From the LA rock scene comes Native June with their fun and skankable track “Circus.” Syncopated up strokes? Check. Shout-a-long chorus? Check. Pop-punk that doesn’t revolve around about some dude whining about not getting the girl? Checkmate! “Circus” is the kind of track to keep all the Reel Big Fish fans happy while their shows get rained out. The band describes the tune as “an upbeat commentary on life in middle America and trying to break out into something grander.” Two months ago Native June bid farewell to drummer Jeff Streitel who left to attend grad school on the east coast. The band is currently working on a follow up album to their debut LP, Whiskey & Walnuts, with demo cuts cropping up on the web for fans to preview. Hopefully, this LA staple will soon start gigging outside the Golden State and to a club near you.
Hold on to your zoot suits, swing and ska fans! This September we’ll witness not one but TWO album releases from the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Susquehanna, previously available only through the band’s Web site, and Skaboy JFK: The Skankin’ Hits of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies will both be available as of September 29th courtesy of Rock Ridge Music/Space Age Bachelor Pad Records. Frontman Steve Perry says, “This is our coming-out party after a bit of a self-imposed hiatus, and we are happy to be with a company with such great industry bona fides.”
From the official press release, “Susquehanna brings together the Daddies West Coast retro style and Latin influences: Flamenco, Greaser Rock, Swing, Ska, Glam and Soca to name a few. Skaboy will combine four new recordings with tracks from the group’s earlier catalog, reflecting all the waves and varieties of ska.”
Like the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies? Here are some tunes you might dig:
New York City’s The Slackers have been spreading their own unique brand of Jamaican-influenced Ska to fans around the world since 1991. The band members are also involved in a number of great side projects such as Dave Hillyard and the Rocksteady Seven to Crazy Baldhead Sound System. For the past few years, The Slackers have hosted an annual “booze cruise” in NYC and, sadly, I have never been able to make it. Much to my surprise, this must-see band decided to set sail from Boston this past June! I was lucky enough to be in attendance, and I’m still recovering from this awesome show.
The Slackers (Photo: Ben Minehart)
After leaving the dock at Rowes Wharf, Destroy Babylon kicked off the show with a very innovative and contemporary Dub-Reggae sound as well as great energy. After sunset, when we were well out into the Boston Harbor, The Slackers took the stage at the stern of the boat (surprisingly, the boat managed to stay afloat despite the shear number of fans storming the stage.) After warming up with a few Slackers classics, such as the infamous sing-a-long “Married Girl” from their 1997 album Redlight, the crowd was sufficiently limber and ready to go. Front-men Vic Ruggiero and Dave Hillyard broke out some great new songs from their 2008 release Self Medication. The high energy rhythms and good vibes got the fans dancing and the boat rocking for the entire evening. The Slackers are anything but idle so chances are better than good that they’ll put on the most high energy show you will see. Check them out yourself!
Ska is a genre that always seems to fall just short of mainstream. It’s already on its third wave of revival, and there is no shortage of bands that combine the traditional ska sound with a new, punk-influenced sound. The Action! is a band that does this in a raw and energetic way.
Sometimes artists get caught up in their image or popularity and lose sight of their original goals. For The Action! however, it’s been all about the music from day one. After taking a break in 2003, because their schedule didn’t allow them to focus enough on their music, the band got back together in 2006. Since then, they have fused an energetic ska sound that can be pitted against Reel Big Fish or perhaps even The Toasters. With jazzy intros, bluesy verses, and catchy choruses that just won’t leave your head, The Action! certainly deserves your attention.
The Action! is gaining significant credibility particularly in their home community and has been featured in local TV commercials. Gaining more widespread appeal, the group has also been featured on the internationally released ska compilation, How I Punked Out of Skallege (Red Dragon Records). Well known acts such as Reel Big Fish, The Toasters, Gym Class Heroes, and the Planet Smashers have noticed The Action!’s rising potential by offering the opportunity to open at their shows. Currently, the band is editing the footage for their first music video that will be released soon. Join their fanclub and be sure to check our their latest release, Exploding Radio.
