People are still fascinated by the idea of Satanic ska. So much that metal magazine Loudwire wrote an article in 2021 called “Satanic Ska is a Real Thing that Actually Exists.” The article was about Mephiskapheles, a New York ska band that formed in 1990. For their debut album, God Bless Satan, they created a unique sound that blended traditional ska rhythms with jazzy and experimental songwriting. As the band progressed, they got weirder and experimental. 

But what was the tone of group? We tackle this question by speaking to founders Mikal Reich (drums), and Brendan Tween (guitar). They give us a glimpse into the dry, maniacal, advertising-fueled satire of Mephiskapheles’ early years. It’s our 2nd Mephiskapheles episode. Mikal and Brendan have a somewhat different perspective on the group than was presented in our prior interview. So make sure to listen to that one too when you get a chance. 

We also talk about Brendan’s ’80s hardcore band The Shaved Pigs, their time working at Greenwich Village Mexican restaurant Panchito’s—they worked with Jon Stewart! Mikal even got him fired. We talk about chaotic shows at Wetlands (One time they baptized Chris Gethard in Satan’s blood on stage) and getting banned from venues due to skinhead violence. Plus, Mikal tells us his connection to comedian (and former IDOS guest) Jon Daly. 

We get a full history on their song “The Bumble Bee Tuna Song,” we learn how they got their song “Doomsday” on MTV prior to the station’s interest in ska, getting a shoutout from Rancid, how future pick-up artist Neil Strauss interviewed Mikal for a NY Times article about ska, and we get a breakdown of the production work Victor Rice and Bill Laswell did on God Bless Satan. We also talk about Mikal and Brendan’s new band Barbicide and even discuss the cocktail it inspired. 

Plus, we learn that The Skatalites’ Tommy McCook called the band Meph-i-ridiculous, since he wasn’t too keen on a ska band worshiping the devil. 

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon! 

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. 

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. 

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. 

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

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