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
In what has to be the most self-serving episode ever, I present to you the little label that thought it good, the one that flew too close to the sun on vinyl wings, the most failing-ist ska label around… Grandpa’s Casino Recordings… the label that I ran… into the ground. Actually, it wasn’t all that bad, in fact, the songs are pretty damn good, all the bands were top tier! So yeah, I had good instincts! And we started w/ a Kickstarter and earned the cash to make seven 7″ records, and we made them all and everyone seemed pleased, so you know… yay. So why no more releases? Well, see, this is where business comes in. The idea was to make some more copies of those records past the Kickstarter to sell and raise cash for more 7″ records from more bands… well… that didn’t work out and I still have a closet full of these records… quality records… but 7 years on, I can admit, I totally over-reached and fell on my face. In the end, hell, I got 7 more great records out into the world, releases I’ll stand behind. And hey, I still have some for sale, hit me up!
As a matter of principle and as a matter of keeping this show as evergreen as possible from week to week, I actually try had to not make shows that are themed around holidays or other events. And if I do, I try had to make it not so obvious. And then we have this… so yeah… look at those titles and you’re all like “Yup! Halloween episode alright!” but is it really? Could I have dropped this episode at any time and would it make you think “Halloween-ish?” I guess that is up for debate. I’d say entirely possible, but I’ve been wrong, oh so many times before! At the very least, I hope you truly enjoy this episode, as I hope you enjoy every episode!
Let’s close out Summer with a super sunny batch of ska! From super fresh tracks to older classics, this episode has it all. I hope this episode finds you healthy and well, and if not, do what you need to do to get yourself there. You’re pretty great, how do I know? Because you’re checking out some great ska right here! You have great musical taste! So yeah, you’re already halfway there! Be good to yourself, see you next week.
You are smart.
23min of Ska 