Category Ska

Ben Basile Debuts Third Single (“Cacao Knibb”) Off Upcoming Solo LP ‘Benergy’ Out May 2nd

The Whole Kameese Leave a comment

East Coast Shows Announced , See Beliw

We recently had the outstanding opportunity to check out the new single, “CACO KNIBB”, via Sleep Walk Sounds , from Rosendale, NY. based Ben Basile (pronounced  “ba-sill-ee”) Ben, is best known for his work with Big D and the Kids Table. , “Cacao Knibb” the third track from his debut solo album, ‘Benergy’, set to drop May 2nd via Sleep Walk Sounds

You can listen to “CACO KNIBB” Here

The vibrant and electrifying sounds of “CACO KNIBB” , from Ben Basile, are like nothing we have ever heard before …. Such sweet , sweet sounds .

Ben says, “”Cacao Knibb” has been in development for a long time and took years to find its final form which appears on the album. The title is a play on words with two of my favorite things: Ska music and Dark Chocolate. Cacao Nib being a piece of a dried cacao bean and Lloyd Knibb was the original drummer with The Skatalites who pretty much created the whole style! I always love when ska is blended with latin rhythms, so that was also a part of the inspiration for this piece. “Cacao Knibb” feature’s the album’s co-producer Jon Degen on saxophone, as well as a piano solo by my longtime friend Sean Morrison.”

‘Benergy’, the album’s title, originated from a lighthearted moment with one of Basile’s bass students. “When I play ska punk, like with Big D and The Kids Table, it’s all about playing on top, playing with momentum and energy. Pushing the music the entire time,” Basile explains. His student’s response? “Benergy?”—a phrase that stuck and ultimately became the album’s name.

We are totally enthralled with the musical stylings, of Ben Basile and we can’t wait to hear what’s next.

Upcoming Shows:

Thursday, June 5th: All Points West – Newark, NJ
Friday, June 6th: Reason & Ruckus – Poughkeepsie, NY
Saturday, June 7th: TBA – Boston, MA
Sunday, June 8th: Hutghi’s – Westfield, MA
Tickets at benbasile.com

Lights Out In The Reptile House” From Save Ferris Is An Absolute Scream

The Whole Kameese Leave a comment

We recently had the chance to check out the new single “Lights Out In The Reptile House” from iconic ska punk band Save Ferris . The band is lead by Monique Powell. Save Ferris has an electrifying sound and we are beyond thrilled that they have a new single and video .

You can listen to “Lights out In The Reptile House” Here You can watch the video below

“Lights Out In The Reptile House”, marks the band’s highly anticipated return to the music scene, delivering a fusion of ska, punk, and pop that fans have come to know and love.

Photo Credit-M82 Photography

Personally speaking, Save Ferris was a big part of our musical upbringing. “Lights Out In The Reptile House “ is vintage Save Ferris and we freaking love it.

With its irresistible blend of upbeat rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics, the song is sure to resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Powell shares her excitement about the release, stating, “We’re incredibly proud of ‘Lights Out In The Reptile House’ and can’t wait for our fans to hear it. This song captures the essence of Save Ferris and reflects the passion and energy we bring to our music.”

Catch Save Ferris on their headline tour this summer and supporting Goldfinger on July 19 (Los Angeles) and The Offspring July 22 (Wichita, KS).

Save Ferris On Tour

Fri, JUL 19 @ The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA * 
Mon, JUL 22 @ WAVE ICT- Wichita, KS # 
Tue, JUL 23 @ The Astro – La Vista, NE # 
Wed, JUL 24 @ Gabe’s – Iowa City, IA 
Thu, JUL 25 @ Reggies Rock Club – Chicago, IL 
Fri, JUL 26 @ The Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI 
Sat, JUL 27 @ Rumba Cafe – Columbus, OH 
Sun, JUL 28 @ Beachland Ballroom & Tavern – Cleveland, OH 
Thu, AUG 8 @ Jergel’s Rhythm Grille – Warrendale, PA 
Fri, AUG 9 @ Phantom Power – Millersville, PA 
Sat, AUG 10 @ Broken Goblet Brewing – Bensalem, PA 
Sun, AUG 11 @ Rec Room – Buffalo, NY 
Mon, AUG 12 @ The Song & Dance – Syracuse, NY 
Tue, AUG 13 @ Elsewhere (Rooftop) – Brooklyn, NY 
Wed, AUG 14 @ Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT 
Thu, AUG 15 @ Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA 
Sat, AUG 17 @ The Music Hall- Portsmouth, NH 
Sun, AUG 18 @ Asbury Lanes – Asbury Park, NJ 
Fri, SEP 6 @ Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM 
Sat, SEP 7 @ Ska Brewing Co – Durango, CO +

with Goldfinger, Unwritten Law, Urethane *

with The Offspring, The Urge #

with special guests The Toasters +

The Goodwin Club Deliver Bright New Single And Video For “See All Color”,Sign With Wiretap Records.

The Whole Kameese Leave a comment

We recently got the awesome opportunity to check out the new single and video for “See All Colors” from OC Ska/Punk vets The Goodwin Club. You can listen to “See All Colors” Here And you can check out the video below.

Listening to the new single “See All Color” from The Goodwin Club, is a bright beautiful blast from the past and we are absolutely loving it .

The Goodwin Club became staples in the early-mid 90’s OC ska scene, playing early packed shows with the likes of Reel Big Fish, No Doubt, Sublime,The Aquabatsand more before dissolving in 1995. The lively local act featured members that went on to be in such bands as The Aquabats, The Hippos, The Scholars, Teen Heroes and Reel Big Fish.

The early.mid 90’s OC ska scene was such a vibrant scene , we are thrilled to know that The Goodwin Club has delivered a kick ass new tune with “See All Color” and… we are also thrilled to know that The Goodwin Club is announcing today that they are signing with SoCal label Wiretap Records as they prep their new album “Join the Club” almost 30 years after their first album.

Vocalist Tami Demaree says, “I think we were so young we were kinda set apart from other bands. We had both a male and female singer which was different from other bands back then as well. Other than surf all we had to do back then in Orange County was have a band. We practiced a lot and we immediately recorded a four song demo. Doing that, we got on lots of shows quickly. John Pantle from the Knuckle brothers took us under his wing and had us opening for lots of shows. He was probably the only ska promoter back then and the reason the ska scene was so big in OC.”

The band says, “30 years between album releases might sound impossible to some, but we in The Goodwin Club stare impossibility square in the eyes and say NAY, It shall be done!

We’ve loved creating the best high energy live show possible together these past few years but now we’ve bottled up that energy, churned it like crazy, and channeled it into our new album, “Join The Club” coming out on Wiretap Records, this summer! We can’t wait for you to listen, come to the shows again, and . . . JOIN. THE. CLUB!!!”

The Goodwin Club started in 1993. Members were all from the Huntington Beach area and mostly went to Edison High School. The original line up was Tami Demaree (vocals), Charles Grey (guitar) , Erick Hauser (bass), Marc Bosman (keys) , Andy Goodman (drums), Patrick McDonald (trombone), Jesse Wilder (sax), Adam Diebert (trumpet), Christ Scott (vocals). Later members included Aaron Barrett (trombone), Scott Klopfenstein (trumpet), Grant Barry (trombone), Dean Medford (sax) , Corey Pollack (guitar) and Rich Zahniser (trombone). The band dissolved in 1995 due to half the band going on to college. Most remaining members joined The Aquabats while other members were in The Hippos, The Scholars, Teen Heroes and Reel Big Fish.

Already Dead Come Full Force With Frantic Punk Energy with Latest “Something Like A War”

The Whole Kameese Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Dan Johnson @ Dagda Photography

“Something Like A War” is the title track to Already Dead’s sophomore album due on July 26.

You can listen to “Something Like A War” Here

Massachusetts punk band Already Dead are one of those bands we just can’t get enough of. Already Dead comes at you full force armed with an explosive sound and message to match . This is on full display on “Something Like A War”

We loved the ska feel on “Something Like A War” It is one of those songs that stays with you and before you know it you are singing along . “Something Like A War,” the single, is a missile of a song that clocks in at under two minutes. And might just create a new wave of ska-punk on its own. 

“It’s about our personal battles – we all know ‘em, we all have ‘em,” Cummings says of the Something Like A War title track. “The struggle we go through to make the right decisions, day in and day out. Accepting we will make mistakes along the way. But still fighting every day, sometimes to amend the sins of yesterday. This and ‘Spirit’ represent the vibe I think the album encapsulates. Lyrically they have themes of social commentary and self-reflection, and musically both are on the harder side.”

We are all in on “Something Like A War” and we are counting the days until the album release.

Announcement: The Whole Kameese Is Going On Hiatus

The Whole Kameese Leave a comment

We started The Whole Kameese back in 2020 as a way to keep busy during the pandemic. We are so lucky to have worked with so many wonderful artists, promoters and other music professionals. We were also so blessed to be able to share so much amazing music . We have made the difficult decision to put the blog on the back burner. At this time we need to focus on other important matters. We do not know how long we will be away but, we will return. We thank all of you for your support

-Jay

Central California Latin ska reggae band MENTO BURU releasing new EP “East Bakersfield Christmas II”

The Whole Kameese Leave a comment

We recently checked out Mento Buru, a 7 piece band from Bakersfield, CA that combines an energetic blend of Latin alternative, Jamaican SKA and reggae sounds.

You can listen to East Bakersfield Christmas II on Spotify Here , Apple Music Here

Veterans of ska music’s hyperactive nineties third wave, the group has released music on the Moon Ska and Steady Beat record labels establishing their reputation as a genre-defying musical act around the globe.

Now, the band is excited to announce the release of, “East Bakersfield Christmas II,” a six-song follow up to their hugely popular 2020 holiday ep. Titled in honor of the historic and culturally diverse neighborhood where the group formed and still resides, the ep is a sonic reflection of the culturally rich area that also boasts its own colorful musical history.

“We had such an overwhelming response to our last holiday release,” said lead vocalist Matt Munoz. “There was no doubt in our minds that we had to keep this project going. We are so Thankful to KCSOS and our generous community sponsors for this collaboration and look forward to sharing this new collection of songs with our fans who’ve given us so much support all these years. Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!”

Recorded at Summit Studios in Bakersfield, the project was mixed by acclaimed studio engineer Reade Wolcott (We Are The Union, Fat Mike’s Fat Mic Podcast) and mastered by Dave Fore (Collie Buddz, The Lacs, N2Deep.)

Over the years the band has also shared stages with musical heroes The Specials, The English Beat, Los Lobos, The Dirty Heads, Fishbone, Ozomatli, Buck Owens(of course!) and countless others in addition to performing at The Broad Stage, The Roxy, Whisky a Go Go, The Viper Room, BB Kings venues, and countless festivals

Made possible through a collaboration with Kern County Superintendent of Schoolsand generous community sponsors, “East Bakersfield Christmas II” will be available at Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Pandora and YouTube beginning Dec. 15.

We are absolutely loving “East Bakersfield Christmas II from Mento Buru, It’s the perfect dose of Christmas joy .

Third Wave Ska Heroes Save Ferris Release Holiday Single ‘Xmas Blue’ In Anticipation of New Original Music Coming in 2024…. We Are Very Very Happy About This.

The Whole Kameese Leave a comment

We might be showing our age here but, we are absolutely over the moon excited that Southern California ska heroes Save Ferris have dropped their first new original song since 2017, the holiday single “Xmas Blue”, a lonely Christmas tale of a heart longing for a loved one who is not there.

You can listen to “Xmas Blue” Here

Save Ferris leader Monique Powell said, “I wrote the song about someone I knew that went through a hard divorce, and even two years later was still so obsessed with his ex-wife that it was borderline stalking.”

Powell added, “I’m excited to give this present to fans as a warmup for what is to come in 2024 with all new music that I’ve been working on and is ready for release!”

Save Ferris teamed with the newly-launched music community platform We Are Giant to give fans a preview of the release.

“Social media is littered with so much other content that by partnering with We Are Giant, it allows me to directly connect with Save Ferris fans in a much more intimate way,” said Powell.

“Save Ferris’ die-hard fans are a testament to the important role the band has had in shaping ska music. Working with an artist like Save Ferris is a dream situation for us, as they’ve spent decades building and nurturing an incredible global fanbase. Our platform is built to help artists super-serve their top supporters in healthy and sustainable communities, and we’re excited to be working with a group that truly understands the importance of our mission,” said Andy Apple, Founder and CEO of We Are Giant.

Save Ferris has lined up two shows in early 2024, including an appearance at Cali Vibes Festival in Long Beach, CA on February 17. You can check out details below .

Save Ferris have a vibe and sound that is simply iconic. We are so happy to have this great holiday tune “Xmas Blue” and we can’t wait for more music in 2024