RJ’s Mixtape Madness Vol. 1: Songs for a Sunrise

Hey all, since my bros at On The Upbeat are taking a siesta this week, I thought I’d do a little thing. Originally meant for the On The Upbeat feed, the powers that be just won’t let it live there. I know that you all will have no problem accepting it into your lives, ears, and hearts.

Tracks

SIDE A
Big Bullet Allstars – Alarm Clocks (Raiders of the Lost Tape ’22)
Deal’s Gone Bad – Sweet Morning (Heartbreasks and Shadows ’14)
the Slackers – Don’t let the Sunlight Fool Ya (Don’t let the Sunlight Fool Ya ’22)
Bobby Pins & the Saloon Soldiers – Place in the Sun (Dancing on the Moon ’09)
the Pinstripes – Wake Up (Urban Pirate Booty Volume 6 comp ’13)
OreSkaBand – On the Sunny Side of the Street (Slogan ’13)
Show Me Island – Mornings (Show Me Island ’13)
the Fuss – Sun’s Still (In Person ’22)
the MIBs – Sunny Day (arrive! ’97)

SIDE B
Skankin’ Pickle – I Missed the Bus (Skankin’ Pickle Fever ’92)
MU330 – Wide Awake / State O Mind (Chumps on Parade ’96)
Demon Waffle – Morning (Drink Your Dinner ’17)
Highball Holiday – Wake Up Call (Highball Holiday ’97)
Yum!Yum!Orange – Moring (Orange Street 33 ’02)
Voodoo Glow Skulls – Here Comes the Sun (Who is, This is ’94)
the Exceptions – I Hate Mornings (American Skathic comp ’94)
Jeff Rosenstock – Leave it in the Ska (S K A D R E A M ’21)
the Sheldons – Wake Up (the Sheldons ’19)
Bigtopp – Early in the Morning (Next Stage ’15)

“Theme Song to RJ’s Mixtape Madness” by Eric Daino

Artwork by Retro Kev

Produced by RJ Phoenix for On the Upbeat

Holiday Vol II

It’s the holidays, so I got you all an extra gift… that’s right, you guessed it, more holiday ska and ska/punk for you! Enjoy with your eggnog, coquito, or local variant (with or without added booze to your liking.) No song repeats from Holiday Vol I, so you can pair them together for 3hrs of uninterrupted ska holiday delightfulness.

Download for all the holiday driving you know you’re gonna have to do

TRACK LIST

00:00:00 – TAFB – Yule Be Sorry (Maybe Next Year: A Totally Awesome Fun X-Mas ’09)
00:01:34 – the Pomps – Christmas is Melting Me (Arose Such a Clatter: Letters to Santa comp ’22)
00:06:07 – Half Past Two – Breakdown for Christmas (Breakdown for Christmas ’23)
00:09:05 – Millington – Christmas Song (Don’t Wanna Hear Another) (Arose Such a Clatter: Letters to Santa comp ’22)
00:11:33 – Alex Dominish – Must Be Christmas (Must Be Christmas ’23)
00:14:02 – the MICETEETH – Snowman Footprint (Snowman Footprint ’23)
00:17:34 – Devon Kay & the Solutions – Christmas Wrapping (Christmas Wrapping ’21)
00:21:20 – The Classy Wrecks – Have a Lousy Christmas (Arose Such a Clatter: Ska in Your Stocking comp ’23)
00:24:30 – Oklahoma Stackhouse – Bells in My Head (Requiem for a Sleigh Ride) (Bells in My Head (Requiem for a Sleigh Ride) ’20)
00:28:54 – Downbeat Abbey All-Stars – Snowman (Snowman ’20)
00:33:08 – Andy B and the World – Santa Baby (Arose Such a Clatter: Ska in Your Stocking comp ’23)
00:34:53 – the Third-Rates – Let’s Skip Christmas (Let’s Skip Christmas ’21)
00:37:37 – Common Sense Kid – You’re Not Ruining Christmas (You’re Not Ruining Christmas ’21)
00:41:00 – Backyard Superheroes – I Hate the Holidays (On the Upbeat Presents… Arose Such a Clatter 2021 comp ’21)
00:43:06 – Coolidge – I Want it All for Christmas (Arose Such a Clatter: Ska in Your Stocking comp ’23)
00:48:57 – The Guilty Parties – December 24th, 1993 (Riverside) (Arose Such a Clatter: Ska in Your Stocking comp ’23)
00:51:50 – The Oldskulltones – Jingle Bell Rock (Happy Holidays ’22)
00:54:05 – Lab Brats – Merry Christmas, Honey (Arose Such a Clatter: Ska in Your Stocking comp ’23)
00:57:49 – Jackie Starr & Dan Vitale – Best Gift (Best Gift ’22)
01:00:45 – Sick Leave – Staying Home for Christmas (Staying Home for Christmas ’20)
01:04:15 – The Unsustainables – Summertime in December (Summertime in December ’23)
01:08:07 – Holy Schnikes! feat. Amanda Vega, Young Costello, & Hans Gruber and the Die Hards – Christmas Day (Christmas Day ’20)
01:12:23 – Cosmic Shuffling – Xmas Ska (Xmas Ska ’23)
01:16:25 – Keegan ft. the Pressure Tenants – Lonely This Christmas (Block Buster – Tribute to Glam Rock comp ’21)
01:19:21 – TAFB – X-Mas Songs (Maybe Next Year: A Totally Awesome Fun X-Mas ’09)
01:22:26 – the Scotch Bonnets – Winter Reggae Party (Ring the Bells / Winter Reggae Party ’21)
01:25:18 – the Spectacles – Santa’s Beard (Hail Santa! comp ’18)
01:27:02 – Inokasira Rangers – Last Christmas (Last Christmas / Wonderful Christmas Time ’18)

Holiday Vol I

A few years ago I slapped many of my “Holiday Specials” together (along with some other tunes) for one long form “Holiday Ska Mega Mix!” Here it is for all to enjoy! Oh, “Vol I” you spy… well, keep a close eye on your stocking… Ok, fine, you can’t wait till Christmas, I get it: Here’s Vol. II!

Download it for your ska holiday party! Both of your friends will love it!

TRACK LIST

00:00 – Party Like It’s… – All I Want for Christmas is You (All I Want for Christmas is You ’17)
03:03 – Matt Wixson’s Flying Circus – I Have a Snowman (Jeffy’s First Christmas ’11)
05:20 – MU330 – Xmas Card (Crab Rangoon ’97)
07:16 – the New Limits – Everyday will be Like a Holiday (Everyday will be Like a Holiday ’17)
10:30 – Rayner – the Snow Miser (ft. Heat Miser) (the Snow Miser ’17)
13:12 – Half Past Two – Holiday (Arose Such a Clatter 2020 ’20)
16:03 – the Notables – Blue Christmas (a Notable Christmas ’08)
17:39 – Sean Arawjo feat. Nellie McKay – This is Not the Year (for Mistletoe in the Workplace) (This is Not the Year ’18)
19:34 – Backyard Superheroes – This Christmas (Let’s Get Elfed Up ’19)
22:56 – Heavyball – Office Party (When Can You Start? ’19)
25:53 – the Shop – Come Down ’68 (a Christmas Party with the Shop ’15)
30:04 – North Pole United – Christmas Spirit of ’69 (L.A. X-Mas / Christmas Spirit of ’69 ’10)
33:34 – the Action! – Deck the Halls (Tangled in the Lights ’12)
35:21 – Bite Me Bambi – Holiday Cheer (Holiday Cheer ’19)
39:01 – Call Me Malcolm – All I Want for Christmas is a Pony with a Jet Pack (All I Want for Chirstmas is a Pony with a Jet Pack ’14)
41:32 – the Toasters – Rudy Christmas A Jail (Christma-Ska ’98)
44:08 – Slow Gherkin – Shed Some Skin (Shed Some Skin ’98)
48:10 – MU330 – Three Days ’til Christmas (Winter Wonderland ’99)
50:54 – Cartoon Violence – Overtime (Christmas Bonus) (Christmas Special ’10)
54:36 – Sonic Boom Six – It’s Always Christmas When I Think of You (It’s Always Christmas When I Think of You ’13)
57:51 – Reel Big Fish – Whatever U Celebrate (Happy Skalidays ’14)
1:01:05 – the Holophonics – Christmas Shoes (MaSKArades Vol. 4: Happy SKAnukkah Now Redux ’14)
1:04:30 – Lollypop Lorry – Magic Moments (Two Christmas Songs ’20)
1:06:59 – the Intercepteurs – It’s Snowing on the TV (It’s Snowing on the TV ’20)
1:10:25 – Cut Capers – All Alone on Christmas (All Alone on Christmas ’20)
1:12:11 – the Magnetics – Christmas Present (Christmas Present ’20)
1:14:56 – the Slackers – Dreidel (Hanukkah ’09)
1:18:17 – Alex Dominish – Winter Wishing (Winter Wishing ’20)
1:21:02 – Mr. Incommunicado ft. Haley Green – Have a Merry Christmas (Have a Merry Christmas ’20)
1:24:26 – We Are The Union – I’m Working Retail for Christmas (I’m Working Retail for Christmas ’20)
1:27:00 – Super Hi-Fi – Auld Lang Syne (Yule Analog Vol. 1 ’14)

Halloween Vol II

Didn’t think I’d be back so fast w/ more Halloween ska, didja? Ole RJ is just full of surprises! Enjoy, and have a great weekend, hope you get all the treats you can eat! (check out volume one)

Dowdload this episode for spooky times to come!

TRACK LIST

00:00:00 – Common Sense Kid – Monsters (A for Effort, E for Attainment ’23)
00:02:55 – the Amphetameanies – the Funeral Pyre (Gifted – a Tribute to the Jam ’17)
00:06:48 – BEES! – I’ll Be Haunting You (GIANTS – A Ska Punk Tribute to TMBG ’22)
00:09:26 – 65 Mines Street – Nite Shot (Nite Shot ’10)
00:12:39 – Lekker Origineel – Complot (Het Betere Werk ’22)
00:15:55 – Anant Pradhan & Larry McDonald- Sally’s Song (Sally’s Song ’22)
00:19:49 – Mento Buru – (It’s a) Monster’s Holiday (Skalloween ’21)
00:23:04 – Grave Danger – Specter Inspector (Specter Inspector ’21)
00:26:23 – Alex Dominish & Carlos Morales – About Gerald… (‘Tis the Spooky Season, Vol. 1 ’21)
00:30:08 – Ghost Bomber – Ghost Bomber (GHOST BOMBER! ’21)
00:34:50 – the Sensibles – skankin’ zombies (Nuclear Paradise ’21)
00:37:54 – Skatune Network – Hex Girls (SKALLOWEEN ’21)
00:39:46 – Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra – Vampire (Skapara Touj
00:42:46 – spacecowboyian – Dead (Dead ’16)
00:45:36 – Mad Dog and the 20/20s – My House Ghost (My House Ghost ’23)
00:48:42 – the Anchorage – Live with Death (Wild Stories ’22)
00:51:45 – The SKAMOTS – Alien Steps (ねこだまし ’23)
00:55:26 – the Holophonics – Dragula (MaSKArates Vol. 7: SKAlloween ’14)
00:59:09 – EPIC 18 – Friday the 13th (Stop Procrastinating ’23)
ou ’90)
01:01:25 – Blossom – Happy Day (My Own Little World ’95)
01:04:55 – Grave Danger – Wake the Dead (Wake the Dead ’22)
01:08:23 – BomWise – You’ve Been Ghosted (You’ve Been Ghosted ’22)
01:11:59 – the Valkyrians – Astro Zombies (Punkrocksteady ’14)
01:14:37 – the Magnetics – Poison Heart (Cocktails & Fairytales, Vol. 1 ’20)
01:17:44 – the Big Skandal – Lovers Lane (Lovers Lane ’21)
01:20:51 – Rudebeard – Rudebeard meet the Goat of Mendes (Rudebeard meet the Goat of Mendes ’21)
01:24:05 – Victor Rice and the Version City Rockers – Over at the Frankenstein Place (The Rocksteady Horror Pic’Ska Show ’16)
01:26:57 – the Aggrolites – Ghost Town (Endless Bummer soundtrack ’09)

Halloween Vol I

A few years ago I slapped many of my “Halloween Specials” together (along with some other tunes) for one long form “Halloween Ska Mega Mix!” Here it is for all to enjoy! Oh… and volume one, you say? That seems ominous… (check out volume II)

Download and keep it for Halloween’s to come

TRACK LIST

00:00:00 – the Magnetics – Bloody Mary (Cocktails & Fairy Tales Vol. 1 ’20)
00:02:31 – We Are The Union – You’re Dead / Vampire Ska (You’re Dead / Vampire Ska ’20)
00:04:58 – Hans Gruber and the Die Hards – We’re All Gonna Die (Hans Gruber and the Die Hards ’17)
00:06:57 – the Amphetameanies – Ghost Bus (Right Line in Nylons ’00)
00:09:27 – Llama Tsunami – Re: Your Brains (Werewolves in Space ’16)
00:13:35 – Lone Raspberry – the Mortician (Children of the Horn ’96)
00:17:02 – Skandalous All-Stars – Living Dead (Punk Steady ’98)
00:19:12 – Stop the Presses – Dead Man’s Party (Money in the Bank ’19)
00:23:29 – Ultima Caida – Twilight Ska (Easygrooves vol. 1 comp ’13)
00:26:50 – the Seattleites – the Thing (the Thing! ’19)
00:30:30 – Western Standard Time Orchestra – Lon Cheney (Big Band Tribute to the Skatalites vol. II ’15)
00:35:38 – Laurel Aitken with the Court Jester’s Crew – Jamboree (Jamboree ’00)
00:38:35 – Prince Buster – Ghost Dance (Ghost Dance / Sit Down and Cry ’67)
00:40:48 – MU330 – Please Don’t Run (Ska is Dead ’07)
00:42:39 – Skavoovee & the Epitones – Blood Red Sky (Ripe ’97)
00:46:58 – Big D & the Kids Table – Deadpan (Strictly Rude ’07)
00:48:29 – the Slackers – the Mummy (the Question ’98)
00:51:37 – Be Like Max – Party in Hell (Against All Odds ’15)
00:54:43 – King Kong Girio – Dead Surfer’s Lament (Now that I’m Gone ’13)
00:56:02 – the Talks – Don’t Look Behind You (Commoners, Peers, Drunks & Thieves ’14)
00:58:55 – the Bandulus – Evildoers (the Times We Had ’12)
01:00:53 – Buck-O-Nine – Don’t be Afraid (Punk Rock Halloween ’17)
01:03:45 – Grave Danger – Halloween (Tomb it May Concern ’19)
01:07:01 – the Siren Six! – Burn (the Voice with the Built-in Promise ’96)
01:11:02 – the A-OKs – Showdown (Words are Not for Eating ’10)
01:13:42 – 2000 Tons of TNT – Harvest Moon (Harvest Moon/Wonky ’13)
01:17:11 – Victory Kid – Clownin’ (Thrillenials ’18)
01:19:51 – the Amphetameanies – Haunting (Last Chance Bordello ’14)
01:23:45 – Reel Big Fish – Evil Approaches (Punk Rock Halloween: Loud, Fast and Scary comp ’17)
01:27:15 – Bim Skala Bim – Skeleton (Ears & Eyes ’94)
01:30:29 – Sgt. Scagnetti – Necromantce (Just Another Trick ’98)
01:33:53 – the Independents – Bloodline (Do it Again ’08)
01:37:20 – SkaTune Network – Beetlejuice Theme (Beetlejuice Theme ’19)
01:39:35 – Baked A La Ska – Calling All Ghosts (Skalloween ’19)
01:43:15 – the Kingpins – ‘Til the Following Night (Watch Your Back ’96)
01:45:30 – the Hempsteadys ft. Vinny Noble – When the Dead are Undead (Séance! Séance! ’18)
01:49:10 – Skamanians – Ghosts in the Park (Ride Again ’14)
01:53:09 – Skavoovie & the Epitones – Zombie Song (the Growler ’99)
01:56:46 – Profesor Galactico – Dia de Los Muertos (Sonic Waves from Beyond ’12)

Guardians of the Skalaxy – Awesome Mix Vol. 23

23min of Ska : …This is the End

Thank you for listening.

00:00 – Rude Girl Revue – My Way (Our Way: The Rat Pack Collection comp ’23)
04:08 – the Pomps – Gatekeepers (Alternate America ’17)
07:29 – Death Rosenstock – Leave it in the Ska (SKA DREAM ’21)
09:57 – Mike Park – Lose with Me (Wave Breaker #2 ’22)
12:04 – Coolidge – Luckiest Guy in the World (Condition Transmission ’21)
16:25 – Telethon – Cyan (Swim Out Past the Breakers ’21)
18:08 – Lo & the Magnetics – Shipwrecked Heart (A Part ’05)
20:46 – “You’re Wondering Now”

Art by Brian Bolland

Save this podcast, even though saving is what misers do.

23min of Ska was produced by RJ Phoenix

The “You’re Wondering Now” Bands roster includes, in order of appearance:
Skanic, No Water Please, Andy and Joey, the Rabustos, los Fastidios, the Dualers, the PMR Ska Society, the Learners, the Rhythm Express, Banana Poyo, Dancing Mood, Carlene Davis, Skatune Network, Isaac et Nora, Lollypop Lorry, L’Home Llop & the Astramats, la Valentina Ska, KočevSKA Orkestra, Fuera Fondo & Sisa Féherová, Rude Six, the Carousels, and the Specials w/ the 23 Minute Choir
The 23 Minute Choir includes:
Michael DuFault AKA MicroD, Mark Simpson, Middagh Goodwin, Gordy Davidson, and Anthony Rondina

23min of Ska : …Now You Know…

In the early days you may have heard or been told a number of… contradictory stories about the nature and origin of the ska scene and about the reasons why 23min of Ska came into being.

We lied.

We are not at war, there is no competition.
This is a rescue operation.

00:00 – MU330 – Tune Me Out (Crab Rangoon ’97)
02:32 – Half Past Two – Curtain Call (Too Hectic! California Ska Punk comp ’21)
05:10 – Big D & the Kids Table – Toyed (DO YOUR ART ’21)
04:45 – the Skatoons – Tschüss (Einmal Ska Und Zurück ’03)
11:16 – the Third-Rates – Last One Out (See What Sticks ’21)
15:44 – Johnny Socko – Mix Tape (Johnny Socko ’02)
18:55 – Show Me Island – the Life (Show Me Island ’13)

Art by Brian Bolland

Download and save for a special time in the future.

23min of Ska was produced by RJ Phoenix

23min of Ska : …What To Do…

This past Monday was the 13th birthday of 23min of ska… that seems ominous!

When was the last time you heard a ska podcast that wasn’t put there by them?

00:00 – Lo(u)ser feat. the Ruffolos – Sound the Alarm (Sound the Alarm ’23)
02:40 – Stop the Presses – Finish Last (Money in the Bank ’19)
06:30 – Salome Fur – Game over (Scatter Lights ’21)
10:38 – the Inevitables – Over and Out (Over and Out ’21)
13:43 – Behind Deadlines – Fade Out (Farew ’22)
16:15 – the Amphetameanies – the Funeral Pyre (Gifted – A Tribute to the Jam comp ’17)
20:07 – Upbeat Allstars – Not Coming Back (Wake Up! ’12)

Art by Brian Bolland

What is a podcast? Is it something you save for future listens?

23min of Ska was produced by RJ Phoenix

23min of Ska : You’re Wondering Now…

This episode is full of true blue friends, fantastic acquaintances, a few online pals, and total strangers who’ve always done right by me & the show. One song I think is absolutely beautiful, and another one reduced me to tears the first time I heard it. Honestly, a lot of the tracks on this episode are contenders for former, but the latter is a rare song indeed.

00:00 – Razika – Taste My Dream (Program 91 ’11)
03:01 – the Pomps – Heart Flipper (Bottom of the Pomps ’23)
07:20 – the What Nows?! – When Will You Die? (GIANTS- A Ska Punk Tribute to They Might Be Giants comp ’22)
09:32 – Night Gaunts– Sunday (Conversations with Creation ’15)
13:12 – Corey Dixon and the Zvooks – Goodbye so Long (Come and Go ’01)
16:40 – the Slackers – I’ll Stay Away (Close Your Eyes ’03)
20:29 – King Kong 4 – It’s Quittin’ Time! (Songs for Olly ’18)

Save it to yr hard drive while there’s still time!

23min of Ska was produced by RJ Phoenix