The Prizefighters will be there, bringing their Minnesota-bred hard-hitting rough and tough reggae, rocksteady and ska tunes.  The band has been supporting their latest CD Follow My Sound.  Be sure to be on the lookout for their special-edition vinyl LP on Jump Up Records in the Fall.

Dred I Dread are one of the most diverse reggae bands in the Twin Cities, including artists from Jamaica, New Orleans, Minnesota, Turkey, and Mexico.  The band is hard at work on their much anticipated album due out in 2012.

The Dropsteppers have been making a name for themselves in the American reggae and ska scene with their smooth soulful vocals and chugging rhythms.  Look for them on tour in the Midwest this Fall in support of their upcoming 7-inch split on Megalith Records.

Stop Drop are a new folk-punk band from the Twin Cities, featuring members of the MNSKA band 2 Tone Runts.  This show is their official EP release show, so be sure to pick up their new music!

The Prizefighters (Jump Up Records)
Dred I Dread (Rapidfire Records)
The Dropsteppers (Megalith Records)
Stop Drop (EP Release Show)

The Red Sea
316 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, MN
Doors 5pm | ALL AGES | $5

Mustard Plug are celebrating their 20th year as a band this year! These ska-punk veterans hail from Grand Rapids, MI and make a point of bringing their upbeat sounds to the Twin Cities annually. The band released In Black And White in 2007.

Moving To Pluto is an MNSKA band have been playing their alternative style of punk, pop, and ska-reggae in the Twin Cities for quite a while. The band is celebrating the release of their latest EP!

The Waffle Stompers are making the trip from New Jersey to kick it with the MNSKA scene! This band is busy playing shows and bringing their pop-ska sounds to all that will hear.

Stop Drop is the latest music project from MNSKA band 2 Tone Runts. This band brings raw energy in the form of folk-punk anthems. Check out their latest single “Caffeine Culture” on their website

Mustard Plug
Moving To Pluto
The Waffle Stompers
Stop Drop

The Red Sea
316 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
Doors 5pm | ALL AGES | $10

Newest MNSKA band Blue Waffle just headlined a show in Uptown Minneapolis last week at Cause Spirits and Soundbar.  Here’s a video of the group performing their song “Die.”  Although their band name is not great for a Google search (turn on SafeSearch!), they are playing more and more shows in the Twin Cities area.  Be sure to check them out this Saturday at The Red Sea in Minneapolis with The Bishops, The Prizefighters, and Small Kitchen Appliances.

Check out the video on YouTube HERE

It’s that time of year again!  MNSKA’s raucous rude boys Rocksteady Breakfast are throwing their annual Pachanga show on Saturday, May 7th at The Red Sea in Minneapolis.  This year’s lineup includes Chicago bands Thirty Case Chase and The Pervert Preachers along with St. Paul band Code Green.  This ALL AGES show starts at 5pm and it’s just $5 at the door.  Drinks with ID, including the legendary Red Sea Happy Hour!

Rumor has it there’s an after party show featuring The Scum Boys.  Only way to get in on that action is to get down to the Rocksteady Breakfast Pachanga!

Details can be found on the Facebook event HERE

MNSKA third wave band Secondhand Ska Kings played a very energetic set last Saturday at The Red Sea.  Scattered throughout their set were some great Two Tone covers, like “Too Much Too Young” by The Specials which is featured in this video.

Be sure to check out the Secondhand Ska Kings on Wednesday, February 9th at Cause Spirits and Soundbar (Lyndale and Lake, Minneapolis) where they will be playing with Umbrella Bed and The Prizefighters!

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

Cincinnati ska band The Pinstripes had quite the outing last Saturday at The Red Sea in Minneapolis!  Here’s a video of the band performing the song “(Might Be Her) Fool” off their upcoming album.  A big thanks to the guys for making the long trip up to the Twin Cities and absolutely killing it!  Let’s hope they return sometime soon.

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

Last Saturday, we here at MNSKA had big ol’ party at The Red Sea in Minneapolis, MN.  4 incredible bands came rocked a large crowd into a fever on one of the coldest nights of the winter.  Here’s a video of Green Room Rockers closing down the night with a steamy cover of Etta James’ song “I’d Rather Go Blind.”  Big thanks to the bands for making the long drive, for the fans for representing the scene, and for anyone that helped make the show a success.

You can check out the video on YouTube HERE

Music columnist Ross Raihala posted in the St. Paul Pioneer Press his latest story about all the hot concerts happening this obscenely cold weekend, including a mention of this of Saturday’s Green Room Rockers show:

The small but dedicated Twin Cities ska community will be out in full force Saturday at the Red Sea for an all-ages show. Indiana’s Green Room Rockers headline with support from Ohio’s Pinstripes. Both acts recently teamed up for the split release “Midwest Soundclash.” Local bands the Dropsteppers and Secondhand Ska Kings are also on the bill.

A reminder that doors are at 5pm with music starting at 6pm for the show.  We may be a small, dedicated community, but I have good reason to believe that it will grow significantly in 2011.

You can read the entire article in the Pioneer Press HERE

The first big MNSKA show of the year is happening THIS SATURDAY at The Red Sea (316 Cedar Ave S.) in Minneapolis!  It marks the triumphant return of Green Room Rockers, the first MN show by The Pinstripes, and will feature 2 outstanding MNSKA bands The Dropsteppers and Secondhand Ska Kings.

Here are the details:

• Doors open at 5pm
• Secondhand Ska Kings: 6:00 – 6:45
• The Dropsteppers: 7:00 – 7:45
• The Pinstripes: 8:00 – 8:45
• Green Room Rockers: 9:00 – 10:00

Host of the Flyover Ska Show and contributor to MNSKA.com, Courtney Klos, will be the MC for the night.  There will also be door prizes!  Everybody loves those!  Also, if you have until Thursday to win a pair of tickets to the show.  Just email mnskanews@gmail.com with ‘GRR and Pinstripes’ in the subject line!

In lieu of the upcoming concert featuring the Green Room Rockers, DJ Reverend Evan took the time to review their self-titled CD for MNSKA.  Evan was the DJ of the long-running Rude Radio show, but has since passed the torch to a new DJ.  The Green Room Rockers show is happening on Saturday, January 22nd at The Red Sea in Minneapolis and will be featuring The Pinstripes, The Dropsteppers and Secondhand Ska Kings, to which you can win a pair of tickets.

You can check out the review after the jump.

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