MNSKA band Dred I Dread played in Uptown Minneapolis at Cause Spirits and Soundbar last weekend.  Here’s a video of the band playing “Free Mama Earth” off their upcoming full-length album.

You can watch the video on YouTube HERE

Dirty reggae superstars The Aggrolites are back out on tour on the West Coast to promote their recent live album Unleashed LIVE Vol. 1.  Check out the live video for “Jimmy Jack” from the album.  The video was recorded at The Roxy Theatre (Los Angeles, CA) & The Belly Up Tavern (Solana Beach, CA).  There will be 2 more videos released in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned for more AGGRO!

You can watch the video on YouTube HERE

Last night, Fishbone rocked the stage on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! by performing their hit “Everyday Sunshine.”  The band is promoting their new documentary Everyday Sunshine: The Story Of Fishbone.

You can check out the video on ABC.com HERE

It’s hard to believe, but ska-punk favorites Less Than Jake are celebrating 20 years of being a band.  In honor of this benchmark, the band has posted a video that spans their career and includes great rare footage from their early days.  More 20th anniversary details will be announced soon.

You can check out the video at their website HERE

Asian Man Records band Classics of Love have released a new single “Castle In The Sky” from their upcoming debut full-length album.  The band features members of punk band Hard Girls and Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy, Common Rider).  The video is directed by Bob Vielma.  You can expect the new album to drop on February 14th, 2012.

You can watch this video on YouTube HERE

To get your week started off on the right foot, here’s a brand new video from East London reggae/dub/ska group The Skints.  The song “Ratatat” is a brand new single scheduled for release on February 27th on Penny Drop Recordings.  The band’s album Part and Parcel will be released on April 9th.  The sweet looking video was directed by Chris Hugall.

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

After 40 years, Jamaican hit-makers The Gaylads are back with new material.  The song “Together Again” was recorded at Tuff Gong and Tree Top studios, Kingston, in February 2011.  This is the first Gaylads song featuring their original leader BB Seaton in 40 years. Featuring Derrick Stewart on drums, Boris Gardiner on bass, Dwight Pinkney on guitar, Robbie Lyn on piano, Chris Brewer on sax. Mixed by Errol Brown.  The video shows a photo montage of the group writing and recording the song.

Out soon on 7″, on Soul of Anbessa records

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

NOTE: Big thanks to Jason Lawless of Lawless Street blog for directing me to the video!

Cincinnati band The Pinstripes are gearing up to promote and tour behind their upcoming full-length debut.  In the meantime, the band et up the tape machine in their practice space and spent an afternoon putting down some new ideas to tape through the mixing board.  This video features John on drums, Leonardo on bass, Matt and Sean on guitars, Mike on keys, and Chris doing the dub.

Be sure to catch The Pinstripes at The Red Sea in Minneapolis on March 3rd!

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

MNSKA’s own Aaron Porter recently traveled to Jamaica and took part in some ska-related adventures.  Aaron sat in on a rehearsal session for Ska Rebirth (aka The Young Skatalites) playing their version of “Ska-ing West”. Ska Rebirth is comprised of recently-graduated players from Alpha Boys School, led by Alpha bandmaster Sparrow Martin (on drums).

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

A huge project called Western Standard Time is being undertaken in the name of authentic Jamaican ska.  This West Coast All-Star Ska Big Band pays tribute to early 1960′s Jamaican Ska originators, The Skatalites. Pooling from the best-of-the-best Ska musicians from the last 20 years, from bands like Hepcat, See Spot, Jump With Joey, and Mobtown, Western Standard Time is a groundbreaking project commemorating 50 years of musical heritage. With the shear size of the group, the power and harmonic depth will be revolutionary but at the same time the music and feel will be grounded in its original roots.  Members of this band include Joey Altruda, Gil Sharone, Korey Horn, Brian Dixon, Kincaid Smith, Eitan Avineri, Brian Wallace, David Ralicke, Allen Mezquida, Marques Crews, Ulises Bella, Tony Luna, Benny Golbin, Bobby Cressey, Tom Cook, and Bill Purdy.

In this video, you see the group doing some recording sessions at Bridge Recording Studio in Glendale, CA.  Huge sound playing Skatalites arrangements by Benny Golbin.

You can check out this video on YouTube HERE