Grover Records issues a must-have collection of early 7 inch singles (on the band’s Respect Records imprint) from top-shelf Spanish Rocksteady/Early-Reggae/Ska band with members from Upsttemians, Einstein, Ready Getters, Rude Pride, The Crepitans, Free Mode. You’ve loved their 2020 debut on Liquidator, and the band is so good in concert that 2023 saw a Live album too! We have limited edition red vinyl (250 copies) and classic black vinyl for the audiofile heads! Continue reading MANGO WOOD “In The Beginning: A Sides & B Sides” LP vinyl – top Spanish band’s singles collected
THE DOWNSETTERS “Chainsaw Lullabies” LP vinyl – Modern British 2-Tone with an edge!
One of today’s most beloved British ska bands finally gets their latest album on vinyl – limited edition yellow from Grover Records! THE DOWNSETTERS are top shelf modern 2-TONE, and “CHAINSAW LULLABIES” is arguably their best release to date. Capturing the feel of THE SPECIALS but without ripping the sound off – trombone and keys lead the way with good ol’ RODDY RADIATION influenced guitar riffs. THE DOWNSETTERS take a piece from today’s ska-punk pie, with modern chant heavy vocal breaks, occasional distortion and visits to ska-punk Hellcat related rhythms, along with “fake” radio intermissions. Continue reading THE DOWNSETTERS “Chainsaw Lullabies” LP vinyl – Modern British 2-Tone with an edge!
BAD MANNERS = BUSTERS ALL STARS “Skinhead Luv Affair” LP vinyl
Ultra rare album from Buster Bloodvessel and Bad Manners spin off group, in recent years this has become one of the most sought after modern Ska releases. On the collectors market the original vinyl album is valued at over $300 and even the re-issued House Of Ska Records CD fetches $100+. This Mad Butcher German import re-release is a limited edition of 500 copies, and includes many songs that BAD MANNERS still perform live today – and you’ll hear at the Supernova Ska Festival! In a post 2-Tone mood? Add recent “2-Tone & Beyond” 7 inches for only $5 each – pick up RODDY RADIATION (THE SPECIALS) “Sea Cruise” Continue reading BAD MANNERS = BUSTERS ALL STARS “Skinhead Luv Affair” LP vinyl
TOASTERS imports! “Thrill Me Up” LP (1989) / “Live At CBGB’s” (2002) LP vinyl / “Frankenska” (1989) LP vinyl
BLACK BUTCHER Germany loves THE TOASTERS! One of my faves to this day is their 1989 classic “THRILL ME UP”, originally released on Skaloid. That was the heyday of singers Sean ‘Cavo’ Dinsmore and Lionel ‘Nene’ Bernard, who became so popular from this album that they got signed to a major label as the UNITY 2. Not only is that back on wax, but also the legendary last CBGB’s set from THE TOASTERS in 2002, originally released my MVD Audio in 2015 and immediately went out of print! A great set captured professionally during the final weeks of the NYC club’s existence: Shocker! / I’m Running Right Through The World / Shebeen / Sitting On Top Of The World / Modern World America / Mona / Can I Get Another? / Run Rudy Run / 2tone Army / Social Security. We’ve also restocked the the first ever LIVE album recorded in 1989 in London, featuring the first every appearance of COOLIE RANX on vocals, who was a temporary fill in due to the sudden departure of THRILL ME UP era singer CAVO and NENE (aka UNITY 2). Little did we know COOLIE would come back a few years later permanently. Originally issued on UNICORN records thanks to MAD BUTCHER Germany a whole new generation of ska fans gets to hear this classic on vinyl 30 years later. Limited to 500 copies. Read all about this great release at the DUFF GUIDE TO SKA. Continue reading TOASTERS imports! “Thrill Me Up” LP (1989) / “Live At CBGB’s” (2002) LP vinyl / “Frankenska” (1989) LP vinyl
International Ska Punk! DOPE TIMES “Where Ghosts” LP / SHANDON “Best of 25 Years” LP
Are you a fan of that 90’s Hellcat sound? Fast paced punky 2-Tone as perfected by the likes of Rancid’s Tim Timebomb or The Clash decades earlier? Well….we’ve got two killer imports for you! SHANDON is an Italian ska punk band that formed in the mid 90s, and includes in their ranks Oly Riva the vocalist from THE MAGNETICS! Truthfully we missed this record the first time around as it was released in April 2020, but we’re determined to give this album a new lease on life. The guests alone will impress you – vocalists from Hub City Stompers, Inspector, Rumjacks, and the one and only Vic Ruggiero! White vinyl import on Indie Box Records Italy. DOPE TIMES are a Brazilian ska punk band featured on the TOO HECTIC International Collection, and by the looks of the art you know what you’re getting! Throwback Rancid skate punk and ska that’s spot on for fans who love those Give ‘Em The Boot comps 25 years ago! You loved their previous album “Life Is A Mess” and you’ll dig this new 2023 album “Where Ghosts Remain Outside”, German import limited to 200 copies.
Ska Punk International: JOYSTICK “Sinceriously” LP / HANS GRUBER & THE DIE HARDS “With A Vengence” LP
Last year we partnered up with SKA PUNK INTERNATIONAL and SELL THE HEART to release the vinyl version of Chicago’s BUMSY & THE MOOCHERS, and now we’ve got limited quantities of two of their titles! Thrill to the intense sounds of American ska punk, from two of the scene’s hardest working bands: JOYSTICK from New Orleans and HANS GRUBER & THE DIE HARDS from Texas. Both these random color editions are limited to 200 copies – this is your only shot to pick them up from us.
SKANKING LIZARD “Original Chicago Reggae 1978-1996” LP anthology – Back In Print!
Skanking Lizard originated in Chicago in 1978 by a group of friends who had a deep love for reggae music, and by the 80’s this line up of northside musicians became Chicago’s original performing reggae band. Skanking Lizard was no island tribute band, they concentrated on developing their own sound which incorporated American roots rock with reggae rhythms. In the 1980’s, they became one of Chicago’s favorite festival bands and toured with the likes of Toots and the Maytals, Mighty Diamonds, Steel Pulse, Neville Brothers, and the B-52’s. They released the “Jesse James/Mushroom” 7 inch single in 1983, charting on Jamaica’s Top 40 List. In 1984 lead singer Alan “Blood” Lery released “Kingston Meets Chicago” 12” EP, which was recorded at Channel One Studios in Kingston and featured Jamaican legends Santa Davis on drums, Ranchie McLean on bass, Skully on percussion, Ansell Collins on organ, Howard Yukon of the Blue Riddim Band on guitar, and Shay Jones on backing vocals. The producer was Jimmy Becker of Blue Riddim band, a famed studio harmonica player who also was a member of Skanking Lizard in the early 1980’s. Both original vinyl releases appear on the band’s first ever anthology “Original Chicago Reggae”, out now in celebration of Record Store Day! Eleven tracks including never before released studio gems, including two ska tunes from 1988 recorded as a tribute to 2-Tone! Second Pressing on Yellow Vinyl out now! Continue reading SKANKING LIZARD “Original Chicago Reggae 1978-1996” LP anthology – Back In Print!
THE PRIZEFIGHTERS “Punch Up” LP vinyl / CD – Vintage Jamaican Shots from Minneapolis
THE PRIZEFIGHTERS are back with their third full-length full of vintage Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae full of socially conscious lyrics coupled with fantastic retro vocal harmonies. The band formed in the twin cities in 2006, and by the time of their 2010-2011 debut full length “Follow My Sound” they were already making trips to Chicago to back Jamaican legends at our Mayne Stage series, first Stranger Cole then Roy & Yvonne, soon followed by Charlie Organaire which lead to an album and European tour with the harmonica legend. In 2016 the band got the nod to back Derrick Morgan at Reggae Fest Chicago, playing in front of 4000+ people on a sweltering summer day! Fast forward to 2019 and their second full length “Firewalk” was released, an instant international sensation that has gone through many represses in it’s short lifespan! Now it’s time to unleash twelve new songs, ranging from manic early reggae (“Kick The Can”, “What Are You Going To Do”), scorching ska (“Company Time”, “Think & Pray”), the jumping reggae of “Close To Your Chest” and dark murderous Upsetters style on “The Hand At The Door”. Whatever your flavor of old school Jamaican music, THE PRIZEFIGHTERS have studied and mastered it with help from the originators – they are once again ready to unleash a new modern day traditional classic. Vinyl in two colors, red and gold, both limited to 250 copies. Compact Disc available too!
EASTERN STANDARD TIME “Clockwork” LP vinyl / CD – new album from Wash DC ska jazz champs!
It’s always an incredible day when EASTERN STANDARD TIME return with a new album! Traditional ska fans worldwide have been waiting for “Clockwork” for years, a dozen tracks that range from ska-jazz soundtrack-esque instrumentals that sting, hand-clappin’ call-and-response feel good ska soul dancers, sultry night time Latin fueled numbers, and downtempo bubbly reggae soul groovers! The tempos on “Clockwork” keep you engaged and energized, long time fans will also be pleased to hear live favorites “The Dragon”, “Miles & Miles” and “Call Me Crazy” make appearances! Pick up the new record and you’ll hear why EST is huge in Europe after decades of festivals backing top Jamaican legends – now lets get these guys around the USA in 2023!? Two colors of vinyl, burgundy red and orange, both limited to 250 copies each. Compact Disc too to jam in your car!
BIM SKALA BIM “40th Anniversary” 7 inch EP – Three great covers!
BIM SKALA BIM is celebrating 40 years! Needless to say they are one of our all time favorite bands, American ska pioneers that helped fuel our ska obsession in the 80s when we were in high school! Back at the tail end of the 80’s a handful of US bands kept the flame alive with college radio airplay and small club gigs, it was at one of these first Chicago shows that we picked up their debut 7 inch “Fathead” with iconic design by Sluggo! To celebrate the band’s historic birthday we wanted to recrate that early DIY 7 inch single vibe, complete with “late night Kinkos xeroxed sleeves” designed once again by Sluggo! Three must have covers in BIM stylee, two on vinyl for the very first time. Stranger Cole’s “Run Joe” and Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me” were both recorded in 1999, while The Beatles’ “Rain” first appeared on the vinyl only “Boston Does The Beatles” LP collection in 1987. Black vinyl with big hole for real heads, one time press of 500 copies.
