MNSKA band 2 Tone Runts are back after their extended hiatus.  The band is playing a show Friday, October 7th at The Whole Music Club inside Coffman Union at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, sponsored by Amnesty International at the U of M.  The cover charge is $5 with a $1 reduction if you bring a non-perishable food item ( per item, shoot for healthy).  Pizza (including vegan) will be provided.  The cover charge money will go to Sisters’ Camelot, and we will be donating the food items to the Brian Coyle Center.

Set times:
9pm : Vaudeville – http://www.facebook.com/vaudevillemn
10pm: 2 Tone Runts – http://www.facebook.com/2tonerunts
11pm: SoundColor Theory – http://www.facebook.com/SoundcolorTheory

Bomb The Music Industry! mastermind Jeff Rosenstock is taking to the road this Spring for a unique solo tour!  Dubbed the “Bring Your Own Band” tour, Jeff is encouraging people to bring instruments to the show to help back him (and his trusty iPod) up.  BTMI! will be making a stop at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN on Wednesday, March 23rd.  Tickets for this All Ages show are $5 and doors open at 5 pm.  Grab an instrument and join in the insane ska-influenced frenzy!

Also playing this show is Minneapolis band Stop Drop (folk-punk band consisting of members from MNSKA band 2 Tone Runts), Minneapolis quartet Brilliant Beast (alt-country and power-folk band consisting of members of MNSKA band The Prizefighters) and Animal Attack! (St. Paul hardcore punk band).

You can check out more details about this show HERE

MNSKA band 2 Tone Runts want to help you out with your holiday shopping!  If you head over to their online store, you can find great deals on 2 Tone Runts T-shirts, posters, and their full-length debut album On The Front Line.

You can check out the great deals HERE

MNSKA band 2 Tone Runts played a great set last night at The Red Sea in Minneapolis, MN for BAND-AID, a benefit concert for Doctors Without Borders.  They closed down their set with an uplifting new song called “You’ve Got To Know” with keyboard/trumpet player Kinaundrae Lee taking the lead vocal.

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

MNSKA band 2 Tone Runts is playing a benefit concert at The Red Sea in Minneapolis, MN TOMORROW NIGHT!  The show is called BAND-AID: Our Wealth To Their Health and is presented by the University of Minnesota’s Chapter of Amnesty International and Biology without Borders.  Doors for this event open at 8:30 pm with 2 Tone Runts taking the stage at 10:15 pm.  The show is $5 for those under 21 and $4 for those 21 and over with all proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders.

Another big MNSKA show!  Skalloween is coming featuring performances by MNSKA bands The Dropsteppers, The Prizefighters, and 2 Tone Runts.  The party will take place on Saturday, October 30th at The Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis, MN at 9pm.  It’s FREE!  It’s ALL AGES!  It’s a COSTUME PARTY!  We’ll see you there!

Another big ALL AGES MNSKA show is happening this Saturday, July 17th at The Red Sea in Minneapolis, MN!  Kansas City band The Ruckus is sharing the stage with MNSKA veterans Umbrella Bed.  Other MNSKA bands on the bill include the politically-conscious 2 Tone Runts and the incredibly talented Secondhand Ska Kings.  The show will get started around 5pm and all you need is a $5 cover.  Since the cats at the Red Sea are such nice guys, they’ve extended their usual weekday happy hour specials (4pm – 9pm) for the show, so if you’re 21+, you’ll be able to wet your whistle AND save some money!

Be sure to pick up the latest CD releases and merchandise from all of the groups.  If you’re into the whole social media thing, let people know if you’ll be at the show by heading over to our Facebook event page HERE

Although this podcast is based out of Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes, today’s episode is deep-rooted in the land of Brats, Beer, and Cheese.  Courtney connects with his good friend and fellow Wisconsinite Kenny Dinkis, guitar player for pop-ska band Something To Do, to promote the upcoming 17th annual Midwest Ska Fest known as Skappleton.  The two reminisce about former bands, chilly Wisconsin outdoor concerts, and how to turn a guitar into a deadly weapon.

Skappleton is taking place Saturday, May 22nd at Tanner’s Bar and Grill in Kimberly, WI.  The festival is All Ages and will feature bands like Something To Do, The Invaders, 2 Tone Runts, Car Full Of Midgets and many more!

This show is brought to you in part by MNSKA.com, Minnesota’s Ska Community and the Fancy Pants Gangsters podcast network.  Become a fan of the show on Facebook, follow Courtney on Twitter, or email him at FOSS@fancypantsgangsters.com.

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You can download this episode HERE or subscribe to the show on iTunes.

Spring is in the air, and in Twin Cities that typically means that its citizens come out of their winter hibernation and go out to see some live music.  Last weekend, Host Courtney Klos did just that and strolled down to The Red Sea in Minneapolis to attend the first big MNSKA show of the Spring.  Listen in as he talks to punk-ska band Midriff, ska-reggae activists 2 Tone Runts, and Indiana soul-reggae rockstars Green Room Rockers. If you didn’t get to go to this show, hopefully this episode will properly simulate the experience, minus the happy hour specials.

This show is brought to you in part by MNSKA.com, Minnesota’s Ska Community and the Fancy Pants Gangsters podcast network.  Become a fan of the show on Facebook, follow Courtney on Twitter, or email him at FOSS@fancypantsgangsters.com.

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You can download this episode HERE or subscribe to the show on iTunes.

JUST ANNOUNCED! The largest and longest-running ska festival in the Midwest, Skappleton, will be taking place on Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 at Tanner’s Bar in Kimberly, WI.  The first wave of bands have been announced:

Something To Do (Waukesha, WI): A great mixture of ska and pop-rock who put on an unforgettable live show!

The Invaders (Milwaukee, WI): Veteran two-tone ska band that you can’t help but dance to!

Car Full Of Midgets (Appleton, WI): Young ska-rock band with a HUGE horn section!

2 Tone Runts (Minneapolis, MN): MNSKA’s own ska-reggae activist band!

Boss Rude (Milwaukee, WI): Energetic third-wave ska!

Skattsmen (La Crosse, WI): A refreshing and eclectic take on ska-punk!

Cold Feet (Appleton, WI): Great ska-punk band with a roaring horn section!

Orpheus (De Pere, WI): Rude ska vibes with hot pop-vocal hooks!

1,2,3 Walrus (La Crosse, WI): A perfect mixture of ska, reggae, and snotty, disaffected punk vocals!

More bands to be announced!  This is a great opportunity to check out some of the up-and-coming ska bands in the Midwest and is a great opportunity to meet up with fellow ska-lovers.  We at MNSKA will keep you posted on the details surround this year’s Skappleton!