In Defense of Ska - In Defense of Ska Ep 168: Steady 45s

One of the best ska bands of the past decade is The Steady 45s, a trad ska group based out of Los Angeles. The group has its feet in two distinct Los Angeles subcultures: LA’s lively trad ska scene and the vibrant Latino ska scene. They are one of the few bands that have been able to call both of these scenes home. So we brought on 4 members and friend of the band Jackie Mendez to talk about the band’s history and how they’re helping to break down barriers in the ska scene.

We talk about the members’ history in punk rock and how they played an Operation Ivy cover set for Esteban Flores (https://redcircle.com/shows/29d98d2f-864f-4b6e-b4fe-e20740db705e/episodes/4106d1ff-cd2d-4282-84e5-785d61792e23)’ birthday. On the other end of the spectrum, we talk about how they’ve backed several Jamaican legends like Stranger Cole (https://redcircle.com/shows/29d98d2f-864f-4b6e-b4fe-e20740db705e/episodes/13845d3a-262f-47e4-bc86-0e3c16a9236a), Pat Kelly of Clarendonians, the Pioneers, and more.

We also talk about them playing the Los Angeles Skawars (https://redcircle.com/shows/29d98d2f-864f-4b6e-b4fe-e20740db705e/episodes/9d832519-a66e-49f4-be59-aea5edf8471d) festival, and opening for Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and we break down several important figures in LA’s trad ska scene like Chris Murray, Aggrolites (https://redcircle.com/shows/29d98d2f-864f-4b6e-b4fe-e20740db705e/episodes/91d13b00-3dd9-46b7-a0c6-bbe145db6b42), See Spot, The Expanders, Mobtown, and Luis Correa of Steady Beat. And we talk about former Steady 45s singer Joey Quinones, who now fronts the soul band, Thee Sinseers. Plus, we learn about the ska connection of the popular R&B group California Honeydrops.

The Steady 45s also talk about their new record, Swing & Sway/Don’t Be Late.

Listen to The Steady 45s on the latest episode of In Defense of Ska, and make sure to like, review, and follow the series wherever you get your podcast (https://link.chtbl.com/InDefenseOfSka). Fans can also get early and ad-free episodes by joining the IDOS Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/indefenseofska), and don't forget to check out all the Consequence Podcast Network series (https://consequence.net/category/consequence-podcast-network/).

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP (https://asianmanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lives). Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks (https://asianmanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/watch-where-you-walk) two LPs (https://www.amazon.com/When-Were-Fearless-DAN-BRICKS/dp/B07987C2LJ). They provided the mid-roll ad transition music.

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska (https://www.clashbooks.com/new-products-2/aaron-carnes-in-defense-of-ska) will be released in Oct 2024.

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone (https://omnigone.bandcamp.com/). Their latest record, Against The Rest (https://omnigone.bandcamp.com/album/against-the-rest) released on March 31, 2023.

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International (https://www.skapunkinternational.com/). They have new releases coming out all the time.


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands)

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy (https://redcircle.com/privacy)
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/20048106?utm_source=youtube
(video made with Headliner.app)