This week James White (Jimmy Jam) from Left Alone joins us. First, we discuss nicknames and favorite baselines in ska/ska punk. James tells us about getting in to playing bass and joining Left Alone. We talk about the band’s latest record, True To Form and we listen to their song Some Days. We also discuss how being from Los Angeles impacts the band’s sound and James’ work as a tattoo artist. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.

Left Alone:

https://www.instagram.com/leftaloneofficial?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

On The Upbeat:

ontheupbeatska.com

Ska News….

-Sorry Sweetheart

On February 13 dropped a new song called IK4ND. This is the third song off their upcoming album called Warm Room, Good Friends. The album is out 2/27. Let’s listen to a clip of IK4ND

-Hans Gruber and the Die Hards

On Tuesday February 17th Hans Gruber and the die Hards released a new album Or Hans Gruber and The Die Hards. Song clip of Pay Your Tolls

-Runaway Ricochet

On Friday, February 13th Runaway Ricochet released a new song called Gossip.

-Ska Picks

-James: the Blue Beaters - “Toxic”

-Matt: The Skariginals- Up To You

-Anthony: the rhythm by sort of jellybeans

Ska News Theme by Lab Brats:

https://labbrats.bandcamp.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com

This week we talk to Dallas’ own Set The Tone! Nick and Dustin join Matt and Anthony to chat about our favorite closing songs on ska album, the Dallas ska scene, the push and pull of writing music with trained and untrained musicians. We also take a listen to Set The Tone’s song “Hope For Tomorrow” and discuss what the song means to the band. And of course it wouldn’t be On The Upbeat if we didn’t talk about the latest ska releases and give our ska picks for the week.

Set The Tone:

setthetoneska.com

On The Upbeat:

ontheupbeatska.com

Ska News….

-Captain Accident

On February 6th Captain Accident released a new song called slither on the dashboard.

-Buena Suerte

On February 5th Buena Suerte released a new song called Automatico.

-Offbeat Offensive

On February 2 , Offbeat Offensive, released a five song EP called The Still Suck. We listened to When We Were Young.

Ska Picks of The Week…

Nick:Analog Boy - RX Bandits

Dustin: High anxiety -Suicide Machines

Matt: Police Brutality - The Planet Smashers

Anthony: Puppype - kamikaze

Ska News Theme by Dang!t:

https://www.dangitband.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com

This week Nat and Becky from The Iron Roses join us. First we discuss problem solving in the ska scene. Next Becky and Nat tell us how their two person vocals came to be. They also discuss early days of the band and the importance of writing songs that mean something. We also breakdown why it’s important to speak your mind. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the week!

The Iron Roses:

https://www.theironroses.info/?fbclid=PAVERFWAPxCARleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAad4nP3iqQShiLQx0d53ej1y0mlgml0IS7Ya7peq7uzUz0Bgd8dPlnzQGEaLsA_aem_Nhzfhgj6iKQExGxSEeEmPg

On The Upbeat:

ontheupbeatska.com

Ska News….

-Sorry Sweetheart

On January 30, Sorry Sweetheart released a new song called Touch Grass. This the second song off their upcoming album Warn Room, Good Friends. That album drops February 27 on Bad Time Records.

https://sorrysweetheart.bandcamp.com/album/warm-room-good-friends

-Mayson’s Party

On January 30 Mayson’s Paty dropped a new song called Carry On.

https://maysonsparty.com/movie

-More Better Band

On February 3 More Better Band released a new song called Two Tone.

https://morebetterband.bandcamp.com/music

Ska Picks:

Nat - Big Shot by English Beat

Becky - When You Get Home by Mega Infinity

Matt-Piss Off by Home Grown

Anthony- Be That Way by Freakdddy

Ska News Theme by Dang!t:

https://www.dangitband.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com

This week Heather and Tom from Pink Slip join us. First we discuss what kind of pizza is the most ska. We also learn Heather and Tom’s journey into music and how Pink Slip got started. We listen to the band’s latest single, Sick and Tired and they tell us what drives them to play music. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.

Pink Slip:

pinkslipska.com

On The Upbeat:

ontheubeatska.com

Matt’s GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-matt-get-reliable-transportation?attribution_id=sl:f7832635-c4f2-412f-901b-ed8cdc90e0f9&ts=1767961996&utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPVU9pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeb-WBzsg7jdZBYRnFb-XYXYYcjPUM3yLwz99aOkr9p97Q75WwQgJ-zqBcg5Q_aem_FwUyT684bKD9t211Pg7IuA

Ska News…

-Filthy Militia

On January 23 Filthy Militia released their new album called High Ground. Let’s like to a clip of the title track, High Ground.

-The Suicide Machines

On January 23 The Suicide Machines released a new song called Thank You.

-The Chains

On January 23 The Chains released a new song called It Must Be Nice featuring Lady Kay. Of the Doomstompers.

Ska News Theme by Lab Brats:

https://labbrats.bandcamp.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com

This week Sean and Ben from The Taj Motel Trio join us. We discuss the ska records we know all the words to and we learn the band’s history. We also discover the story behind the bands name and we listen to their new song. We talk about Christmas music and the Atlanta, Georgia ska scene. All this and Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.

The Taj Motel Trio:

https://ttmt.bandcamp.com

On The Upbeat:

ontheubeatska.com

Matt’s GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-matt-get-reliable-transportation?attribution_id=sl:f7832635-c4f2-412f-901b-ed8cdc90e0f9&ts=1767961996&utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPVU9pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeb-WBzsg7jdZBYRnFb-XYXYYcjPUM3yLwz99aOkr9p97Q75WwQgJ-zqBcg5Q_aem_FwUyT684bKD9t211Pg7IuA

Ska News…..

• Sorry Sweetheart

On January 16 it was announced that Sorry Sweetheart is releasing a new record on Bad Time Records called Warm Room, Good Friends. Sorry Sweetheart released a now single of the record called Beyond Burger in Paradise.

-Esteban Flores

On January 16th Esteban Flores released a new track called Rosas De Roma.

—Death of Guitar Pop.

On January 16th Death of Guitar Pop released a new song called Blinding.

Ska News Theme by Dang!t

https://dangitband.bandcamp.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com

This week Josue and Luis from Los Domingueros join us. First, we share what makes us happy. Josue and Luis talk about the band’s history and their musical influences. We discuss Latin Ska and the Albuquerque, New Mexico ska scene. We listen to the band’s new song and we talk writing and recording music. All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the week.

Los Domingueros:

losdominguerosband.com

On The Upbeat:

ontheubeatska.com

Matt’s GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-matt-get-reliable-transportation?attribution_id=sl:f7832635-c4f2-412f-901b-ed8cdc90e0f9&ts=1767961996&utm_campaign=natman_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAPVU9pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaeb-WBzsg7jdZBYRnFb-XYXYYcjPUM3yLwz99aOkr9p97Q75WwQgJ-zqBcg5Q_aem_FwUyT684bKD9t211Pg7IuA

Ska News…..

-Spring Heeled Jack

On Friday, January 9th Spring Heeled released a new song called Suzi Brewski.

-The Wavebirds

On January 9th, The Wavebirds released a new song called The Raid Boss Killed All My Friends.

-Runaway Ricochet

On January 13th Runaway Ricochet released a new song called Tele Por Dia.

Ska News Theme by Lab Brats:

https://labbrats.bandcamp.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com

This week music reviewer and ska fan, Dane Jackson, joins us. We learn about Dane’s history with ska music and what lead to him to doing music reviews. Dane tells us what he liked in 2025 and we talk about what we are looking forward to in 2026. And of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.

Dane Jackson:

https://linktr.ee/danejackson?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

On The Upbeat:

ontheubeatska.com

Arose Such A Clatter: Holiday On Your Hi-Fi

https://ontheupbeat.bandcamp.com/album/arose-such-a-clatter-holiday-on-your-hi-fi?fbclid=IwdGRleAOd_4lleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80Mzc2MjYzMTY5NzM3ODgAAR6dS1EN6hSV1qK4fDepfczG9UTvzSKLuqVWHzxWJbGPNvTkj1i4T4kBSw8A1w_aem_8vGgEryI8ZmkCcTQFy4QNQ

Ska News Theme by Dang!t:

https://dangitband.bandcamp.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com

This Week Michi DiGiulio from Mega Infinity and Tara Hahn from Half Past Two join us. We are breaking down this year’s ska highlights. We discuss Spotify and streaming music. We tell you our favorite ska moments of the year. We also discuss the possibility of a legacy band reuniting. We also talk about what ska music we have loved this year! All this and of course Ska News and our Ska Picks of the Week.

Mega Infinity:

https://megainfinity.bandcamp.com/music

Half Past Two:

halfpasttwoska.com

On The Upbeat:

ontheubeatska.com

Arose Such A Clatter: Holiday On Your Hi-Fi

https://ontheupbeat.bandcamp.com/album/arose-such-a-clatter-holiday-on-your-hi-fi?fbclid=IwdGRleAOd_4lleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80Mzc2MjYzMTY5NzM3ODgAAR6dS1EN6hSV1qK4fDepfczG9UTvzSKLuqVWHzxWJbGPNvTkj1i4T4kBSw8A1w_aem_8vGgEryI8ZmkCcTQFy4QNQ

Ska News 2025

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0CLg5HvXyFxP6hQxQi9Qfs?si=fmVCy1bORNGmlle3FA4-uw&pi=u-gkNw56cQRWea

Ska Picks of The Week 2025:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bzFTOq9JPpWk1KSEg2nqE?si=Dh0zXfgHSeqfVKsYs0HRJw&pi=u-bIgOFTm_QpaG

Ska News Theme by Lab Brats:

https://labbrats.bandcamp.com

Main Theme by Millington

https://millingtonband.bandcamp.com