We’re so happy to announce a new band edition of this incredible 2021 album, now on green vinyl. California’s HALF PAST TWO formed in 2006 and has gigged with major national acts including Reel Big Fish, The Aquabats, Less Than Jake, The Skatalites, RX Bandits, The Selecter, The English Beat, Mustard Plug, and The Toasters. HALF PAST TWO are veterans of the ever-thriving Orange County ska scene, but their forward-thinking approach also aligns them with with ska’s bold new generation. Their recent single “Shine” was a highlight of the 2020 compilation ‘Ska Against Racism’ and truly forecasted the amazing new album we have here today! The album-making process took a little longer than usual due to COVID, but HP2 kept the momentum going by rolling out singles on a regular basis throughout 2020 and 2021 — first “Shine,” followed by “All About You,” “Mean Green,” and “Some Nights” – all included here on the new self titled album. As you can hear on the pre-release singles, Half Past Two pull inspiration from multiple eras of ska as well as anything from driving punk rock to shiny pop. They cite such influences as Reel Big Fish, Weezer, The Hippos, RX Bandits, and Mad Caddies, and they’re proud to coat their songs with a little sugar. ‘Bubblegum Ska” is honestly the best description for HALF PAST TWO and we can’t get enough of this wonderful 12-track album! Add their brand new “Something Blue” 7 inch or “Holidays” Picture Disc for a discount!
Tag: 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
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!
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.
Repressed! THE UPPERTONES “Easy Snapping” LP vinyl (random color) – a hot set of covers in Jamaican Rhythm & Blues style! Christmas 45 still available too!
Repress on random color vinyl! Italy’s The Uppertones is a powerful trio of trombone, vocals, piano, & drums who play pre-ska Jamaican rhythm & blues – fronted by Mr.T-Bone on lead vocals. Their style is rooted in 1950’s Jamaica when rural mento & calypso / folk music began to mix with boogie, swing , boogaloo, and American rock n’ roll – the seeds of ska. This trio aims to please crowds with a stompin’ swing mixed with the Jamaican edge and style. Mr.T-Bone is a well known singer, composer, and trombone player in the international ska scene who has released 10 solo albums in the last 15 years and has toured Europe, USA, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil and Mexico. Drummer Ferdinando Count Ferdi Masi is an Italian ska pioneer who founded Casino Royale and The Bluebeaters. Pianist Phil Cuomo is a very talented young musician, pianist and singer from Genoa, his hands run like a Louisiana train on the keys. The Uppertones first album “Closer To The Bone” was released in December 2015 to worldwide acclaim, then in 2017 returned with “Up Up UP!” featuring guest vocalist Jesse Wagner from The Aggrolites. In 2019 Jump Up dropped a Christmas 7 inch covering Luis Prima’s “Shake Hands With Santa Claus” setting the stage for their new album “Easy Snappin” – 10 toe-tappers including re-works of “Mojo Workin”, “L.O.V.E.”, “That’s Amore”, “Down In Mexico” and the title track. It’s a must for fans of original ska like The Skatalites, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, Blues Buesters as well as jump blues crooners Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra and Louis Jordan. The Uppertones forte is without a doubt their live set – the trio has been touring non-stop playing close to 100 shows a year in 12 different European countries – hopping from club to club in addition to the summer festival circuit. Catch The Uppertones if you can! Continue reading Repressed! THE UPPERTONES “Easy Snapping” LP vinyl (random color) – a hot set of covers in Jamaican Rhythm & Blues style! Christmas 45 still available too!
Restocked: JAMESTOWN SHEIKS “Lennon & McCartney Reggae Style” LP reissue – The Beatles go Jamaican!
Black Butcher Germany has just reissued the 1970 stone cold party classic on vinyl for the first time – original UK copies have become rare in recent years and are fetching high prices. Most original copies are also worn out from constant play! Twelve BEATLES classics in an uptempo early/skinhead reggae style, vocals are reminiscent of Desmond Dekker too! The origin of this band is still a mystery! A must for fans of THE AGGROLITES, and SYMARIP ! Don’t delay a minute, this limited edition one time pressing will go fast!
Tracklisting: Let It Be / Ticket To Ride / I Want To Hold Your Hand / Michelle / Can’t Buy Me Love / The Fool On The Hill / Get Back / Yesterday / Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da / Eleanor Rigby / All My Loving / Hey Jude
Restocked: THE HOTKNIVES early LP vinyl must haves! UK 2-TONE revival SKA!
It’s so exciting to see these late 80’s / early 90’s European revival albums originally released on UNICORN and SKANK RECORDS back on wax from our friends at MAD BUTCHER in Germany. To put it simply, labels like UNICORN, SKANK, SKA, and PORK PIE bridged the gap between the end of 2-TONE and the beginning of what became known as the “third wave”. Super melodic with catchy vocals and gentle horns, THE HOTKNIVES “THE WAY THINGS ARE” was truly a modern British ska classic. To this day, this album is still my stone cold favorite from the Unicorn catalog. Songs like “DAVE & MARY”, “OLD MAN AND HIS DOG” and “DON’T GO AWAY” are so perfectly English, strong lyrics that stay in your head forever. Exact replica from the 1990 issue – we can not recommend this enough for people who like 2-TONE ska!!
Prior to THE HOTKNIVES debut studio album – SKANK records releases an amazing LIVE double LP capturing the band at it’s prime!! A two LP set full of tunes that would become popular worldwide, including covers of “LIQUIDATOR”, “DOUBLE BARRELL”, and “AL CAPONE”. Tracklisting: A1 Cryin’ A2 Alcoholic Nightmare A3 Don’t Go Away A4 Dick Barton A5 Turkey Stomp A6 Doing Alright B1 Skin Up Harry B2 Believe It B3 Driving Me Mad B4 She’s A Lady B5 Liquidator B6 Holsten Boys C1 Rio C2 W. L. N. C3 Jack The Ripper D1 Dust Of Death D2 Double Barrel D3 Al Capone
Restocked! LAUREL AITKEN vs THE SKATALITES “Ska Titans” LP vinyl – 1999 Moon NYC classic on wax for the first time
First time on vinyl for this classic Moon Ska NYC title released in 1999 – “Ska Titans” is a wonderful collaboration between the “Godfather of Ska” Laurel Aitken and the legendary Skatalites recorded in the studio during 1996’s European Ska Splash tour – it was the first time the titans met up on record since 1964! The album features original Skatalites Roland Alphonso, Lester Sterling, Lloyd Brevett, and Lloyd Knibb alongside longtime members Devon James, Will Clark, and Nathan Breedlove backing Aitken’s amazing vocals on a set of classics, including several Aitken originals. As an added bonus three live tracks are included, taken from the Ska Splash’s stop in Amsterdam. Continue reading Restocked! LAUREL AITKEN vs THE SKATALITES “Ska Titans” LP vinyl – 1999 Moon NYC classic on wax for the first time
Limited Repress! TOO HECTIC – CALIFORNIA SKA PUNK Compilation LP vinyl – 17 bands from the Golden State!
PAY ATTENTION RECORDS was a joint venture between SKA PUNK DAILY and JUMP UP, our debut compilation release TOO HECTIC sold out quickly in the fall of 2021 – since then flippers have been greasing fans upwards of $75 on eBay & Discogs. NOT COOL!! Bands asked for more, and fans wanted another shot at getting it – THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! We’re filling the last sleeves with a random color repress! This 17 track compilation features unreleased and first time on vinyl selections from our favorite current Californian Ska bands – bringing you upbeat, catchy Ska Punk tracks – all personally selected by SKA PUNK DAILY’s fearless leader PHILLP! Let’s hope he relaunches the page once again, we all know he’s got mighty fine taste. Artwork created by Sam Grinberg who works for this little show you may have heard about called The Simpsons.
GET THE SKA PUNK BUNDLE! Add BOTH the debut vinyl release from Chicago’s BUMSY & THE MOOCHERS and the latest from Spain’s RED SOUL COMMUNITY for only $25 more!!! Two incredible ska punk bands lead by powerful women singers – discovering NEW MUSIC doesn’t have to break the bank! Continue reading Limited Repress! TOO HECTIC – CALIFORNIA SKA PUNK Compilation LP vinyl – 17 bands from the Golden State!
