Courtney and Ryan of MNSka band Sajak dropped by the studios for this week’s episode of Rude Radio on Radio K (KUOM college radio).  The guys brought in their collection of ska vinyl and chatted with DJs Reverend Evan and Citizen D about their upcoming show on July 26th at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis with recently reunited 3 Minute Hero.  They also talked about what Sajak has been up to during their hiatus, discussed details about some upcoming contests on MNSka.com, and gave shoutouts to their favorite local ska bands.

You can check out the 7/19/09 episode right HERE.  Rude Radio is broadcast on radiok.org every Sunday from 12pm-2pm CT.

There is a big MNSka show coming up on Sunday, July 26th!  Midwest ska veterans 3 Minute Hero are dusting off their suits for the first time in 2 years for an all-out ska explosion at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis.  The show also marks the return of MNSka band Sajak who have been “on hiatus” since November 2008.  They will be back in a big way with new songs, new merch, and a snazzy new banner!  Joining in the fun will be MNSka band Sans Pants.  This 18+ show starts at 7pm.

You can order your tickets online HERE.

FOX 9 (Mpls – St. Paul) is hosting its 3rd annual Battle of the Bands!  Click on the banner above to register your band.  REGISTER NOW, your entry form must be received by 11:59 pm on June 14th, 2009.  The finals will be held at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, MN on August 6th.

Last year, MNSka band Sajak made it to the Finals at the Fine Line.  Let’s see if we can get some more ska bands to enter and show the Twin Cities the level of talent here at MNSka!

Copycats Media is one of the competition’s sponsors and will be providing a full CD replication package (design and mastering included) for the winner and download cards for the runner up.  There’s also a bunch of other cool prizes, like recording studio time, merchandise from Twin Town Guitars, and absurd gift certificates from Border Foods (Free Pizza Hut for a year, $500 @ Taco Bell, $250 @ Sonic).

More information regarding the contest can be found at Copycats Media and at FOX 9.

MNSka would like to thank Chris from Copycats Media for submitting this story!

MNSka band Sajak have some bittersweet news to give to their fans.  First the good news: Guitarist/Lead Vocalist John recently got a new job as a band director and is now engaged to his girlfriend.  However, since the position he accepted is a 3.5 hour drive from the Twin Cities, Sajak will be put temporary on hold until next summer.  The band may play a couple of shows in the Spring.

MNSka would like congratulate John on his success and will keep you posted on the latest from Sajak.

MNSka is hosting the biggest ska show of the fall on November 8th at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis.  To celebrate the release of their new album, Go, Umbrella Bed is playing with an all MNSka bill, consisting of Sajak, 2 Tone Runts, Rocksteady Breakfast and Small Kitchen Appliances.  Tickets for this show are on sale now, so buy them online here.  You may want to get tickets to this show in advance to guarantee admission to this giant ska explosion!

The month of ska continues on Rude Radio as MNSka band Sajak joined Reverend Evan and Citizen D at Radio K last Sunday, October 19th.  Part of the promotion of the upcoming MNSka show on November 8th at the Triple Rock, Sajak played a live in-studio performance.  The 7 song set included 2 brand new, never-performed songs as well as a number that have been written since their 2007 release, Kick It Back To Health.

Check out the full 2-hour episode of Rude Radio below (Sajak’s set starts at the 1:00 mark)

Rude Radio 10/19/08

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Next week on Rude Radio, MNSka band 2 Tone Runts will be live in-studio!  Check it out on Sunday, October 26th at 12 pm (770 AM Minneapolis-St. Paul or on the web at www.radiok.org)

On July 24th this year, MNSka band Sajak played at the Cravings To Go Battle of the Bands 2 as one of the six finalists.  Fox 9 and Cravings To Go have posted a blog entry detailing that crazy night.  Here’s what they had to say about Sajak:

Donning alternating black & white dress shirts and ties, Sajak appeared all business while a straight faced band member quietly said “Sajak” into the mic.

The band then turned the somber mood on its head by kicking into some classic ska/punk music with a hyperactive brass section, upbeat chunking guitar, and singable choruses with no shortage of “Hey’s” to join in on.

The band kept their set fast and fun as the crowd responded accordingly by dancing to the infectious grooves. Sajak also did an excellent job putting the night into perspective by exclaiming “It’s all about pizza, it’s all about Taco Bell, but it’s also about music.”

To check out more pictures of Sajak and the rest of the blog entry, check it out here.

Sajak did not place in the top 3, unfortunately.

The unstoppable ska army that is Umbrella Bed are dropping a brand new album!  The longest running ska band in the Twin Cities is releasing their much anticipated album Go on the European label Mad Butcher in early November.  To celebrate this occasion, they are playing 2 shows right here in Minneapolis, with a 21+ show at Lee’s Liquor Lounge on Friday November 7th and a HUGE All-Ages ska blowout at the Triple Rock on November 8th.  The Triple Rock show will also have 4 local MNSka bands supporting the bill: 2 Tone Runts, Sajak, Rocksteady Breakfast, and Small Kitchen Appliances.

Prior to the CD Release weekend, Radio K’s Rude Radio (Twin Cities 770 AM, 12pm-2pm Every Sunday) will be promoting the November 8th show by having each of the bands on the bill play live in the studio.  Make sure to tune in every weekend in October leading up to the exciting CD Release Party!

Umbrella Bed released One Small Skank For Man on Mad Butcher in 2005.

More details about the CD Release after the jump!

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Rattle My Bones

This weekend marks the 2nd annual Rattle My Bones scooter rally right here in the Twin Cities!  Events start on Thursday, August 14th and the rally wraps up on Sunday, August 17th.  There will be raffles, scooter rides, BBQ’s and pig roasts, and lots of live music.  Join DJ Aaron at Bluecat Motors (550 Vandalia Street, St. Paul, MN) at 8pm on Friday, August 15th as he spins some reggae, rocksteady, and dancehall tracks for you to dance to.  On Saturday, August 16th, get your butts down to the Triple Rock (629 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis, MN) to check out MNSka’s own two-tone legends Umbrella Bed and ska-punkers Sajak.  Show starts around 8pm.

For more info on the rally, head to the Rattle My Bones website