Shows
Records RevisitedEpisode 364: The English Beat’s “Special Beat Service” with Marc WassermanThe guys are joined by Marc Wasserman who wrote the book “Soul Salvation: A Gen X Love Letter to The English Beat” to discuss (of course) “Special Beat Service” from The English Beat. Plenty of other discussion including Two Tone, FYC and General Public, John Hughes, American TV’s influence for one song, accordion, and what in the world is “Ackee 1 2 3?”Check out Marc at: https://www.instagram.com/soul_salvation_book/ & https://www.diwulf.com/pages/marc-wassermanCheck Dave Wakeling & The English Beat at: http://englishbeat.net/Check out ot...
2025-01-241h 43
The HustleBook Club - Marc Wasserman author of Sole Savation: A Gen X Love Letter to the English BeatWe're kicking off "Ska Week" with a conversation with author Marc Wasserman about his new book, Sole Savation: A Gen X Love Letter to the English Beat. Marc writes beautifully about his tough childhood - specifically a broken family life and poor health - and how the band's last album, Special Beat Service, got him through all of it while also informing his lifelong love of music and ska. These are sentiments we share on the Hustle so Marc and Jon go deep on what the band means to them. It's the first of three episodes this week focusing...
2024-10-2155 min
Talking Records#159 The English Beat (Special Beat Service) with Marc WassermanMy guest this week is Marc Wasserman who wrote the amazing book Soul Salvation: A Gen X Love Letter to the English Beat. Marc joins us to talk about the band's third album Special Beat Service.
https://www.diwulf.com/products/soul-salvation-a-gen-x-love-letter-to-the-english-beat-by-marc-wasserman
2024-08-271h 30
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSoul Salvation - A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat: The EndHi! It’s Marc Wasserman! It’s been a minute. But I’m glad to be back. Welcome back to the Ska Boom podcast and welcome to Soul Salvation, a limited edition series about the English Beat and their third and final album Special Beat Service that was released in 1982. I have a question for you? Can music save your life? I believe it can. Not surprisingly, many great thinkers across the ages have considered this question. The 18th century German romantic writer Jean Paul Friedrich Richter said “Music is the moonlight in the gloomy night of...
2024-07-1014 min
History of L.A. Ska: One On One SessionsEpisode 68: Roger Apollon Jr. & Marc Wasserman (Bigger Thomas, The Phensic, Rude Boy George)Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two veterans on the east coast ska scene - singer/multi-instrumentalist Roger Apollon Jr. and bassist Marc Wasserman - both of Bigger Thomas, Rude Boy George, and now, The Phensic.
Marc is also author of Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History and Roger is founder of Copper Son Brewing.
2023-10-081h 39
Protein Bro's#68 Marc LoblinerMarc Lobliner is a fitness and bodybuilding veteran. Marc is the owner of MTS Nutrition, Tiger Fitness, Outright Bars and is a partner with Ambrosia.
Marc was also on the front lines of creating the world famous Xtend BCAAs with the company Scivation. Now Marc is very involved with youth athletic training and growing in the gym while he continues to compete in bodybuilding as an IFBB Pro.
2023-07-252h 10Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - The Untold Story of The Beat GirlWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. When it came time for The English Beat to create a logo for their first album and for marketing posters and advertisements they called upon Hunt Emerson who is a noted British cartoonist and comic book artist. Emerson drew the Beat Girl from an original photo of a woman dancing with Prince Buster in the early 1960s that he...
2022-09-101h 01
Grow With KaraBreaking Marketing Rules and Getting ClientsMarc Wasserman and his brother have built a huge brand in their firm Pot Brothers at Law and its trademark saying, ‘Shut the Fuck Up.’ Their startup story is an interesting one, and driven entirely by free networking and organic social media.Marc's firm now has 485,000 followers on Instagram and 669,000 followers on TikTok.The story shows the power of riding a demand wave, listening to your commenters, creating a memorable brand, and perhaps most important, creating a charismatic presence on social media.During this session, Marc breaks down:How he gets...
2022-07-2045 min
AllMusicPodcastsSKA/REGGAE "Ska Boom: An American Ska and Reggae Oral History" with Marc WassermanMarc Wasserman is the author of Ska Boom: An American Ska and Reggae Oral History. He’s also played bass in a number of Ska bands, and backed some of the genres legends in the historic1998 Skavoovee tour. Marc joins us with stories, anecdotes, history, gossip, and, most importantly, the feeling of what it was like to be there as groups of young, ska-crazed acolytes spread their passion and ignited a fiercely loyal dedication to a burgeoning culture. Included are interviews with members of some of these seminal bands and fans who witnessed the birth and spread of a un...
2022-07-1846 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - Easy LifeWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series."Easy Life" by The Bodysnatchers may be one of the...
2022-05-2619 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - GenoWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.Dexys Midnight Runners were not a ska band, nor were...
2022-05-2014 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - Mirror In The BathroomWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.It's my humble opinion that Mirror In The Bathroom by...
2022-05-1320 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - Madam MedusaWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.If you've never heard it, "Madam Medusa" by UB40 is...
2022-05-0626 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - Inner London ViolenceWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.While Bad Manners is probably best known for their more...
2022-04-2938 min
Infused: A Cannabiz Talk ShowExclusive Interview with Marc Wasserman | Infused: A Cannabiz Talk Show S2E4On this special episode of the Infused Show we're joined by 1 half of the Award winning Marijuana Business & Criminal Defense Attorneys known as the Pot Brothers at Law! We've been fans of the work that Pot Brothers At Law do for the cannabis community for quite some time, so we were thrilled that Marc Wasserman agreed to join us on Infused at CannaCon in Oklahoma City where he and big brother Craig were featured speakers. Join us for a great talk where Marc tells us about his most recent acting work, the start of the Pot Brothers la...
2022-04-2730 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - Celebrate the BulletWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.If pressed to name my favorite album and song of...
2022-04-2225 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - EmbarrassmentWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.On their second album Absolutely released in 1980, Madness began to...
2022-04-1522 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - The BoilerWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.Someone once said, "The Boiler is a song that everyone...
2022-04-0821 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast2 Tone Legacy - Free Nelson MandelaWelcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.Free Nelson Mandela might be the song that finally demonstrated...
2022-04-0116 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Interviews - Noah Shachtman of Rolling Stone MagazineWelcome to Ska Boom Interviews, which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon. The goal of this podcast is talk about ska with an emphasis on American ska history and the bands, musicians and people who have helped to create and influence a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that spans from the late 70s until today. In this episode, I’m speaking with Noah Shachtman, the editor in chief of Rolling Stone Magazine. Prior to taking over at Rolling Stone, Noah worked as an ed...
2022-03-251h 34Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Ode To The Melodica & Augustus PabloWelcome to Ska Boom Stories which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon. The goal of the Ska Boom podcast is talk about ska with an emphasis on American ska history and the bands, musicians and people who have helped to create and influence a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that spans from the late 70s until today. Though Augustus Pablo never gained the international recognition of a Bob Marley, he is one of reggae's legitimate legends, a pioneer who flipped the genre com...
2022-03-1825 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Musical YouthWelcome to Ska Boom Stories which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon. The goal of the Ska Boom podcast is talk about ska with an emphasis on American ska history and the bands, musicians and people who have helped to create and influence a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that spans from the late 70s until today. Like me, you’ve probably heard 'Pass the Dutchie' many times. And it probably makes you smile and dance. I never get tired of hearing it. Wh...
2022-03-1122 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Interviews - The Stubborn Records Story with King Django & Matt WixsonWelcome to Ska Boom Interviews, which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon. The goal of this podcast is talk about ska with an emphasis on American ska history and the bands, musicians and people who have helped to create and influence a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that spans from the late 70s until today. In honor of the 30th anniversary of Stubborn Records, I interview Jeff Baker (KA: King Django) and Matt Wixson who have partnered to issue Still Stubborn Volume 1 whi...
2022-03-041h 38
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - Oingo BoingoWelcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggae. The musical development which ignited Danny Elfman’s interest in starting Oingo Boingo and inspired him to start writing his first conventional pop songs was the emergence of British 2 Tone ska bands whose music reminded him of the Highlife he had heard when he travelled throughout West Africa in the early 70s. As he said in an interv...
2022-02-2525 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Remembering John Spence of No DoubtIn honor of Black History Month and as part of my mission to share unique and often untold American ska stories, this episode of Ska Boom Stories is dedicated to John Spence the original lead singer of No Doubt.Spence often gets short shrift whenever the story of No Doubt is told and regrettably his contribution to the band has been somewhat overlooked and slightly scrubbed from No Doubt’s history. On the one hand I understand that because his story is a sad one. But the truth is that without Spence there might never have been a No Doubt. And...
2022-02-1820 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - Steel PulseWelcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggae.If any band deserves the title of punky reggae kings its Steel Pulse. They helped invent British reggae and their debut single "Ku Klux Klan: is definitely one of the great punk singles, without actually being a punk record. Steel Pulse were also instrumental in making reggae part of punk’s repertoire and were as vital to the ex...
2022-02-1120 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - Gang of FourWelcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggae.If any band could give the 2 Tone bands and The Clash a run for their money when it came to singing about the state of politics in the late 70s and early 80s, it was the Gang Of Four. And, if you listen carefully, many of the band’s earliest songs have bass lines inspired by dub reggae...
2022-02-0420 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - Black Uhuru Bring Reggae to AmericaWelcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggae.On February 27, 1986, the Cosby Show, then the most popular TV show in America aired an episode that featured the music of Black Uhuru. Let that sink in for a moment. How often did you hear roots reggae on American network television in the 80s? Though just a few minutes and part of a comedic bit it really is an...
2022-01-2821 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - Grace Jones & the Compass Point All StarsWelcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggae.I first became aware of Grace Jones late one night during the mid 80s when I happened upon her video for “My Jamaican Guy” on Friday Night Videos. For younger listeners, Friday Night Videos aired on NBC and was an attempt by the network to compete directly with MTV. The song was my official introduction to Jones and her b...
2022-01-2122 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Interviews - Pato BantonWelcome to Ska Boom Interviews, which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon. The goal of this podcast is talk about ska and reggae with an emphasis on American ska and reggae history and the bands, musicians and people who have helped to create and influence a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that spans from the late 70s until today. In this episode, I’m speaking with Grammy nominated reggae legend Pato Banton.Born Patrick Murray in London, Pato was left for dead at th...
2022-01-141h 50
Only Three Lads - Classic Alternative Music PodcastE93 - Top 5 Ska Songs (with Musician/Author Marc Wasserman)
Hey you! Don't listen to that, listen to THIS!
In our Season 3 premiere, we get even ruder and skankier than usual...and we totally mean that in the ska way, because we kick off the new year by counting down our Top 5 Ska Songs of the O3L era.
Our guest Lad this week is musician, author, blogger and podcaster Marc Wasserman. Wasserman's new book *SKA BOOM! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History* is the definitive chronicle of the history of ska and reggae in the U.S., as told through extensive interviews with some of the pivotal figures of th...
2022-01-111h 31
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - The MembersWelcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggae.The Members were one of the prime movers in the era's cross-cultural mix of reggae and punk. The NME wrote of the band in 1978: “Of the many rock bands co-opting reggae into their act, few do so with as much love and style as the The Members.” I have to admit that the first time I heard 'The Model...
2022-01-0722 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - The PoliceWelcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggae.So it was only a matter of time before I got around to talking about The Police and their embrace of reggae. If you are of a certain age -- I’m looking at all of my fellow Gen X-ers – then the band’s early records Outlandos D'Amour and Reggatta de Blanc were likely the soundtrack of your middle...
2021-12-3119 min
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Interviews - Horace Panter of The SpecialsWelcome to Ska Boom Interviews, which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon. The goal of this podcast is talk about ska with an emphasis on American ska history and the bands, musicians and people who have helped to create and influence a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that spans from the late 70s until today. In this episode, I’m speaking with Horace Panter – bassist for The Specials. Horace has been a huge inspiration to me and many others who emulated his choice...
2021-12-241h 14
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Interviews - Jayson Nugent of The SlackersWelcome to Ska Boom Interviews, which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon. The goal of this podcast is talk about ska with an emphasis on American ska history and the bands, musicians and people who have helped to create and influence a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that spans from the late 70s until today. In this episode, I’m speaking with Jayson Nugent – guitarist for The Slackers.Nugent has been a member of the band for the last 15 years, but has been a...
2021-12-171h 18
Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastPunky Reggae Party - Basement 5Welcome to “Punky Reggae Party” a special audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music that will explore the phenomenon of punk and post-punk bands adopting the sounds of reggaeThe convergence of punk with reggae and ska in the late 70's and early 80's resulted in some significant musical developments leading some punk and post-punk bands in England to experiment with the sound of reggae and dub in particular.Reggae was natural for punks to mine as inspirational fuel, just as earlier rock ‘n’ roll eras adopted ideas an...
2021-12-1020 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - The Offs: American Ska Punk PioneersWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available through DiWulf Publishing. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksThe Specials released their first single Gangsters in May 1979 and it is considered the spark that lit the ska-punk flame that still burns to this day. Though The Specials get the lion share of the credit for being the band that popularized the 2 Tone take on punk and reggae, the other one, which you’ve probably never heard of is The Offs who are American ska...
2021-08-2020 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - The TerroristsWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available through DiWulf Publishing. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksIf I could have, I would have included a few more chapters on other important bands who also deserve credit for helping to develop a uniquely American version of ska and reggae. For a variety of reasons, I wasn’t able to include them all, but over the next few episodes of the podcast, I plan to devote some time to more of these bands who...
2021-08-1322 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories: Ska American Style 80s Edition CD Track Reveal with DJ Chuck WrenWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for sale through DiWulf Publishing. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksIf you were one of the lucky people to order a pre-sale copy of Ska Boom! you should have received a copy of an amazing 80 minute CD called “Ska American Style 80s edition” curated by DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. The CD digs deep into the obscure world of privately pressed records proving that American ska roots were firmly planted during the 80s alter...
2021-08-0657 minHistory of L.A. Ska: One On One SessionsEpisode 21: Marc Wasserman (author of Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History)Host Junor Francis talks with Marc Wasserman, a musician, podcaster, blogger, and author of Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History.
2021-07-301h 37Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories-The Acid Ska PhenomenonWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available through DiWulf Publishing. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksIn this episode of Ska Boom I’m going to explore the brief marriage between ska and acid house music that took place in the late 80s. Depending on how much of a ska purist you may or may not be, the acid ska (or skacid) phenomenon was either 1) a highly danceable ska resurgence which gave the remnants of the 2-Tone scene one last chance to s...
2021-07-3014 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - The BoilersWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for sale through DiWulf Publishing. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksThe Boilers were one of the most innovative and influential ska bands to emerge from 1980's NYC Ska scene that you may have never heard of. Though they burned brightly for a short time, The Boilers were the starting point for a core group of musicians who have gone on to help define, create and perform some of the finest American reggae and sk...
2021-07-2318 min
Songfacts PodcastThe Ska Episode with Author Marc WassermanWhat do you think of when you think of ska music? If you're like me, you've heard of it, know it's in the realm of reggae, but might not be 100% sure what the differences are and which bands are playing it! Well, if that's the case then this episode of the Songfacts Podcast is for you. Today I speak with Marc Wasserman, a musician, fellow podcaster, and author of the book Skaboom! An American Ska And Reggae Oral History, a tremendously detailed account of ska through the words of the band members that lived i...
2021-07-2147 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - The Story of the very first American Reggae BandWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksThe release in the U.S. in early 1973 of 'The Harder They Come' -- a movie that required subtitles so that American audiences could follow the dialogue -- had an impact far beyond its modest take at the box office. While the fi...
2021-07-1617 min
In Defense of SkaIn Defense of Ska Ep. 26: Marc Wasserman (Ska Boom, Bigger Thomas, Rude Boy George)The US had a healthy, diverse underground music scene in the ’80s. Among the goths, art-punks, and lo-fi freaks were plenty of rude boys and rude girls. And yet for some reason, the story of ska in the US is nearly wiped clean from the oral history of American music during the ’80s. You even had bands like Fishbone—who mostly played ska at the time—and The Untouchables signed to major labels! Not only are these ska stories an important piece of the musical landscape, but they also help explain how ska seemingly popped up out of nowhere in the m...
2021-07-141h 11Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - The New York CitizensWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for sale through DiWulf Publishing. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksThe New York Citizens retain a certain mystique for those of us who remember them in their late 80s to early 90s prime. And if you missed seeming them, I feel bad for you. They embodied the spirit of New York ska in the late 80s like no other band on the scene. While The Toasters may have been the King’s of the la...
2021-07-0918 min
Mesmerizing Marketing™How Marc Wasserman with Pot Brothers at Law® Grew to 1 Million Followers on Social MediaIn this episode, I had the honor of welcoming Marc Wasserman, with Pot Brothers at Law®, we even had a guest appearance from his big brother Craig. We share how Marc Wasserman with Pot Brothers at Law® Grew to 1 Million Followers on Social Media utilizing Tik Tok, Instagram, Instagram Reels, and Facebook. Some Highlights: Around 15:00: Marc's big brother Craig makes a spontaneous appearance and he's been slacking on his Instagram Reels. Around 26:00: Marc reveals the one thing it took to go viral on InstagramAround 33:00: Marc reveals what he di...
2021-07-071h 16Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Mephiskapheles Introduce America To Satanic SkaWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksIn this episode I focus on the origin story and the important role that Mephiskapheles have played in American ska. From its early beginnings in 1990, the band set out to carve out its own niche within the so-called "third wave" ska scene and...
2021-07-0217 min
Center Stage026 - Finding Your Niche with Attorney Marc Wasserman**Explicit Content Warning** Despite what you may think, niching down in your law practice does NOT limit your opportunities as an attorney to make more money and achieve that elevated expert status. This week's guest on Center Stage, Attorney Marc Wasserman (better known as one of the Pot Brothers at Law), is a great example of how hyper-focusing on a niche can open up a huge number of doors and opportunities for you as an attorney.Check out the work Marc and his firm does at www.potbrothersatlaw.com
2021-06-3029 min
The Wetdown PodcastEpisode 35: Marc Wasserman from Pot Brothers at LawOn this episode of The Wetdown, we are joined by Marc Wasserman from the notorious Pot Brothers at Law. This week's talk covers cannabis and how to protect yourself by knowing your rights in a sticky-icky situation, "The Script" and its origin, the future for the Pot Brothers at Law empire, amongst many other topics and useful knowledge for both civilians and law enforcement.
Be sure to check out the websites listed for more information.
https://pbalmerch.com/
thewetdownpodcast.com
DISCLAIMER: This podcast and description may contain affiliate links, which means t...
2021-06-281h 13Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Heavy Manners Bring Ska To ChicagoWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksWhile Los Angeles and New York get the lion's share of the credit for the nascent American ska scene of the early 80's, in this episode I highlight the Chicago-based band Heavy Manners who were American ska and reggae trail blazers whose mu...
2021-06-2517 min
FINN'S REVOLUTION Radio Interviews WUSBAuthor/podcaster Marc Wasserman talks about his new book "Ska Boom!" Finn's Revolution WUSB 6.22.21
http://DiWulf.com http://wusb.fm
Finn's Revolution playlist for 06/22/2021
By Finn on Wed, 06/23/2021 - 1:18pm
ArtistTitleAlbum (* = New Release)LinkTV Orchestra | The Prisoner | |
The Scofflaws | Rudy's Back | |
The Toasters | Weekend In L.A. | |
Bim Skala Bim | Step Up To Me | |
Finn & His Rustkickers | Stephanie | |
The Toasters | 2-Tone Army | |
Mephiskapheles | Satan Stole My Weed | |
Skadanks | 2Luv | |
NY Citizens | Boxer Shorts | |
Interview with author/podcaster/musician MARC WASSERMAN | | Finn's Revolution exclusive | DiWulf.com
The Uptones | Radiation Boy | |
The English Beat | Twist & Crawl | |
Roland Alphonso | Phoenix City | |
2021-06-241h 58Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - 171A & The Origins of The ToastersWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksIn the episode I look at the important role that 171A, a recording and rehearsal and performance space in the East Village of New York City and a band called The Cooties had on the birth of The Toasters and indirectly the Ne...
2021-06-1817 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - How The Uptones Impress Joe Strummer & Influence RancidWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksIn this episode I highlight the story of The Uptones from Berkeley, CA. If any city in the US was open to the message of 2 Tone it was Berkeley. The city was steeped in a progressive vibe and the members of The Upt...
2021-06-1120 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Gangster Fun Influence The Sound of Midwestern Ska PunkWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksMore than most American ska bands, Gangster Fun were a product of their home. In a matter of decades, Detroit went from being one of America’s most prosperous cities to one of its most distressed. And during the 80s and early 90s it...
2021-06-0421 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - The Two Haitian Brothers Who Changed The Sound of NYC SkaWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksIn this episode I highlight the key roles that Lionel and Constant Bernard -- two Haitian brothers from Brooklyn – played in the New York City ska scene of the mid 80s and early 90s; Lionel with The Toasters and Constant with Second Step...
2021-05-2620 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Howard Paar, the O.N. Klub & The Birth of the LA Ska SceneWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksI became enchanted and obsessed by the ON Klub in Los Angeles during the early days of writing my ska blog Marco On The Bass. As I dug deeper into doing research for Ska Boom! I learned about the essential role that th...
2021-05-211h 04
Cannabis Talk 101Learn why Marc Wasserman had to jump off of all Social Media.This is more of a PSA for everyone who deals with any addictions. Marc Wasserman opens up about his fight with his Big Brother. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2021-05-1945 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Why isn't Fishbone in Ska Boom?Welcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. The first 500 pre-orders get a rare 80 minute all USA ska mix CD courtesy of DJ Chuck Wren of Jump Up Records. Click here to order: http://www.diwulf.com/booksNow that the book is finally finished and going into production, I want to use this series to share a behind the scenes look at what readers can expect from the book. In 400+ pages across 19 chapters, I’ve attempted to knit together the...
2021-05-1421 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - The Harder They Come & The Birth of American ReggaeWelcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. Now that the book is finally finished and going into production, I want to use this series to share a behind the scenes look at what readers can expect from the book. In 400+ pages across 19 chapters, I’ve attempted to knit together the origin stories of groups of passionate musical pioneers who helped created a uniquely American version of ska and reggae.Before The Specials appearance on Saturday Night Live helped kick...
2021-05-0719 min
Good Dudes GrowEP 20: Marc Wasserman — Talking Rights With A Cannabis Law ExpertMarc Wasserman, along with his brother Craig, are big names in the cannabis law industry. Both practicing attorneys in California since 1996 and 1986, respectively, it wasn’t until 2000 that their careers shifted to this new strain of law. “My nephew, my brother’s son, was showing a green thumb for cannabis and compassion for cancer patients he knew who needed it,” “He started out as a caregiver here in California, and so we knew we needed to learn all these laws to protect him. And so, over ten years, we had to represent him seven or eight diffe...
2021-05-0340 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories - Why is Clyde Grimes on the cover of Ska Boom?Welcome to Ska Boom! Stories, which is the audio companion to my new book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History now available for pre-sale through DiWulf Publishing. Now that the book is finally finished and going into production, I want to use this series to share a behind the scenes look at what readers can expect from the book. In 400+ pages across 19 chapters, I’ve attempted to knit together the origin stories of groups of passionate musical pioneers who helped created a uniquely American version of ska and reggae. But this episode isn’t about what’s on the insi...
2021-04-3017 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom Stories: Johnny Nash American Reggae Pioneer?Welcome to the first episode of Ska Boom Stories -- a new podcast series that will highlight stories, anecdotes and gossip taken from all 19 chapters of Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History that is now available for pre-order through the DiWulf Publishing website. The book will be available on 7/4/21. While Ska Boom! focuses on telling the story of the birth of a uniquely American version of ska and reggae that developed in the late 70s and early to mid 80s, there were early American pioneers in the mid 60s and early 70s who laid the groundwork for popularizing...
2021-04-2319 min
Kellie and Kimbra in the MomentMarc Wasserman, Pot Brothers at Law #49Kimbra Westervelt and Kellie Nicholson invited Marc Wasserman, front-man for Pot Brothers at Law, to discuss the legalities of partaking in cannibus. Wasserman explained how even law enforcement doesn't often understand the laws relating to cannibus. The Pot Brothers at Law represent a variety of clients who have been charged with illegal activity involving cannibus.
~ Visit the Pot Brothers at Law podcast on most popular podcasting sites and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/secks01.
~ Get to know Kimbra Westervelt and learn more about her career at https://www.kimbrawestervelt.com.
~ Find out mo...
2021-04-1837 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of "Reggae Like It Used To Be"In this last episode of I Don’t Like Reggae, I Love It, a special audio series on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music, I focus on the 1976 UK top 20 hit “Reggae Like It Used To Be” by Paul Nicholas , who before he took a turn as a pop star had a very successful career in musical theatre starring in Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and more. Nicholas was also cast as “Cousin Kenny” Tommy’s sadistic biker punk cousin in The Who’s 1975 rock opera film Tommy. Some people consider "Reggae Like It Used To Be" to be one of the...
2021-04-1616 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of "Bela Lugosi's Dead" by BauhausUnlike the macho posturing of 80s heavy metal, which I found misogynistic and dumb, goth bands and music appealed to me. The music was moody and danceable and explored the more existential and darker questions of life and death. Where 2 Tone molded my emerging political sensibilities and gave me a world view and an identity, goth spoke to the misunderstood romantic in me who was interested in exploring my shadow self. I viewed goths as a tribe of long-lost musical cousins who like the rude boys and rude girls that I identified with, had their own unique customs and culture. Bei...
2021-04-0921 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of "Watching The Detectives" by Elvis CostelloAs reggae and punk rock were colliding and coming together in the UK in the 70s, The Clash’s version of Junior Murvin’s "Police and Thieves" would create a cultural domino effect that would result in several iconic songs including Bob Marley’s “Punky Reggae Party” which gave the new social phenomenon a name. It was also to serve as a direct influence on a young up and coming singer-songwriter named Declan MacManus. He would later change his name to Elvis Costello and write the first noir reggae song – Watching The Detectives. The song was written during a 36-hour jag while Coste...
2021-04-0218 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of "D'yer Mak'er" by Led ZeppelinIn this episode of "I Don’t Like Reggae, I Love It" a special audio series of the Ska Boom podcast about the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music, I focus on the king of all cod reggae songs -- "D'yer Mak'er" by Led Zeppelin. As a new wave and ska kid who completely ignored hard rock, I was completely caught off guard when I started hearing the song, we Americans mispronounce as DIRE MAKER -- more on that mispronunciation in the episode. It confused me that the kids at my high school who worshipped Zeppelin loved a son...
2021-03-2616 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of "Redondo Beach" by Patti SmithIn this episode of I Don’t Like Reggae, I Love It, a special audio series of the Ska Boom podcast, on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music, I focus on Patti Smith’s embrace of reggae that started with the song “Redondo Beach” on her 1975 debut album “Horses.” The origin story of Redondo Beach is fascinating. Originally written and published as a poem in 1972, “Redondo Beach” was recorded, then lost, then re-recorded finally making it onto Horses. It may be evidence of the first official incidence of a punk reggae hybrid.Even more fascinating is Smith's respect fo...
2021-03-1923 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of "Johnny Reggae"In this episode of I Don’t Like Reggae, I Love It, a special audio series about the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music, I focus on the 1971 UK one hit wonder “Johnny Reggae” by The Piglets that reached #3 in the charts selling 5 million copies! “Johnny Reggae” was notable as the first hit song with a cod skinhead reggae sound to have been written and recorded by white English singers and musicians. It was an attempt to capture the energy of an early 70s, white, working-class skinhead youth subculture. The Piglets was a studio concoction created by Jonathan Kin...
2021-03-1221 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of "Peaches" by The StranglersIn this episode of I Don’t Like Reggae, I Love It, a special audio series on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music, I explore the convergence of punk and reggae music in the late 70s in England and how that extraordinary coming together of Black and white street culture helped to change the sound of popular music as punks looked to apply the techniques of reggae music to rock and roll.While The Stranglers may not immediately come to mind as a punky reggae band, the fact is that they created their own unique take on r...
2021-03-0519 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of Ob-La-Di Ob-La-DaIn this episode of I Don’t Like Reggae, I Love It, a special audio series on the historical origins and impact of reggae on popular music, I go back to the beginning and tell the story behind the granddaddy of all cod reggae tracks – Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da by The Beatles. As Beatlemania was reaching a frenzy in 1964, ska music was also exploding in popularity in the UK. And like everyone else in England, The Beatles were listening. After an early and brief exploration with ska in their song "I Call Your Name," it was just a few years later that the band...
2021-02-2616 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastI Don't Like Reggae, I Love It: The History of Cod ReggaeThis is the first episode of I Don’t Like Reggae, I Love It, a special audio series I’m doing on the historical origins and impact of cod reggae on popular music. The series will explore the socio-political cultural and racial implications of cod reggae's development. The series title is taken from the 10CC song “Dreadlock Holiday” which is one of the more controversial cod reggae songs that I’ll look into. As reggae became part of the musical landscape, more established white rock and new wave artists began to experiment with it. Soon direct musical influences – like dub effects, regg...
2021-02-1916 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 023: Third World & 1865 (96 Degrees In The Shade)On this episode, I focus on the Jamaican band Third World and their iconic song "1865 (96 Degrees In The Shade) from their 1977 album of the same name. As a kid who loved social studies and world history and paid attention to current events, '1865 (96 Degrees In The Shade)” really drew me. In case you aren’t familiar with the song, it is a dramatic and powerful retelling of the events of the October 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion, headed by Baptist deacon and preacher Paul Bogle who led an armed group of freed Jamaican slaves against the British authorities.As a young kid, I didn...
2021-02-1214 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 022: The Villains Bring Ska To CanadaIn this episode I turn my ska gaze up to the Great White North and focus on the amazing story of The Villains. Never heard of them you say….well, its your lucky day. Sit back and have a listen to the story of the band of Brits who snuck into Canada and were then arrested and sent to prison for playing ska!The Villains became one of the most popular bands in Canada in the 80s and made a huge impression on the Canadian media and public becoming synonymous with ska. For those who never saw the band live or...
2021-02-0522 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 021: Paul Simonon & Guns Of BrixtonListening to London Calling as a teen required an open mind and a willingness to follow The Clash on an existential and esoteric journey through the darkness of recent history and the darker realms of the human psyche. It was a bit like a history and philosophy class set to music and it didn’t always make sense to me but listen I did, and as I listened, I found myself drawn more and more to the ska and reggae anthems on the album like “Guns of Brixton” with powerful calls to action and layered stories about characters battling impending social...
2021-01-2917 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 020: Rock Stars Who Played Ska On this episode I take a look at a number of key Gen X era musicians who dabbled in or experimented with playing ska and reggae music before they went on to have huge star making careers. While kids in the UK lived next door to Jamaican neighbors and were accustomed to hearing reggae music all the time, there was no corresponding culture or experience with the genre here in the U.S. Occasionally a song like “My Boy Lollipop” or “The Israelites” or “Mother and Child Reunion” would end up on Top 40 radio in the 60s or 70s, but it was rare. Bu...
2021-01-2219 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 019: Eddy Grant & Electric AvenueIn this episode, I focus on the incredibly influential and often overlooked role that Eddy Grant has played in merging the sounds of ska, reggae, pop, dance and rock music. I’ve always been a huge fan and consider Grant a musical futurist who has successfully combined the best of James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley into something completely unique. I’ll be taking a look at Grant’s diverse musical career and will also dig into his most well known American hit “Electric Avenue” which went to #2 on the Billboard charts in 1983. Grant is a musical pioneer and trailblazer...
2021-01-1523 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 018: The Story Behind "It Must Be Love" by MadnessOn this episode, I focus on the story behind the Madness song “It Must Be Love” which along with "Our House" is the song most Americans are familiar with by the band. Each of them charted in the top 40 with Our House hitting #7 and It Must Be Love at #33 in 1983. Madness came along at just the right time for me. I was a newly minted teenager when their music entered my consciousness and wouldn’t leave. Where The Specials were angry and confrontational, Madness was funny in a very English way. And “It Must Be Love” was one of the first love so...
2021-01-0819 min
Cannabis Talk 101How Marc Wasserman met his wife Janet.This is a special edition of Cannabis Talk 101. We share a story of how Marc Wasserman met his lovely wife Janet. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2021-01-0547 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 017: NYC SKA LIVE CompilationOn this episode, I focus on the story behind the 1990 live compilation album NYC SKA LIVE. It’s hard to believe its been 30 years since it was recorded and released. The NYC SKA LIVE concert was originally organized by Moon Records so that the crop of bands then on the NYC ska scene could be filmed by director Joe Massot for New York City Ska Craze, a planned sequel to his 2 Tone era film Dance Craze released in 1981. The show was taped live at the Cat Club, which was located on 13th Street and Fourth Avenue in Manhattan on March 26th...
2020-12-3118 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 016: I Just Can't Stop It: Ranking Roger's AutobiographyIn this episode I focus on Ranking Roger and his autobiography “I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life In The Beat” co-written with Daniel Rachel. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, I highly recommend it. Sadly the book was released after Roger passed away in March of 2019 at the age of 56. I fell in love with all of the 2 Tone bands around the same time when I was 14 years old and each had a big influence on me personally, but there was always something about Ranking Roger that drew me in. Maybe it was his ever-presen...
2020-12-2419 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 015: The International Ska Festival of 1990In this episode, I look back at the International Ska Festival held at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA on Earth Day in April of 1990. The all day festival with a sold-out crowd estimated at 10,000, is a key event in the development of a uniquely American version of ska. First, the line-up included a number of leading American ska bands featured in my book including The Uptones, Gangster Fun and Let’s Go Bowling – who were then at the forefront of the late 80s American ska scene. Next, the size of the crowd and its passionate response also opened the eyes a...
2020-12-1816 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 014: Josh Harris/The Untouchables "Wild Child" AlbumMy guest on this episode of the Ska Boom podcast is Josh Harris, keyboardist and vocalist for The Untouchables, who has a long history helping to popularize Jamaican music in the US. He also has the distinction of being in two the band featured in my forthcoming book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History which will be published in 2021.Josh was one of the very first American musicians to play reggae after he joined a band called Huey & The Titans in Berkeley, CA in 1973. They later became The Shakers -- the first American reggae band signed to a m...
2020-12-111h 14Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 013: The Boxboys & American MasqueradeMy forthcoming book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History will feature 19 chapters that tell the stories of important bands -- some well known, others not so much -- who deserve credit for giving birth to a uniquely American version of ska and reggae. The stories of each band are intrinsically linked to the songs they wrote and performed and and in this episode I tell the story of The Boxboys from Los Angeles and their song “American Masquerade”. I think its probably safe to say that most of you have never heard of The Boxboys. They formed in the la...
2020-12-0417 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 012: Aaron Carnes/In Defense Of SkaMy guest on this episode of the Ska Boom podcast is Aaron Carnes, the author of the forthcoming ska book "In Defense of Ska" that will be published in May of 2021 by Clash Books. Aaron's book asks the important question: "Why doesn’t ska get its due as a rich, diverse genre the way punk, metal, hip-hop and electronic music does?" Or more to the point, why are ska fans so embarrassed of this music they love? In a mix of interviews, essays, personal stories, historical snapshots, obscure anecdotes, and think pieces, "In Defense of Ska" dissects, analyzes and celebrates ska...
2020-11-271h 04Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 011: The Hooters & All You ZombiesMy forthcoming book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History will feature 19 chapters that tell the stories of important bands -- some well known, others not so much -- who deserve credit for giving birth to a uniquely American version of ska and reggae. The stories of each band are intrinsically linked to the songs they wrote and performed and in this episode I tell the story of The Hooters and their iconic reggae song “All You Zombies”. The Hooters you ask? Yes The Hooters! You mean that band that plays “And They Danced?” Yup, that band. Long before Cyndi Lauper...
2020-11-1918 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 010: MTV SkaturdayThose of you of a certain age may remember that during Memorial Day weekend of 1997, MTV set up shop at an abandoned aquatic park outside Los Angeles and converted it into the set for the “Motel California”. The network used the beachfront location that whole summer to broadcast a mix of hair metal, grunge and hip hop which then ruled their video programming. They also aired a one time show they called "Skaturday" on Saturday June 28, 1997 that was hosted by Carson Daly.In this episode, I take a look at the summer of 1997, when MTV briefly turned the spotlight onto Ameri...
2020-11-1319 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 009: Dance CrazeAs I worked on researching and writing Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History, two films were mentioned by many of the musicians I interviewed: one was the 1972 Jamaican crime drama “The Harder They Come” staring Jimmy Cliff. The other was the 1981 2 Tone concert film "Dance Craze". They both play an important role in the development of a uniquely American version of ska and reggae and in this episode I’ll shed more light on the making of Dance Craze, including its origins, how it was filmed and its historical impact. This episode also features commentary from the Dance Craze ci...
2020-11-0620 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 008: The Max's Kansas City Ska & Reggae StoryOn this episode of the Ska Boom podcast, I tell the untold story of how a band of reggae obsessed kids from New Jersey --The Terrorists -- backed a Jamaican ex-pat saxophonist who had helped found The Skatalites -- Roland Alphonso. Together they helped create a short-lived but important ska and reggae scene at Max’s Kansas City, which for a time was the punk rock club rival to CBGBs located less than a mile away.While Max's Kansas City was known as one of the birth places of American punk, its musical director Peter Crowley also had a passion for...
2020-10-3022 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 007: What is American Ska?/Matt WixsonIn this episode of Ska Boom I speak to Matt Wixson, who is a singer, songwriter, musician, podcaster, and improviser from Ferndale, MI. We discuss the current state of American ska (what's the deal with Streetlight Manifesto and are they ska?) and have a lively intergenerational conversation– Gen X to Millennial -- about our different takes on what is and isn't American ska. Since 2005, Matt has been performing solo acoustic ska and punk under his own name, and electronic ska and reggae under the moniker Babylon Party Machine. Throughout 2007 he toured nationally and around the UK as keyboardist of the Conn...
2020-10-101h 04Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 006: Lynval Golding Part 2I’m excited to share part two of my two-part interview with Lynval Golding of The Specials. In part one, Lynval shared his take on the final days of The Specials and the events that led him, Terry Hall and Neville Staple to leave the band and start the Fun Boy ThreeIn part two, Lynval shares interesting facts, stories and anecdotes about the Fun Boy Three, how they came to be and breaks down the stories behind songs on their first self titled LP released in 1981 and their David Byrne follow-up “Waiting” released in 1983. I've always been a huge fan of the F...
2020-10-0834 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 005: Lynval Golding Part 1I’m excited to share part one of a two-part interview I conducted with Lynval Golding for the Ska Boom podcast. Lynval is best known as the rhythm guitarist and vocalist with the The Specials. He later went on to co-found the Fun Boy Three with his bandmates Terry Hall and Neville Staple and later joined the Special Beat a super group featuring members of The Specials and The English Beat who toured the world in the early 90s and helped popularize ska here in the US. He has been the driving force behind the reunited version of The Specials and th...
2020-10-0735 minSka Boom - An American Ska & Reggae PodcastSka Boom-Episode 004: The Checkerboard Kids Show/Phil DeJeanIn this episode of Ska Boom I speak to Phil DeJean, (AKA: Checker Phil) who is a New York City ska icon. If you've been to a big NYC ska show then you've seen Phil. He's hard to miss with his slightly modified take on Don King's hairstyle. There is no denying that along with a number of key bands, Phil has been responsible for keeping the ska flame burning in the Big Apple since the mid 1990's courtesy of his long-running and entirely entertaining Manhattan Neighborhood Network cable access TV show "The Checkerboard Kids" which is a ska influenced va...
2020-10-0258 min