Ska Blah Blah

The State of Ska Blah Blah

Posted on July 21st, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, podcasts, site update, special episode.

I’ve come to the end of another series of interviews.  Small Talk concluded with just as much punch as it began with- and I am honored to have spoken with each and every artist featured within.

I know the site has been wonky with Safari and Opera, lately- and I think that issue is resolved at the moment.  Please let me know if you are still having trouble viewing SkaBlahBlah.com.  A site overhaul is in the works.  Until then, here’s a complete hunk of links- everything I’ve produced for Ska Blah Blah:

Series One - Conversations on a Revivalist Movement

01.Chris Murray
02.Victor Rice
03.Dave Hillyard
04.Joey Altruda
05.Vic Ruggiero

Series Two - Cut the Chit Chat

01.New Ska
02.Skinhead Reggae
03.Hard Edged Dub
04.Ska Rap
05.Ska Demos
06.Even Newer Ska

Series Three - Small Talk

01 - Victor Axelrod
02 - Green Room Rockers
03 - Babylon Party Machine
04 - The Impalers
05 - The Aggrolites

Special Episodes

00 Field Trip to Ska Weekend ‘07
00 A Look Back at The Skatalites Middle Period

New episodes aren’t in the near future, but the blog side of Ska Blah Blah will continue to bring you lots of Ska Links and Videos.  If you haven’t already, please subscribe with your favorite feed reader.

Thank you all so much for reading the blog and listening to the podcasts, especially those of you who have really contributed by commenting on the various posts.  I encourage everyone to leave a comment or drop me a line with your thoughts on all things Ska.

Thanks,

-JJ Loy

jjloy@skablahblah.com

1 comment.

Ska Blah Blah: Small Talk - Episode 05 - The Aggrolites

Posted on July 17th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, podcasts.

Brian Dixon has been a major influence in LA’s Ska and Reggae scene for years now.  He’s been a key player in the Rhythm Doctors and the After Hours project- his latest thing is a little band you might have heard of- called The Aggrolites.

Brian and I discuss The Aggro’s writing process and their belief that everyone can love good Reggae, on this, the last episode of Small Talk.

Get The Aggrolites newest record Reggae Hit LA Link

Watch The Aggrolites Videos on YouTube Link

5 comments.

Ska Blah Blah: Small Talk - Episode 4 - The Impalers

Posted on June 26th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, podcasts.

Lars Nylander, once the great valve T-bone player for Skankin’ Pickle and now the (even greater) keyboadist to the Impalers, talked to me at length for this episode of Small Talk.  We discuss the maturation of his music as well as the production techniques that distinguish The Impalers from their Skinhead Reggae brothers, The Aggrolites.

The Impalers are an impressive band and Axe Records is a quality label, I encourage everyone to check them out.

Links:

Axe Records Link

Impalers MySpace Link

Buy Blood, Rum & Reggae from iTunes Link

Bobby Bobson’s review at Musical Occupation Link

2 comments.

Ska Blah Blah: Small Talk Episode 03 - Babylon Party Machine

Posted on May 29th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, podcasts.

This episode, Matt Wixson- former keyboardist to the Flaming Tsunamis. He’s the one and only member of Babylon Party Machine, an electro-Ska experiment who (last year) released two albums online. For free. At once, Wixson’s music can seem contradictory and more than a little controversial, but then all forward thinking music is.

Link to Babylon Party Machine MySpace

Link to Matt Wixson’s MySpace

Link to Free Copy of The Back of My Hand EP

Link to Free Copy of God Hates Babylon Party Machine

Link to Free Copy of Matt Wixson’s solo album, Best Intentions

4 comments.

A Look Back at The Skatalites Middle Period

Posted on May 3rd, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: album review, podcasts, ska history.

Officially speaking, The Skatalites were only together from 1963 thru 1965. Since 1989, the surviving members have stayed together (to varying degrees) in response to their then growing worldwide audience. But the years between ‘65 and ‘89 weren’t completely Skatalites free. Here’s the scoop on The Skatalites’ middle period recordings.

In 1973, The Skatalites put aside their differences for at least on recording session at Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Black Ark Studio. This session has been the basis for several records, all of which share duplicate tracks in various stages of remix. In a rare move by the founders, this session is not a ska set. Instead, they opted to prove that their proficiency in Roots Reggae is as unparalleled as the style they are famous for. Mittoo’s switch from piano to organ and harpsichord are a stand-out change of vibe for these releases.

Lloyd Brevett and The Skatalites - African Roots - This record features the straight-ahead, unadulterated tracks from the Black Ark sessions.
The Skatalites meet King Tubby - Heros of Reggae in Dub - The Black Ark tapes were quickly sent off to King Tubby for a Dub Version-ization.
The Skatalites meet King Tubby - Legandary Skatalites in Dub - Same idea as above, and even has some of the same cuts, but this disc is packed with even more dub reworkings at the hands of King Tubby.

Ten years later (1983) found each living member of the original band being convinced that a full scale reunion would be worth the trip back to Jamaica. Reggae Sunsplash was the main impetus behind the reformation, but several great recordings were produced in the few days leading up to the big show. Not young men, anymore, but not quite the senior citizens they are today, these middle-aged Ska legends displayed huge amounts of mastery and energy.

Stretching Out - To prepare for the Sunsplash set, The Skatalites played a small club gig to shake off any rust that might have built up in the 18 year interim. Released from their previously strict recording session limitations, and allowed to “stretch out”, this live set proves that there was no little rust to shake off in the first place. (note: The Skatalites were never paid for this recording, feel free to bootleg it)
Rolling Steady - Recorded in ‘83 but released just last year, this record features the band in Music Mountain Studios, playing mostly new and lesser known compositions. Even Lord Tanamo shows up to sing Big Trombone. Absolutely great stuff.
Return of the Big Guns - The official ‘84 album represents this iteration of The Skatalites sound. Like Rolling Steady, many of the compositions are original to the record, not retreads of their 60’s classics.
Live at Reggae Sunsplash - This is the main event- the reason for the early 80’s reunion. The full time reunion would still be six years away, but this is the show that proved how vital and necessary The Skatalites were. This was when they took their place as the founders of Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae.

If anyone knows of any more recordings from their middle period, please alert me to them.

Update: on 05/07/08 castBot 8.6 created this podcast, using only AI and an ipod.

1 comment.

Ska Blah Blah: Small Talk Episode 02 - Green Room Rockers

Posted on May 1st, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, podcasts.

If you’ve been following the scene this past year- If you read blogs like this or Musical Occupation- If you lurk around forums like Dancin’ Mood or Chatty Mouth- then you’ve surely heard the buzz surrounding Indiana’s own, Green Room Rockers.

I talked with Green Room Rocker Mark about acoustic Ska, the Mid-West scene and the formation of his band.

1 comment.

Ska Blah Blah: Small Talk Episode 01 - Victor Axelrod

Posted on April 15th, 2008 by JJ Loy.
Categories: interviews, podcasts.

Your eyes have not deceived you- It is a new series for Ska Blah Blah. This time around, the interviews are a bit shorter and the artists are a bit newer. I’ve also broadened the focus from mere Ska Revivalism to a more encompassing umbrella of Jamaican Revivalism. This is to better fit with this millennium’s crop of bands and DJ’s.

I’m starting off strong with my interview with Victor Axelrod, but subscribe to the feed and you’ll automatically get interviews with The Impalers, Babylon Party Machine, The Aggrolites, and The Green Room Rockers as they become available.

Multi-instrumentalist, producer and Dub mixologist, Victor Axelrod isn’t quite a household name, even if you live in the hippest of households. He’s worked with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Antibalas, Easy Star All-Stars, Lily Allen, and even Amy Winehouse- so it isn’t like he’s shying away from the spotlight. However, Axelrod’s love of pseudonyms has at times prevented audiences from connecting the dots of his work. His newest solo record seeks to reconcile this by featuring a virtual soundclash between himself and his better known alias, Ticklah.

I spoke with Victor about making retro music, working with Victor Rice, and of course his newest solo record, Ticklah Vs. Axelrod.

Ticklah Vs. Axelrod is out now on Easy Star Records where you can purchase the cd or digital download LINK

National Geographic’s Podcast Interview with Ticklah LINK

Wishtank’s bit about Ticklah’s Don’t Trip Studio with lot’s of extra info LINK

Rock Paper Scissors bit about Ticklah with a great review and press pack goodies LINK

Be friends with the man himself at MySpace LINK

0 comments.

Cut the Chit Chat - 06 - Even Newer Ska

Posted on November 13th, 2007 by JJ Loy.
Categories: cut the chit chat, podcasts.

Way back before Episode 01 of Cut the Chit Chat I had scoured the internet trying to find the newest bands and the newest tracks. But I always felt the episode still wasn’t reflective of the unique time/space location that is late 2007. Luckily for me, the episode opened some doors with several prominent labels. Since the begining of this series, I’ve been swamped with samples from bands that I’ve never heard of.

New Skool and Traditional Style Ska are seeing a huge push in Europe and South America. Not to be counted out, the old USAok has it’s share of Traddy bands dotting it’s wide landscape.

Let me tell you a little bit about each band featured on this episode:

Downbeat Alley - Django Kill - Born from Royal Roost this group delivers heavy organ Reggae.

Deal’s Gone Bad - Rough and Ready - Chicago’s up and comers with a cut from the new album.

New Town Kings - Fire In the Hole - Do the Dog Records sent me this song, it’s fast, it’s rockin’ but it’s not typical.

The Dualers - Money - I found these guys on MySpace and was immediately impressed by their unique sound.

Bedouin Soundclash - Trinco Dog - See? I like them.

Miss Mad-e Ruthless - Dia De los Muertos - This fellow ska enthusiast has decided to lay down some tape of her own with this pretty song about scary things.

The Pepperpots - Be My Baby - Less of a band and more of a Ska Review, The Pepperpots prove their slickness with this classic cover.

3 Minute Warning - Sussed Out - Another Do the Dog offering seems to blaze past in an flash of high energy.

Green Room Rockers - Divided - A Soul Reggae group from West Lafayette, IN of all places, unplug their instruments and criticize foreign policy.

Rebelation - Minor Incident - This instrumental track takes it’s time and allows for so many solos; it might be my favorite cut on their whole cd.

Lord Mike’s Dirty Calypsonians - Rub My… - Classic Calypso tune- raised from the dead by this Chicago Revivalist group.

Ticklah/Victor Axelrod - Mi Sonsito - If you don’t have this cd- get it! A member of Easy Star All-Stars and many other dubby projects, Ticklah is Axelrod. But is the converse true?

The Slackers - Wanted Man - Vic and the guys cover the result of a Johnny Cash/Bob Dylan team-up.

Kingston Kitchen (Dr. Ring-Ding) - St. James Infirmary Blues - Another classic cover, with the Doctor taking on a very Tom Waits style voice.

The Pietasters - G to F - One of the best songs of last year. Great album great song.

The Toasters - Run Rudy Run Redux - I talk a lot of shit about the silly side of ska. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: I have a huge soft spot for cheezy spy-style ska. Run Rudy Run was on the second ska album I ever owned and this reworking of the classic Toasters track is really fun.

As I state on the show, this will be the last episode of the Cut the Chit Chat series. However, it is not the end for Ska Blah Blah. Expect a new interview series in January, and the blog will continue throughout. So keep your subscriptions active and you won’t miss a thing.

3 comments.

Cut the Chit Chat - 05 -Ska Demos (RERELEASE)

Posted on November 9th, 2007 by JJ Loy.
Categories: cut the chit chat, podcasts.

It’s the day after the sites big move, and the only major issue I’ve discovered is a broken link to my most recent episode of Cut the Chit Chat.

After tweeking the original post a million times, to no avail, I’ve decided to repost the link in a new post.

To read the original show notes, click here.

2 comments.

Cut the Chit Chat - 05 -Ska Demos

Posted on October 23rd, 2007 by JJ Loy.
Categories: cut the chit chat, podcasts, rare ska.

This Episode of Cut the Chit Chat isn’t the pretteiest or the most accessible; I’ve made- but it’s one that I’ve been dying to make for a long time. The reason being that I’m an amateur tape trader, and I get very few excuses to show off some of my rare stuff.

If you put up with the raw mixes and the loud hisses, you’ll be rewarded with alternate takes and a backwards engineered reflection of the recording process.

The introduction to the show features what can’t be aptly described as a demo, but is just as scratchy and hard to find, as anything else in the show- Bob Marley’s Rudie Cut. I started the first set off with three rare Slackers tracks that embody their early Two-Tone style, including the earliest version of You Don’t Know I, that I’ve ever heard. I keep the sound in NY for the next couple of demos by Mephiskapheles: Doomsday and My Three Favorite Americans. The first set ends with tracks from Fishbone and The Toasters, respectively. These tracks aren’t exactly rare, but might serve as a curiosity to those who haven’t heard them before.

The next set kicks off with the Violent Femmes’ Reggae-licious demo of Please Don’t Go (compare this to the original studio version to note the progress of this amazing bass solo). A pair of Hepcat demos follows, early cuts of Nigel and Take Dat. Although, these versions have never been released, you’ll find a lot of Hepcat fans already have these tracks on their ipods. The 7 Song Demo that Hepcat made for Moon Records is standard fare for Ska bootleggers. Following right behind comes some early Specials, or rather, The Coventry Automatics. This (hornless) version of Dawning of a New Era has been released dozens of times, but is very much a rough outline of the track we all know and love. And much the same could be said of the next demo track by The Clash, Rudie Can’t Fail from the Vanilla Tapes- not hard to find, but not quite ready for the big leagues.

The final tracks are what I believe will be of most interest to my listeners- but first, a bit of history: I’m sure many of you remember when the first Give ‘em the Boot compilation dropped. Nearly every track on that $5 cd was steller, but one song stood out over all the others, in my opinion. The Silencers’ Policeman was that song- ghostly and urban, the sound was very Two-Tone, faster than The Slackers but not as Punky as Rancid. The liner notes confirmed that this was a team up between Vic Ruggiero and Tim Armstrong, and promised a forthcoming album. Years go by and still no sign of a Silencers record. Ruggiero mentions in an interview, that an albums worth of songs were, in fact, recorded an are just waiting for some attention, but also, to not hold our breath. Then, about two years ago, I found (through a P2P service) a folder labeled, Life Won’t Wait Demos. Sure enough, many of the files were early demos of songs that would end up on Life Won’t wait, but the last few in the folder were unique. They would never become Rancid songs, and they featured Ruggiero more prominently. I believe this session, the Life Won’t Wait demos, to be all there is to The Silencers rumor. But please correct me if I’m wrong. This also reconfirmed a theory of mine, that Ruggiero had a great deal of influence on Rancid’s Life Won’t Wait. To finish the show, I picked two tracks from these bootlegs, the demo for Policeman and a much lower-fi version of the Rancid B-side, Brad Logan.

Also, check out the previous episode, Ska Rap, to hear another Silencer Sessions cut, Express Yourself (an NWA cover).

2 comments.

Older »