Single Review by MNSKA contributor Adam Vermillion

We received an e-mail the other day here at the MNSKA offices from some lads across the Pond going by the moniker of Counting Coins.  They asked us to review their new single “Blue on Blue,” due out for public consumption on 07/01/2013 (or for our friends in the UK, 01/07/2013).

You’ll definitely want to check these guys out.  Their single is catchy, political, and filled with raucous energy.

I’ve had the bridge/chorus (dammit, Jim, I’m a doctor not a musician, oh wait, I’m not a doctor either [though I play one on TV], just a reviewer) stuck in my head for the last day and a half.  I love me a good earworm and this song has it.

The mix of hip-hop lyrical delivery and ska-core is a nice combo that I can’t remember having heard before.  There’s a good “you got hip-hop in my ska-core/you got ska-core in my hip-hop” going on here and it’s aces.  Right from the opening “Go! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey… YES!” Counting Coins pulls the listener right in for all of “Blue on Blue’s” run time.  I’m sure this is already a crowd favorite.  I’d love to catch them live, alas; distance is playing a factor on this one.  U.S. tour guys?  Minneapolis stop?  You know you want to.

I’ve listened to the song about a half dozen times now and if it’s an indication of what the rest of the EP is going to sound like we’re all in for a treat.  I can’t wait to hear more from Counting Coins and look forward to reviewing more of their material.

Life what you heard in the video?  Need to know more?  Swing on by Counting Coins Facebook page and give ‘em a like:  https://www.facebook.com/CountingCoins?fref=ts

From the band’s Press Release:

“Counting Coins new single ‘Blue on Blue’ featuring Robin Leitch, (Random Hand) & Pat Pretorius (The Talks) is the eagerly awaited first single from their forthcoming EP ‘Reach for the Sky.’

The success of their 2012 release ‘What Gives You the Right’ with YouTube views in excess of 13,000 has helped to secure high profile slots at Boomtown Fair, Galtres, Tramlines and Rebellion Festival.

Having shared stages with names such as Sonic Boom Six, Melt Banana and The King Blues the bands popularity seems to be rapidly increasing.  Lead Singer Harry remarks ‘The shows seem to be getting far more raucous and sweaty and our online fan base has shot up since our last release’.  The new video for ‘Blue on Blue’ gives a snapshot of some of these shows taken from around the UK.

Counting Coins, based in Kingston- Upon-Hull (UK) have received great interest from promoters on the continent and with an extensive list of shows booked for 2013 will continue to deliver their Hip-Hop influenced Ska-Punk to hungry crowds far and wide.

Members say: ‘We can’t wait for festival season this year; we’ve got some huge stages booked alongside some of the artists that first inspired us to play these kind of tunes, not least, King Prawn and The J.B Conspiracy.’

‘Blue on Blue’ will be released on the 1^st July as a digital download on All Our Own Records.”

Quotes on the band:

“Counting Coins pay more than passing homage to the angry, politicised Ska, Punk and New Wave of the late 70′s – energetic, ferocious and fizzing with unpredictability. I love it!” 

Katy Noone – Producer – BBC Introducing

“Reminding me of Operation Ivy and Capdown in their heyday… Counting Coins are the most refreshing band I’ve seen for years with the most amazing energy”

Pat Pretorius – Producer/musician – The Talks/Neville Staples/Bad Manners/The Beat

“They have fused together the attitude of Punk Rock with the diversity of modern day music mixing it up into a party we’re all invited to; this is revolutionary music for the people.”

Stew Baxter – Project manager – Warren records

“A high energy slap in the face live act who generally have a knack for writing catchy and original songs that mix elements of ska, reggae, hip-hop and punk”

Gaz Peacham – Revolution Sounds promotions

To close out Prizefighter Profile Week, we bring you the last member of MNSKA band The Prizefighters: Ryan Peterson.  Hope to see you out at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis TONIGHT where The Prizefighters will release their 7-inch vinyl series “A Musical Knockout In 3 Rounds!” with special guests Rocksteady Breakfast and Panther Ray.  9pm doors, 18+, $7, and $3 pints of Summit beer all night long!

Name:  Ryan Peterson

Home Town:  Bloomington, MN

Band Role:  Trombone, etc. (aux percussion, backing vocals).

Years active in the band:  2.5

Instrument of choice:  Trombone

Do you play any other instruments:  Not well enough to really count

How did you get started in music:  I started by singing in church choir, starting at about 5 years old, probably.  Then, I picked up the trombone in 5th Grade, with my primary goal of playing in marching band.

How’d you discover ska/reggae/rocksteady/etc:  I was in high school in the mid-90′s, when ska-punk was everywhere.  I had marching band buddies who introduced me to that.  Being the huge nerd that I was (*am*), it seemed great that these guys playing band instruments could be rock stars.  That was like a gateway genre to more traditional ska and reggae.

What other music genres are you interested in:  I like a wide variety of music from jazz to pop to classical – I’m not a fan of country, but I probably would appreciate it if someone introduced me to some good stuff.

What other hobbies do you have outside of music:  I’m an avid soccer player and fan.

Favorite band:  They Might Be Giants (uh oh, here we go – this is where my inner nerd starts to shine through)

Favorite book:  The Lord of the Rings (hey, Lord of the Rings is cool now, right?)

Favorite movie:  Jurassic Park, or maybe the Star Wars trilogy (of course)

Favorite TV show:  Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Freaks and Geeks (no comment)

What has been you favorite performance/show you have played:  We have played in New Ulm at The Grand Kabaret twice now.  The first time was one of my favorite shows.  We were the only band on the bill and we played 3 sets, which forced us to play basically every song that we know.  We went into it with no expectations – we didn’t know if anyone would be there, or if people would just be eating dinner and not paying any attention to the music.  Instead, it was packed, the crowd was great, and they stayed and danced all night.

Has there been a show where you just didn’t feel it / What did you do to improve on it next time:  I don’t know about a whole show, but sometimes a particular song doesn’t go too well.  I can think of times where we start playing something new and I have totally forgotten what note I’m supposed to start on – once it gets going, though, I usually figure it out pretty quickly.  I make sure to remember for next time, though.

What are you must proud in your musical career:  It sounds really cheesy, but it’s amazing to look out into a crowd and see smiling, singing faces. No matter what scale of a show it happens to be, it feels great to be able to make music that makes people smile and dance.

What would you like to improve upon:  I wish I knew music theory better – it would help when playing solos in particular, so I wouldn’t have to think so much about what notes work in the key.

What would you like to see happen for your career:  I’d love to go on an international tour someday.

What would you like to see happen for the future of MNSka:  I want it to continue to grow, at least to the point where we are a definite stop on any ska band’s tour – too many bands skip by us because we’re so far out of the way.  The bigger we get, the easier it will be to convince them to make the trip.

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:  The ability to slow or stop time – there just aren’t enough hours in the day, or days in the week, to do everything I want to do.

Our week-long series continues where we profile band member from MNSKA band The Prizefighters, we introduce you to frontman Aaron Porter.  Stay tuned for more bios from the band as Prizefighter Profile Week rolls on, culminating in the big Triple Record Release show on Friday night at the Triple Rock at 9pm!

Name:  Aaron Porter

Home Town:  Robbinsdale, MN

Band Role:  90% of the time I act like I’m the Neil deGrasse Tyson of reggae, and 10% of the time I sing and play guitar

Years active in the band:  All 7.5 of them!

Instrument of choice:  My 1963 Hofner SuperSolid guitar!

Do you play any other instruments:  Drums, bass

How did you get started in music:  Music runs deep in my family, and I wanted to be a “rock and roll paleontologist” when I was younger, but I guess writing music held my attention more than digging in the dirt.

How did you discover ska/reggae/rocksteady/etc:  That’s a long story, but I would have to give the most credit to a friend who turned me on to Rude Radio (on Radio K) in 1997, and that exposed me to an entire new world of music (and subculture once I started going out to shows).  I listened to the show religiously and spent every dime I had on CDs.  I got my first electric guitar around that time and pretty much learned how to play by playing along to every song on Oolooloo by The Pietasters as well as the first Specials album.  My heart has been beating to that rhythm ever since

What other music genres are you interested in:  Soul, punk rock, and I’m open to hearing good music as long as it’s honest (hint: most music out there does not fall into that category for me)

What other hobbies do you have outside of music:  A lot of my hobbies revolve around music; record collecting, DJing, art/design, 60s fashion/culture, and so on. I also love singing loud and ridiculous songs to my cat, dog and girlfriend first thing in the morning.

Favorite band:  The Skatalites
Favorite book:  Magazine!

Favorite movie: The one with that guy in it from that other movie…what’s his face…

Favorite TV show:  South Park.

What has been you favorite performance/show you have played:  Backing Stranger Cole was a dream come true for me, and even more incredible that Charlie Organaire was there onstage with us!  Then backing Roy Panton & Yvonne Harrison (also with Charlie Organaire) a few months later was equally amazing; it’s such an honor and a pleasure to be able to perform with these immensely talented pioneers of Jamaican music!

Has there been a show where you just didn’t feel it/What did you do to improve on it next time:  Anytime I feel rushed or can’t hear myself on stage I feel like the show is rough for me.  Thankfully I’ve learned how to roll with situations like that for the most part, but sometimes it’s just too hectic and I have to just feel the music from a deeper place within myself and trust that I won’t screw up too bad!  I really need to start doing vocal warm-ups and taking better care of my voice before shows, though!

What are you must proud in your musical career:  I’m always looking to the future, so whenever I am able to just slow down and take a look back and appreciate everything I’ve done up until this point, I think about how ecstatic a younger me would be to see how much I have accomplished, and that’s really what keeps me going.  I would say that the biggest thing that I am proud of though is the feeling of trust and appreciation that I felt from Stranger, Charlie, Roy and Yvonne when The Prizefighters were their backing band.  The one rehearsal we got with the artists just a few hours before the shows seemed more like a light-hearted reunion between friends rather than a stern business meeting.  Truly humbling and mind-blowing all at once!

What would you like to improve upon:  Everything!  There’s never going to be a reason to not keep on pushing; complacency is the death of innovation and creativity.  The day your art becomes “good enough” is the day you die, and that’s the way I feel about my music.

What would you like to see happen for your career:  I would love to record and release music in a collaboration with some foundation ska/reggae artists, even some of the original studio engineers/producers!

What would you like to see happen for the future of MNSKA:  I have made so many great friends via the ska scene through the years (both locally and internationally), and I would love to see that scene grow even bigger and stronger. T he MNSKA scene has come a long way over the years, and I want to see this wonderful community remain strong and grow even more vibrant the more we continue to keep the ball rollin’!

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:  The ability to skateboard on the moon and not die in the process.

The Dropsteppers
with Brilliant Beast
331 Club, Minneapolis
June 7th, 2013

Show Review by MNSKA contributor Adam Vermillion

“Did you have the week off or something, Adam?” The Dropsteppers’ front man Tom McDowall.

It sure felt that way.  And what a week it was, kids!

For the third night in five days, Minneapolis’ very own The Dropsteppers took the stage, this time at The 331 Club  in Northeast Minneapolis.  Accompanied by an opening set from Brilliant Beast  The 331 Club was the place to be to get your weekend started off right!

I had never been to The 331 Club before, though I had driven by it many times.  As with any new club, there’s a sense of adventure.  What are you going to get?  A ritzy place that’s well lit or a dive requiring your tetanus shot being up to date.  The 331 Club leaned more towards the ritzy side of the line, a nice club with ample seating options, a good sound system, and a nice selection of drinks and food.

The stage was small and open and made for spectacular viewing from anywhere in the club.  Prime seats were at the far end of the bar.  The best spot of all though was definitely out on the dance floor.

Brilliant Beast opened the night with a sound that made me think of music I listened to in the early 90s.  Sonic Youth came to mind.  I sat back and took in each song, enjoying the sounds of my youth.  Sometimes it pays to venture out of the ska bubble I reside in because there’s some other amazing music out there.  After the first song I was texting my wife to let her know how good Brilliant Beast was and that I thought she would really enjoy their work.

Around the eighth song of their ten song set list, Hannah Porter switched to a fiddle, adding a new dimension to Brilliant Beast’s already distinct sound.  The last three songs closed out their set with much flare and had the audience at the 331 ready for more live music.

Brilliant Beast was a nice surprise and they gained a fan in this reviewer.  I look forward to catching more of their live shows around town.

Up next were The Dropsteppers and they launched into their first of two sets with their ultra-catchy cover of Otis Redding’s “Mr. Pitiful.”  The crowd was immediately into what the guys were doing and the dancing started and didn’t end until the first set wrapped up with crowd favorite “Hot Mess.”  Be it a cover of the classic Skeeter Davis track “My Last Date (With You)” or a new tune from their forthcoming EP such as “Feels So Sweet,” the guys in The Dropsteppers always prove they are masters of their craft.  Every song is delivered with finesse and their music is infectious.

The boys gave themselves, and the fans, a much needed break and after about 20 minutes took the stage one more time, opening their second set with gusto and “Extraordinary Woman.”  The second set would hit your with a scorcher and then slow it down a bit and just as you thought you were going to catch a break, another tune requiring you to pick up the pace would start again.  Things came to a close with their always excellent “When the Band Plays/Security” combination.  Also introduced was the instrumental “A Little of the Top” which percussionist Paul Perez took a little too literally with his freshly shaven head (which may have been the biggest hit of the night, now that I think about it…)

The fans demanded more though and the 331 was treated to three additional songs from The Dropsteppers for their encore.  The night ended with the Derrick Morgan classic sing-along “Moon Hop.”  The room was shaking as the crowd yelled along with the band.  It was a great audience to be a part of and after the show it was even better to see new converts to the Dropstepper Beat purchasing CDs and other merch from the band.

Three shows in five days, folks.  For the band and for your dear show reviewer.  And, unlike yours truly, The Dropsteppers delivered the goods each and every time.  I don’t know how they felt after such a week, I can only speculate, but I needed a nap.

See you kids Monday at Nye Polonaise Room for more Dropsteppers action!

Brilliant Beast

1. A Child on Fire
2. Crushdumb
3. Harrow
4. Pickup Lines
5. Holding Pattern
6. Nepotism Shakes
7. Dean Man
8. Neighbor
9. Black Shadow
10. Someone Else Did

Dropsteppers Set 1

1. Mr. Pitiful
2. My Last Date (With You)
3. What You Came to Be
4. Center City
5. Feels So Sweet
6. Bang-Bang
7. Doing My Thing
8. Why Did I Refuse
9. Foolish Pride
10. Hot Mess

Dropsteppers Set 2

1. Extraordinary Woman
2. Suzy’s Got It Wrong
3. Shanty Morning View
4. Bring it on Home
5. Picture on the Wall
6. A Little of The Top
7. Hold It In
8. Right on Time
9. When the Band Plays
10. Security

Dropsteppers Encore

1. I’ll Be Missing You
2. Darker Side of Grey
3. Moon Hop

Our week-long series continues where we profile band member from MNSKA band The Prizefighters, we introduce you to organist Whitney Olson-Williams.  Stay tuned for more bios from the band as Prizefighter Profile Week rolls on, culminating in the big Triple Record Release show on Friday night at the Triple Rock at 9pm!

Name:  Whitney Williams or Whitney Olson depending on who you ask

Home Town:  Apple Valley, MN

Band Role:  Piano/organ

Years active in the band:  5 years
Instrument of choice:  Piano, voice, or guitar

Do you play any other instruments:  Guitar, harmonica, and a bit of mandolin

How’d you get started in music:  My older sisters took piano lessons so there was always someone playing in our house.  I learned how to use our tape and record player when I was really young and was obsessed with listening to music.  I took 14 years of classical piano before I branched off into other genres!

How’d you discover ska/reggae/rocksteady/etc:  I got into punk rock around 13 – 14 and sometime after that I discovered The Specials.  I loved them like crazy and eventually I discovered a bunch of their songs were covers, and looked further into that music.  I think the first Jamaican artist I listened to was probably Desmond Dekker.  I also listened to a bunch of shit that I am embarrassed to admit to now, but I really liked Sublime and Less Than Jake in those early teen days.  I know calling those bands shit is probably going to offend a few people, but I’m ok with that.

What other music genres are you interested in:  Delta Blues, Old Country like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, ‘77 style Punk and Oi, Rhythm & Blues, Cuban and all kinds of Latin music, folk and weird jazz from the ‘20s… basically all the music I like was recorded before the 70s or between 1977 – 1983

What other hobbies do you have outside of music:  These days it seems like none, but I’m ok with that.  I like to paint and do other kinds of crafty art.  Bike riding. Sitting by the river and drinking beers with my friends.

Favorite band:  Ever? Jeez. X I guess.  Their sound is so insane to me and I love Exene Cervenka.  I wish I was that crazy.

Favorite book:  My first thought was Grapes of Wrath so that must be my favorite.

Favorite movie:  I can’t pick a favorite.  I like westerns and I’m a sucker for an old black and white with a beautiful lady in it.

Favorite TV show: Star Trek Original Series, yo.  Or Cops. You know, the classics.

What has been your favorite performance/show you have played:  The Jamaican Oldies shows in Chicago this past year have made my life complete.  The Prizefighters backed Roy Panton & Yvonne Harrison, Stranger Cole (I got to sing a few duets with him!) and this past month I went down to sing with Derrick Morgan.  That was amazing, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my life.  As far as local shows go, I think our CD release show for Follow My Sound in 2010 was the best.  The Triple Rock was packed and when we took the stage I realized…”hey, all these people are here to see us!”  That was also the first night I sang in front of anyone really.  I was so nervous!

Has there been a show where you just didn’t feel it/What did you do to improve on it next time:  Yeah…there have definitely been shows where I’ve just been bummed out and not in the mood to play.  But, I try to remind myself to enjoy the moment and let the music make me feel better.  Also it wigs me out when certain people show up to shows, like I’m more nervous when I know most of the crowd.  Which is silly because people I know keep coming back, so we must be doing something right!  Also, sometimes I get too drunk and can’t play well.  Yikes! I have definitely played enough sloppy drunk shows to know that I can only have one beer before I play

What are you must proud in your musical career:  Everything that is happening right now.  The Prizefighters are putting out a 7” series which I think is pretty damn good, I just got to sing with Derrick Morgan the Conquering Ruler, and my other band The Sterling Roots is starting to play shows around town.  Exciting things are happening!

What would you like to improve upon:  As a musician? Performance.  When I’m just singing it’s easy to interact with the audience.  When I play organ I’m usually concentrating and look like I’m pissed off.  I’ve been trying to smile more on stage these days

What would you like to see happen for your career:  I want to play with more Jamaican artists, I want to sing, I want to do lots of recording projects, I want to travel the country with my Sterling Roots and play in little towns, I want to learn how to play the blues on a 12-string guitar, and I want to play music all the time!

What would you like to see happen for the future of MNSka:  It would be awesome if MNSKA kept going strong.  I would really like to see another MNSka compilation, and/or a celebration sometime this year.  I think this year is the ten year anniversary!  We’re definitely due for a party.  All of us have known each other for so long, it’s high time we get straight drunk together.

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:  I wish I could fart and cash would fly out my ass so I could put out new 45s once a month and fly in any Jamaican artist I wanted to perform in Minneapolis.  For real, yo.

Our week-long series continues where we profile band member from MNSKA band The Prizefighters, we introduce you to sax player (and editor-in-chief of this website!) Courtney Klos.  Stay tuned for more bios from the band as Prizefighter Profile Week rolls on, culminating in the big Triple Record Release show on Friday night at the Triple Rock at 9pm!

Name:  Courtney Klos
Home Town:  La Crosse, WI
Band Role:  Horn player, backing singer, backup dancer, web promo guy
Years active in the band:  2.5
Instrument of choice:  Tenor saxophone
Do you play any other instruments:  If it resembles a saxophone, I can probably play it.

How’d you get started in music: Piano lessons at age 5.  Quit them after 3 months after learning how to read music.  Learned saxophone in 6th Grade and played through high school.  Joined the University of MN marching band as an excuse to keep playing.  Haven’t put it down since.

How’d you discover ska/reggae/rocksteady/etc:  In middle or high school, my friend Tim gave me tapes and CDs of Bosstones, Buck O Nine, Less Than Jake.  The more bands I could find and shows I could go to, the more I learned about the history of the music.  The older I got, the more I leaned toward original Jamaican ska and less toward ska-punk (but who am I kidding, I still like that stuff)

What other music genres are you interested in:  Punk rock, 90′s alternative, Americana, any music that can genuinely tell a story

What other hobbies do you have outside of music:  I train for long-distance atheltic events.  I’m known to run triathlons, half marathons, and the like

Favorite band:  Too many to mention
Favorite book:  Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Favorite movie:  Pulp Fiction
Favorite TV show:  Seinfeld

What has been you favorite performance / show you have played:  I liked playing at the Summit 25th Anniversary Party a couple years ago.  We got our own trailer backstage, all the Summit we could drink and Jimmy Johns we could eat.  Also, we played really, really well

Has there been a show where you just didn’t feel it / What did you do to improve on it next time:  Playing in my previous band (Sajak), we played Oktoberfest at Station 4 in Saint Paul.  Every member of the band was absolutely drunk.  The singer lost his voice, everyone had different tempos (some were playing different songs) at the same time.  It was a disaster.  I believe the improvement tactic was “hey, let’s not play like that again.”  Simple solution.

What are you must proud in your musical career:  I’d like to say it was winning the “Vocalist Of The Year” in 8th Grade, but that’s not true.  It would have to be backing up Jamaican legend Stranger Cole in Chicago, feeling like I was contributing to Jamaican music history.

What would you like to improve upon:  My playing ability and improve soloing skills on saxophone.

What would you like to see happen for your career:  I’d like to perform our music in all 50 states

What would you like to see happen for the future of MNSka:  MNSka is 10 years old this year, so I’d like to see something special happen in honor of that.  I’d also like to have a big ska fest and have it be successful.  Would be cool to hire a writing staff for the website, but I think you need money for that.

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:  To be always motivated and driven.  Is having the “eye of the tiger” a super power?  It has to be.  I guess having a fire in my belly that never goes out.

Continuing our week-long series of band member profiles from MNSKA band The Prizefighters, we introduce you to drummer Eric Whalen.  Stay tuned for more bios from the band as Prizefighter Profile Week rolls on, culminating in the big Triple Record Release show on Friday night at the Triple Rock at 9pm!

Name:  Eric Whalen

Home Town: Harmony, MN

Band Role:  Drums

Years active in the band:  2 years +

Instrument of choice:  Drums

Do you play any other instruments:  Nah

How’d you get started in music:  I started with percussion in 5th Grade to boost how cool I was.  Learned the drum set for jazz band in middle and high school.  Started playing in crappy rock bands in high school with friends.

How’d you discover ska/reggae/rocksteady/etc:  Being randomly paired with (bassist) Jordan Porter as a freshman roommate introduced non-Bob Marley / Sublime reggae to me at age 18.  I was then a fan of the Prizefighters for a few years before I joined the band.  Aaron shared so much good old Jamaican music with me as I joined the band, and I fell in love with the music.  It was the first music that made me feel like dancing.

What other music genres are you interested in:  Indie, Folk, Electro and Shoegaze Pop, Post Punk, Post Rock

What other hobbies do you have outside of music:  I love bicycling around the Twin Cities, reading, playing nerdy/strategic board games, Twitter, coffee and whiskey drinking

Favorite band:  Modest Mouse or Tortoise or Radiohead.  Locally, Strange Relations.

Favorite book:  The Brothers Karamazov (Dostoevsky)

Favorite movie:  I like Wes Anderson, Herzog, Lars Von Trier movies, etc.

Favorite TV show:  That Mitchell and Webb Look or Futurama or Archer

What has been you favorite performance/show you have played:  Playing 3 hour sets at the Grand Kabaret in New Ulm is always surprisingly fun.  They treat us well and feed us many drinks.  Des Moines is also usually a fun show because they have such an excited crowd of hungry ska/reggae fans and know how to party.

Has there been a show where you just didn’t feel it/What did you do to improve on it next time:  That happens from time to time.  If monitors aren’t working well, it can make for a shaky show.  Sometimes I don’t feel good about a show afterwards, but everything actually sounded just fine.  If there’s a lot of anxiety before hand, a show can feel off or rushed.  Usually the solution is to not worry about things too much, and to have the right amount of drinks in you.  That way I’m relaxed and having fun and can roll with the punches better.

What are you must proud in your musical career:  Playing with Stranger Cole was huge.  It was such an honor to play those classic songs with the man himself.  It was fulfilling to be a part of that and good for us to put ourselves aside and focus on someone else’s music.  The same for playing with Roy and Yvonne.  But, opening for Toots & the Maytals was one of the biggest crowds I’ve ever played for, and one of the biggest stages.

What would you like to improve upon:  many things.  Keeping the tempo consistent, handling the stress of being in multiple bands (five right now), giving more feedback about songwriting, becoming better connected with important musical people around town (i.e. networking)

What would you like to see happen for your career:  Eventually I’d love to be able to tell my job that I need to take the summer off to tour the country.  And maybe someday be a professional musician, but I’m not counting on it.  It’s fine if music is always just a passion instead of a money-maker the rest of my life.

What would you like to see happen for the future of MNSka:  I hope more ska and reggae bands pop up throughout the Twin Cities.  That’s the biggest thing.  Then the fan base would grow and maybe The Current would play good reggae/ska/rocksteady more.  I think hearing more of this traditional music on the radio will be important in ushering in “new” sounds to the people.  Too many people still have misconceptions about what reggae is, and that needs to be corrected!

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:  Ability to freeze time.  Time is my biggest enemy, because death is my biggest fear.

Ska Meltdown!
PIMPBOT
with The Dropsteppers, The Thundertones, Ska-Skank Redemption
The Red Sea, Minneapolis
June 4th, 2013

Show Review by MNSKA contributor Adam Vermillion

One of the many things I love about being part of the ska scene, and MNSKA specifically is that not only do most people locally know each other, but there are connections established throughout on both the national and even international levels.  This allows for some bands to come through town that may normally not think about adding Minneapolis as a potential stop on a tour.

Thanks to Jay “Jayder” Kalk of the legendary 3 Minute Hero, those connections brought his old band mate Fernando Pacheco, and his current band, PIMPBOT (from Waikiki!) to the fans here in Minneapolis.  Both of them had previously performed together with Go Jimmy Go.

Also on the bill were Fargo’s The Ska-Shank Redemption, and Minneapolis’ very own The Thundertones and The Dropsteppers.  There was also a rumored appearance by Waseca. MN’s mythical Shitpony.  However, much like Bigfoot, there remains no hard evidence of their existence.

The Red Sea played host to Ska Meltdown.  The Red Sea is one of the most ska friendly venues and is the site of some of the earliest MNSKA shows.  The vibe is always laid back and the drinks are always cheap.

Starting the night off right wear a group of fine young gents from North Dakota called The Ska-Skank Redemption.  The set was fun and the tunes where upbeat and catchy.  The lads from SSR graced us with covers of The Beatle’s “Obladi Oblada” and Catch 22’s “Keasby Nights.”  Hearing the opening of Keasby brought a huge smile to my face because I had not heard that song in ages and soon the majority of the crowd was singing along with the chorus.

Ska-Skank mentioned they were in town recording their first album, which this reviewer is looking forward to owning so he can play it loud in the car while driving around town, hoping that some passersby get caught up in the infectious grooves from Fargo.

I wish the guys in Ska-Skank Redemption good luck with their album and I hope to see them added to more MNSKA shows in the future.  They really know how to get a show going.

Up next were The Thundertones.  I first saw The Thundertones back in February at the Second Annual Ska-Pow Battle of the Bands.  I recall liking their sound and they had a very fun stage presence that reminded of some 3MH shenanigans.  I’m happy to see they are becoming more entrenched in the MNSKA scene.

They continued bringing their fun by opening the set with a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

Having The Thundertones on a show was also nice because they definitely have a solid fan base that came out to see them.  A fan base just waiting to be converted to the MNSKA ranks.

Fake Out of the Night also goes to The Thundertones.  I will admit I became a little too excited when I heard the beginnings of Boston’s “Foreplay / Long Time” start up.  I thought we were going to get the whole thing but we only got the opening drum solo. Oh well, maybe some other day my love of 70s rock will be sated at a ska show.

Taking the stage in the third slot were the fine, upstanding guys of PIMPBOT.  They were here in the Mainland, all the way from Waikiki, HI, experiencing some of that Midwestern hospitality that we are so well known for.

Minneapolis is part of PIMPBOT’s “Stuck in the Middle” tour.  I’m glad we could be part of the fun as they put on a very energetic set.  Songs ranged from more metal influence and would then come down to some reggae. You know you are in for a fun time when songs have names such as “Hipster,” Tiger”, and “Hobo Chili.”

PIMPBOT put on a great set and were even greater guys to speak to afterwards.  I hope they can make it back up this way and I wish them safe travels and great shows for the rest of their tour through the most land-locked part of our nation.

Closing out the night was The Dropsteppers, coming off their first night of summer residency at Nye’s Polonaise Room (every Monday this summer from 8 – 11 PM).  They didn’t seem a band that had just played 24 hours prior and the guys started their set off with the crowd pleasing “Extraordinary Woman.”  With Paul Perez finally returned to our loving embrace from the Wilds of Wisconsin, the Dropstepper Beat was back in full effect and the boys poured out a 10 song set of old favorite, new tunes and covers from both Skeeter Davis and Nancy Sinatra.

For the second night in a row, The Dropsteppers closed with “Hot Mess,” a fine tune to be sent packing too.

Ska Meltdown was an extremely fun time with group of fantastic people.  The MNSKA crowd was introduced to two new bands in The Ska-Skank Redemption and PIMBOT and were also treated to a rare MNSKA performance by The Thundertones.  The Dropsteppers wrapped it up in fine fashion and sent us all home feeling good.

Set Lists

The Ska-Skank Redemption

1. Hit & Run
2. Obladi, Oblada (The Beatles)
3. Sheila
4. Age Like Wine
5. Minnesota
6. Keasby Nights (Catch 22)
7. Christine

The Thundertones

1. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
2. Foreplay / Kum & Go
3. New Song
4. Xhands
5. Instrumental
6. Down Means Up
7. 4 Dead Chords
8. Marvin

PIMPBOT

1. Drinking Alone
2. Fail of Fly
3. Hipster
4. Baseball
5. Wasn’t Invited
6. Tiger
7. Man You Missed Out
8. Hobo Chili
9. Drink More Beer
10. Don’t Waste My Time
11. Ragga Muffin
12. Lip Up Fatty
13. Phat Fish
14. Meet Your at the Bar
15. Used to Have Fun
16. Pressure Drop (Toots and the Maytals)
17. 40 Patrol
18. CK

The Dropsteppers

1. Extraordinary Woman
2. May Last Date (With You) (Skeeter Davis)
3. Center City
4. Feels So Sweet
5. Bring it on Home
6. What You Came to Be
7. Bang Bang (Nancy Sinatra)
8. Right on Time
9. Foolish Pride
10.  Hot Mess

This Friday, June 14^th, Minneapolis, MN’s very own The Prizefighters will be releasing their eagerly awaited 45rpm 7” vinyl series, “A Musical Knockout in 3 Rounds!”  These three records are the culmination of over a year’s worth of love and dedication to the sounds these six musicians have come to be known for.  Whether you love ska, reggae, and/or rocksteady, The Prizefighters have battled all three head on and knocked each one out with a TKO!

In celebration of this event MNSKA thought it would be fun for the fans to get to know these Titans of the Scene with Prizefighters Profile Week.  Follow along the rest of the week for the inside scoop on what makes each Prizefighter tick.

Then, head down to the Triple Rock Social Club at 9PM on June 14^th and celebrate with us as The Prizefighters release “A Musical Knockout in 3 Rounds” to the public.  All three 45s will be available for purchase, but act quickly, because only 500 copies of each round were pressed and once they’re down for the count, their careers are over.  Also available are two new T-shirts, stickers, buttons, and an extremely limited (only 100 produced) poster made to commemorate the success of The Prizefighters most recent endeavor.

See you Friday night!

MEET JORDAN PORTER

Name:  Jordan Porter

Home Town:  Robbinsdale, MN

Band Role:  Bass, smattering of vocals

Years active in the band:  Seven

Instrument of choice:  Fender Jaguar

Do you play any other instruments:  Guitar, and at one time or another trumpet, euphonium, tuba, percussion, and the keys I played for about a year in this band.

How’d you get started in music:  Started playing trumpet in school band in the 5th Grade, but by that point I had already made up my mind that I would one day be playing in a rock and roll band.  That’s determination.  Picked up the bass in 7^th Grade and that’s been that.

How’d you discover ska/reggae/rocksteady/etc:  The ska boom of the mid 90s got me curious, and since Aaron got super into it, I sort of picked it up through osmosis or something.  Not that I was too knowledgeable at first; I once tried to prove to another fifth grader how much I knew what made ska “ska.”  I said it’s because it had horns.  I was pretty fucking stupid.  As far as discovering the real music, a great jumping off point was going through a bunch of the Trojan box sets.  You could get those at Cheapo for $20 and you’d have 50 thematically arranged tracks.  They were awesome.

What other music genres are you interested in:  I’m really into shoegaze, lo-fi, 80s post-punk and the whole Dischord sound.  This is sort of a problem because I’m starting to develop tinnitus.

What other hobbies do you have outside of music:  Baseball, writing, and complex board games. And nothing else.

Favorite band:  For Jamaican music, it’s John Holt (with and without the Paragons) or the Crystalites.  For rock & roll, it’s some toss-up between Fugazi, Murder City Devils, or Pornography.  Nope, it’s definitely Pornography.

Favorite book:  Unfair question.  Raining Backwards by Roberto Fernandez is pretty stellar, and since I won’t list 100 poetry collections, I’ll just add that Russell Edson writes them the best, and Raymond Carver’s short stories make me want to kill myself before I become 40 and married.

Favorite movie:  Surviving Desire

Favorite TV show:  Either Breaking Bad or Party Down.

What has been you favorite performance/show you have played:  Backing Stranger Cole in Chicago for the first Jamaican Oldies Weekend.

Has there been a show where you just didn’t feel it/What did you do to improve on it next time:  Said, “Soundperson! Turn my everything up in the mix.”

What are you must proud in your musical career:  Having the chance to contribute to the history of the music I love so much, through meeting and performing with top notch Jamaican artists, and also finding that through our band’s hard work alone, without any major media support we’ve managed to reach and inspire people from all across the world.  Knowing that someone I’ll never meet in Belgium or the Philippines is listening to and enjoying a song I wrote.

What would you like to improve upon:  My tinnitus.

What would you like to see happen for your career:  Skydive in a Bentley while Alton Brown serves me pizza while I get a foot massage and Lindsay Lohan texts someone from the passenger seat about how OMG bored she is.  So, basically, be one of the Lumineers.

What would you like to see happen for the future of MNSka:  Get some capital and throw our own parties where we bring in Jamaican artists and bands from across the country.

If you could have one super power, what would it be and why:  The power to never have to worry about being slowed down by tinnitus and vocal cord nodes.  Because these are the worst.

The Dropsteppers
Nye’s Polonaise Room, Minneapolis
June 3rd, 2013

Show Review by MNSKA contributor Adam Vermillion

About a month ago news hit that Minneapolis’ very own The Dropsteppers were going to have a residency for the summer.  The location was to be at Nye’s Polonaise Room and the time 8 – 11 PM every Monday.  Monday you say? Who goes to a show on Monday?  The Voice is on for Pete’s sake.  Why would I miss that?

Well, buster, let me tell you why.  ‘Cause The Dropsteppers put out some of the hottest sounds around town.  You can set your DVR so you can stare at Blake Shelton later.  There’s some of the best music to be found down at the home of the World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band!

We headed out into one of my favorite areas of Northeast Minneapolis, where University and Hennepin intersect.  This few blocks is home to some of the finest eating establishments in The Cities.  You haven’t lived until you’ve had some varenyky from Kramarczuk’s Ukrainian Deli or sampled the rich, flavorful char on the crust at Pizza Nea.

Wait, this isn’t one of my food reviews!  Focus, Adam! Back on track.  There’s a show to review.

Have you ever been to Nye’s?  It’s a pretty swanky dinner club that feels like some place your grandparents probably got hammered in back in the 50s when they were all dressed like Don and Betty Draper 24/7.  However, off of the main restaurant is a narrow bar area that’s maybe about as wide across as two city buses.  Which means the show was nice and intimate for both the band and the audience.  We had to get close.  Luckily for the MNSKA scene this is never a problem because we’re all already pals as it is.

The Dropsteppers were missing percussionist Paul Perez, who I heard was running around the wilds of Wisconsin?  Why?  I think that’s classified information.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the fine, fine editors at MNSKA didn’t redact this paragraph like they did my Area 51 reports…  This was my first time hearing The Dropsteppers without a tambourine and to say that Mr. Perez’s percussion skills add a whole other dimension to the band’s sound would be a grievous understatement.  Still, the show must go on and on the show did go.

The night got started off right as the band opened with a catchy cover of Otis Redding’s “Mr. Pitiful.”  Seriously, hunt down this song.  It’s been stuck in my head for almost a week now.  They moved into the Bob Marley tune “Cheer Up” and peppered their first set with a good dose of original material from their debut album Get Up In It (available here for purchase or better yet come down to the show and pick up one in person) and covers ranging from Skeeter Davis’ “My Last Date (With You) to “Picture on the Wall” by Phyllis Dillon.  The coolest cover had to be Nancy Sinatra’s “Bang Bang.”  If you like your Tarantino movies, then you’re already familiar with that one.

That was Set 1.  We had two more hours to go.  After a well-earned rest bit, the boys were back on stage for Set 2!

Set 2 came roaring in with my personal favorite Dropsteppers beat “What You Came to Be.”  You don’t want to be in the car with me when this song comes on and vocalist Tom McDowell should probably watch out for me too because I’m rockin’ like Dokken on the vox to this.  Just kiddin’ Tom… or am I?

The second set continued with another release from Get Up In It, “Shanty Morning View,” a tune that always makes me a little sad when I hear it.  The band then moved into some new songs, really bringing that Dropsteppers’ groove to the audience.  The second set closed with the Derrick Morgan sing-a-long “Moon Hop” which had everybody worked up and moved into their original scorcher “Bring it on Home to You” to well…er.. bring it home.

You’d think this would have been enough to send everybody out the door content but there was still an hour to go and more music to devour.

Set 3 was almost nothing but original Dropsteppers music.  The set kicked off with “Center City,” a fun song that also opens up Get Up In It and guides you along throughout the rest of their album.  One of my favorites, which has become a staple of the Dropsteppers’ set, if when they do their original “When the Band Plays” and then interject some of Etta James’ “Security” into the middle of it before finishing back up with the initial tune.

To close the night the boys broke out “Hot Mess,” a song that had been stricken from the set list at the previous weekend’s Fistful of Ska in Des Moines, due to time constraints.  It’s as if that affront had been building up in The Dropsteppers for the entire week because they tore it up and sent us all home happy and waiting to see them again next Monday.  Or for those of us with a slight MNSKA obsession (and no kids), the next night at the Red Sea.  But that’s another review…

For three hours The Dropsteppers controlled the room.  The sets were all built well, drawing you in, working you up, then slowing it down just enough to make you go a little nuts when the pace was picked back up again.  These guys know how to perform for a crowd and seeing them live is always a privilege.  If you didn’t make it out to June Third’s show you have every Monday for the foreseeable future to come on down to Nye’s and remedy that error in judgement.

How do you know you’re seeing a band that “has it” as they say?  By the end of the night The Dropsteppers had the bartender dancing.  And, that to me, is a sign of a group that knows exactly what they are doing and that they are doing it well.

See y’all at Nye’s on June 10^th from 8 – 11 PM (new residency hours).

Set 1.

1. Mr. Pitiful (Otis Redding)
2. Cheer Up (Bob Marley)
3. Hold It In (Dropsteppers)
4. My Last Date (With You) (Skeeter Davis)
5. Foolish Pride (Dropsteppers)
6. Extraordinary Woman (Dropsteppers)
7. Bang Bang (Nancy Sinatra)
8. Doing My Thing (Delroy Wilson)
9. Picture on the Wall (Phyllis Dillon)

Set 2.

1. What You Came to Be (Dropsteppers)
2. Shanty Morning (Dropsteppers)
3. I’ll Be Missing You (Dropsteppers)
4. Darker Side of Grey (Dropsteppers)
5. Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield)
6. Right on Time (Dropsteppers)
7. Moon Hop (Derrick Morgan)
8. Bring it on Home to You (Dropsteppers)

Set 3.

1. Center City (Dropsteppers)
2. Feels So Sweet (Dropsteppers)
3. A Little Off the Top (Dropsteppers)
4. Why Did I Refuse (Dropsteppers)
5. Suzy’s Got it Wrong (Dropsteppers)
6. When the Band Plays (Dropsteppers)
7. Security (Etta James)
8. Hot Mess (Dropsteppers)