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.

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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.

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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!

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We have a loaded ska show coming up Tuesday night at The Red Sea in Minneapolis.  You won’t want to miss this one!  Coming all the way from Waikiki, Hawaii, PIMPBOT (ex-Go Jimmy Go) will be performing their brand of ska tunes (see above video) as well as Ska Skank Redemption from Fargo, North Dakota.  Plenty of local flare to be had as well with MNSKA bands The Dropsteppers and The Thundertones.  Special guests Shitpony (members of 3 Minute Hero).  The 18+ show is only $7 and starts at 7pm.

You can check out the PIMPBOT video on YouTube HERE

Related show

• Band: The Dropsteppers / PIMPBOT / Shitpony / The Thundertones / Ska Skank Redemption
• Date: Tuesday, June 4th 2013
• Time: 7:00pm
• City: The Dropsteppers / PIMPBOT / Shitpony / The Thundertones / Ska Skank Redemption in Minneapolis, MN
• Venue: The Red Sea
• Address: 320 Cedar Ave S
• Country: US
• Admission: $7
• Age restrictions: 18+
• Notes: SKA Meltdown!
  featuring PIMPBOT (ex Go Jimmy Go) from Waikiki!
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MNSKA band The Dropsteppers are beginning residency at world renowned Nordeast Minneapolis bar Nye’s Polonaise Room every Monday night starting TONIGHT!   The music goes from 7-10pm every Monday at one of the coolest bars in the Twin Cities.  You’re Mondays are getting a whole lot better!

Related show

• Band: The Dropsteppers
• Date: Monday, June 3rd 2013
• Time: 7:00pm
• City: The Dropsteppers in Minneapolis, MN
• Venue: Nye’s Polonaise Room
• Address: 112 E Hennepin Ave
• Venue phone: (612) 379-2021
• Country: US
• Notes: The Dropsteppers residency every Monday night!
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Big things are going on down in Des Moines, IA!  The town has always had a very dedicated scooter and skin scene that has gravitated toward ska, reggae and Oi punk music.  Over the past few years, members of that scene have formed 3 Bridges Promotion which books shows and events for the underground music scene.  Not only do they promote these shows, they often provide touring bands with a place to sleep and all-night parties where the bands and fans share stories over pints of brew.  Last winter, the group hosted the first Fistful Of Ska! show that showcased 5 midwestern ska bands (New Riddim (Kansas City), The Bishops (Omaha), The Prizefighters, The Dropsteppers, Rocksteady Breakfast)  Before the show was over, plans were being made for the next installment.

Fistful Of Ska! is back and bigger than ever with 11 bands from all over the country and 5 DJs over 3 nights at The Gas Lamp (1501 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA).  MNSKA bands Secondhand Ska Kings, The Prizefighters, and The Dropsteppers will be there to represent our scene.  If you are a Twin Cities ska fan and are looking for Memorial Day weekend plans, head down to Des Moines (only a 4 hour drive).  Tickets are available here: https://tikly.co/-/1352

Here is a break down of the weekend festivities:

FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2013 7PM GAS LAMP
ARM THE POOR (Kansas City, MO)
SECONDHAND SKA KINGS (Minneapolis, MN)
LERADEE & THE POSITIVES (Des Moines, IA)
RUDE KING (Dallas, TX)

SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2013 7PM GAS LAMP
INSPECTER 7 (New Jersey)
DEAL’S GONE BAD (Chicago, IL)
THE BISHOPS (Omaha, NE)
THE PRIZEFIGHTERS (Minneapolis, MN)
THE DROPSTEPPERS (Minneapolis, MN)
SOUL RADICS (Nashville, TN)
SAMMY KAY & THE EAST LOS THREE (Los Angeles, CA)
DJ CHUCK WREN
DJ RIC VESPA
DJ COSMO

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2013 7PM BEECHWOOD LOUNGE
DJ COSMO
RIVER CITY ROCKSTEADY

Sponsored by JUMP UP RECORDS!

Dust off your best suits and dresses, it’s time to get dolled up for the Fancy Dress Party at the Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis!  Going on this Saturday, April 13th at 9 pm, the cover charge is only $5 if you come in your fanciest threads, but the cover goes up to $8 if you come in your normal duds.  Headlining this classy event are Rocksteady Breakfast bringing their usual, high-energy, Two Tone ska-meets-street punk sound.  Joining them are MNSKA band The Dropsteppers, who are celebrating the release of their new 7-inch, and band Black Diet.

But wait, there’s more!  There will be special performances by Black Hearts Burlesque!  The night is sponsored by Tatters Vintage Clothing, who will be giving away prizes to the best dressed attendees!  Other sponsors include Pabst Blue Ribbon, Sik Pin, The Nomad, and MNSKA of course!

Related show

• Band: Rocksteady Breakfast / The Dropsteppers / Black Diet
• Date: Saturday, April 13th 2013
• Time: 9:00pm
• City: Rocksteady Breakfast / The Dropsteppers / Black Diet in Minneapolis, MN
• Venue: The Nomad World Pub
• Address: 501 Cedar Ave S
• Venue phone: 612-338-6424
• Country: US
• Admission: $5 fancy / $8 not fancy
• Age restrictions: 21+
• Notes: FANCY DRESS PARTY!
  presented by Tatters
  sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon, MNSKA, and Sik Pin
  Special performance by Black Hearts Burlesque
  Dress up fancy, get in for $5, otherwise $8
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MNSKA band The Dropsteppers are a part of the latest series of Ska Is Dead 7-inches, recording their song “Darker Side Of Grey” on a split with Boston band The Void Union. Come check out the band live to pick up a copy, but enjoy this video as Tom puts the vinyl on the turntable for a listen!

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

Spend your Friday night in downtown Minneapolis for low-dough local show!  MNSKA band The Dropsteppers are playing at Hell’s Kitchen with opening bands Black Market Brass and The Premiums.  Show starts at 10 pm and is only $5 at the door.

Related show

• Band: The Dropsteppers
• Date: Friday, January 11th 2013
• Time: 10:00pm
• City: The Dropsteppers in Minneapolis, MN
• Venue: Hell’s Kitchen
• Address: 80 S 9th St
• Venue phone: (612) 332-4700
• Country: US
• Admission: $5
• Age restrictions: 21+
• More information
• Notes: with special guests Black Market Brass, and The Premiums
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TONIGHT!  Chicago’s finest reggae-soul band Deal’s Gone Bad is returning to the Triple Rock!  As the year winds down, this is one of the last big MNSKA shows of 2012 for you get down and groove to.  It features special guests MNSKA’s own The Dropsteppers and folk-punkers Stop Drop.  And the admission to this show is set at the low low price of $10.  Way less than what you paid to see “The Who” earlier this week!  Show starts at 8pm and is 18+, which means you can enjoy some drinks while you dance.

Related show

• Band: Deal’s Gone Bad / The Dropsteppers
• Date: Thursday, November 29th 2012
• Time: 8:00pm
• City: Deal’s Gone Bad / The Dropsteppers in Minneapolis, MN
• Venue: Triple Rock Social Club
• Address: 629 Cedar Ave S
• Venue phone: 612-333-7399
• Country: US
• Admission: $10
• Age restrictions: 18+
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal