Things I Can't Forget: A Slackers Podcast

The ska compilation: a perfect way to discover new bands and new labels. For many, a SKAmpilation album was their entry into the ska world. JJ and Matt sort through some of our favorite ska comps while reminiscing about some of the truly terrible ones.

In August 2021 reggae pioneer Lee "Scratch" Perry passed at away at the age of 85. We gather with Emch and Larry McDonald of Subatomic Sound System, Scratch's bandmates during his final decade, to honor and celebrate a man who lived his life as art and changed music forever. Join us as we connect by proxy to the WiFi of the inventor of dub, the son of Neptune, Lee "Scratch" Perry.

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.

In the final episode of this miniseries, we're joined by trumpeter Adam "Flymo" Birch who has played alongside Laurel Aitken, Derrick Morgan, The Toasters and The Specials.  Flymo tells us about overcoming addiction and reconnecting with ska at a Supernova festival.  

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.

This time, we've got one of the most anticipated acts of the upcoming Supernova 2021-  an all-star, all-female, all-ska supergroup called Rude Girl Revue.  Debuting at Supernova 2021 with 16 women on stage, they promise to make history and melt your face.

We're joined by Marcia and Katie from the soul-ska band Bowcat, Jenny Whiskey from Hub City Stompers and Tara from the Checkered Cast podcast! 

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.

On this episode, we're joined by one of the founders of Supernova Ska Festival, Tim Receveur, who has seen it grow from very modest beginnings into perhaps the largest gathering in the ska scene.  Tim tells us about the challenges of organizing this event during the pandemic and the rewards of actually pulling it off.

In anticipation of Supernova Intl Ska Fest 2021, JJ and Matt chat with the artists and fans who are putting on the festival.  

On the first episode, we're joined by Hepcat frontman, Greg Lee to discuss their unexpected journey to Supernova this year. 

JJ and Matt welcome Marc Wasserman back to the show to discuss the notion of traditional-ska-punk. Is it real? Can we even agree on what it is? Does it belong in the canon?  We answer these questions... and more!

JJ and Matt enlist the expertise of fellow ska scholar, Marc Wasserman to shed light on a seldom-discussed era of ska history- the 1980s.  Marc tells stories from his new book Skaboom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History, and contributes to a lively Ska Canon discussion.

Berlin Studio Days

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends.

This time, Ara and Jay are back and we're talking about side-projects, dub theory and some foggy memories of the "Berlin" sessions.

Boss Medication

Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band's thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans a rarity of their own: an up-close and intimate conversation with the New York City ska and reggae legends. 

For episode five, we are joined again by trombonist, Glen Pine and Slackers' lead singer, Vic Ruggiero to reminisce about the Boss Harmony Sessions, Self Medication and all tunes lost and found.