Rock On! Concerts, purveyors of shows on a boat, have announced the annual summer concert cruise featuring New York City ska stalwarts The Slackers. The cruise will be Friday, August 22, 2014, is 21+ only, and will run you $25-$30 plus a $7 service charge. Tickets are already on sale. Supporting acts have not yet been announced.
The Slackers
Music Video: The Slackers – “My Bed Is a Boat”
Perennial ska band The Slackers have released a music video for “My Bed Is a Boat,” the title track off their EP of the same name.
Review: Sammy Kay and the East Los 3 – “Love Letters”
Sammy 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.
Roadtrip: The Apple Stomp Two-Day Ska Festival in NYC, May 31-June 1
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.
Enough with the Snow I’m Going on a Cruise
Are you totally sick of the snow yet? Me, too. Let’s go on a ska boat cruise.
Presidents’ Day News Round Up
Got yesterday off? Lucky bastard. Had to work? Hopefully this helps you ease into your week. (I meant to post this yesterday but I went to go see Django and that thing is like 7 hours long. My bad.)
- Big D and the Kids Table ran a Kickstarter campaign to fund their new record(s). It got funded! But they’re going to fund it themselves anyways? I’m confused.
- Record Store Day is April 20. Mark your calendars and find a record store or two to get to that day.
- From the rumor mill: Westbound Train considers recording a cover record! Kidding…
- Didn’t make it to Johnny D’s for The Pomps and Riki Rocksteady on 2/2? Mark Stern Photography took some great shots of the night.
- I caught The Slackers in Northampton at Pearl Street on 2/2. The were great and I found some video, posted below the jump.
- I also had the chance to talk to Bucket from The Toasters about they’re upcoming show at TT The Bear’s. Watch for that post later this week!
- Are you on Instagram? Tag your photos with #bostonska. Looks like folks have been doing it, but here’s a friendly reminder to keep it up!
- As always, check out the show calendar! Riki Rocksteady, SuperSka, The Allstonians, Brunt of It, and A Guy Named Guy all have gigs.
The Slackers played one of my favorite songs, “Lazy Woman,” but rarely do they play it live, and that’s okay. BUT someone yelled it out and they played it!
Weekend Round Up: Reviews, Shows, and Contests
- Boston/Rhode Island’s Brunt of It will be celebrating their CD Release on Saturday, December 15 at Monster Shop Allston. They’ll be joined by Lenny Lashley’s Gang of One, The Snipes, and Fort The Band. The album is called All Aboard the Cannabus and will be available on their bandcamp. The night before, they’re celebrating in Providence. Thanks to @kfdavila for sending in the tip!
- RadioBDC is giving away tickets and a “VIP Experience” (read: bottle service and lap dance from Dickey) to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones Hometown Throwdown. Actually it’s a sweet package that includes a stay at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Enter here.
- Pressure Cooker’s recent release, “Wherever You Go,” got a great review from the Boston Globe. “It’s hard to say which wave of reggae and ska we are currently on, but whichever one it is, Pressure Cooker is riding it very well.” Read the review. Buy the record.
- Rochester’s Mrs. Skannotto has (have? I never know) been added to The Toasters’ show at TT The Bear’s on Friday, March 1st. Tix/info here.
- Yesterday, A Guy Named Guy released their Terminals Split with D-Cent Jerks from Puerto Rico. The D-Cent Jerks tracks swing a little pop/punk while the AGNG tracks swing a bit more post-punk. Give it a listen. (and then buy it if you dig it! It’s only $2!)