, and many more) joins us for a brief interview about her thoughts around the legacy of Laurel Aitken.   Heather also shared details about a new project she is currently working on.   Here is her story about the origins of cukumaka stick referenced in this classic Aitken song. http://skabook....

On this episode Ryan, AJ, and Bob dig into the first part of their history of legendary artist Laurel Aitken.  We dig into his early boogie woogie, mento, and ska tracks.   Also delve into the beginning of Laurel's early skinhead reggae material recorded in the UK.   On the next episode we will have a special guest to discuss the finer points of Mr. Aitken's career.  ...

We are back with the continuation of our Moon Ska episode.   On this issue we chat more with Dan and Mike from the Articles about their experiences on Moon Records.   We dig deep into some of your most memorable Moon Ska Releases. The Articles "Flip F'real" Easy Big Fella "Eat at Joey's" The Adjusters "Before the Revolution" The Scofflaws "The Scofflaws" The Allstonians "Go You...

On this episode we discuss the rise and fall of one of the most influential ska labels in the US, Moon Ska Records.   We also have part 1 of an exclusive interview with Dan and Mike from the Articles.   They discuss their time on Moon Records and discuss the release of a lost album.   On the next episode we pick out 10 albums from the Moon Catalogue.   Follow us on IG @skadadspodcast Moon Ska Stor...

Bob goes through the rest of the interview footage and plays more tunes from Dexys Midnight Runners, Secret Affair, Pist'N'Broke, Oi-Skall Mates, Inspecter 7, the Pietasters, Judge Dread, and much more.   Check it out!

Ryan, AJ, and Bob dig into the ska scooter connection.   This episode features interviews with Curtis from the band Monkey (https://www.facebook.com/groups/monkeyska) and hosts the podcast the Bidness (https://www.facebook.com/thebidness.talk), Tedford from the West Kensingtons (https://www.facebook.com/TheWestKensingtons), Grover from Queen City Soul Club (https://www.facebook.com/queen...

Ryan and Bob dig deep into the history of the classic ska album "Ska Mania."   Joined by special guest AJ.   We delve into the history, inspiration, and impact this album has on the history of ska.   During this episode we explore themes of independence and put the album in context with other albums released at the same time.   Here is a Spotify playlist of some...

Bob & Ryan discuss the history, impact, and legacy of Pama records.  A case is made for Pama records to be just as important and essential to Jamaican music as Trojan Records.   Discuss singles from the Mohawks, Hippy Boys, Derrick Morgan, and much more.   Spotify Playlist of some of our favorite songs. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5x3ewgo4b8b8IHJrISso6M?si=y4GyWYljSU-...