1996-2000 Slackers saxophonist, David Hillyard, sits down with Slackers fans, Matt Wixson and JJ Loy, to comb through rare songs and alternate takes from the band’s thirty-year career. Hillyard and a rotating cast of Slackers bandmates swap memories unearthed by these long-forgotten tunes, giving fans… Read More »Things I Can’t Forget #01
In this long-overdue deep dive, JJ and Matt are joined by ska-jazz musician and aficionado Rich Graiko (Westbound Train, the Attractors, Void Union) to discuss the origins, output, and ongoing legacy of the legendary Skatalites. How many of their albums belong in the Hornpod Ska… Read More »018 – Freedom Sounds
JJ and Matt compare lists of their favorite ska/reggae albums of 2020. Then they consider a couple albums for the Ska Canon that seemed to predict a resurgence of 2-Tone influence in ska-punk
JJ and Matt are joined by Obi Fernandez (Westbound Train, the Inevitables) to just totally nerd out about the Slackers, a favorite of all three. This is part one of two, and covers the period of the band up to and including the Close My… Read More »016 – Rude and Reckless
JJ and Matt are joined by author Heather Augustyn to discuss often overlooked women in ska and reggae history. Then they consider some notable records for the canon.
JJ and Matt are joined by Vinnie Fiorello (The Inevitables, ex-Less Than Jake) to discuss how ska is received outside of the ska scene, and also talk about his new ska supergroup and book.
JJ and Matt trace the origins of modern EDM back to 1960’s Jamaica and then see how it has fed back into ska over the years. Then they consider some albums for the Ska Canon.
In this special episode JJ and Matt pay tribute to Frederick “Toots” Hibbert, of Toots and the Maytals, who passed away on September 11, 2020.
JJ and Matt chat about supergroups and all-star combinations in ska music, and consider some albums that fit the theme for inclusion in the Ska Canon.
JJ and Matt look at toasting, chatting, and dancehall in the ska scene. Then, keeping to the theme of the episode, consider some albums for the Ska Canon.