Things I Can't Forget: A Slackers Podcast

It’s the 1981 documentary that captured the energy and excitement of the ska scene during the height of the 2 Tone movement in Britain. Featuring electrifying live performances by bands like The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter, it remains a cult classic, one that played a key role in kickstarting the third wave in the US. 

Recently remastered, remixed and rereleased by the British Film Institute, we are finally given the chance to see it restored to it’s original glory… it’s DANCE CRAZE and the latest episode of the Hornpod Film Club!

Our special guest is Marc Wasserman, he's the author of Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History; host of Ska Boom podcast and bassist for Rude Boy George & Bigger Thomas

Here's a special episode to address the recent announcement of an Operation Ivy reunion by way of the new band, Doom Regulators. Or should we say, Bad Optix? Whatever they're called, we've got Jimmy Doyle (The Fad and The Forthrights) to serve up Rancid trivia and hot takes!

In this episode of Hornpod Film Club, we review the 2019 documentary, Shella Record: A Reggae Mystery. Directed by Chris Flanagan, the film tracks his decade of searching for the soulful siren featured on a 10-cent record he bought in a thrift store, credited only with the name Shella Record.

In this episode of Hornpod Film Club, we explore the 1997 hit movie, Grosse Pointe Blank. Starring John Cusack as a hitman attending his high school reunion, the film blends action, comedy, romance and maybe a little Rude Boy mythology. The soundtrack is iconic and peppered with ska and reggae classics like "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, “Rudie Can’t Fail” by The Clash and “A” Message to You Rudy” by The Specials.

Our special guest for this episode is Ryan Reeves, guitarist for the band, The Exceptions. Ryan compares his experiences growing up as a ska kid in Detroit in the 80s to what we see on film, but also offers insights into the main character’s psyche. We get into it!

All this, and Ska Canon.

Hornpod Film Club 01 The Harder They Come (1972)

It’s the story of a Jamaican country boy who comes to the big city with dreams of becoming a Reggae star but ends up exploited by the music industry, cheated by the drug trade and eventually gunned down by the police.

It’s Jamaica’s first feature film, a cult classic and is widely credited with introducing Reggae to the world.

It’s The Harder They Come from 1972 and it is our first movie in The Hornpod Film Club!

Heather Augustyn is our special guest, she is the author of Ska: An Oral History and many other books about Jamaican history. 

JJ and Matt welcome Cody Freedom, curator of the Spotify-complete-ska-release-playlist every year.  Together, we reflect on a year in ska and we compare our Top Ten lists.  

JJ and Matt are joined by many guests tonight as we explore the pop side of ska. First, Agent Jay of The Slackers and Ali and Danny of Stop The Presses call in talk about their new album, Got It. Then, Tim from Supernova Ska Fest joins us to talk about Ska Canon and other big announcements.

JJ and Matt are joined by Adam Reeves, creator of the forthcoming biography of The Skatalites' legendary trombonist Don Drummond.  Drummond's creative genius helped shape ska music in its earliest days, but his life was short and marred by tragedy.  We celebrate his music, learn about his extensive legacy and even consider a few albums for the Ska Canon.

Jazz is one of the major musical elements of Ska, so what's the deal with Ska-Jazz?  JJ and Matt sit down with the Jazz experts of Westbound Train to help us break it down.  Westbound's Obi, Rich and Thad help us crack the code of Ska-Jazz, and even elevate a few classics into the canon.

Way back in Hornpod episode 001 JJ and Matt told you how they defined ska. In this latest episode, they're putting it to the test! 

 First we sit down with Dan Lord and Adam Guthrie of the band Salvo. We talk about the 1990's when the "horn punk" band was called Pain. We talk about the long hiatus and triumphant return, including their new album The Traveler, out August 26th via Asbestos Records. What do the guys think of Skatune Network's cover of the Pain song "Jabberjaw"? Why is it important that their fans know they don't play ska?  

And then, at long last, we submit releases by Bandits of the Acoustic Revolution and Streetlight Manifesto to the Hornpod Ska Canon. Was Tomas Kalnoky talking about doing the BOTAR project before he even left Catch-22? How old are some of these songs, actually? Why don't we talk about Streetlight Manifesto as an ethnic folk-punk band? And which of Tohkay's 21st century albums are Canon-worthy?  All this and more in the least ska edition of Hornpod: a Ska Podcast yet!