Jacob Wake Up!

Jacob Wake Up! is managing editor of Boston Ska (dot) net. He's been going to ska shows since high school and never looked back. Jake lives in Roslindale and works in communications by day. You can see him perform with The New Limits or strike up conversation with him at a local ska show.

Review: Sammy Kay and the East Los 3 – “Love Letters”

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Sammy Kay and the East Los 3 | Love Letters

Sammy Kay and the East Los 3 | Love LettersSammy Kay and the East Los 3
“Love Letters”
2013, Big Tunes / Panic State Records / Whatevski Records
RIYL: Westbound Train, The Slackers, JR Thomas, Tom Waits

The title “Love Letters” conjures  up images and ideas of a romantic time and space. When was the last time you put pen to paper to express your love, going through through six drafts before you got the words just right? Sure those moments being lovestruck were exhausting in their own right, but they were inherently fun. There’s a special kind of perseverant energy that goes into that kind of love. The kind we need because we’re all so jaded. That’s the aesthetic of this record, the first full length from solo artist Sammy Kay released October 29, 2013.

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A Guy Named Guy and Poor Jeremy Embark on the “Mega Miniest” of Tours

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Poor Jeremy | A Guy Named Guy | Boston Ska Bands | Tour

Poor Jeremy | A Guy Named Guy | Boston Ska Bands | TourLet’s get one thing out of the way: It is really hard to tour as a band playing any flavor of ska. The national hype has died down, the economy sucks, and all of this is exacerbated by having more than 5 people in a band. The more people, the more complicated it becomes to take time off from work or school, fit people into vehicles, fit instruments into trunks, and generally trek from point A to point B.

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The Skatalites Celebrate 50th Anniversary

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the skatalites

The creators of the Ska kick off their 50th anniversary this year! The Skatalites were inventors and pioneers, crafting the original sound of ska music that would give birth to so many other styles and inspire so many musicians. Still touring, there are but two original band members, Lester Sterling on alto saxophone and vocalist Doreen Shaffer. Only musicians of the highest of caliber become members of this fine institution lest you think this is a tribute act or a spinoff.

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Less Than Jake Added to Warped Tour 2014

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photo viaLess Than Jake Photo via Fat Wreck by Katie Hovland

Long-time running Gainesville, FL ska/punk band Less Than Jake announced earlier this week that they would be joining the 2014 Warped Tour. At this time they’re the only ska band on the tour but it’s early yet. Warped Tour visits Massachusetts on July 10th at the Xfinity Center (formerly the Comcast Center) in Mansfield. Tickets are on sale now and stay at about $30. Once again, there is bus transportation available leaving from a variety of cities in Massachusetts, costing you another $20 for the round trip. The Boston stop is South Station and sounds worth it to avoid traffic. To hype the announcement the band produced the video above.

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Pre-Order New Deal’s Gone Bad Record “Heartbreaks And Shadows”

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Chicago’s Deal’s Gone Bad has completed the recording of their latest record, “Heartbreaks And Shadows,” a follow up to their 2007 record “The Ramblers.” This will be the second of their records featuring the distinctive voice of Todd Hembrook. The band’s next step is pressing and distribution of the record and they’re looking to their fans, friends, and the good people at Big Tunes to fund the record.

For those not familiar, Big Tunes is a crowdfunding platform akin to Kickstarter, but it’s geared specifically to music projects which means both the artist and the fans come out ahead. It’s also run by the same good people that run Whatevski Records, so you know they really get ska, rocksteady, and reggae music.

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Bim Skala Bim Releases Back Catalog Direct to Fans Digitally

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Bim Skala Bim, Boston Ska Est. 1983

Bim Skala Bim, Boston Ska Est. 1983

Boston Ska Pioneers Bim Skala Bim have made a large chunk of their back catalog of LPs available to fans through their Nimbit Music digital store. Fans can rest assured they’re buying directly from the band, and Nimbit is based in Framingham, MA to boot. The band advertised that their full catalog was available. I’m no expert on the band and I picked up most of their LPs on eMusic way back, but a little research confirmed my hunch that there were still some singles and EP material not available through the store. Nonetheless, there are 11 albums available on sale for between $7 and $12 an album and you can buy the tracks individually if you prefer. You could just as easily get many of these tracks from iTunes but Nimbit gives you 256 kbps mp3s and no DRM. Just head to the store and click on the “shop” tab.

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Have Nots Release Single in Tribute to Band Member’s Father

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Heartland | Have Nots | Boston Ska

Heartland | Have Nots | Boston Ska

The relatively dormant punk/ska band Have Nots released a single at the end of 2013 entitled “Heartland” on their bandcamp page. The announcement was made on their Facebook page noting a birthday dedication to lead singer Jon Cazutik’s father who would have been celebrating his 100th birthday. This heartfelt punk jam grabbed me immediately and fans of the band will appreciate it.

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