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, the Toasters, Suicide Machines, and Rolando Random and the Soul Rebels.  

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.com/let-tell-sally-brown/

Order her books here:

http://skabook.com/

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.  And later in the week close out with part 2 while will detail Aitken's output during the two tone period and his relationship with Moon Ska Records. 

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"

Mustard Plug "Big Daddy Multitude"

The Pietasters "Strapped Live"

Isaac Green and Skalars "Skoolin with the Skalars"

Skavoovie and the Epitones "Fat Footin'"

Dr. Ring Ding & the Sr. Allstars "Dandimite"

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/queencitysoul), Dan from the Twilights (https://www.facebook.com/TheTwilightsRocksteady), and Bill.

Check out the Spotify playlist that accompanies this episode:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5OJxzEEHBrdyU75glN7wD7?si=Y1aNnTJnQgem2SJnkFu_AA

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 of the songs that influenced this episode. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2XTDNBXrhNdryS09eVGKVb?si=G6VDfxorT-e4uefYK2pa-w

For your listening pleasure here is a youtube link to the album.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDgEMNarUFQ&t=428s