The Duff Guide to Ska NYC Spring/Summer 2016 Ska Calendar #28

The Bodysnatchers from back in the day...

Friday, April 22, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Brother Jerome, The Ladrones, Faith

The Bowery Electric
327 Bowery
New York, NY

+ + + +

Saturday, April 23, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Lonely Atom Records presents The Oneness, The Screw-Ups, Love is a Fist, Bears Bears Bears (w/DJ Ryan Midnight)

Otto's Shrunken Head
538 East 14th Street
New York, NY
21+/No cover

+ + + +

Friday, April 29, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

NOFX, Direct Hit!, Mephiskapheles

Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place
New York, NY
$27/16+

+ + + +

Friday, April 29, 2016

Rent Party w/Rude Boy George

The Woodland
60 Woodland Road
Maplewood, NJ
$10

+ + + +

Sunday, May 1, 2016 @ 9:00 AM

Rude Boy George

Five Boro Bike Tour
21st Street and 38th Avenue
Long Island City, Queens
Free

+ + + +

Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 3:00 pm

Barra Brava, (A)TRUTH, Boomshot, LAKRAS

Big Band
69-24 Queens Boulevard
Queens, NY
$15

+ + + +

Friday, May 13, 2016

Mustard Plug, Rude Boy George

Bell's Eccentric Cafe Back Room
355 East Kalamazoo Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI

+ + + +

Saturday, May 14, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dubistry

The Shrine
2271 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Mustard Plug, Rude Boy George

Founders Brewing Co.
235 Grandville Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, MI

+ + + +

Monday, May 16, 2016 @ 6:30 pm

Stacked Like Pancakes, Beat Brigade (featuring original BB sax man Nelson Rivera!), Whaleneck

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY
$10/18+

+ + + +

Saturday, June 4, 2016 @ 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Rude Boy George

West Orange Street Fair
Edison National Historic Site
211 Main Street
West Orange, NJ
Free

+ + + +

Thursday, June 16, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

The Duff Guide to Ska presents: The Rudie Crew All-Stars, Skarroñeros, and 1592 (from Detroit!) w/DJ Ryan Midnight

Otto's Shrunken Head
538 East 14th Street (between Avenues A and B)
Alphabet City
New York
No cover/21+

(Bring some extra cash for when we pass the hat for each band!)

+ + + +

Sunday, June 19, 2016--from Noon to 10:00 pm

*****The Well and The Duff Guide to Ska present Skamela: An All-Star NYC Ska Benefit for Roy Radics' Family*****

Pilfers, King Django, The Rudie Crew All-Stars, Reggay Lords, The Ladrones, Funkface, and many more bands and artists to be announced soon!

Outdoor/All-day festival!

The Well
272 Meserole Street
Brooklyn, NY

+ + + +

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

The Toasters

Revolution Bar and Music Hall
140 Merrick Road
Amityville, NY

+ + + +

Saturday, July 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

The Scofflaws, Lowhency Pierre, Atlantic Avenue, Thin Lear

Pianos NYC
158 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Friday, August 26, 2016 @ 7:00 pm (boat departs at 8:00 pm)

Rocks Off Booze Cruise with The Slackers

The Liberty Belle departs from Pier 36
299 South Street
Manhattan, NY
21+
$30 in advance/$35 day of show

+ + + +

Friday, September 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

The Specials

Terminal 5
610 West 56th Street
Manhattan, NY
$45.00 (plus service fees)

+ + + +

The Duff Guide to Ska NYC Winter/Spring/Summer 2016 Ska Calendar #26

The Clash in the can.

Friday, April 1, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Skarroñeros, The New Resistants, Glowing Eyed Friends, Brother Jerome

Goldsounds
44 Wilson Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$8-$10/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, April 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

The Slackers (Record Release Party), The Far East, The Ladrones

The Bell House
149 7th Street
Brooklyn, NY
$20/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, April 2, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Brown Rice Family Band (7:00 pm), Maya Azucena (9:00 pm)

Brooklyn Museum
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY
Free (Target First Saturdays)

+ + + +

Friday, April 8, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Iration, Hirie, The Expanders

Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street
New York, NY
18+

+ + + +

Friday, April 8, 2016 @ 8:30 pm

The Scofflaws

Still Partners
225 Sea Cliff Avenue
Sea Cliff, NY

+ + + +

Saturday, April 9, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

DJ Gorilla presents Ska/Punky/Reggae Party w/Beat Brigade, Yo!Scunt, Majesty and the New Vibration Band, Fragmented

Don Pedro's
90 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Friday, April 15, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

Big D and the Kids Table, Counterpunch, The Doped Up Dollies, The Far East

Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$13 in advance/$15 day of show
16+

+ + + +

Saturday, April 16, 2016 @ 3:00 pm

Tribute to Roy Radics w/Dubistry, Honeychild Coleman, Rudites

Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
21+

+ + + +

Saturday, April 16, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

The Pietasters, Hub City Stompers, The Snails, Reggay Lords!

Sunnyvale Brooklyn
1031 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$17 in advance/$20 day of show

+ + + +

Friday, April 29, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

NOFX, Direct Hit!, Mephiskapheles

Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place
New York, NY
$27/16+

+ + + +

Friday, April 29, 2016

Rent Party w/Rude Boy George

The Woodland
60 Woodland Road
Maplewood, NJ

+ + + +

Sunday, May 1, 2016 @ 9:00 AM

Rude Boy George

Five Boro Bike Tour
21st Street and 38th Avenue
Long Island City, Queens
Free

+ + + +

Friday, May 13, 2016

Mustard Plug, Rude Boy George

Bell's Eccentric Cafe Back Room
355 East Kalamazoo Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI

+ + + +

Saturday, May 14, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dubistry

The Shrine
2271 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Mustard Plug, Rude Boy George

Founders Brewing Co.
235 Grandville Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, MI

+ + + +

Saturday, June 4, 2016 @ 11:00 am

Rude Boy George

West Orange Street Fair
Edison National Historic Site
211 Main Street
West Orange, NJ
Free

+ + + +

Thursday, June 16, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

The Duff Guide to Ska presents: Skarroñeros, 1592, and TBA

Otto's Shrunken Head
538 East 14th Street (between Avenues A and B)
Alphabet City
New York
No cover/21+
(Bring some extra cash for when we pass the hat for each band!)

+ + + +

Sunday, June 19, 2016

*****All-Star NYC Ska Benefit for Roy Radics' Family*****

Details to be released soon!
Mark your calendars!
Outdoor/All-day festival!
Top Ska Acts
Brooklyn, NY

+ + + +

Tuesday, June 28, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

The Toasters

Revolution Bar and Music Hall
140 Merrick Road
Amityville, NY

+ + + +

Friday, September 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

The Specials

Terminal 5
610 West 56th Street
Manhattan, NY
$45.00 (plus service fees)

+ + + +

Ska bands: To have your NYC area gig dates listed here, send an email to duffguidetoska@gmail.com with all of the show details!

+ + + +

Skarroñeros Feature in Brooklyn Rail!

Skarroñeros (Photo: Saskia Kahn)

Take a few minutes to read this fantastic article in The Brooklyn Rail by Ian Marsh and Jamie Frey about one of NYC's great Latino ska-punk bands, Skarroñeros!

Here's a taste...

"Although they often consume alcohol with the vigor of a decadent hair-metal band, politics are essential to Skarroñeros. “We’re the only band, still, to this day, that talks about the unity of black workers and immigrant workers,” Morán said. He also mentioned that they’re the only band (to his knowledge) that has songs about immigrant rights and Mumia Abu-Jamal. One might recall the ’90s band Rage Against the Machine (led by half-Mexican Zach De La Rocha) which discussed these subjects in a large mainstream platform while signed to a major label owned by Sony, a Fortune 500 company. The political ethos of Skarroñeros, however, is found not only in their music, but also in their practice. Revolution is constantly spoken of at their shows, both in their songs and in Morán’s brief diatribes."

+ + + + 

The Duff Guide to Ska is sponsoring a show at Otto's Shrunken Head in Alphabet City on Thursday, June 16, 2016 with Skarroñeros, Detroit's 1592 who are coming through town, and another band TBA shortly. More details to come, but put in on your calendar now. It's gonna be a great night of music!

+ + + +

NYC Winter 2016 Ska Calendar #19

Friday, January 22, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Uzimon

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Skarroneros' Sixth Anniversary show w/Gangway, Droogettes, Escasos Recursos

Don Pedro
90 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
21+

+ + + +

Saturday, January 23, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Inspecter 7, Out of Order, 45 Adaptors, Scum Punch

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$15/21+

+ + + +

Sunday, January 24, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

The Toasters, Hub City Stompers, Molly Rhythm, Death in the Arena, Backyard Superheroes, Autocracy East

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers Street
Trenton, NJ
All ages
Tix: $13/$15

+ + + +

Saturday, January 30, 2016 @ 3:00 pm

Beat Brigade, Damn Long Hairs, Sketchy, Girth Control

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brookyn, NY
$10/18+

+ + + +

Monday, February 1, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

Brown Rice Family, Super Yamba Band

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$8/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, February 6, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

The London Souls (doing a tribute to Bob Marley in honor of his birthday), Ticklah, Dub is a Weapon (15th anniversary!)

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$20/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, February 13, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Hub City Stompers, Rude Boy George, Duffy's Cut

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$12/21+

+ + + +

Sunday, February 21, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Nan Pancha, Los Estramboticos, The Ladrones

Stage 48
605 West 48th Street
New York, NY
$35/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 9:30 pm

Rude Boy George, Rachel & the Black Straps, Mind Over Time

Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street
New York, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Less Than Jake (playing Losing Streak and more), Westbound Train, Mephiskapheles

Highline Ballroom
431 West 16th Street
New York, NY
All ages
Tix: $14.50

+ + + +

Thursday, March 10, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Less Than Jake (playing Hello Rockview and more), Bigwig, Mickey Erg

The Gramercy Theater
127 East 23rd Street
New York, NY
All ages
Tix: $20

+ + + +

Thursday, March 10, 2016 @ 9:30 pm

The Snails

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY
$12/21+

+ + + +

Friday, March 11, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Mephiskapheles and Special Guests

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY$20/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, April 2, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

The Slackers (Record Release Party)

The Bell House
149 7th Street
Brooklyn, NY
$20/21+

+ + + +

Friday, April 15, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

Big D and the Kids Table, Counterpunch, The Doped Up Dollies, The Far East

Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$13 in advance/$15 day of show
16+

+ + + +

Friday, April 29, 2016

Rent Party w/Rude Boy George

The Woodland
60 Woodland Road
Maplewood, NJ

+ + + +

Friday, May 13, 2016

Mustard Plug, Rude Boy George

Bells Eccentric Cafe Back Room
355 East Kalamazoo Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI

+ + + +

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Mustard Plug, Rude Boy George

Founders Brewing Co.
235 Grandville Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, MI

+ + + +

NYC Winter 2016 Ska Calendar #18

The one and only Laurel Aitken!

Friday, January 15, 2016 @ 12 midnight

Brown Rice Family

Blue Note
131 West 3rd Street
New York, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Friday, January 22, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Uzimon

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, January 23, 2016 @ 3:00 pm

Beat Brigade, Damn Long Hairs, Sketchy, Girth Control

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brookyn, NY
$10/18+

+ + + +

Saturday, January 23rd, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Skarroneros' Sixth Anniversary show w/Gangway, Droogettes, Escasos Recursos

Don Pedro
90 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
21+

+ + + +

Saturday, January 23, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Inspecter 7, Out of Order, 45 Adaptors, Scum Punch

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$15/21+

+ + + +

Sunday, January 24, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

The Toasters, Hub City Stompers, Molly Rhythm, Death in the Arena, Backyard Superheroes, Autocracy East

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers Street
Trenton, NJ
All ages
Tix: $13/$15

+ + + +

Saturday, February 6, 2016 @ 8:00 pm

The London Souls (doing a tribute to Bob Marley in honor of his birthday), Ticklah, Dub is a Weapon (15th anniversary!)

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$20/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, February 13, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Hub City Stompers, Duffy's Cut, and more

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$12/21+

+ + + +

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Less Than Jake (playing Losing Streak and more), Westbound Train, Mephiskapheles

Highline Ballroom
431 West 16th Street
New York, NY
All ages
Tix: $14.50

+ + + +

Thursday, March 10, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Less Than Jake (playing Hello Rockview and more), Bigwig, Mickey Erg

The Gramercy Theater
127 East 23rd Street
New York, NY
All ages
Tix: $20

+ + + +

Thursday, March 10, 2016 @ 9:30 pm

The Snails

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY
$12/21+

+ + + +

Friday, March 11, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Mephiskapheles and Special Guests

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$20/21+

+ + + +

NYC Winter 2015 Ska Calendar #16

Fatty ready for snow!

Saturday, December 12. 2016 @ 8:00 pm

Brown Rice Family, Underground Horns

Drom
85 Avenue A (between 5th and 6th Streets)
New York, NY
$10 in advance/$15 at door

+ + + +

Saturday, December 12, 2016 @ 9:00 pm

Dubistry

Shrine NYC
2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd (at 134th Street)
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Wednesday, December 18, 2015
HR (of Bad Brains), Dubb Agents, Banddroidz, Skarroneros

Bowery Electric
327 Bowery
New York, NY

+ + + +

Saturday, December 19, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The Slackers, The Pietasters, Sammy K, The Snails,

Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place
New York, NY
$32.50

+ + + +

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Vic Ruggiero, King Django, The Snails, Los Thujones

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Friday, January 22, 2016 @ 10:30 pm

Uzimon

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Sunday, January 24, 2016 @ 6:00 pm

The Toasters, Hub City Stompers, Molly Rhythm, Death in the Arena, Backyard Superheroes, Autocracy East

The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers Street
Trenton, NJ
All ages
Tix: $13/$15

+ + + +

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 @ 7:00 pm

Less Than Jake, Westbound Train, Mephiskapheles,

Highline Ballroom
431 West 16th Street
New York, NY
All ages
Tix: $14.50

+ + + +

Thursday, March 10, 2016 @ 9:30 pm

The Snails

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
New York, NY

$12/21+

+ + + +

The Duff Guide to Ska Spring/Summer 2015 NYC Ska Calendar #8

Friday, June 5, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Cumbia Reggae Party w/R-Tronika, The Far East, The Abruptors

The Swamp
Johnson Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Email us for specific address: revqc@eastrev.com
Please NO BYOB!
J/M to Lorimer or L to Montrose
$8-$12 donation

+ + + +

Saturday, June 6, 2015 @ 2:00 pm

Skarroneros, Joey Steel and the Attitude Adjusters, Soothsayer, Toys in Trouble

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$9/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, June 14, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

Last Shows at The Swamp w/Super Hi-Fi, Beat Brigade, Boomshot Riddim Collective, Rudie Crew, Outernational, Princelionsound, The Oneness, Subtropico Militia Heavy Sound

The Swamp
Johnson Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Email us for specific address: revqc@eastrev.com
Please NO BYOB!
J/M to Lorimer or L to Montrose
$15

+ + + +

Friday, June 19, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The Reggay Lords

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

$8 in advance, $10 day of show/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, June 20, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Rude Boy George, Pidgin Droppings

Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center
4 Boland Drive
West Orange, NJ

+ + + +

Sunday, June 21, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Mephiskapheles, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Slow Children

Rocks Off Booze Cruise
The Jewel
Board the boat at East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive, Manhattan
Tix: $25 in advance/$30 day of show
21+

+ + + +

Friday, June 26, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The Pietasters

Rocks Off Booze Cruise
The Jewel
Board the boat at East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive, Manhattan
Tix: $25 in advance/$30 day of show
21+

+ + + +

Saturday, June 27, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

The Last Show at The Swamp w/The Reggay Lords, Top Shotta Band, The Ladrones, Skarroneros, plus Grace of Spades on the decks!

The Swamp
Johnson Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Email us for specific address: revqc@eastrev.com
Please NO BYOB!
J/M to Lorimer or L to Montrose
$12-$15 (partial donation to EastRev project)

+ + + +

Saturday, June 27, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Hub City Stompers, 45 Revolutions, 45 Adapters, Vinny Hooliganz

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 @ 6:30 pm

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Streetdogs, The Interrupters

Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street
Manhattan, NY
$27.50/18+

+ + + +

Friday, August 21, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

Rude Boy George

Toshi's Living Room and Penthouse
1141 Broadway (at 26th Street)
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Sunday, September 6, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

The Expanders, Tribal Seeds, Arise Roots

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$17-$20/21+

+ + + +

Sunday, September 20, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

Fishbone and special guests TBA

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$17/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, October 24, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Rude Boy George

Toshi's Living Room and Penthouse
1141 Broadway (at 26th Street)
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro, and Mickey Virtue

Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street
Manhattan, NY
$35/18+

+ + + +

Saturday, October 31, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Halloween Party w/Rude Boy George

Toshi's Living Room and Penthouse
1141 Broadway (at 26th Street)
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

The Duff Guide to Ska Spring/Summer/Fall 2015 NYC Ska Calendar #7

Rude Boy George

Friday, May 15, 2015, from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Rude Boy George

Jersey Shore Festival
The Aztec Pool
901 Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ
Free!

+ + + +

Saturday, May 16, 2015, from 11:00 pm to 11:40 pm

Hub City Stompers

Jersey Shore Festival
EJ's Tavern
919 Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ
Free!

+ + + +

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Beat Brigade, Dub Caps, Challenger, Ossie Delmore, Soldiers of Justice

The Delancey
168 Delancey
New York, NY

+ + + +

Saturday, May 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Jah Point and the Boomshot Collective, Too Nice, Hobo Chili, The Ladrones, The Damn Long Hairs

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Friday, May 29, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Dirty Reggae Party #29 w/Inspecter 7, The Frightnrs, Paisaneska, plus Crazy Baldhead Crew

@The Swamp
Johnson Avenue
Email us for specific address: revqc@eastrev.comBrooklyn, NY
please NO BYOB!
J/M to Lorimer or L to Montrose
$10 donation

+ + + +

Saturday, May 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Rude Boy George

State Theatre of Boyertown
61 North Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA

+ + + +

Friday, June 5, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Cumbia Reggae Party w/R-Tronika, The Far East, The Abruptors

@The Swamp
Johnson Avenue
Email us for specific address: revqc@eastrev.comBrooklyn, NY
please NO BYOB!
J/M to Lorimer or L to Montrose
$8-$12 donation

+ + + +

Saturday, June 6, 2015 @ 2:00 pm

Skarroneros, Joey Steel and the Attitude Adjusters, Soothsayer, Toys in Trouble

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$9/21+

+ + + +

Friday, June 19, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The Reggay Lords

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$8 in advance, $10 day of show/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, June 20, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Rude Boy George, Pidgin Droppings

Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center
4 Boland Drive
West Orange, NJ

+ + + +

Friday, June 26, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The Pietasters

Rock's Off Booze Cruise
The Jewel
Board the boat at East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive, Manhattan
Tix: $25 in advance/$30 day of show
21+

+ + + +

Saturday, June 27, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Hub City Stompers, 45 Revolutions, 45 Adapters, Vinny Hooliganz

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 @ 6:30 pm

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Streetdogs, The Interrupters

Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street,
Manhattan, NY
$27.50/18+

+ + + +

Friday, August 21, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

Rude Boy George

Toshi's Living Room and Penthouse
1141 Broadway (at 26th Street)
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Sunday, September 6, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

The Expanders, Tribal Seeds, Arise Roots

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$17-$20/21+

+ + + +

Sunday, September 20, 2015 @ 6:00 pm

Fishbone and special guests TBA

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$17/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, October 24, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

Rude Boy George

Toshi's Living Room and Penthouse
1141 Broadway (at 26th Street)
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Wednesday, October 28, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro, and Mickey Virtue

Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street,
Manhattan, NY
$35/18+

+ + + +

Saturday, October 31, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Halloween Party w/Rude Boy George

Toshi's Living Room and Penthouse
1141 Broadway (at 26th Street)
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

The Duff Guide to Ska NYC Spring/Summer 2015 Ska Calendar #5

Friday, April 17, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Skarroneros, The Beatdown, The Rudie Crew, Beat Brigade

Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Saturday, April 18, 2015 @ 10:00 pm

The Scofflaws (10pm), The Shanks, This Good Robot

Record Store Day 2015
Soul Sounds Records
291 West Main Street
Sayville, NY
After 6pm: $10

+ + + +

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Mighty Mystic, InDaze, The Far East

Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$10 in advance/$12 day of show

+ + + +

Saturday, April 25, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Roddy Radiation (of The Specials) w/The Scotch Bonnets, Rude Boy George

Fontana's Bar
105 Eldridge Street
New York, NY
$10/21+

+ + + +

Wednesday, April 29, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The English Beat, The Rudie Crew

The Gramercy Theater
127 East 23rd Street
New York, NY

$25/16+

+ + + +

Saturday, May 2, 2015 (3 sets starting at 7:00 pm)

Rude Boy George

Toshi's Living Room
1141 Broadway
New York, NY
No cover!

+ + + +

Saturday, May 2, 2015 @ 8:00 pm

Fishbone, Easy Star Allstars, The Skints

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$22/21+

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Saturday, May 9, 2015 @ 9:00 pm

Dig Deeper Presents Derrick Morgan, Crazy Baldhead, DJ Scratch Famous (of Deadly Dragon Sound System), DJ Honky and Mr. Robinson

Littlefield
622 Degraw Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
$20 in advance/$25 day of show
21+

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Saturday, May 9, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The Skatalites

Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

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Friday, May 15, 2015, from 10:30 pm to 11:00 pm

Rude Boy George

Jersey Shore Festival
The Aztec Pool
901 Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ

Free!

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Friday, May 15, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Bad Manners, Dale and the Zdubs

Knitting Factory Brooklyn
361 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$20 in advance/$25 day of show

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Saturday, May 30, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

Rude Boy George

State Theatre of Boyertown
61 North Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA

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Friday, June 26, 2015 @ 7:00 pm

The Pietasters

Rock's Off Booze Cruise
The Jewel
Board the boat at East 23rd Street and the FDR Drive, Manhattan
Tix: $25 in advance/$30 day of show
21+

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NYC Summer/Fall 2014 Ska Calendar #16

Summer holiday's almost done...

Thursday, August 28, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Vic Ruggiero, Kepi Ghoulie, Todd Fausnacht

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$10/21+

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Friday, August 29, 2014 @ 7:30 pm

Mrs. Skannotto, Across the Aisle, The Shipwrecks

The Knitting Factory
361 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
$10 in advance/$12 day of show

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Saturday, September 6, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Inspecter 7, Lion's Law, Step 2 Far, Skarroneros

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$15

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Sunday, September, 7, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

U2Nation and Rude Boy George (goes on at 7:45 pm)

Fairfield Theater Company
70 Sanford Street
Fairfield, CT
$25

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Thursday, September 11, 2014 @ 9:00 pm

The Scofflaws

Declan Quinn's
227 Fourth Avenue
Bayshore, NY

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Saturday, September 13, 2014 @ 9:00 pm

Dig Deeper w/Ken Parker backed by Crazy Baldhead, plus Deadly Dragon Soundsystem, DJ Honky, and Mr. Robinson

Littlefield
622 Degraw Street
Brooklyn, NY
$20 in advance/$25 day of show

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Monday, September 22, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

The Far East w/Pears

The Grand Victory
245 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY
$9/21+

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Tuesday, October 14th, 2014 @ 7:00 pm

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Irving Plaza
17 Irving Place
Manhattan, NY
$41.50

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Thursday, October 30, 2014

3rd Annual Devils Night w/Mephiskapheles, The Toasters, No Redeeming Social Value, and The Ladrones

Mercury Lounge
217 East Houston Street
Manhattan, NY
Tickets: $23.85 (through this link)
21+

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Friday, December 5, 2014 @ 9:30 pm

Rude Boy George and special guests (two old school NYC ska bands!)

Otto's Shrunken Head
538 East 14th Street
Manhattan, NY
No cover/21+

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Friday, December 19, 2014

The Scofflaws

89 North
89 North Ocean Avenue
Patchogue, NY
Free/21+

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Duff Gig Review: New York Ska Festival with King Chango, Hub City Stompers, Bigger Thomas, Kofre, Beat Brigade, Skarioca, Floor Kiss, and Skarroneros

First of all, I'm sorry that I've been MIA for the past week. This is the time of year that I am busiest at work and everything else in my life is forced to go on hold (my wife even had a non-life-threatening visit to the ER to be embroidered with stitches and even she didn't want to tell me what happened because of what was going on at the job). And since it all turned out to be a bit more stressful than usual, I was dead beat by the end of day Friday and nearly bailed on going out at all. Fortunately, at my wife's prompting, a friend (thanks, Sid!) convinced me to catch the New York Ska Festival at B.B. King's with King Chango, Hub City Stompers, Bigger Thomas, Kofre, Beat Brigade, Skarioca, Floor Kiss, and Skarroneros--and it helped erase everything that had gone down the week before...[apologies to Across the Aisle for missing their performance at The Knitting Factory the same night...I just didn't have it in me to try to make two different gigs--I owe ya' one, ATA!]

Despite the city's reputation for being a cultural melting pot, this gig was one of the few that I've been to where the Latin ska/rock crowd directly intersected with the mostly Anglo ska scene--the only other time that I recall this happening (and correct me if I'm wrong) was a King Chango-headlined bill at Wetlands in the late 90s and an appearance by Desorden Publico at SOB's around '94 or so. For all the talk and singing--and I believe all of it to be very sincere--about racial unity at so many of the shows I've seen over the years, the New York Ska Festival audience actually embodied it! The crowd was fully integrated, the vibe was great, everyone had a blast, and bands from both ska scenes now have a slew of new fans they probably wouldn't have had without this show (Kofre, sign me up!). From what I've heard from Bigger Thomas' Marc Wasserman, this bill came to be by accident--but what brilliant one!

We arrived too late to catch Floor Kiss and Skarroneros--and only heard a bit of Skarioca, which featured an accordianist and a whole gamut of Latin genres (none of which I'm familiar enough with to write with any authority) mixed in with their ska.

Beat Brigade (featuring original members Carmelo DiBartollo on guitar and vocals; Jack Hoppenstand on guitar; Frank Usamanont on bass; Eric Storckman on trombone; and Dave Barry on keys, who joined the band later in its tenure) stormed the stage next and it was like they had been unearthed from a time capsule (or all of us had been somehow transported back in time)--because we were listening to the pure, uncorrupted sound of mid-80s NYC ska and it gave me chills to hear it. Beat Brigade were fantastic.

The live Beat Brigade videos that I shot below feature Remi Sammy of The Second Step (another essential 80s NYC ska act) on Beat Brigade's "All the Lights Have Gone Out" and the cover of The Second Step's "2 Men in Suit":





I didn't get a chance to shoot a video or two of Kofre (who tore the place up with their high-powered ska, mixed with cool Metallica metal riffs, and you can't resist their pure showmanship--several members of the band donned Mexican wrestling masks when performing!) or Hub City Stompers (who delivered an aggressively tight and spirited set, as always!), since I was talking with Drew Stansall, who is currently the saxophonist for The Specials. Drew got his start with the great Laurel Aitken (they both are from Leicester) and I had the great fortune to work with the Godfather of Ska back in my Moon Records days, so we spent a good deal of time sharing our memories of Laurel--and he was kind enough to answer some questions I've had about Prince Buster, with whom he's also toured. Drew is a terrific guy--make sure to buy him a drink if you bump into him at a show!

Bigger Thomas' set was amazing--both Drew and Nik Torp (another cool cat and Jerry's replacement in The Specials) joined the band for covers of "Nite Klub" and "Monkey Man" (in the video I took, that's Carmelo from Beat Brigade who has jumped on stage to skank), and Roy Radics (a fellow UB40 fan) of The Rudie Crew is the man in yellow toasting during BT's own "Can't Remember My Name":







I bumped into Blanquito Man backstage just before King Chango went on (I haven't seen him in about a decade, so it was terrific to catch up a bit!). Here's a short video of him talking with Roger Apollon, Jr. of Bigger Thomas (dig those "Battlestar Galactica" shades, Chango!)...



King Chango hit the stage just a little before 2:00 am--and my ride back uptown was leaving--so I had to cut out way before their set was done, so here is just a little taste of what they delivered...



Here's hoping that promoters will put together more of these Latin/Anglo ska bills--I want to learn and experience more of the Latin ska acts because they're excellent and I'm completely ignorant of this whole scene. And the cross-pollination of the two scenes will no doubt strengthen the overall state of ska music in NYC--a very good thing, indeed.

Sid Reitzfeld's brother Pete was taking pix all night, so if the photos are posted on-line, I'll make sure to put up a link to them.

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Here's a bonus video section, just for kicks, of acts from the New York Ska Festival bill...