Browsing Tag

Ska

NY’s The Going Rate fuelled the feel-good fire with their ska track, ‘All This Weight’

Posted on 21 March 2025
The Going Rate

Equally as ‘special’ as The Specials, The Going Rate is ska personified, a breeze of feel-good reverberations that seduce rhythmic pulses as though they’ve never been touched before. ‘All This Weight’ is swanky, soulfully colossal, and tied together with a teasingly progressive tempo that locks you in with unflinching anticipation. Every tonal transition—whether it’s a brass solo bursting with exuberance, a showcase of sun-bleached chanteuse vocal lines bridging the material world with the divine, or quintessential staccato guitars—pulls you further into awe over The Going Rate.

Hailing from Long Island, this multi-gender, multi-racial collective has built a reputation for setting stages alight with high-calibre musicianship, enthusiasm, and an infectious commitment to keeping the dancefloor moving. Their lively horn riffs, danceable grooves, and sharp lyricism have cemented their place in the local scene, earning them spots in venues across New York and beyond, as well as well-earned traction online.

With ‘All This Weight’, they don’t just drop another ska-infused anthem; they redefine what it means to fuse energy with finesse. Whether they’re shaking up intimate clubs or delivering a record that demands repeat listens, The Going Rate ensures every groove bursts with intent. If this track is anything to go by, their mission to become a staple in the greater NYC scene is well within reach.

‘All This Weight’ is available now on all major streaming platforms. Discover your preferred way to listen via this link. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Micheal Fordays – ‘Can’t Stop’: A Riotous Shockwave of Symphonic Ska Punk Force

Posted on 28 January 2025

From the initial riff, Micheal Fordays proves there’s nothing ordinary about his seminal track, ‘Can’t Stop’. Blazing in with a fervour that pays no heed to stylistic confines, the performance sears itself into your senses. I never knew how much I needed to hear metal-injected symphonic ska punk, but now that I have, I’ve found my new sonic obsession.

Imagine a world where Apocalyptica meets Rancid, and you’ll envision what kind of riot Forday incited with ‘Can’t Stop’, which feeds a protestive, indomitable discourse through the equally as unreckonable instrumental arrangement.

This unrelenting energy was forged early on. Fordays honed his craft as a youngster, listening to rock guitar heroes before taking influence from horn players. His passion took flight in garage bands and, eventually, in the high-school-founded Mind Over Four, who laid down six albums on six labels while travelling across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Their impossible-to-pigeonhole sound was too metal for punk followers and too off-kilter for hard rock crowds, yet it fed Fordays’ determination to push limits until all sense of creative constraint falls away.

That boundary-bending ethic also propelled him into KMFDM, where he contributed his guitar chops on tour and appeared in the ‘Juke Joint Jezebel’ video and ‘Beat By Beat’ documentary. Under the Micheal Fordays moniker, he’s released a string of records from ‘Balls and Blind Faith’ to 2023’s ‘The Mind and Echoes’, all marked by an unshakeable creative vision. If ‘Can’t Stop’ is anything to go by, the forthcoming 2025 release will hold nothing back.

Stream Can’t Stop on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Follow Micheal Fordays on Facebook to keep up to date with his latest releases and news.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Not From Concentrate crashed the alt-rock scene with their ska-grunge synthesis, You & I

Posted on 5 August 2024

Not From Concentrate promises the freshest sound in the NYC ska scene and the misft powerhouse definitively delivered with the release of their latest ska grunge hybrid, You & I, which showcases the group’s ability to blend fierce pop-punk bursts with tender, vulnerable harmonies, inviting listeners to experience every shade of emotion

For anyone who has ever let their walls down only to allow regret to build them again, this queer punk anthem is the ultimate consolation. Just as the artist’s moniker would lead you to believe, there’s nothing artificial about their sound; the visceral emotions mainlined into You & I are straight from the source.

By synthesising the sludge of grunge with the infectiously uplifting staccato chops of Ska, the Staten Island-hailing trio which is deeply entrenched in the NYC scene delivered a sonic revolution which shimmers with authenticity and raw power. Rounded off with a pioneeringly innovative guitar riff, You & I is a testament to their rightful place in the queer musical pantheon.

You & I was officially released on July 19; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zen Warship – Get Higher: A Fusionist Riot to Awaken the Soul

Posted on 23 May 2024
The Renewal by Zen Warship

Zen Warship’s latest single, Get Higher, from their forthcoming LP, The Renewal, is a testament to the Washington DC band’s dedication to following anything that grooves. This time, they’ve ignited a fusionist riot that will awaken the soul. With groove pockets as deep as the Grand Canyon, it’s all too easy to nestle into the vibrant euphoria of this release, which signifies the band’s ambition to deliver their listeners from their own funk into an exhilarating synthesis of funk, soul, ska, and disco.

Get Higher is feel-good transcendence at its finest, capturing the effervescently electrifying energy of Zen Warship’s live performance perfectly. As soon as you lock into the groove, your rhythmic pulses will be commandeered by the kinetic rapture. The single’s lush horns and dynamic rhythm section create a contagious beat that elevates the psyche and embodies the band’s ethos of delivering emotional renewal.

Set to release on June 30, 2024, The Renewal reflects the band’s journey through the post-COVID era with new members and a fresh sound. Guitarist Tyler Moselle, bassist Roberto Giberti, singer Preethy Kolinjivadi, and multi-instrumentalist Emre Tufekcioglu have crafted an album brimming with collaborative spirit and creative tension. The addition of a robust horn section, including trumpet, trombone, and saxophones, brings an intricate and layered sound to the compositions of trumpeter Zack Forbes.

Get Higher was officially released on May 14. Stream and purchase the single on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sulking By The Swings: Cardiff’s Year of the Dog are okay with being the bad guys on the excellent ‘Arch Enemy’

Posted on 21 August 2021

After memorably appearing on Netflix’s hit comedy-drama Sex Education as the Swing Band, Year of the Dog return with their wonderfully catchy new single from this compelling outfit on ‘Arch Enemy‘.

Year of the Dog is an entertaining Cardiff, Wales-based six-piece brass-house soul band. With a lip-licking taste for the delicious rhythms of funk, ska, reggae and swing, this is a finely tuned outfit who certainly know that sweet spot in our hungry music-loving stomachs.

”Recorded at the famous Monnow Valley Studios (Oasis, Stone Roses, Black Sabbath) the single is a nod to their childhood days of listening to chugging rock bands like The Dandy Warhols and The Black Keys, fused with their current unmistakable brass-blasting punch and professional suave.” ~ Year of the Dog

With a supremely enjoyable funky fresh sound and gritty vocals mixed with such cleverly-penned lyrics – the spectacular mountain visuals adds so much to the setting – and has your head bouncing joyously to a wonderful track, from a band who will have you dancing around with their catchy style.

”Despite lockdown sweeping away their 2020 summer tour, the band have managed to keep themselves busy, earning a feature on BBC News ‘How To Be A Band In Lockdown’, and two interviews on BBC primetime radio.” ~ Year of the Dog

You feel the foot-tapping experience here and the skill level witnessed is of a world class standard from a well-respected group, who will surely start touring worldwide from 2022.

‘Arch Enemy‘ from the Cardiff, Wales-based brass-house act Year of the Dog, is a thrilling song that takes you back to those school days when you had a crush with someone who didn’t feel the same way. You then proceeded to be mortal enemies rather than friends, as you both lived different lives when you things could of actually been so different.

Performed with a real edge and hunger, this is a rather memorable track which will have you turning the volume up to the maximum.

See this new music video on YouTube and see more on their IG music channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I’m Like A Shadow: UK multi-instrumentalist Dougieto gives us the tour of his mindset with ‘Me, Myself and I’

Posted on 8 August 2021

As he flies high into the sun-lit sky of optimism and slaps his trusty bass with vigorous excitement, Dougieto splendidly shows us into his forward-thinking world on his latest single all about what he has been up to hidden from the world with ‘Me, Myself and I‘.

Liam Browning aka Dougieto, is a UK-based Aldi supermarket worker during the day, who is also an intriguing multi-instrumentalist by night, and performs a variety of different genres from ska, metal, to hip-hop.

He smartly makes that likable blend of underground music that is superbly simple, full of honesty, and packed with shelves of brisk music vibration for us to sing along with, as we bounce our heads to the appealing vibe.

With a gritty edge and a smoothly constructed delivery, we are introduced to an everyday man who has something rather unique about him. He has confidence wrapped all over him, raps with a introspective demeanor, as he flows through into our minds with relatable stories about how life is going, and what his dreams are. Becoming a star is of course the end goal – but the journey there and keeping it real – are the main elements to all his creative heart juices, that makes him an artist to easily support.

‘Me, Myself and I‘ from the UK-based keyboard player, guitarist and bassist Dougieto, is a top notch performance from a lovable guy who just wants to make good music. There are no boring and fake braggadocios raps here, only truthful insight into his busy life right now. He is a passionate music lover who wants to be heard, as he revs up his engine and lets the clutch down.

This is the type of song to feel inspired by, and a valuable lesson in which we can all take note of. If you love something enough, just do it and never look back.

Stream this new single on Spotify and see his IG page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Dougieto rises with his debut release ‘Phoenix’.

Posted on 16 July 2021

UK-based multi-instrumentalist Dougieto made an official introduction on the airwaves by releasing the live recording of his energetically original single, ‘Phoenix’. If you can imagine what it would sound like if Leftover Crack pulled in Zach de la Rocha for vocals, you’ll get an idea of what is on offer.

With power metal buzzsaw riffs served alongside funky ska-punk staccato rhythms, one thing that Dougieto could never be accused of is being predictable. Phoenix is a progressively adrenalizing exhibition of his instrumental talent that we’re sure will see him go for in 2021 and beyond. With his ability to lay down riffs at blistering speed and seemingly make any genre his plaything, success is almost a given. We can’t wait to hear a mixed and mastered work from him to follow the epic teaser.

You can check out the live recording of Phoenix for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Flow State serves soul food in their latest single, Pancake Love.

Posted on 22 May 2021

Alt electro duo Flow State has unleashed their most archaically avant-garde single to date with their jazz fusion single, ‘Pancake Love’.

The South-West, England-hailing artist delivers a versatile fusion sound that makes jazz, electro-swing, ska and blues-rock the cornerstone in Pancake Love. As soon as you hit play, you’re forcibly shunted from the 21st-century by the sun-bleached reggae tones that brighten the subversively surreal track that bears reminiscence to Creepshow, Horrorpops and The Brains. But as you can probably gather from the track title, Pancake Love comes with sticky sweet flair and affection as opposed to macabre inclination.

You can get your fill of Pancake Love by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Flick Of A Pen: California band Joker’s Hand show us into the ‘War Profiteer’

Posted on 19 May 2021

As their curious minds go into the dark midst to fully see what is going on despite the distractions, Joker’s Hand show their displeasure with how money is made from so much suffering on ‘War Profiteer‘.

Joker’s Hand is a thriving two-piece indie alt- rock/punk band from Torrance, California. They cook up a tasty ska-fused track here which showcases their rising talents with Kevin Kawano and Matt Lau, letting it rip on how messed up this profit-driven world really is.

This is the story of how politics can be so thoughtless sometimes — as many people are struggling — whilst the horrific greed and decay of morals, is so worrying and needs to change urgently. They cleverly add their sarcastic undertone to this promising single, that has a real message that needs to be heard far and wide.

They sing with so much passion and honesty, as they show you into their thought process while doing it with a cheeky grin on their faces too. The performance is top notch, as the catchy rhythm has you listening intently the whole way though.

‘War Profiteer‘ from the talented Californian two-piece alt-punk/ska/rock fusion band Joker’s Hand, opens up the truth newspaper to page through the truth and to dispel the fake. They have a likable sound that has you impressed and nodding your head, while your whole body follows to join in.

Stream this truthful single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Not Like Before: Indiana’s underground Ska legends Coolidge are back with exciting new single about changing on ‘We’re Alright’

Posted on 9 April 2021

Taken off their vibrantly creative new album ‘Condition Transmission‘, Coolidge smash the door open on their latest single about changing perspective in life called ‘We’re Alright‘.

Coolidge is an experienced five-piece Ska-punk/rock band from Indianapolis in Indiana, USA. They play their hearts out on each note, their minds are connected in such a way that they know what each other is doing and they bring the classic old school mentality with them.

This is the story of being shy before, but as you have gotten older you have opened up your voice to speak from the mind and to never let anyone else put words in your mouth. Times have changed from the past when small minded folks thought they knew you and you feel like this is the best way to live, rather than being quiet as a mouse and getting stepped on when you are just minding your business.

They perform with an exuberance that is abundantly entertaining and you turn them up some more to fully hear their quality rise to the top of the speaker. This is a band that have put thousands of hours into their sound, as they clearly enjoy playing together too.

‘We’re Alright‘ from the lovable veteran Indiana Ska act Coolidge, is a true story about how sticking up for yourself really matters in life. You have evolved for the best and if others can’t see that, its their loss after all.

Hear this rocking new single on Soundcloud and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen