Josh's Page O' Reviews

Josh's Page O' Reviews

Hello and welcome to my reviews page. If you would like your bands cds reviewed on here then e-mail me and tell me who you are and what you would like me to review. I review comps too. By the way I do all my reviews while listening to the cd I'm reviewing (in case you care). I like trad as much as two-tone and the new stuff so don't be suprised that i'll give equal reviews to both. By the way, I would like to review some some more ska punk than I have yet. It's my favorite kind.




Blaster Master: Skanga
Hey what can I say? This is happy, wild, jazzy, HELSINKI, ska. That's right Helsinki ska. It really refreshing to hear someone new like Blaster Master. This band sounds like a cross between a British pop band and an extremely happy ska band. One of my favorite songs on this album is called Johnny Depp, which is about how the singer wishes he could get away from his troublesome life a become Johnny Depp. This band makes me realize how refreshing it is to have a new ska sound then what I hear usually. I not sure what else to say except I liked this band and suggest anyone who wants to hear happy, original sounding music, to buy this cd.


Blue Beat Players: Torrid Rock
My review are begining to become redundant. The fact is like many other bands the Blue Beat Players are very good. They play as if they have been together for more than a short while. They are japenese and there isn't much singing so you can sit back and enjoy the music. I reccomend it for blue beat lovers, people who lke trad ska, and other people too.


Blue Meanies: Full Throttle
It's nice to hear a band that sings about something important. On this cd the lead singer Billy Spunke rants and raves about such things as: kids carrying guns (The Great Peacemaker), the difference between tv life and real life ( Smash the Magnavox), how all the little corner stores are all being replaced by giant chains ( The Devil Came to the ninth Ward), and pollution (F.o.r.d.). Musically these guys sounded to me like a blend of the Aquabats on speed, and Hannibal Lecter ( but in a good way). The first song, which just happens to be my favorite, entitled The 4th of July is fucking awesome because it starts off with a swingish style and then charges into a hardcore ska song. If approached me right now and asked me what category of music the Blue Meanies played I wouldn't be able to respond with just one style. They're a blend of just about everything including Ska , Jazz, Swing, Punk and Klezmer. The bottom line for this cd is go out and buy it! This cd should be bought by all music lovers just so they can hear a new refreshing sound.


Cousin Oliver: 818
Cousin Oliver is: Ro-Vocals + Guitar, Danny- drums, Chad-guitar, Bob-Bass, Manny- sax + Percussion, and Dean- the Trombone. Now first off let me say, that I have eclectic tastes for ska. I love third wave music(I use third wave in lack of a better term describing all types of music that have been added to ska in America) just as much as traditional and two-tone. So.. as I listen to this cd I realize although I haven't listened to it much, which would indicate I don't like it, Its pretty fuckin cool! If you love third wave stuff like Reel Big Fish, Jeffires Fan Club, and the Aquabats then you'll probably like Cousin Oliver. The songs are funny with lyrics like " She only loves me for my cash, I only love her for that ass" and " Waiting, I must be waiting, waiting for some chick to go down on me". They sing about nerds, rock stars, and that beautiful girl you always see on the tube. The trombone player can really play and it shows on this cd. It s worth the price.


Duck Soup:Planet Ska
This is the second cd that has been sent to me by Sidekick records and like the first, I'm impressed. Thats actually an understatement. I would have to say this is one of the best cds I've reviewed. It is easily the best foreign cd. This band doesn't sound Swedish at all really. What they sound like is some popular american ska band. I guarantee if this band was american they would be picked up by a huge label and become extremly popular. The band sounds like a cross between the Cherry Popppin Daddies, and a righteous ska band. From start to finish it filled with great songs. I am emaciated at the present so I don't have anything else to say. Well One thing: Buy this cd!! I really mean this. This is one of the best cds I have heard in a long time. The number for Sidekick records is written under the Skalatones review.I also recieved a Duck Soup single called This is what they say. It is just as good as the other work is. This is an fantastic.

Easy Big Fella:Eat at Joeys EBF is on Moon Ska records, so that alone tells you how good they are. I had never heard these guys before today but I'kk tell you what they have one more fan. Next time I'm on the East Coast going to one of thier concerts will be a priority. My favorite song on the cd would have to be Found Love. This song makes you you jump out of your seat and start dancing, but don't take my word for it. Go out and buy the cd from your local store or from the Moon Ska catalog, you won't regret it.Other songs that rock the house are Regular Guy and Joey and Rama.

G-spot: Physco Luna
I have mixed feelings about this cd. The songs are ok, but nothing special. I listen to the cd and I think of it as mediocre. However the main thing I found wrong with this cd is the singer. I think its a possibility that if they had a different singer I might like them more. The horns are ok but could be better. I don't look at a band by just the singer(that would be idiotic) and so just because he can't sing I don't dislike the band. That's not the only reason. I think however if the band added a new singer, a saxophonist, and a wrote better lyrics they would be an awesome band. Hepcat:Right on Time I don't have much to write about that Hepcat that hasn't already been written about them before. They're awesome. This album is as good as their others. Hellcat records is getting it done. To tell you the truth though, I don't like Hepcat as much as other traditional bands like the Slackers. I would like to see Hepcat in concert and see if they put on a good show. I'm getting off subject here. I've talked to many Hepcat fans who say this album is solid gold, Hepcat at its best and totally worth the price of the cd. My favorite songs on the cd are: I can't wait, Mama used to say, Rudies all around, and Baby Blues.





Jeffries Fan Club: Feelin' Sorry....for all the hearts we've broken
First let me start off to say that Jeffries Fan Club is; Sonnie Johnston (Rhythm Guitar), Justin Ferreira (Drums), Mike Dzuirgot (Vocal/Lead Guitar) Chris Colonnier (Trombone), Chris Rush (trumpet), and Derek Gibbs (Bass Guitar). This album is extremely well done with catchy choruses and swingin beats. I started dancing as soon as The Goodbye Theme came on and didn't stop until 12 ended. I would have to say my favorite song on the album though was I must be stupid. The opening of the song is reminiscent to an old love song; buy the cd and find out which song. Other songs I thoroughly enjoyed were Waste of Time,Dream Girl, 12 and milk (for which they have made a video). Waste of Time, Dream Girl, and 12 all deal with girls, while milk deals with the bands fascination for the white silky substance. I was really impressed with the band and have become a fan. I am looking forward to seeing them in concert sometime. All together the cd is excellent so fork over the ten dollars and have a rocking good time.

Potshot Pots and Shots
This is another great ska band. Potshot is a Japanese band to those who don't know and they fuckin tear it up. From the beginning of this cd until the end Potshot plays fast, energetic, crazy ska! As I have said before I love ska from other countries like Blaster Master. This band takes music it to another level. They have gained a fan in this cat with their heavy guitar/speedy horns.This is good solid ska punk at its best. I love the Japanese sound because it gets rid of the same old singing sound. Although this band doesn't need that to be a great band. This cd is so good that I will actually go out and buy their next one. This is usually where I name my favorite songs on the cd I'm reviewing but I can't do that with this one. Every song on this album is dynamite!!


The Pietasters : Willis
This cd is super charged with energy throughout the whole thing. The most noticeable about the Pietasters is the lead singers voice. Its unique and the kind of voice you don't get tired of hearing. Everyone in this band sound like they have been playing for a lifetime. The bass and guitar players are just as good as the drums, and the three horns (sax, trumpet, and trombone). This band reminds me of a 60's band slightly. A few of the melodies are reminiscent of old 60 hits. This band has some of the most solid beats to ever cross these ears, so I would say definitely go buy this cd. and If you don't believe me, be smart and listen to it first. Some of my more favorite songs on the cd are crazy monkey woman, out all night, higher, and without you.


River Fenix: River Fenix
I was under the impression that River Phenix was ska, however, they're not. They're actually more alternative than anything with A little bit of punk maybe. I don't really know what to classify them as. There is however one ska song (I use the term loosely) on the album called Skinhead Jesse. It about a skinhead who eats all the food and is a complete asshole. I guarantee they wouldn't be able to play this at a trad show without getting booed off the stage by the skins. Actually by everyone there cause there not trad, but I'm getting of the subject. There are some good things about the band though. Its alternative/punk songs are catchy and comical. The more I listen to closer they sound to slower punk with alternative influences I don't really know what else to write about the band because its not my style of music but as I listen to it, I think it sounds pretty cool. Its not bad music. Buy it if you like alternative, and tell me what you think.

Skagina: Suck it
Skagina is a 7/8 piece ska band from Illinois. The tape in my opinion isn't that good, but for one reason, You can barely hear the singer. The horns are fucking awesome along with everything except for the singer's volume.. It sounds like he has a great voice too I just couldn't hear it. They have great rhythms and they stick in your head, I even caught myself humming them. I think this band would sound really good if they did another recording and turned the vocals up. However if you want to hear some good music then buy the tape at skagina's website. Don't think I dislike this band's tape, they just need louder vocals.I plan on buying there cd when it comes out.



The SkalatonesBy Public Demand This band is Swedish and you can here it in their music. My favorite things about international ska cds are hearing the diffrences in culture. I love hearing diffrent accents because it changes the way I percieve the music. For a foreign band they are pretty impressive and I'm sure they are very popular in the swedish ska scene. Let me restate they are good for a ska band, not just a foreign one. Their songs are happy and have funny little meanings. You can't help but realize the joy they have of playing. My favorite song on the cd is easily The Skalatones Theme. You can contact their record company Sidekick Records by faxing them at Fax: =46 (0)19-18 30 34 or the Skalatones themselves at +46 (0)418-225 23. They also have a single out called Mr. Probation Officer it is good. This band keeps getting better and better.


The Slackers The Slackers are one the first truly traditional CDs I've had to review. I like them. I'm not really used to traditional music as much as two-tone and American styles. Through this music flows the true spirit of ska and it makes you imagine how it was in Jamaica. I can practically see them playing in old dance hall while everyone danced. When I first began writing this review it was going to be good but not as good as it is now. As I get into the beat my fingers take over. This music is beautiful and funny. married girl is the funniest fuckin song I've ever heard. It sounds like it should be on the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing the directors cut. There's nothing like the sound of traditional music combined with good lyrics and a good singer. If you love trad, you'll love this and if you haven't heard traditional music before make the Slackers you're first buy.


Slow Gherkin Double Happiness
I didn't realize how many good ska bands there were out there until I started reviews, and this band is another one. Slow Gherkin rocks the house! I would definitely like to see them in concert because I can feel the energy they put off. This band reminds a little of the Aquabats. I had many favorite songs on the album like Cable, Drunken Sailor, Bluetelle(weird song), and Bad Driver cause of the lyrics and its a punk song). They also do a remake of Hava Nagilah. You may not recognize the title, but you definitely will when you hear Slow Gherkin play it. So buy the cd!!Another plus about this band besides the signing, horns, guitars, drums, etc.. are the lyrics. The lyrics are smart and funny. I could go on for an hour writing but I say go out and buy the cd because it kicks ass!! I can't stress that enough.




Step Lively Self Titled
Step Lively sent this 6 song live recording to me and the first two things I noticed was the cool design on the tape. Their named looked almost as if its painted on the tape and also the tape rewinders were S shaped. Any ways I found this whole recording extremely cool. The band has a great singer and he's not afraid to be quiet and let the horns, drums and guitars be heard. I'm listening to without a doubt as I type this review and can't help dancing. I can't stress how cool the beats are. This band is awesome, as most large bands are, in my opinion.It's only because of how much I've started to like these guys that I'm going to type their credits. Jay-Drums, Andrew-Keys, Tony-Bass,Mark-Vocals,Vinny-Guitar, Jay-tenor sax,Brian-alto sax+ vocals, Tom-trombone,Gary-trumpet, and Jim-baritone sax. Well to summarize my review, the singer is fuckin bad(bad=good), the horns are fuckin bad, the drums are kickin, and the guitarist goes off. I can't wait for the cd. Jump! Jump! Jump!


Swing Hiel:Self titled
Swing Hiel sent me their demo tape with two songs on it. This is not a whole lot of material to review so this will be short. The first thing I like about this band is their name. It's creative, and no their not racists. Anyways, to the music. The first song is your regular ska/swing type song. It has a nice smooth sound. Just average. The second song is fantastic. It is brilliantly written. The singing in it sounds...dare I say it? It sounds like a punker is singing. It's hard to explain how the song stops and continues repeatedly and has the fastest horns i've ever heard(up there with VGS) so I suggest you buy anything these guys ever put out.


Tuesday Freewheelin
I am in a good mood and that is why I am not going to write a really bad review for this band. This band is definitely not my music style. First let me say I love Punk Rock. No matter how much ska I get I will always love punk FUCKING rock. So I'm not saying this band isn't my style because they have a punk rockish style. I hope this band doesn't consider themselves Punk Rock because they not at all. They're shit! They sound like BUSH, only slower.(that's not a compliment). They have a few fast beats in their songs, however I just don't like this band at all. Good punk doesn't really need to be fast, (although it should be by definition) so its not just speed that makes me dislike this band. The singer I equally dislike along with the unoriginal tones. I appreciate all types of good music and I don't like this at all. This is my first truly bad review and probably my last that will be this bad.


Unsteady:Double or Nothing
I've heard a lot about this band, good and bad so I went into this review with open mind. I like the band. They sound to me like a cross between a preacher, an orchestra, a heavy metal band, and of course a ska band. Either I'm high, or that's a Strange combination eh? This band sounds like its playing together for a long period of time and it shows. I have mixed feelings about this band. I can't quite put my thumb on it but there's something about Unsteady I don't like. However they grow on you, and the more you listen to them, the more you like them. Another good thing about them is they have an original sound. They remind of when I was younger and went to church and I heard that ORGAN playing. I am however judging Unsteady on a scale of excellent ska bands that have been around awhile. So as this review might not sound as good as Step Lively's I judge theirs on a less harsh scale. I'm sure fans of bands like Cherry Poppin Daddies and The Mandrians will love this. Overall this cd is worth buying. A few favorites on the album were: Rockstar and song number nine. Which kicks major ass.(I didn't get a song list.)


Voodoo Glow Skulls: Firme
The Voodoo Glow Skulls in my opinion are one of the coolest bands on this planet. My first perception was they were a ska band however now I think of them as a punk band with horns. I can't express how much I love their fast paced, happy, loud, heavy, aggressive, and sometimes Spanish style. If you were to ask me what my favorite song is I wouldn't be able to say because almost every song on here rips. I've never heard horn players play at the speed of the members in the Glow Skulls do. I have one question. Where did the name come from? As far as buying the cd, if you haven't already for some reason (you've been in hibernation)go out and buy it. Now!


Voodoo Glow Skulls: Baile de los locos
Roughly translated(Dance of the crazy people) This cd is extremely fast. Much faster than the VGS I'm normally used to. That's good and bad. On one hand its a little to fast, and you can't understand the words, however the only problem I had with the previous CDs were that they were sometimes to slow . This is the Glow Skulls at their raciest, fastest, spiciest, and most energetic. I wouldn't say this isn't as good as Firme. just different. So I still suggest you fork over the cash. You'll get a kick out of Feliz Navidad, which is the secret song.
E-mail: loki@cci-29palms.com