Welcome to a three episode arc of the Ska Dads Podcast.   We are literally ramping out our output this month to share some stories with an oral history of the Ratchet Boys.  Listen to use chat with some old friends and bandmates of the Ratchet Boys.   The Ratchet Boys were a ska band that took over the DC Ska Scene in the late 90's and early 2000's.   Known for their donut throwing antics  and DIY shows thrown at an indoor soccer arena in Gaithersburg called the Corner Kick.   

On this episode, the Ska Dads chat with BOB Records owner/operator Robby Reider.

Pre-order the Ratchet Boys Live Album here:

 https://dcxpclive.com/store/p/ratchet-boys-live-12-eco-mix-vinyl

All money from sales except for shipping goes to benefit Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of the Ratchet Boy’s singer, Dan Hess, who died due to Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2007

John and Claire from the Freecoasters recorded this episode with us over a month ago.   We feel awful for not getting this up sooner but please give them some love.   Buy all of their albums and go see them on the road. 

https://www.thefreecoasters.com/

Upcoming dates

15 Apr

The Freecoasters and The Operators at The Muse on Main - Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne, IN

16 Apr

The Freecoasters at Reggie's Chicago - Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL

17 Apr

The Freecoasters at The Cobra - Nashville, TN

Nashville, TN

Here's a playlist with some of the tunes and songs we mentioned on the episode. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6nBbAbXW4nwn2DmzmpM31T?si=f09ec8ff10c44ccf

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 for your support.   Let's keep this podcast going forward.  New big things coming up soon.  Stay tuned for some big announcements in April.  

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 this episode. 

https://stubbornrecords.bandcamp.com/album/still-stubborn-volume-1

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51WgFbsuJMk7XGEFoxBIJe?si=d1091bb2157146a1

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 gush and enjoy.  The interview should be posted in a couple day.

Here is a playlist of the tunes we played throughout the episode. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2xI2TAFOnjD3LhevOdtmg7?si=7eb6ad9525e9430b

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.   During the pandemic he has started a podcast and has released a number of solo tunes where you can find  links below. 

https://open.spotify.com/show/4m6C2HysZZHTxiQFHUmfmz (The Bruttobhoy Podcast with Eddie Macintosh)

https://nakedarttattoos.com/section/376314-Eddie-MacIntosh.html

https://towsonglenarmfreakouts.wordpress.com/category/preschoolers-ska/ 

https://www.discogs.com/release/1685371-The-Preschoolers-Angela 

Also check out this Spotify playlist where I selected songs played throughout this episode.   A mix of ska, reggae, rockabilly, and much more. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4z0jv3JZY8jQJFlt0vgFyC?si=e4d539bd095b41d1

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://smokeandmirrorssoundsystem.com/

https://www.mixedtaperecords.com/

https://www.liquidatormusic.com/tienda/en/ska-actual-7/12277-mi-vida-sin-tu-amor-i-m-a-man-8445162477857.html

Throughout this episode we play some of our favorite tracks from Smoke & Mirrors Soundsystem first release "Strength in Numbers."

https://smokeandmirrorssoundsystem.bandcamp.com/releases

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.