Ska music has been a big part of my life for over the past 20 years. I even met my wife because of ska music. Being a teenager in Orange County, California in the mid 90’s you couldn’t escape ska music. However, when others stopped listening, ska music stayed in heavy rotation with me.

For this playlist, I followed a very simple plan to make it. I picked something old, something new and something local. Five Iron Frenzy, The O.C. Supertones and Less Than Jake are the bands I’ve been listening to the longest. Millington and The Skluttz are the newest bands on the list. Half Past Two, Hooray For Our Side and Codename:Rocky are some of my favorite hometown bands. I hope you enjoy my picks.

00:00 - O.C. Supertones - Supertones Strike Back (the Supertones Strike Back '97)
02:37 - Hooray for Our Side - Don't Panic (Overture '15)
05:05 - Codename: Rocky - Ctl Alt Del (Reboot '16)
07:22 - Less Than Jake - Motown Never Sounded so Good (Anthem '03)
09:55 - the Skluttz - Ska Police (Confidence is Key '20)
13:15 - Millington - Big Man on Campus (Millington '18)
16:45 - Half Past Two - See You Again (See You Again '20)
19:19 - Five Iron Frenzy - Cool Enough for You (Upbeats & Beatdowns '97)

RJ sez: On the Upbeat is a hell of a fun podcast, go back and listen to the older episodes while the show is on break! And for full disclosure, Matt had picked different songs for Hooray for Our Side and Half Past Two, but after Half Past Two put out this killer new single we both knew it had to be included. This, of course, threw off the timing of the episode, so I offered up a change to the Hooray for Our Side song to even things out. Luckily Matt agreed and we have another rad episode!

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 401 // Airdate : March 19th, 2020

Deeply honored to have my pal RJ ask me to do this, and it was an interesting exercise. I appreciate his support and the work he is doing with the podcast and bringing the ska to the people. I took some of my favorite bands as a jumping-off point and the theme materialized out of that. Hope you enjoy it, and if you want to learn to play The Selecter’s Carry Go Bring Come on the Ukulele look for it in an upcoming episode of The Two Tone Singalong at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY71hkT4ZfXwxhbPR-xX-LzvXFYLOG31l

00:00 – Oreskaband – Carry On (Carry On '14)
03:37 – the Selecter – Carry Go Bring Come (Too Much Pressure '79) 
06:25 – Cut Capers – Get Moving’ (Get Moving '17)
09:42 – Sonic Boom Six – Let's Push Things Forward (Keep On Believing '13)
13:16 – the Dualers – Don’t Go (Don’t Go '06)
16:41 – Stubborn All-Stars – Catch That Train (Open Season '95)
19:06 – Counting Coins – Don’t Look Down (Counting Coins '15) 

RJ sez: Denver Dave is the man! He's been showing his enthusiasm for ska via his projects like "This is Ska" and the "Two Town Uke Sing Along" for oh so many years. I was lucky enough to meet him a few years back, and I'm even luckier to call him my friend. I couldn't think of anyone better than to start off this 7 episode series, where I'm sitting shotgun, and someone else is taking the wheel, than with Denver Dave. Also, this is my 400th episode! Man, that's a good number to have Denver help out on!

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 400 // Airdate : March 12th, 2020

After 2 solid ska/punk and high energy ska episodes in a row, I decided to take it down a notch on this one. Also, when I started this session of 23min of Ska I dedicated it to friend Lawless, and well, it's about to get a little Lawless up in here because I'm including a clutch of songs from his Moondust record label on this one. I'm keeping it a bit laid back to make the tone, but also give us all a bit of breather to relax and reflect.

00:00 - the Bandulus - Stop Playin' with My Heart (Love a Woman '19)
02:34 - Alpheus - Rudies (Rudies / Our Time Will Come '20)
05:41 - the Twilights - Dancing Moon (Hear What I Say '18)
08:30 - 4th Street Orchestra - Ah Who Seh? (Ah Who Seh? / Go Deh! '20)
11:34 - Ocean 11 - Miss Understanding (Miss Understanding / Spring in Rome '11)
14:48 - Laurel Aitken - Apollo 12 (Skinhead Invasion) (Apollo 12 / Moon Rock '11)
16:52 - Irie Beats - No Jodes Ver. 2 (People Need People / No Jodes Ver. 2 '11)
20:35 - Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra feat. Greg Lee & Alex Desert - World's Fair (Big Band Tribute to the Skatalites: Vol. 2 '15)

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 399 // Airdate : March 5th, 2020

This bit of trucker slang is just a basic reminder to drive safely. So I'd like to take the time to tell all of you out there to take care of yourselves! It's rough out there, and it could get rougher, but don't fret, because you're pretty damn dope. If what you need is some ska music, here it is, but if you need something more, go out and get it. There's no shame in asking for help, for your state of mind, or for your new favorite ska band. There are helpers everywhere and they're easy to find.

00:00 - Bite Me Bambi - Hot Lava (Hot Lava '20)
03:25 - Malambo Ska Band feat. Hugo Lobo - Racist Friend (Racist Friend '20)
07:26 - the Skluttz - Stand Our Ground (Confidence is Key '20)
10:49 - Hans Gruber and the Die Hards - Is Today Worth Waking Up for? (Hans Gruber and the Die Hards 2 '19)
13:19 - Cheatin' at Solitaire - Don't Wanna be Miserable (Audrey '20)
15:55 - Skalapper - Depressed Feeling (find a new world '10)
19:23 - the Upstarts - So Sharp (the Upstarts '07)

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 398 // Airdate : February 27th, 2020

Are you ready for some hard-hitting, speedy as hell, unrelenting ska and ska/punk? If so, you are in luck! I went big and loud on this one, I just couldn't help myself, it's the mood I was in, and I hope you'll agree that it's all pretty rad. Also, how can you just sit and listen to this one? I couldn't even sit still when I was putting this one together! Damn! Get it in your ears! Get outta yr seat and shake it! 

00:00 - Madaline - Exit Strategy ("it is what it is" '19)
03:15 - K-Man & the 45s - Paradoid Panic (Stand with the Youth '19)
05:58 - the Re-Adjusters - Red (Rebound '19)
08:55 - Cartoon Violence - Serpico (Passive Aggressive '18)
11:36 - Bumsy and the Moochers - Six Months (Spaced Out '18)
15:36 - Zéro Talent - 50% (Société Anonyme '18)
18:01 - We Are The Union - Out of Patience (Self Care '18)
20:23 - the Bruce Lee Band - Ms. Me (Community Support Group '14)

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 397 // Airdate : February 20th, 2020

On this episode I’m talking to Mark O’Neal Kimberlin, the guitarist and one of the vocalists for Denton, TX based band Madaline! We talk about their music as well as their big upcoming Southern California tour!

Find Mark and the rest of Madaline here: https://www.facebook.com/MadalineSka/

Background music from Eric Daino: https://www.fiverr.com/ericdaino

If you would like to lend an instrumental track to use as bed music for this show, or heck, write a theme song for this show, please sent it to: podcast@skaafterparty.com

Support the Ska After Party Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/skaafterparty

Find & follow our other show 23min of Ska on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

Want to submit your band for a future interview?
Email: podcast@skaafterparty.com

Let me know what you think of this show, or let me know of tours and upcoming albums!
Email: podcast@skaafterparty.com

Trucker lingo translation of the title: apparently it means "Love and Kisses" because it is double of the normal "Eighty-Eights" which means simply "Best Wishes." But I'm finding a lot of trucker slang that translates to simply "Best Wishes" and I'm not finding more than one resource that says "Double Eighty-Eights" is even real trucker CB radio talk. I coulda been hoodwinked on this one my fine listeners, but you know, the intent was there to name it something sweet, because, it's the kinda-sorta St. Valentine's Day episode. Get into it!

00:00 - Catbite - Can't Give You Love (Catbite '19)
02:37 - Hepcat - Together Someday (Right On Time '97)
06:21 - the Meow Meows - If You Were My Boy (Somehow We Met '13)
10:06 - New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble - Love & Affection (Break Thru '19)
13:53 - the Georgetown Orbits - Garden of Love (Solar Flares '18)
17:51 - Doreen Shaffer - Nice Time (Adorable '97)
20:51 - Moon Invaders - Baby I Know (the Fine Line '11)

And no, I didn't notice the band naming theme of the first 3 bands until I was typing this up just now. Not in the playlist making, not in typing the tracklist above or even in making the art, right now as I'm finishing everything up!

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 396 // Airdate : February 13th, 2020

I always threaten to make an episode like this, but I usually back out (except that time that I didn't!) This time, after hearing that great new Heavesbee track, I knew I had to go for it again! That's right, it's a totally "rude" episode! This one is for the lads, but don't fret ladies, your time will come soon enough!

Here again, we have music from all over the world as well as from the last 20 odd years, as you know, I like to keep it modern where I can. There really is so much good ska since the hey-day of the '90s that I can't believe how blessed we are in the ska community. As always, this episode is the tip of the iceberg, follow those links, get some more music in you head and heart and see these bands live when/if you get the chance!

00:00 - Heavensbee feat. Mista Rhee - Rude! Original! Suave! (We Mean Business '20)
04:33 - Black Square - Rudeboy (To the Hills '19)
08:50 - los Kung-Fu Monkeys - Rude Boy Rockers (Rudeboy Rockers'15)
10:58 - the Ska Vengers - Rudeboy Skank (the Ska Vengers '13)
14:08 - the 27 Red - Rude Boy (Make Your Game '03)
17:40 - el Grande - Rudeboy and Rasta (Brick City Sound '19)

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 395 // Airdate : February 6th, 2020

Alright, let's do this, it's time to kick it into gear with this session of 23min of Ska! We've started strong 2 weeks ago, then we hit the 10yr anniversary last week and now it's time to power through with some killer ska! Oddly enough, it is apparently ska show season where I live. I saw a bunch of bands a week ago, and I'm seeing another huge group of bands this weekend. And this isn't so unusual, to be honest! This happens most years, bands tour the South West in order to beat the chill from touring a lot of the rest of the country I guess. It doesn't matter much because, well, damn, I get to go see some live ska, and there's nothing wrong with any of that!

00:00 - the KING LION - Cold Sugar (BLANK '19)
03:26 - Blue Beat Makers - Enamorado de ti (Enamorado de ti '19)
06:11 - the Inverters - the Show Must Go On (the Show Must Go On '19)
09:56 - the Boss Beats - Overflow (III '12)
12:28 - Control This! - Persian Cat Ska (Humble Man '19)
15:47 - the Skatastrophics - Round Town (Round Town '19)
20:57 - Perry Gripp - I Got No Money (I Got No Money '09)

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 394 // Airdate : January 30th, 2020

Here's something crazy... this podcast is 10 years old! Say what? I seriously do not believe it. On January 23rd, 2010 I posted the first episode of 23min of Ska, not knowing what journey I was about to embark on. It was just a little side project to do when not working on the reality show podcast I was working on at the time. In fact, I wasn't sure if it should be 23 minutes or 15 minutes. To this day I'm still not sure, but 23 feels right. 

When I started it wasn't weekly, it was twice a month, with only one episode in January, so a new set of 23 episodes was starting on 1/23 each year. In my initial plans, I was going to do the show for 10 years, 2010 - 2020. Each year would have 23 episodes releases on the 11th and 23rd of each month after January. I still almost ended the show in 2016 when I get to the end of the original 9 sets of 23 episodes a process sped up by going weekly. I relented at the last minute because I love doing this show and thought that that would be too early to quit.

Now here I am, at my original ending day... and I still don't want to quit. January 23rd, 2020 was supposed to be the first time I was not going to post an episode based on that plan. Kind of glad I didn't. I'm more in love with ska and the ska community than I was when I started this show 10 years ago. This is the 18th set of 23 episodes, so we're well on our way to doubling the number of my original plans by mid-2020. After that... still not going to quit! So buckle up, there's still plenty of rad ska for me to share with you!

00:00 - Last Edition - 10 Years (10 Years '19)
03:32 - the Holophonics - Shiznit (MaSKArades Vol. 14: Not a Cover Band '20)
06:22 - One Night Band - Old(er) (Way Back Home '06)
09:25 - MU330 - Serious (Ultra Panic '02)
11:11 - Telethon - Wander Party (Hard Pop '19)
14:35 - the Fabulous Lolo Meets King Kong Girio - Easy Come and Easy Go Away (My Favorite Heart to Break '15)
18:01 - the Slackers - You don't Know I (Better Late Than Never '96)

Visit the website at http://www.23Ska.com to find links to band websites and songs featured in this episode.

Find & follow the show on:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/23minofSka/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/23minofSka
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/23minofska/
Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/23min-of-ska?refid=stpr

If you'd like to submit your band for a future show email: submissions@23ska.com

Any other questions or comments, please email: podcast@23ska.com

There's a lot of great ska vinyl out there, so head over to our partners in crime at http://www.GrandpasCasino.com

Also check out our sister podcast the Ska After Party at http://www.SkaAfterParty.com

Session : Eightteen // Episode : 393 // Airdate : January 23rd, 2020