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.

CONTEST: Win Tickets to The Specials Pre-Party with King Django and Version City Party

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King Django’s Version City Tour provides the pre-show festivities for The Specials on Thursday night at House of Blues Boston. Win a pair of tickets from Boston Ska (dot) net!

The Selecter Play Paradise Rock Club September 21

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the selecter

We owe the biggest tips of the hat to Marco on the Bass for sharing news of upcoming east coast tour dates for two-tone era British ska bands The Selecter. Talk about the bucket list! Here’s another band I’d comfortably filed under “never see.” But sure enough, they scheduled a few west coast dates, played Coachella, and I thought, “this could happen!”

Just months after The Specials play the House of Blues, The Selecter will grace the stage of Paradise Rock Club on Saturday, September 21st. This is an 18+ affair. Tickets will run you $26 and they’re on sale now. Does it feel like a two-tone revival is happening? The English Beat gets as close as Natick July 18. I’m still holding my breath for Madness (I’m convinced I’ll be flying across the pond for that one).

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Apologies for the Radio Silence

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My sincerest apologies for the lack of updates, folks! The day job has been killer this June. Thankfully the dust settles a bit the end of this week and I hope to return to our regularly scheduled (was I ever really on a schedule?) programming next weekend. In the meantime, stuff has happened/is happening/will happen: [unordered_list … Read more

A Guy Named Guy Returns Home from Tour; Presents Local Showcase at Middle East

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a guy named guy may 2013 tour

a guy named guy may 2013 tourEarlier this month, Boston’s own A Guy Named Guy set out on a three-week tour across the Northeast and Midwest USA. I can’t think of any other Boston ska bands that have done any serious touring recently (save for Big D heading out on Warped Tour this summer), so let’s give these guys some respect; touring isn’t easy in the slighted, especially for 7 or 8-piece ska/punk bands. Their first show kicked off in Allston so it’s only suitable that they circle back and close out the tour in Cambridge. Touring can be strenuous, so it’s nice to start and end with fans and friends.

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Alternative Press Streams Two New Big D And The Kids Table Songs

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Alternative Press Streams Two New Songs from Big D And The Kids Table

Alternative Press Streams Two New Songs from Big D And The Kids Table

Big D and the Kids Table is pulling out all the stops to promote the double-release of “Stomp” and “Stroll,” two new full-length records they recently finished recording.

Alternative Press is streaming one song from each record and the band (read: leader singer David McWane; note the use of “I”) tells the story behind each song.

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The Regulars: Rude Sounds Monthly Early Reggae, Ska & Rocksteady DJ Night at Zuzu

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rude sounds third thursday zuzu 2

rude sounds third thursday zuzu 2While we all fancy ourselves Spotify and iPod DJs, sometimes you just need the real thing to get the party going. At Rude Sounds, these DJs do just that.

Once a month, you can swing by Zuzu Bar in Central Square to catch Selectors Nate EaseUp and Dandy Dan spin early reggae and classic ska. With plenty of room to dance and a little bit of seating, you can definitely unwind from the week to the tunes that got this whole ska thing going.

There’s no cover and the drinks are reasonably priced. Swing by after the show at Radio Bar! That’ll be my first stop tonight. Here’s the Facebook Event for tonight.

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Roadtrip: The Apple Stomp Two-Day Ska Festival in NYC, May 31-June 1

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We’re clearly going to The Apple Stomp, a two-day ska festival at Irving Plaza in New York City. The bill boasts a handful of the strongest current touring ska acts, but the real treat is the reunion of many defunct acts from the late 90s.