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Episode #06


1. Codename: Rocky

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Codename: Rocky was a ska band from Orange County, California that formed in 1997. They played their last show on January 1, 2004. During their seven year run, Codename: Rocky has released a demo, No Time To Waste (2000), Inifinity  (2001) and have been featured on numerous compilations. Members of Codename: Rocky have included Daniel (guitar, vocals), Matt (bass), Andrew (drums), Mikey (trombone), Bill (trumpet), Ivan (saxophone), Mark (trumpet) and Rich (Trumpet). Many of these members have gone on to form different projects. Rich and Ivan play in Cellphish, Andrew and Matt are in The Owl in the Daylight and Dan is currently in LA On A Friday Night. The song featured on this episode is Oh, Lonely Nights off of Inifinity.

Links: Cellphish, The Owl In Daylight, LA on a Friday Night


Myspace


2. The Best of the Worst

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The Best of the Worst is a four-piece Ska band hailing from North Brunswick, New Jersey. The band combines punk and hardcore styles with modern-day ska influences. Since their formation in 2005, the Best of the Worst has released two EP's which are currently available through Open Hand Records. Their first EP, Quarter Life Crisis, was released in 2008 and the latest EP, Calling From the Grave, was released in December of 2009. The song featured on this episode is off of Calling From the Grave, titled, Zombie Revival Guide.

Links: Open Hand Records


Myspace
Facebook


3. Target for Tomorrow and the Horns of Destruction

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Target for Tomorrow and the Horns of Destruction is a six-piece ska outfit currently based in Corvallis, Oregon. The Horns of Destruction is made up of Aaron Broussard (vocals, guitar), Michael Bode (tenor sax, vocals), Brian Fitzsimmons (trumpet, vocals), Orin Clark (trombone, keys), Brittni Williamson (bass), Charley McGowan (drums). A four-song EP titled, Volume Zero, is currently available by the band. It is filled with a well balanced combination of ska and punk. The rhythm section is tight and often provides infectious melodies that compliment the vocals. The song featured on this episode is called, Need Your Goodnight.

Links: Bandcamp


Myspace


4. The Pinstripes

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The Pinstripes have been playing shows for the last seven years. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Pinstripes blend traditional 2-Tone and reggae with lots of soul to form their own unique sound of ska music. Originally formed as a punk project by Pinstripes' members Chris Grannen and Matt Kursmark, the group made the transition to playing ska soon afterward. Other members of the Pinstripes include Sean Peters (guitar), Ben Pitz (trumpet, vocals), Mike Sarason (vocals, saxophone), and Casey Weissbuch (drums). The Pinstripes have released The Decay (2007), and a split record with the Green Room Rockers titled Midwest Soundclash (2009). New tunes are currently in the works and some are available on the group's website. The song featured on this episode is Come On In off of Midwest Soundclash.


Official Site
Myspace
Facebook


5. Beat the Red Light

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Beat the Red Light is an eight-piece ska band from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. Beat the Red Light's form of third-wave ska takes on a heavier tone of the genre with metallic riffs and fast tempos. The horn section hold its own with its lively melodies and breakdowns in each song, but the skankin' parts are apparent when played. Beat the Red Light's self-titled EP sold out after a short ten-day tour in 2009, but was re-released by TNS Records this year. The featured track on this episode is titled, Send in the Clowns, the closing track off of that EP.

Links: TNS Records

Myspace
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Taking the Lead Media is a music podcast about my record collection.