Asbestos Records Announces Spring Heeled Jack USA and Thumper Reunion at Middle East

Last week, Asbestos Records announced that CT ska legends Spring Heeled Jack will be gracing Boston with its presence for the first time since last October’s Skalapalooza. Unlike last year’s affair, they’re not billing themselves as “acoustic” this year. If you were fortunate enough to make it to New York City for the Apple Stomp, you caught the real deal with horns and all. (If I may play the elitist for a moment, the really special event was the two-night reunion in May of 2010 at Toad’s Place in the New Haven. It was epic but rest assured I was still front and center singing my heart out at Apple Stomp).

Crawling out of the ashes of the Apple Stomp is Boston ska-core pioneers Thumper. Their performance in New York City this past July was the first in years and I have to imagine this is the first time in Boston since… since I really don’t know. (They lack a wikipedia page. Can someone get on that?) I first saw Thumper in 2002 at the Tune Inn in New Haven. It was the Tune Inn’s last show and it was a reunion even then for thumper. Who else would be behind this besides ska preservationists Asbestos Records?

Supporting event will be Obi Fernandez, lead singer of Westbound Train, and Math the Band, my favorite spazz-synth-punk duo. Videos below.

Details:

Sunday, October 27, 7:30 PM
Spring Heeled Jack USA, Thumper (reunion)
Obi Fernandez, Math the Band
$12 advance, $15 doors, 18+
Tickets, Asbestos Records Facebook Event, Middle East Facebook Event

UPDATE 8/26/13 9:15 PM: This is Albatross also caught that SHJUSA is recording a four-track 7-inch:

In related news, Spring Heeled Jack also took to Facebook to announce that they will heading to the studio in September to record a 4-song 7″ with a full length to follow

They also have a really great interview with Ron and Mike from SHJUSA.

UPDATE 10/22/13 7AM: Check out our video interview with Ron and Tyler from SHJUSA!

Spring Heeled Jack USA – “Mass Appeal Madness” – 6/1/13 – Apple Stomp, Irving Plaza, NYC

Why yes that is Vinny Nobile of Bim Skala Bim and Pilfers on trombone!

Spring Heeled Jack USA – “Waiting, Watching” – 5/8/10 – Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT

One of my favorite versions of this tunes appears on the Mashin’ Up The Nation: Best of American Ska Volumes 3 & 4, a series produced by Dan Vitale of Bim Skala Bim.

Thumper – “Holy Roller” – 6/1/13 – Apple Stomp, Irving Plaza, NYC

They had a ninja at the Tune Inn show in 2002. Just sayin’.

Obi Fernandez – “Over Due” & “KKK Took My Baby Away” – 1/6/13 – Webster Studio, NYC

Skip to about 1:30 for the rocksteady version of “KKK took my Baby Away.” He opened with this at his CD Release show at the Middle East Upstairs and it knocked me out of my shoes. At this time we’re told he’s performing solo. Here’s a clip of him talking about the new record and performing “Happens to Me” acoustic.

Math The Band – “Four to Six” Music Video

Be sure to visit our calendar featuring Boston area ska shows.