Big D and The Kids Table has debuted a music video for “Stepping Out” from their recent Stomp and Stroll double-release
Last week we had the great pleasure of sitting down with Ronnie Ragona and Tyler Jones of CT Ska legends Spring Heeled Jack USA. We met up for drinks and falafel at the Middle East where they’ll be playing on Sunday, October 27.
We talked about what the guys have been up to, a bit about how and why they got back together in these last few years, shared stories from the road, and discussed upcoming shows and future recordings!
Here’s part 1 of that interview!
While I was at Voodoo Glow Skulls at the Middle East, Streetlight Manifesto was performing at House of Blues with Mike Park and Dan Potthast in support.
Big D and the Kids Table frontman David McWane recently talked with longtime running radio show, Roots Rock Rebel Radio on CKUT
An intimate yet fierce crowd turned out Friday night for Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Toasters, Left Alone, and The Pomps. Singer Alex Stern of The Pomps opened began their set by thanking the crowd for not going to see Streetlight Manifesto at House of Blues. They played a very tight set of their new wave-inflected pop/ska. They were joined by Jr. Thomas from Minneapolis for two songs and noted they’d be backing him for a set at the Midway Cafe Saturday night (I was unable to make it to that show). Left Alone followed with a really tight set of their Rancid-inspired punk, ska, and rockabilly. The bassist alternated between an electric and upright bass which really made them stand out for the night.
Big D and the Kids Table has posted a trailer on YouTube for a new three-disc DVD set containing footage spanning the band’s career from 1996 to 2012.
I was first introduced to The Selecter in a sort of happenstance way. The closest record store to me was The Exile on Main Street in Hamden, CT. They had a good selection of used CDs and in particular an unorganized box labeled “$5 Ska.” I used to pop in every now and again and dig through that box. I stumbled across The Selecter’s 1999 record Cruel Britannia. I knew the band’s name and I knew they were often cited as by other bands as an influence. I bought it on the spot and was hooked after one listen. It was from there I found my way to their more well-known releases such as 1980’s Too Much Pressure. Of all bands of the Two-Tone era, The Selecter grabbed me first. Much of it was thanks to singer Pauline Black’s distinctive voice (you’ll have to excuse me if I didn’t fall in love with Terry Hall’s voice the first time I heard it).
This compilation of New England punk bands contains some great Boston ska tracks; Proceeds goto benefit One Fund and the American Brain Tumor Association
Win a pair of tickets to the Dale La Bota Tour featuring Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Toasters, and Left Alone October 4th at the Middle East Downstairs
So maybe it’s starting to feel a little bit like fall. Maybe the temperature dropped a little and the wind is picking up. Maybe it’s that much more important to check out a show before you start using the snow as an excuse not to leave your apartment.