March 28th
Leftöver Crack’s “Fuck World Trade” and “Constructs of the State” Getting Fresh Vinyl Reissues on July 25
Limited Edition Colored Vinyl w/ New and Updated Artwork)
Now Available For Pre-Order
SuperNova International Ska Festival has announced the return of Chris Murray, Rude Girl Revue, and Eastern Standard Time to this years lineup. Get your tickets now at SuperNovaSka.com
March 26th
Ska Brewing announces lineup for their 30th Anniversary Party on September 6th, featuring Less Than Jake, The Pietasters, and Bite Me Bambi.
March 25th
This is Ska has just been added to the lineup at Wolfman Radio in the UK.
Their already stacked schedule includes Studio One Sessions, Riddim Train, From the Specialized Archives, and Last Scooter to Skaville to name a few.
Tune in every Tuesday at 10 pm GMT to listen to This is SKA on Wolfman Radio.
March 24th
Madness announces the Hit Parade UK Tour with Squeeze for December 2025. Sign up for early ticket acces. Tickets on Sale March 28th, 2025.
March 23rd
Crowdfunding campain on Kickstarter, Trombone Man: Ska's Fallen Genius, Issue #2 is now live.
March 18th
Catbite announce 2025 World Tour.
March 16th
This just in, Lynval Golding backed by The Aggrolites will be performing at Skamania on May 31st in Santa Anna, CA.
March 14th
The return of not one but two third wave Icons, The Pietasters performing Oolooloo for the 30th Anniversary and Grand Rapid's finest ska export Mustard Plug, both performing on Sunday Septebmer 14th at Super Nova International Ska Festival. Get your tickets now.
March 12th
Voodoo Glow Skulls announce tour of Florida and Texas with Authority Zero and Pinata Protest.
This is SKA is back on the air in Warwick Town Radio in the UK. Tune in on Sundays at 5 pm GMT for two hours of the best Ska and Rocksteady from around the world and every era.
March 11th
The Suicide Machines announce Spring tour of Costa Rica and Mexico.
March 7th
Rockers is one of the greatest Jamaican films of all time—a Rasta-infused Robin Hood story packed with legendary music and timeless vibes. More than just a movie, it’s a cultural landmark that still hits just as hard today!
For ONE NIGHT ONLY on Friday, September 12, the film’s iconic star, Horsemouth, is bringing together the legendary Rockers cast for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime live performance of the soundtrack at Supernova!
This is history in the making—a rare reunion of the stars who helped define Jamaican culture, coming together to bring the spirit of Rockers to Supernova. The full lineup will be revealed soon, but trust us—you don’t want to miss this!
Friday tickets are on sale now! Payment plans are available until April 1. We'll announce more of the bands playing Friday this weekend.
Tickets: https://www.tixr.com/groups/supernovaska/2025
March 1st
Bim Skala Bim announce their Spring European Tour dates.
Februart 27th
Big D & the Kids Table kick off their West Coast Tour in San Diego tomorrow with The Kilograms, and OmniGone. See you all in Sacramento.
February 26th
Madness to play Channel 24 in Sacramento on May 14th, tickets on sale Friday February 28th.
The Magnetics have been announced for this year's Super Nova International Ska Festival in Ft Monroe. VA.
Keith Lyn, legendary lead singer of Byron Lee & The Dragonaires and of the duo Keith & Ken (Lazarus), has passed away following his battle with cancer.
Keith and Ken wrote "Jamaica Ska" during their time with Lee, which went on to become an anthem and contributed to the ska dance craze around the world.
Keith was also featured in the 1962 film and soundtrack "Dr. No" with songs "Jump Up" and "Kingston Calypso (Three Blind Mice)."
February 21st
Brace yourselves, ska fans— Catch 22 is making their long-awaited Supernova debut, and have something truly special in store! 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Alone in a Crowd—the album that gave us anthems like "Point the Blame" and "Hard to Impress." And guess what? They're playing the entire album live at Supernova!
February 19th
Less Than Jake announces the Summer Circus Tour featuring Fishbone, Suicide Machines, Bite Me Bambi and Catbite.
February 16th
I am excited to do our first collaboration with Beam Me Up Ska Tees for the 5th Anniversary T-shirts. These are limited to pre-orders, so pick one up while you can. Sale ends March 1st. https://beammeupskatees.bigcartel.com/product/this-is-ska
February 5th
Catbite announces their first headling UK Tour.
Faintest Idea and K Man and the 45s European Tour dates announced.
Now here is a reason to make the trip to Punk Rock Bowling this year. Lynval Golding with The Aggrolites doing a tribute to the Specials. Joining them are Mephiskapheles, the Kilograms and Calamatix.
February 4th
The Toasters announce Spring 2025 US Tour dates with Matamoska on select dates.
February 3rd
Madness super tour dates announced for 2025.
The Porkers will be performing Grunt! plus other hits and misses on April 25th at the Crowbar.
February 2nd
The Slackers annonce Spring 2025 Tour Dates.
TLASKALITA Fest takes place on March 2nd featuring a who's who of Mexican Ska bands with some great International acts to boot.
February 1st
Germany's premiere ska festival This is Ska is coming June 19-21st.
The 3rd Annual This is SKA festival is happening in China May 23-24th.
The lineup for the innaugural Skalambama ska Festival July 12th-13th has dropped and tickets are on sale.
239 Fest is back on next weekend February 7-8th in Florida.
January 31st
Los Fastidios announce German tour dates with Dakka Skanks.
The Flatliners have been announced for this years SuperNova International Ska Festival in Ft Monroe VA. They will be performing Destroy to Create in It's Entirety.
Bad Time Records Tour dates with Kill Lincoln, Half Past Two and Omnigone this March on the East Coast.
January 28th
Get your dancing shoes on, Save Farris announce Spring US Tour.
Breaking News: Dance Hall Crashers just announced a Bay Area Show at Great American Music Hall in San Francisco for June 7th. Tickets go on sale on January 30th.
Pioneer Valley Ska Festival II is coming together nicely, get your tickets now.
January 27th
Madness announces West Coast US dates in May, 2025.
This Just in: Dance Hall Crashers are playing dates on the 30th Anniversary Warped Tour. First shows for the band in 20 years.
Voodoo Glow Skulls announce run of shows in Mexico for March.
January 26th
Berlin Rumble full line up is packed. Who is making the trip?
January 24th
Dakka Skanks from Brighton, England has just been added to this year's Super Nova lineup. They bring a fusion of hard reggae, ska, dub, and punk rhythms that tackle serious social and political themes.
Buster Shuffle announce Together album launch shows.
January 23rd
Los Fastidios 2025 tour schedule is filling up and taking them around the world.
January 22nd
The Planet Smashers have announced a round of 2025 tour dates.
January 16th
40th Anniversary Dates are being announced for Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra 2025 47 Hall tour dates have been announced.
January
New Bufford O'Sullivan album coming soon from Jump Up Records.
January 14th
Inspector is coming to Modesto, CA. the home of This is SKA on February 9th at Bodega 57.
January 9th
Special Event Announcement:
Reel To Reel:
DANCE WID’ ME: A TRIBUTE TO GREG LEE
Concert Screening & Shared Reflections
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
GRAMMY Museum
Downtown Los Angeles
Greg Lee ruled the ska scene in the best of ways. He had talent and a sense of style beyond belief, and musicians and fans alike loved him.
Epitomizing the soulful side of ska and reggae, what Greg brought to the stage was always so infectious and admirable. Hepcat will forever be one of the greatest and most influential.
On October 20, 2024, the El Rey Theatre hosted Dance Wid’ Me: A Tribute to Greg Lee featuring performances by: Dirty Reggae Bunch with members of The Aggrolites, Hepcat, Dance Hall Crashers, The Cover-Ups, and more; Let’s Go Bowling; Ocean Eleven; Colin & Kelly; plus numerous special guest singers and musicians. It was an incredible night and a very fitting tribute to Greg.
Highlights from this sold-out concert that was filmed by Joe Nieves (of The Steady 45s) will now be shown at the GRAMMY Museum on February 12, 2025, followed by shared reflections from some of Greg’s friends and fellow musicians.
Ticket & On-Sale Details:
$20 tickets
American Express Early Access:
NOW (Thurs, Jan 9 at 10:30am PT)
General On Sale:
Sat, Jan 11 at 12pm PT
Ticket link here:
https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/...
6:30pm doors. 7pm screening.
Open to all ages. Limited capacity.
A portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the Greg Lee Memorial Fund.
There will also be commemorative posters available for sale.
January 2nd
The line up for Train to Skaville Festival, March 28-29th in Barcelona, Spain has been announced. It is going to be a star studded event with Keith and Tex, Rudy Mills, Natty Bo, The Steadytones, The Oldians, and more.
January 1st 2025
This is SKA airs on over 6 dozen stations worldwide, in the US, Canada, Mexico, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, France, Belgium, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Several FM and 1 AM stations, along with online. On top of that, you can find it on several streaming services, such as Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Amazon, and others, along with Podomatic. I can pull reports from Podomatic, which consistently ranks the show in the Top 3 in the Reggae Category.
In 2024, there were 1958 plays and 3359 downloads from 48 countries from Podomatic alone.
I have no idea how many people are listening from the individual stations worldwide.
2025 Goals to get on more stations and continue to expand the reach of This is SKA.
December 31st
los Fastidios announce 2025 Tour dates.
December 30th
Big D and the Kids Table announce Winter/Spring US Tour. Hitting the road with The Kilograms, Omnigone, Planet Smashers, Mustard Plug, Faintest Idea, and more.
December 26th
Introducing Femme - Her Anthem
The 14th charity album by The Specialized Project Charity is a vibrant celebration of legendary female songwriters, reimagined through the energetic and rhythmic lens of Ska music. Featuring exclusive tracks by Ska bands from around the globe, the album unites international talent to honour the groundbreaking contributions of iconic women in music history.
With each band lending its unique style and interpretation, the album pays homage to diverse eras and genre within a Ska or Reggae interpretations, highlighting the creative legacy of female artists who have shaped music over the years. Proceeds from this album support important charitable causes, making it not only a tribute but a meaningful contribution to social good.
December 17th
Look at this great tour of Canada with The Planet Smashers, Mustard Plug and Big D and the Kids Table.
December 8th
Sad news Jan-Hinrich Brahms Trombonist and founding member of The Busters passed away.
December 4th
Kill Lincoln announce East Coast run with Half Past Two and Omnigone.
December 4th
The Beat featuring Ranking JNR kick off 2025 with a series of concet dates.
December 3rd
The Toasters Winter Tour starts tomorrow December 4th.
November 24th
Fishbone announce Red Hot Holiday Tour
November 14th
Hey! a new Mustard Plug release available for pre-order, out on December 13th. Limited to 300 copies. Buy Now.
November 13th
The Planet Smashers are back in the studio recording new material.
November 12th
The Suicide Machines return to Australia after 2 decades to play a couple shows with The Porkers and more.
November 8th
Jump Up has six new titles dropping for Black Friday this year. Today, they proudly announce the first one!
The Toasters 1992 classic "New York Fever" has been fully remastered for vinyl, with beautiful blue and yellow wax limited to 250 copies each! Reconstructed sleeve art, including liner notes by Steve Shafer! This title is part of our 2025 Ska LP Vinyl Subscription Club, we've got a few spots left if interested! www.jumpuprecords.com
November 5th
True Story Brewing Company announce Ska's Not Dead Fest July 11th and 12th in Birmingham Alabama. Email brianburx@gmail.com if you are interested in performing.
November 4th
Keith & Tex and Rudy Mills Fall European Tour
October 8th
What a lineup of mostly West Coast SKA standards and Mustard Plug co headlining with Voodoo Glow Skulls and Buck O Nine. January 18th, 2025 at the Garden Grove Amphitheatre.
Mustard Plug, Voodoo Glow Skulls and Half Past Two will be touring the West Coast in early 2025.
October 7th
What a show announcement to Skaboom era Icons on one bill December 13th, The Deltones and Potato 5.
October 3rd
Sad news, Jerry Miller of The Untouchables has passed away. The Untouchables was the first ska band I ever saw live, and I have been a fan ever since. Jerry was my first interview on This is Ska.
I am linking the show here if anyone wants to listen.
https://www.mixcloud.com/this.../this-is-ska-untouchables/
RIP condolences to Family, Friends, and legion of fans.
Spacey T has returned to the Fishbone Familyhood.
October 1st
Line up for This is Not Croydon Fest 6 has been announced , get your tickets to see Stubborn Allstars, The Planet Smashers. The Scofflaws. Big D and the Kids Table, Catbite, The Readymen and many more.
September 30th
Efrem Schulz has decided to return to his original band, Death By Stereo, full time.
Frank Casillas will be returning to Voodoo Glow Skulls on lead vocals starting this Saturday, October 5th at Regent Theater in Los Angeles
September 27th
Dates and presale tickets for SuperNova Ska Festival 2025 have been posted.
September 25th
European Tour dates for Catbite for October announced.
October and November European Tour dates announed for The Toasters.
September 24th
Voluntary Hazing upcoming dates supporting their brand new album Addictive Little Sounds. See them at Maximum Ska n' P on October 5th at Five Eye Brewing in Ceres, CA. Get yout Tickets.
September 18th
Suicide Machines announce they are going under, going down under for the first time in 20 years.
September 16th
This is Ska has been added to the KKSM AM 1320 Palomar College Radio programing schedule. Tune in every Tuesday at 11 pm PDT for 2 hours of Ska music.
September 15th
Rude Girl Revue dropped a brand new EP over and announced it at SuperNova International Ska Fest.
No Doubt original trumpet player Gabe "the Gun" Gonzalez(he also played with Save Ferris, The Skeletones, and The Untouchables) died in fatal motorcycle accident on Thursday September 12th.
Available now at the Heavy Riff Brewing Company taproom and at Steve's Hot Dogs on Grand and Delmar, and later today at Rudefest! on South Grand!
September 9th
In November Sky Arts will be streaming a new documentary titled “Pauline Black - A 2 Tone Story”!. With never-before-seen archives of the era, the film will tell the story of the legendary leader of The Selecter and examine how this story mimics his art and music and informs his activism. Contributors to the film include the late great Arthur Gaps Hendrickson, Don Letts, Skin, Damon Albarn, Rhoda Dakar, Lynval Golding, Mykiell Riley, Sonia Boyce and Jools Holland.
Tuesday September 10th, this Fishbone/ Chris Shary collaboration skate deck is up for grabs on Bifocal Media at noon EST. The board is limited to 100 Screen printed pool shaped decks. All of them are signed and numbered by the band and Chris Shary … this ain’t just for the culture, this is for the art.
September 7th
Suicide Machines and the Bruce Lee Band head to Japan in October.
September 6th
The Toaster announce dates for their European Tour starting in October.
Bad Manners announce UK tour to finish out 2024. Tickets for many shows are going fast so make sure to grab yours now.
September 3rd
November US tour dates announced for Bar Stool Preachers and Bite Me Bambi.
September 2nd
Tara Hahn of Half Past Two will be taking over Super Nova Ska Festival Instagram all weekend long. Keep an eye out for fun interviews, shoutouts, search for Diet Coke and more.
Jump Up Records' new CD compilation can be steamed at mixcloud.com.jumpuprecords
August 30th
Supernova International Ska Festival is excited to announce that they're broadcasting the festival live to the world this year, covering all three days—September 13-15! They are teaming up once again with Mike D from Sgt Scag and Establishment Productions to deliver an incredible livestream experience, featuring 38 bands from 8 countries, multiple camera angles, and even live drone footage!
To ensure the music reaches everyone, regardless of budget, a “Pay What You Can” option for the livestream. Plus, the stream will be re-broadcast each night, so viewers in different time zones won’t miss a beat. If you’re attending the festival in person, you’ll also have on-demand access to the livestream.
Pay What You Can link: https://bit.ly/SkaPWYCLivestream Registration: https://bit.ly/skalivestreamMore information: https://supernovaska.com/pages/livestream
August 28th
Hey Smith Full US Tour Dates announced, including shows with Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Suicide Machines, Mad Caddies, Panteon Rococco, Inspector and playing Super Nova Internationl Ska Festival in Ft Monroe, VA.
The set times have been shared for this years Super Nova International Ska Festival.
August 27th
Bad Manners announce 50th Anniversary dates in April 2025 for Australia and New Zealand.
Tickets are onsale for the second annual Maximum Ska n' P Festival at Five Eye Brewing in Ceres, CA. October 4th and 5th.
The Specialized Projects BIG ONE Festival full lineup announced. Get your tickets.
August 26th
Adam Reeves announces that book 2 in the comic series Trombone Man Ska's Fallen Genius campaign will launch soon. This is an illustrated adaptation of Heather Augustyn book Don Drummond The Genius and Tragedy of the World's Greatest Trombonist.
August 23rd
The Toasters Winter Tour celebrating 43 years of SKA.
What a lineup and it is FREE.
August 19th
Dance Wid' Me a tribute to Greg Lee at the El Rey Theatre, line up has been announced. All Ages get your tickets.
August 13th
Fishbone has announced the release of a Double Gatefold of the original Self Tittled on 180gm Gray Vinyl with a second album featuring the original demos that were recorded to get signed and start the journey that has been Fishbone.
New MONKEY record "Barrel of Dub" release is now available for pre-order! Get yours at Escape Hatch Records. Deep cut dub remixes by: Roger RivasDubmatix, Victor Rice, Black Market Dub, Wise Owl, & Dubrobot
August 11th
Northern California date announced for Panteon Rococo, Inspector, Out of Control Army, and Hey Smith at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
Rhoda Dakar announces Autumn tour where she will be performing 45 Years of the Bodysnatchers.
August 7th
Daniel Rachel writer of Too Much Too Youg: The 2Tone Records Story is doing a book tour of the US leading up to Super Nova International Ska Festival.
August 4th
Mike Park announces 2 shows Bruce Lee Band shows at Bottom of the HIll October 18th with The Abruptors and August 19th with Monkey.
July 31st
Rhoda Dakar released a video for a new version of "Let's Do Rocksteady." featuring Amiee Interrupter.t The song will appear on Rhoda Dakar Sings the Bodysnatchers 45 Anniversary Edition.
July 30th
Pauline Black from The Selecter will be joining the ska literary tent at Supernova to discuss her book Black By Design: A 2-Tone Memoir! She will be talking with Daniel Rachel (Too Much Too Young, the 2 Tone Records Story) and the discussion will be moderated by notable ska author Heather Augustyn.
July 28th
Mike Park has announced he will be hosting a new show, Music It's Powerful Stuff on KPCR 92.9 FM/KMRT 101.9 F-M out of Los Gatos and Santa Cruz. Wednesday 8-10 pm PDT www.kpcr.org
July 26th
Warsaw Poland Bros announce Rude Boy Recall Tour to support their brand new album.
July 23
Today , Arthur "Gaps" Hendrickson is put to rest in Coventry. Rest in Power.
July 22
Tribute to Greg Lee of Hepcat scheduled at the El Rey Theatre. Sunday October 20th. Tickets
July 17th
Hella Snacks Tour annoucned for August with Ska Punk International Artist Sad Snack and the Hellas.(both of which will be performing at Maximum Ska n P at Five Eye Brewing , Ceres, CA. October 5th.)
UK dates announced for Call Me Malcolm, Echoes & Ghosts, and Omnigone.
July 16th
The Players Band are working on a brand new album and tease with a new song "What I See."
July 15th
Supernova Alliance, is a new 501c3 charity dedicated to connecting communities through music and the arts. It will help us accelerate efforts to support music education all over the world.
The Boardmembers are April Receveur, Dunia Best, Teboho Bertocci, Aram Sinnreich, Doug Jordan , Lindsay Goodwin McCarthy, Unikue Peace, and Tim Receveur.
Follow Supernova Alliance: https://www.facebook.com/supernova.allianceIG:
https://www.instagram.com/supernovaalliance/
Website: https://supernovaalliance.org/
July 14th
Sole Salvation: A Gen X Love Letter to the English Beat by Marc Wassarman will be released on August 12th from DiWulf Publishing.
July 13th
Wacetonians release "The General" a tribute to Jerry Dammers.
Ronce Records release Best & Next Picture Disc by Skaface.
July 9th
For the Rudies in LA, here is an amazing show for you happening on August 10h. Tickets
July 8th
The 10th Annualy Foggy Daze Family Campout lineup announced for September 5-8th.
London International Ska Festival Social Club and Record Swap the last Saturday of the month.
July 6th
Mad Caddies,, Ballyhoo! tour dates announced.
Less Than Jake announce European Tour dates
July 5th
HEY SMITH "REST IN PUNK WO.RLD EDITION" preorder now from Bad Time Records.
Jully 4th
The Operators "Self Tittled Album" Dropped on Jump Up Records.
Preorder the brand new album “Together” by Buster Shuffle
Pre-order your copy now from www.bustershufflemusic.shop
July 2nd
A new pressing of RIPE on vinyl by Skavoovie & the Epitones is in the works to be released on Ska Punk International.
July 1st
On June 28th Let's Go Bowling posted a photo with the caption "Guess who rehearsed for the first time in a long time?" Hope some live shows are in the future.
Greek Ska Reggae Combo Les SkartOI released a brand new album called One Drop of Ska
June 29th
The Hacklers from Ireland have scheduled a tour of Mexico for March 2025.
June 28th
Summer of SKA line up announced for August 24th and 25th in Las Vegas.
Mustard Plug announce UK & European Tour Dates
June 27th
Happy 60th Anniversary to The Skatalites
More West Coast Tour dates announced, these for Less Than Jake, Kill Lincoln and Title Holder in Oct/Nov.
June 26th
Midwest tour dates announced for Big D & the Kids Table, We Are The Union and Devon Kay & The Solutions.
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra announce 35 Anniversary Tour Dates.
June 25th
The Suicide Machine announced November West Coast dates with Against All Authority, Catbite and Omnigone.
New album by The Calamatix to dorp on Hellcat Records, September 20th.
June 24th
Rude Boy Salute by Sound System Seven is set to drop on July 4th.
June 18th
The Suicide Machines announce Fall tour dates with Big D and the Kids Table, We Are the Union, Kill Lincoln, Hey Smith! and Bad Operation.
June 16th
November 27th-November 30th 2024 Hey Smith, Voodoo Glow Skulls and The Resignators. will be on tour in Australia They will headline this years Ska Nation Festival in Colac Victoria, Australia on November 30th.
June 13th
Most have already heard that Laura Jane Grace with Catbite are doing an Operation Ivy set at Super Nova INternational Ska Festival. It has just been announced that they will be performing it again in Chicago for Riot Fest.
June 12th
To celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Bodysnatchers, Sunday Best is releasing ‘Rhoda Dakar sings The Bodysnatchers - 45 Year Edition’! Remastered and repackaged, with three new additional tracks and now available on all formats. Release date is 27 September to coincide with a nationwide tour!
June 11th
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that The Selecter's frontman and vocalist Arthur GAPS Hendrickson has passed away. We have lost another 2Tone Legend and Icon. Rest in Power GAPS.
June 10th
Bad Time Records announce Screening dates for This is New Tone.
June 5th
Omnigone new album FERAL will be released on Bad Time Records on July 26, 2024 pre order now.
June 4th
Foolish Relics announce Summer Tour Stops performing dates with Bim Skala Bim, Some Ska Band and more. Mohawk Mike will be tourmanger on this run.
SKA News 2024
June 2nd
Just hit 100,000 followers on Facebook
The Rins debut album drops Friday June 7th
The Rins are fronted by ska experienced singer Erin (Rin) MacKenzie of the Doped Up Dollies/Big D and the Kids Table. Making a name for herself by performing with bands like Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Dropkick Murphys it was time to try out writing and telling her story.
