SPY KIDS “Covert Action” LP / CD – 30 years later Cali 2-Tone pioneers record debut album!

Spy Kids were formed in 1990 in San Diego, California by like-minded souls who shared a love of Jamaican music and ska. The band drew its influences from a wide range of artists such as Bad Manners, The Upsetters, local San Diego bands The Donkey Show, Color Blind and Gangbusters, and contemporary California ska bands Let’s Go Bowling, Hepcat and The Specs, among others. After cutting their teeth playing local scooter club parties and ska shows around southern California, Spy Kids went into the studio to record a four-song self-titled demo tape. The pinnacle of the band’s whirlwind existence came shortly after, as they earned a supporting slot opening for UK ska legends The Selecter in Riverside California. By the middle of 1991, Spy Kids gradually came to an end as various members went on to join up with acts such as Flogging Molly, Unwritten Law, Buck-O-Nine, Unsteady and Pivit. Matt Hensley and Jason Bowen were also part of the early lineup of Chicago ska stalwarts Deal’s Gone Bad. Spy Kids last live performance was playing alongside the newly formed Buck-O-Nine at a wild party in Vista, CA which was broken up when the police threatened to send in a helicopter; perhaps a fitting end to the band’s short-lived yet frenetic initial incarnation. Fast-forward to a scooter ride in 2018 which brought several of the original members together; and discussion about re-recording the original songs sparked the process of getting the Spy Kids back together and into the studio. In February 2020, thirty years later, the band recorded the “Covert Action” album, consisting of five songs from its initial incarnation, the brand new reggae-influenced “Wrong Number”, plus versions of Jimmy Cliff’s “Harder They Come” and Prince Buster’s “Judge Dread”, featuring skateboard legend Ron Allen on vocals. White and red vinyl both limited to 150 copies! Comes with a “90s style fanzine” and sticker set!

CASSETTE WEEK 2020 titles still available! Tons of rare bonus material included!

Welcome to the magnificent seven of Cassette Week 2020! This year’s event is a bit different with everything going on these days, not to mention the multiple RSD drops (that just seem to keep coming) and the collapse of the label that ran Cassette Store Day USA for years. This year our friends at Tapehead City were so good to take over the event at the last minute and brand 2020 as CASSSTTE WEEK, which runs Sunday October 11th through Saturday October 17th, which was the original Cassette Store Day. Since shop participation is very spotty this year we recommend you call ahead to see if the store actually ordered the product. Anyway since you are already here at Jump Up HQ maybe you should pick these up from us! Just place the order below – the more you buy the more you save – email selections to jumpuprecords@gmail.com.  For more info on this year’s event visit www.cassetteweek.com or www.tapeheadcity.com 

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