Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast

Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast

Marc Wasserman

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Music
Music

Frequency: 1 episode/14d. Total Eps: 112

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Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast is hosted by Marc Wasserman, author of Soul Salvation: A Gen-X Love Letter To The English Beat and Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History published by DiWulf Publishing. 

Wasserman helped to found Bigger Thomas -- the first ska band from New Jersey -- in 1988 and had a front row seat to watch the growth of American ska. Ska Boom is the audio companion to his books. 

The podcast explores the impact of ska and reggae on popular music and features interviews with key ska and reggae musicians, audio documentaries about the history of ska and reggae and special episodes based on news and developments in the world of ska.

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  • 🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicHistory

    03/06/2025
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    02/06/2025
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  • 🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicHistory

    01/06/2025
    #56

  • 🇬🇧 Great Britain - musicHistory

    31/05/2025
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    26/05/2025
    #89

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    08/05/2025
    #92

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    07/05/2025
    #78

  • 🇫🇷 France - musicHistory

    06/05/2025
    #72
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Score global : 52%

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Soul Salvation - A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat: Special Beat

Season 1 · Episode 9

mercredi 4 septembre 2024 • Duration 22:39

Welcome back to the Ska Boom podcast!  This season is called Soul Salvation and its the companion to my new book “Soul Salvation – A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat."

Through the book and this podcast I’m telling the story of the Special Beat Service album which embodies both the brilliance and the bittersweet end of the English Beat whose songs served as a soundtrack for thousands of Gen Xers like me.  

The book and this podcast is my tribute to the band’s final, triumphant act – which initially was largely overlooked – and how their music and the love of a young woman changed me forever.

This week’s episode is all about Special Beat, the 2 Tone ska super group formed in the early 90s to tap into the growing popularity of ska in America.  The genesis of Special Beat was a one-off show by a band called The International Beat featuring Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger that electrified an audience of 10,000 ska crazy kids at an Earth Day celebration in Berkeley, CA in the Spring of 1990.  It's my opinion that the band was responsible for kicking off the explosion of 3rd wave American ska of the 90s.

My new book Soul Salvation : A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat is now available from DiWulf.com and from Amazon globally. 

The music clips included in this podcast fall under the “Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. 

Soul Salvation - A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat: Go Feet

Season 1 · Episode 8

mercredi 28 août 2024 • Duration 24:11

Welcome back to the Ska Boom podcast!  This season is called Soul Salvation and its the companion to my new book “Soul Salvation – A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat."

Through the book and this podcast I’m telling the story of the Special Beat Service album which embodies both the brilliance and the bittersweet end of the English Beat whose songs served as a soundtrack for thousands of Gen Xers like me.  

The book and this podcast is my tribute to the band’s final, triumphant act – which initially was largely overlooked – and how their music and the love of a young woman changed me forever.

This week I’m changing gears to focus on how the band signed with Arista Records and how they were able to create their own boutique label Go Feet Records which released their albums and singles as well as those of several artists they signed directly to the label.

 Much of the detail from the behind-the-scenes machinations of how the band ended up signing and creating Go Feet comes from Malu Halasa’s band bio book “The Beat: Twist & Crawl” that was published in 1981.  

My new book Soul Salvation : A Gen X Love Letter To The English Beat is now available from DiWulf.com and from Amazon globally. 

The music clips included in this podcast fall under the “Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. 

Ska Boom Stories - Eddy Grant & Electric Avenue

Season 6 · Episode 10

vendredi 3 juin 2022 • Duration 24:16

In this episode, I focus on the incredibly influential and often overlooked role that Eddy Grant has played in merging the sounds of ska, reggae, pop, dance and rock music. I’ve always been a huge fan and consider Grant a musical futurist who has successfully combined the best of James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley into something completely unique. I’ll be taking a look at Grant’s diverse musical career and will also dig into his most well known American hit “Electric Avenue” which went to #2 on the Billboard charts in 1983.Grant is a musical pioneer and trailblazer who has left his mark on ska, reggae, calypso, rock and pop music and deserves credit for combining the best of Black and White music beginning in the mid-60's and up through the mid 80's. Many of Grant's songs always display a lyrical or musical edge of some kind. I’ve always believed he creates protest music you can dance to.Please note: The music clips included in this podcast fall under the “Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, and news reporting.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ska Boom-Episode 002: Skavoovee Tour of '93/Wayne Lothian

Episode 2

vendredi 18 septembre 2020 • Duration 58:19

In this episode of Ska Boom I speak to Wayne Lothian, who is a musician and producer and has played bass for the Special Beat, General Public and Dave Wakeling's version of The English Beat.I've been lucky to know Wayne for 25 years.  I first met him when we both lived in New Brunswick, NJ and he gave me bass lessons! He would also occasionally came to shows my band Bigger Thomas played in the 90s.  At the shows, I would hand my bass to Wayne and the band would play songs by The Specials and English Beat.Wayne was born and raised in Coventry in the U.K. and came of age during the height of 2 Tone.  He met Lynval Golding as a young teen and that relationship has guided Wayne's professional career in music.  In this episode, Wayne discusses his life in ska and what it was like to serve as the bassist for the Special Beat on the iconic Skavoovee Tour of 1993, which was the first ska package tour of the U.S.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ska Boom-Episode 001: 1985: The Year American Ska Broke

Episode 1

vendredi 11 septembre 2020 • Duration 49:49

Despite 2 Tone’s chart-topping success in the UK from 1979 through 1981, it was largely a commercial flop in the United States, as 2 Tone’s parent label Chrysalis had no idea how to market these bands and their music within a racially segregated American rock music industry. Yet, The Specials, The Selecter, The Beat, and Madness all managed to reach and convert enough fans on the underground, new wave scene that a slew of first generation American ska bands cropped up in their wake. In this episode of Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Podcast, I'm joined by Stephen Shafer (The Duff Guide To Ska blog and author of the recently published The Duff Guide To 2 Tone) to discuss how the release of three milestone American ska records in 1985 —Fishbone and The Toasters’ self-titled debut EPs, and The Untouchables’ Wild Child — became the catalyst for everything that led to the US ska scene bursting from the underground into the mainstream during the American ska boom of the 90s.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ska Boom: Introduction

lundi 7 septembre 2020 • Duration 09:34

I'm Marc Wasserman! Welcome to the very first episode of the Ska Boom podcast, which is the audio companion to my forthcoming book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History that will be published by DiWulf Publishing in early 2021.While the book is in production, I like the idea of sharing some of the stories and fantastic music featured in its 19 chapters. I did interviews with a few hundred musicians, band managers, booking agents, DJs and fans, so there are a lot of great stories and anecdotes that together help tell the origin story of American ska and reggae. I think it's important that they get heard. In this first episode, I introduce myself and share a bit about the book and upcoming episodes of the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Tone Legacy - Easy Life

Season 6 · Episode 9

jeudi 26 mai 2022 • Duration 19:17

Welcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series."Easy Life" by The Bodysnatchers may be one of the most deceptively revolutionary 2 Tone songs of all time. Though it sounds like an upbeat feminist ditty and it is remarkably catchy and danceable, a close read of the lyrics reveals some real layers to the song. “Easy Life” addresses and rejects the pressure and refusal to conform to pre-determined – often media driven – constructs of femininity. Dakkar sings: we are near to an equality/girls and boys with pay parity/we are near to an equality/the law says there is equal opportunity/but still it's a struggle/yes life is still a struggleSka Boom is hosted/produced by Marc Wasserman and co-produced/engineered by Rob George and appears on Pantheon Podcasts. Ska Boom is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon.  This episode of the Ska Boom podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.com. For more information visit https://betterhelp.com/skaboomPlease note: The music clips included in this podcast fall under the “Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, and news reporting.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Tone Legacy - Geno

Season 6 · Episode 8

vendredi 20 mai 2022 • Duration 14:55

Welcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.Dexys Midnight Runners were not a ska band, nor were they ever on the 2 Tone label, but there were interesting connections between their sound, musical approach and philosophy that make them 2 Tone adjacent. Instead of looking to Jamaica for musical inspiration, they turned to American soul and RnB and to the indigenous sound of British soul. That said, the band were part of the very first 2 Tone tour featuring The Specials, The Selecter and Madness and label head Jerry Dammers tried very hard to sign the band but to no avail. Clearly Dammers saw something in the band as their second single "Geno" went to #1 on the UK pop charts. Ska Boom is hosted/produced by Marc Wasserman and co-produced/engineered by Rob George and appears on Pantheon Podcasts. Ska Boom is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon.  This episode of the Ska Boom podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.com. For more information visit https://betterhelp.com/skaboomPlease note: The music clips included in this podcast fall under the “Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, and news reporting.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Tone Legacy - Mirror In The Bathroom

Season 6 · Episode 7

vendredi 13 mai 2022 • Duration 20:02

Welcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.It's my humble opinion that Mirror In The Bathroom by The Beat is the most distinctive song of the 80s let alone the entire 2 Tone era. This unique sound that drummer Everett Morton and bassist David Steele created together on early songs by The Beat have served as the blueprint for much of the late 80s and early 90s American ska boom that followed. Ska Boom is hosted/produced by Marc Wasserman and co-produced/engineered by Rob George and appears on Pantheon Podcasts. Ska Boom is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon.  This episode of the Ska Boom podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.com. For more information visit https://betterhelp.com/skaboomPlease note: The music clips included in this podcast fall under the “Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, and news reporting.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Tone Legacy - Madam Medusa

Season 6 · Episode 6

vendredi 6 mai 2022 • Duration 26:49

Welcome to 2 Tone Legacy a special 10-part audio documentary series of the Ska Boom podcast that focuses on the stories behind the songs that contribute to the enduring legacy of 2 Tone music and its ongoing impact on popular culture. In each episode, I'll be joined by Paul Williams, author of "You're Wondering Now: The Specials from Conception to Reunion" and lead singer of UK 2-Tone band The Skapones. Paul is a noted 2 Tone expert and he'll be sharing his memories and insights on all the songs covered in this series.If you've never heard it, "Madam Medusa" by UB40 is a protest song of the highest caliber that perfectly captures the impact Margaret Thatcher was having on Britain. It is as much a document of its time and place as "Catch a Fire" by Bob Marley and The Wailers is of early 1970s Kingston. And the song -- with lyrics written by noted British folk artist Ian Campbell and father to band members Robin and Ali Campbell -- was the main reason the band was under surveillance by MI5 in England for years.Ska Boom is hosted/produced by Marc Wasserman and co-produced/engineered by Rob George and appears on Pantheon Podcasts. Ska Boom is the audio companion to my book Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History available from DiWulf Publishing and Amazon.  This episode of the Ska Boom podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.com. For more information visit https://betterhelp.com/skaboomPlease note: The music clips included in this podcast fall under the “Fair Use Doctrine” as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. The law allows for use of music clips for purposes of criticism, comment, and news reporting.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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