Moon Ska Newsletter 8/21
Bryan and Matt
If you wish to be removed from this list, please email me back with BOTH
your name and email address and I will delete you from this update list
asap. -- Thanks! Steve/Moon Ska Promotions
**********************************
What we've got (is what you want!):
I) Moon Ska News
II) New Release Schedule
III) Moon Sponsored Shows
IV) Band Tour Dates
V) Older Moon News
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NEW MOON SKA NEWS:
--LAUREL AITKEN ON THE MOON: Many thanks to Laurel Aitken who stopped by
the Moon storefront on Monday, August 17 to do an in-store with us.
About 150 people showed up on this rainy afternoon to meet the one and
only “Godfather of Ska!” For two and a half hours, Laurel signed
8x10’s, CD’s, LP’s (even somebody’s flight jacket!) and he was gracious
enough to pose with many fans who brought their cameras (including the
Moon staff). Laurel is really one of the nicest people in ska music and
it is a pleasure to know him. We’ll have some pictures up on our
website from the in-store in the near future. Thanks also to Chris
Murray, who was on hand to meet and greet the ska public!
Laurel’s show at Wetlands the night before was simply brilliant (where
he had everyone in the club singing along to his hits like “Sally
Brown,” “Skinhead” and “Rudi Got Married”). His voice sounds just as
good, if not better than it did on his records from the sixties - and
his live show proves that he is a consummate performer! NY Ska Jazz has
really come into its own and were the perfect backing band for Laurel.
Word is that they will back Laurel for a tour of Europe in November.
Also of note on this bill were Florida’s The Strangeways (who were
really good) and the Skoidats (who rocked the house). Thanks to
everyone who supported Laurel Aitken/NY Ska Jazz on their US tour and to
those who continue to support the Moon Ska Showcases at Wetlands (the
next one features Toots & The Maytals, The Bluebeats and The Skoidats at
Wetlands on September 12th).
-- NEW ENGLAND SKA FEST IS HERE: If you are anywhere near the New
England area, you MUST get your booty to this festival this Saturday.
The new headliners are Cali’s roots-ska kings, Hepcat - and also on hand
to mash it up will be NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, Mephiskapheles, The
Skoidats, Edna’s Goldfish, Skavoovie & the Epitones, The Pilfers, The
Allstonians, Mustard Plug, Planet Smashers, Royal Crowns, Dropkick
Murphy’s, Metro Stylee, Big D and the Kids Table, Spring Heeled Jack USA
and Kicked in the Head. Supreme wax spinner, DJ Chuck Wren will be
laying down phat ska tracks in the clubhouse and to top it all off, the
weather is supposed to be incredible! All of this for a mere $20 at the
gate. Show up at 12 noon and expect to be out by 8pm. The New England
Ska Festival takes place at the Nashoba Valley Ski Resort in Westford,
MA (1/2 north of Boston, exit 31 off Route 495, then two miles east on
Route 2A). For Nashoba Valley info, call (978) 692-3163. The New
England Ska Fest is sponsored by Moon Ska Records and WBCN-FM. Stop by
the Moon merch table and say hi!
-- THE RETURN OF FATTY: Bad Manners’ tour of the US will take place
November 11th through November 29th with Edna’s Goldfish headlining.
The tour starts in NYC and will finish in West Hollywood, CA. We’ll
have dates and venues out to you as soon as possible. This is one tour
that you don’t want to miss, as Bad Manners have been making beautiful
ska music since 1976!!!
-- TOASTERS ON MTV: The new video for the Toasters’ “I’m Running Right
Through The World” (directed by Drew Sentivan) is now in regular
rotation on M2 and will be featured on “120 Minutes” in the very near
future. We’ll pass along the details as we receive them! Thanks to
Pete at Rive for all of his hard work.
-- OTHER MUSIC VIDEO NEWS: On the M2 charts this week: Mephiskapheles’
“Break Yer Ankle Punk” at #34 (last week: #73) and The Skoidats’ “Last
Night” at #41 (last week: #57)
-- NY SKA JAZZ ON THE RADIO: “Get This” continues to fare well on the
CMJ charts. Last week, it was #54 on the CMJ Top 200 and this week it’s
at #69. (Peak was #36.) Thanks to all of the stations that continue to
support this release -- and to Dean at Planetary for rocking our world.
-- SKOIDATS MOVE TO NYC: Montana’s bad boys of ska and Oi! have recently
moved their home base to New York City. Welcome to Zoo York, boys.
They’ll be doing a tour of the US with the Toasters this fall.
-- PRESS/RADIO INTERVIEWS: Anyone interested in setting up interviews
or requiring information on any of our bands should contact Patti Rios
at (212) 673-5708. She will be more than happy to help you out.
MOON SKA CONTACT NUMBERS:
- Moon Ska Promotions/Steve Shafer, Patti Rios, Jon Kaplan: (212)
673-5708/phone, (212) 673-5571/fax
- Noah Wildman: (212) 673-5366/phone, (212) 673-5571/fax
- Moon Storefront/mail-order: (212) 673-5538/phone. (212) 673-5571/fax
- Moon Warehouse: Brett Trach, Matt Ball (973) 857-0678/phone, (973)
857-7007/fax
- For Moon Ska band booking contacts and info, direct your web browser
to www.moonska.com.
*********MOON SKA RELEASE SCHEDULE
JULY 1998
- OUT NOW: NY Ska Jazz Ensemble “Get This”/MR132 - The third album from
the masters of ska-jazz! Dope!
- OUT NOW: V/A “Ska United: A Global Ska Sampler”/MR130 - Ska from
every corner of the world, with cuts from Napoleon Solo (Denmark), Dr.
Ring Ding & The Senior All-Stars (Germany), The Porkers (Australia),
Liberator (Sweden), The Toasters (USA), Judge Dread (UK), The Busters
(Germany), The Hotknives (UK), Dr. Calypso (Spain), Easy Big Fella
(USA), Mark Foggo’s Skasters (Holland), Rude Bones (Japan), Mr. Review
(Holland), Intensified (UK), Spitfire (Russia), Skaferlatine (France),
Subtones (Brazil), Bad Manners (UK) Spook & The Quay (France) and
Rocking Time (Japan).
AUGUST 1998
- OUT NOW: The Adjusters “Before The Revolution”/MR133 - Stunning
sophomore album from this ska-mod-reggae-soul (and political!) outfit
out of Chicago.
SEPTEMBER 1998
- September 8: Checkered Cabs “Remember”/MR9010 (Ska Satellite) - Great
ska/soul from this DC area band.
OCTOBER 1998
- October 6: The Scofflaws “Record of Convictions”/MR128 - The fourth CD
from the one of the best trad/sixties ska band around. Tremendous!
- October 20: - The Busters “Make a Move”/MR137 - Brilliant modern ska
from Germany’s finest ska band!
NOVEMBER 1998
- V/A: “Moonshot” - Our low-priced compilation of top-notch Moon Ska
bands!
IN THE MIX (Yet to be scheduled):
- Various Artists: "NY Beat, Hit & Run"/MR100 - A vital reissue of the
very first US ska compilation ever released! This is the ska sound that
started it all! Features: The Toasters, Urban Blight, The Boilers,
Second Step, Beat Brigade, The A Kings, Too True, Floor Kiss, The Scene,
The Press, Cryin’ Out Loud, City Beat & The Daybreakers!
- Bad Manners “Rare”/MR131 - Rare and unreleased recordings from 1976 to
1997.
Ska Satellite Records Releases in the mix!
mr9006 Buford O'Sullivan Experience - Edgy, horn-packed ska from NYC!
mr9009 Irradicats - "Blueska" - Killer ska-jazz from Cali!
MOON SKA SHOWCASES/MOON SKA CO-SPONSORED EVENTS
8/22: MOON SKA SPONSORS THE NEW ENGLAND SKA FESTIVAL in Westford, MA:
Nashoba Valley Ski Resort (30 minutes north of Boston). (All day and
ALL AGES!)
Scheduled to play: Hepcat, NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, Mephiskapheles, The
Skoidats, Royal Crowns, Dropkick Murphys, Skavoovie & The Epitones, The
Pilfers, The Allstonians, Edna’s Goldfish, Mustard Plug, Planet
Smashers, Big D & The Kids Table, Kicked in the Head, Metro Stylee and
Spring Heeled Jack! Plus, DJ Chuck Wren spins discs inside the
clubhouse! Tickets for the upcoming NE Ska Fest are available in
advance ($17.50) from Strawberries Record stores - or you can charge by
phone with ProTix at (800) 477-6849. (Tickets will also be available
the day of the show for $20.00.)
9/12 MOON SKA SHOWCASE @ Wetlands in NYC: Toots & The Maytals, The
Bluebeats, The Skoidats. This is an ALL AGES show, $15 in advance, $18
day of the show. Doors open at 8pm.
MOON SKA TOUR DATES (In alphabetical order...)
Please note that we don't book 'em, we just report 'em!
THE ADJUSTERS
8/22 Chicago, IL: The Note (CD Release Party for “Before the
Revolution”)
THE ALLSTONIANS
8/22 Westford, MA: New England Ska Festival at Nashoba Valley w/Hepcat,
NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, Mephiskapheles, The Skoidats, Royal Crowns,
Skavoovie & The Epitones, The Pilfers , Dropkick Murphys, Edna’s
Goldfish, Mustard Plug, Planet Smashers, Big D & The Kids Table, Kicked
in the Head and Metro Stylee!
THE ARTICLES
December: Tour of Europe
BAD MANNERS
Tour of the US November 11 - 29th (Starts in NYC, finishes in W.
Hollywood)
THE BUSTERS
Di. 18.08. Rügen Rugardbühne
Do. 20.08. Herford Rathausplatz
Sa. 22.08. Hildesheim Flugplatz
Do. 27.08. Berlin Gendarmenmarkt
Fr. 28.08. Aachen Katschhof
So. 30.08. Loreley Freilichtbühne St. Goarshausen
September
Sa. 05.09. Trier Open Air
Sa. 12.09. Trochtelfingen Open Air
Fr. 18.09. Mailand (I) Open Air
Sa. 19.09. Rom (I) Open Air
Fr. 25.09. Mannheim Capitol
Fr. 16.10. Neckargemünd Aula
Sa. 17.10. Denzlingen Juz
EASY BIG FELLA
8/22 Seattle, WA: Woodland Park Zoo
9/4 Seattle, WA: Bumbershoot Festival (4pm)
EDNA'S GOLDFISH
8/22 Westford, MA: NE Ska Festival w/Hepcat, NY Ska Jazz Ensemble,
Mephiskapheles, The Skoidats, Royal Crowns, Skavoovie & The Epitones,
The Pilfers, The Allstonians, Mustard Plug, Dropkick Murphys, Planet
Smashers, Big D & The Kids Table, Kicked in the Head and Metro Stylee!
8/28 Hoboken, NJ: Stevens Institute of Technology
8/30 New York, NY: Coney Island High
9/5 Wayne, NJ: Skater’s World
(Supporting Bad Manners 11/11 - 11/29)
HIGHBALL HOLIDAY
8/22 Milwaukee, WI: Tasting Room
MEPHISKAPHELES
8/21 Matunuck, RI: Ocean Mist
8/22 Westford, MA: New England Ska Festival w/Hepcat, NY Ska Jazz
Ensemble, The Skoidats, Royal Crowns, Skavoovie & The Epitones, The
Pilfers, The Allstonians, Edna’s Goldfish, Dropkick Murphys, Mustard
Plug, Planet Smashers, Big D & The Kids Table, Kicked in the Head and
Metro Stylee!
MOBTOWN
Skavaganza Tour w/Mobtown, Regatta 69 and Telegraph
9/24 Nashville, TN: Indie Net
9/26 Olathe, KS: Gee Coffee
9/27 Durango, CO: San Juan Room
9/29 Denver, CO: Bluebird Theatre
9/30 Pocatello, ID: The Roche Motel
10/1 Boise, ID: Tom Grainey’s
10/2 Reno, NV: Del Mar Station
10/3 Santa Barbara, CA: The Living Room
10/4 Riverside, CA: The Barn
10/5 Santa Cruz, CA: Palookaville
10/7 Tempe, AZ: The Heat
10/9 Austin, TX: The Backroom
10/10 Little Rock, AR: Juanita’s
10/11 Memphis, TN: Barrister’s
10/13 Pensacola, FL: Sluggo’s
10/14 Panama City Beach, FL: Rhino’s
10/15 New Orleans, LA: The Maple Leaf
10/17 San Antonio, TX: Wacky’s
10/25 Atlanta, GA: Somber Reptile
10/26 Spartanburg, SC: Ground Zero
10/28 Wilimington, NC: The Starlight
11/3 Boston, MA: Mama Kin
NY SKA JAZZ ENSEMBLE
8/22 Westford, MA: New England Ska Festival at Nashoba Valley w/Hepcat,
Mephiskapheles, The Skoidats, Royal Crowns, Skavoovie & The Epitones,
The Pilfers, The Allstonians, Edna’s Goldfish, Dropkick Murphys, Mustard
Plug, Planet Smashers, Big D & The Kids Table, Kicked in the Head and
Metro Stylee!
8/27 Hamptons, NY: Dublin Over
8/29 Westchester, NY: Private Party
November: Tour of Europe with Laurel Aitken
REGATTA 69
Skavaganza Tour w/Mobtown, Regatta 69 and Telegraph
9/24 Nashville, TN: Indie Net
9/26 Olathe, KS: Gee Coffee
9/27 Durango, CO: San Juan Room
9/29 Denver, CO: Bluebird Theatre
9/30 Pocatello, ID: The Roche Motel
10/1 Boise, ID: Tom Grainey’s
10/2 Reno, NV: Del Mar Station
10/3 Santa Barbara, CA: The Living Room
10/4 Riverside, CA: The Barn
10/5 Santa Cruz, CA: Palookaville
10/7 Tempe, AZ: The Heat
10/9 Austin, TX: The Backroom
10/10 Little Rock, AR: Juanita’s
10/11 Memphis, TN: Barrister’s
10/13 Pensacola, FL: Sluggo’s
10/14 Panama City Beach, FL: Rhino’s
10/15 New Orleans, LA: The Maple Leaf
10/17 San Antonio, TX: Wacky’s
10/25 Atlanta, GA: Somber Reptile
10/26 Spartanburg, SC: Ground Zero
10/28 Wilimington, NC: The Starlight
11/3 Boston, MA: Mama Kin
RUDER THAN YOU
8/25 Beach Haven, NJ - The Marlin
9/19 Newark, DE: University of Delaware
11/11 University of New Mexico
THE SCOFFLAWS
8/21 E. Lansing, MI: Rick’s American Cafe
8/22 Detroit, MI: Magic Stick
8/24 Kalamazoo, MI: Club Soda
8/25 Columbus, OH: Newport Music Hall
8/26 Cleveland Heights, OH: The Grog Shop
8/27 Schaumburg, IL: Jackhammers
8/28 Ames, IA: The Maintenance Shop
8/29 Olathe, KS: Gee Coffee
8/30 Denver, CO: The Bluebird Theatre
9/2 Reno, NV: Delmar Station
9/3 San Francisco, CA: Cocodrie
9/4 Solana Beach, CA: Belly Up Tavern
9/5 Riverside, CA: The Barn
9/6 W. Hollywood, CA: Whiskey A Go Go
9/7 Phoenix, AZ: The Mason Jar
9/8 Albuquerque, NM: The Launch Pad
9/11 Austin, TX: Liberty Lunch
9/12 Houston, TX: The Abyss
9/13 New Orleans, LA: The Howlin’ Wolf
November: Tour of Europe
SKANIC
9/4 Solana Beach, CA: Belly Up Tavern w/The Scofflaws
SKAVOOVIE & THE EPITONES
8/18 Jacksonville, FL: Moto Lounge
8/19 Atlanta, GA: The Masquerade
8/20 Blacksburg, VA: South Main Cafe
8/21 Philadelphia, PA: First Unitarian Church
8/22 Westford, MA: New England Ska Festival at Nashoba Valley w/ Hepcat,
Bad Manners, NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, Mephiskapheles, The Skoidats, Royal
Crowns, The Pilfers, The Allstonians, Edna’s Goldfish, Dropkick Murphys
Mustard Plug, Planet Smashers, Big D & The Kids Table, Kicked in the
Head and Metro Stylee!
October: Tour of Europe
8/27 Boston, MA: Quincy Market
8/28 Worcester, MA: Clark University Pub
9/5 Worcester, MA: Espresso Bar
9/6 Montreal, Canada: The Spectrum w/The Planet Smashers
9/12 Buffalo, NY: Showcase Theatre w/Perfect Thyroid
9/19 Newark, DE: University of Delaware
9/20 Princeton, NJ: Campus Club
9/25 Burlington, VT: Club Toast
9/26 Providence, RI: Met Cafe
SKINNERBOX
8/21 Carrboro, NC: Cat’s Cradle w/Pietasters (Django’s Birthday Bash)
8/22 Spartenbeurg, NC: Ground Zero w/Pietasters
8/28 Worcester, MA: Worcester Poly
8/29 Providence, RI: Met Cafe
8/30 Northampton, MA: Pearl Street w/Pain
9/6 New York, NY: Coney Island High w/Sic & Mad
9/12 Fairfield, CT: Fairfield University
9/18 Bay Shore, NY: Da Funky Phish
9/19 Westchester, PA: Westchester University
9/20 Poughkeepsie, NY: The Chance
9/25 Earlham, IN: Earlham College w/The Slackers
October: Tour of Europe
SKOIDATS
8/19 Wayne, NJ: Skater’s World
8/20 New York, NY: Tramps w/Black Bean Soup
8/21 Providence, RI: Ocean Mist w/The Allstonians
8/22 Westford, MA: New England Ska Festival w/ Hepcat, NY Ska Jazz
Ensemble, Mephiskapheles, Royal Crowns, Skavoovie & The Epitones, The
Pilfers, The Allstonians, Edna’s Goldfish, Dropkick Murphys, Mustard
Plug, Planet Smashers, Big D & The Kids Table, Kicked in the Head and
Metro Stylee!
8/27 Burlington, VT: Club Toast w/The Allstonians & Perfect Thyroid
8/28 New Haven, CT: Tune Inn
9/12 New York, NY: Moon Ska Showcase @ Wetlands w/Toots & The Maytals &
The Bluebeats
10/22-11/29 Tour of US with Toasters, Slow Gherkin and more!
THE STRANGEWAYS
8/19 Northampton, MA: Pearl Street
8/20 Portland, ME: Stone Coast Brewery
8/21 Providence, RI: Met Cafe
8/23 Tampa, FL: Fortunate One
THE TOASTERS
8/18 London, England: Borderline
8/19 Doncaster, England: Leopard
8/20 Brighton, England: Concord
8/21 Koln, Germany: Bizarre Festival
8/22 Rockendorf, Germany: Open Air Festival
8/23 Hamburg, Germany: Wutztrock Open Air Festival
8/24 Denmark/Germany
8/25 Germany
8/26 Soest, Germany: Schlachthof
8/27 Germany
8/28 Quedlinburg, Germany: Out of Silence Festival
8/29 Hannover, Germany: Bad
8/30 Netherlands: Lowlands Festival
8/31 Germany
9/1 Czechoslavakia
9/2 Munchen, Germany: Backstage
9/3 Bologna, Italy: Moonstomp Festival
9/4 Worg, Austria: Kufstein, Komma
9/5 Dresden, Germany: Ska Festival
9/6 Germany
9/12 Wayne, NJ: Skater’s World (All Ages!)
10/3 Morgantown, WV: Pleasant Street
10/25 Cinncinati, OH: Bogart’s w/Skoidats, Slow Gherkin
10/27 Chicago, IL: House of Blues w/Skoidats, Slow Gherkin
10/28 St. Louis, MO: Galaxy w/Skoidats, Slow Gherkin
10/29 Lawrence, KS: Bottleneck w/Skoidats, Slow Gherkin
10/30 Ft. Collins, CO: Starlight w/Skoidats, Slow Gherkin
OLDER NEWS:
-- BAD MANNERS AUGUST DATES CANCELLED/HEPCAT TO HEADLINE NE SKA
FESTIVAL/BAD MANNERS NEWS: Much to our disappointment, Bad Manners will
be unable to play the US dates scheduled in August, due to a variety of
reasons. Most of these dates will be rescheduled later in the fall,
but, obviously, their headlining slot at the New England Ska Festival
cannot be put off. The NE Ska Fest must go on and Hepcat will be the
new headliner. Apologies to all the fans who were looking forward to
seeing Fatty as much as we were at the festival...In other Bad Manners
developments, Buster Bloodlvessel has recorded a single (“Stop Your
Messing Around”) for the Innocent/Virgin Records that will be released
this fall in the UK. Bad Manners management tells us that Virgin is
spending loads of money to promote this single (including a music
video), so, hopefully, this will spill over and help the release of Bad
Manners’ “Heavy Petting” in the UK on Moon Ska Europe in October.
Speaking of Moon Ska Europe, here is the official scoop...
-- THE SKINNY ON MOON SKA EUROPE: Many of you may have heard bits and
pieces about Moon opening up a European office, so here is the official
press release that was recently issued by the Moon Ska Europe press
office...
MOON SKA DEBUT IN EUROPE
The biggest and most prestigious ska label and retail outfit in
the
United States, Moon Ska Records in NYC, is set to consolidate its recent
success by expanding globally. Having just opened offices in Brazil,
Japan Canada and Australia, they are now targeting Europe by joining
forces with former Dojo and Snapper director, Lol Pryor, to form Moon
Ska Europe.
At a time when the British Charts are featuring, for the first time
since the 2-Tone era in the early Eighties, ska classics such as Prince
Buster’s “Whine and Grind,” The Mighty Bosstones, No Doubt and Rancid,
Pryor is positive that the long-heralded Third Wave of Ska is upon us.
Even Billboard is producing headlines proclaiming that “Ska Fever Surges
into A New Era” and Melody Maker is currently welcoming us to “The
Summer of Ska.”
“The surge is the result of tireless, grass-roots work of a few
musicians and independent labels who created an audience. Now that
audience has expanded. Ska has created its own industry,” remarks
Pryor.
Pryor’s holding company, The Harry May Record Company, will license
and release some 56 albums, hitherto unreleased in the UK, from the US
label during 1998. A low price label compilation CD is scheduled for
release in September for those who haven’t sampled the delights of The
Toasters (dubbed by Billboard as “ska pioneers”) Edna’s Goldfish,
Regatta 69, Skavoovie & the Epitones, Skinnerbox, The Bluebeats,
Skoidats and more.
On the quantity of product that Moon Ska Europe will release, Pryor
comments: I’ve been a big fan of Moon Ska and president, Brit Rob
Hingley, for years despite the fact that he is a Spurs supporter. I
admire the way that he set up Moon Ska where the focus is on the
development of the scene through the artists and steers clear of rigid
corporate structure. The volume of product is not something that poses a
particular problem as quality control is all-important and I’m very
impressed with Hingley’s A&R ability. He has signed thirty or so bands
to the label covering all the genres of ska (the progenitor of reggae).
Some bands are playing traditional ska, others jazzier versions like
swing ska, and a lot of bands have evolved to a faster, harder style,
leaning more toward rock and punk (ska-core and ska-punk). All in all,
I’d say there’s something for everyone.”
Pryor’s company, Link Music, one of the biggest owners of punk and
ska repertoire in the world, will continue as usual, but with director
Sonia Bailey at the helm. Moon Ska Europe will be responsible for the
Moon Ska catalogue, but Pryor has plans to make it pro-active as a label
by directly signing UK acts. “I fully intend to sign bands to Moon Ska
Europe. The label identity that Rob has created will not be
compromised, but there are many excellent bands within the scene both
here and in Europe that deserve to be given the chance to be heard.”
Supporting Pryor are ex-MCI International salesman Graham Higgins
who will take up the position of sales and marketing director with Jenny
Stanley-Clarke of JSC PR looking after publicity and promotion. Ex-One
Stop Distribution head of sales, Toast, has been appointed as label
manager, with Sonia Bailey heading the administrative team. The UK
booking agent has been confirmed as Liam Feekery of the Zest agency
(London). European bookings will be handled by Ossie Munnig of Mosquito
Promotions in Germany.
Moon Ska President, the fiercely independent Rob Hingley, told
Billboard recently: “The reason ska has caught the music industry by
surprise is that they had nothing to do with creating it, really. The
major players always called it circus music and looked the other way.
It isn’t an industry-created trend. They are running down the tracks
laid by underground bands, labels, clubs and fans over the last forty
years.”
Commenting on the birth of Moon Ska Europe, Hingley -originally
from Weymouth in Dorset - who has just turned down a substantial bid by
Mercury to purchase the label in the US says: “As our label continues to
expand, Moon Ska Europe is a natural progression for us. Our bands have
been touring Europe regularly ever since The Toasters came over in
1988. There are vital ska scenes in most of Europe and our goal is to
bring over some great US ska bands and albums, as well as supporting the
local ska scenes throughout Europe. Lol Pryor has been working with ska
and street music for years at Skank, Link and Dojo - and he knows the
ska scene inside and out. If anyone is going to successfully launch our
European office, it’ll be Lol, even though he supports West Ham!”
September 7th is the official launch date of the label and will
also serve as the release date for the label compilation and 46 other
albums. Moon Ska Europe will support the releases by taking out
national, trade and music/football-related press and radio advertising.
A national flyposter campaign is also planned. “We will have an
advertisement running in the music press on a weekly basis,” reveals
Pryor. “That way, fans can always access information regarding tours,
releases and general Moon Ska news.”
Pryor is currently in negotiation to secure distribution for the
label and also to close various sponsorship packages, following
confirmation of a deal with ex-Liverpool and Spurs superstar, Paul
Walsh, and his management company, Elite Management. “Football and ska
are very much connected,” explains Pryor. “Link music has sponsored
various football events over the past couple of seasons and the projects
have proved to be mutually successful to all parties. We’re all soccer
fans here and residing across the ‘pond’ hasn’t stopped Rob from being
an avid supporter either. It’s inevitable; really, that we should remain
involved with the game. The connection is excitement, and we have plenty
of that.”
Apart from the 40+ titles that will be released as back-catalogue for
Moon Ska Europe in September (Toasters, Skoidats, Pietasters, Skalars,
Easy Big Fella, LGB, etc.), here is the official Moon Ska Europe new
release schedule:
October 1998
Edna’s Goldfish “Before You Knew Better”
Skavoovie & The Epitones “Ripe”
Bad Manners “Heavy Petting”
Mobtown “Cactus Juice”
November 1998
The Scofflaws “Record of Convictions”
Skinnerbox “What You Can Do, What You Can’t”
Various “Skappellation D’Origie Controlle” (French Ska Compilation)
Skanic “Last Call”
December 1998
The Articles “Flip F’Real”
The Adjusters “Before The Revolution”
“If it’s on Moon- it’s out of this world!”
For further information regarding Moon Ska Europe, please contact Jenny
Stanley-Clarke at the Moon Ska press office:
Phone: 011-44-1-202-310-641
Fax: 011-44-1-202-438-128
E-mail: js...@email.msn.com
-- MOON SKA CANADA: We have opened an office in Montreal in conjunction
with our good friends who run Stomp Records. Moon Ska Canada will be
releasing 20 of our top titles this fall for all of the ska fans north
of the border. For more information or promotional materials, please
contact Moon Ska Canada, 370 Putney Avenue, St. Lambert PQ, J4P 3B6,
Canada. Their phone is (514) 842-5887 and the fax is (514) 842-5906.
-- NY SKA JAZZ ROCKS THE RADIO: The third album from NY Ska Jazz is
currently #36 on the CMJ Top 200 (up from #58 last week)! Also, this
CD made its debut at #50 on CMJ Core Chart! Big props and respect to
all of the stations supporting this record!
-- TOASTERS BIG IN BRAZIL: The Toasters video for “I’m Running Right
Through the World” is now in regular rotation on MTV Brazil! The
Brazilian debut of this video was July 29th. “I’m Running Right Through
the World” will be serviced by Rive to music video shows across the US
the end of August and should be added the first week of September. The
Toasters are touring Europe this August!
-- THE ADJUSTERS CALL FOR REVOLUTION: The brilliant new
ska/soul/mod/reggae release from Chicago’s Adjusters was released
earlier this week (August 4th), so you should be able to do yourself a
favor and pick it up at a record shop near you. The band will be
having a record release party in Chicago at The Note on 8/22. The
Adjusters will be touring this fall, so be sure to catch them!
-- SCOFFLAWS ON DA WEB: Do yourself a favor and check out the newly
revamped Scofflaws website! It has both audio and video clips (audio:
the soon-to-be-hit “In the Basement” - video: “Nude Beach”), new band
photos and an opportunity to order their new CD before it will be
available in stores! Check them out at www.scofflaws.com!
-- NEW MOON SKA CATALOGUE: The latest issue of the Moon Ska Catalogue
is out and ready for your perusal. Stop by the Moon Store and pick up a
copy or send in a SASE with $1.00 worth of postage.
-- SKARMAGEDDON 4: Yep, our infamous Skarmageddon series (dedicated to
highlighting up-and-coming ska bands across the US) lives! Past
participants in this series include The Pietasters, Less Than Jake,
Mustard Plug, Skavoovie & The Epitones, Stubborn AllStars, The Skoidats,
Skinnerbox, The Slackers and many more! Moon Ska is now soliciting
tracks to be considered for this compilation. Interested parties should
submit DAT’s or CD’s (no cassettes!) to:
Adam Liebing/Skarmageddon 4
Moon Ska Records
PO Box 1412
New York, NY 10276
Adam is assuming all responsibilities for this project, as I am swamped
with da business of Moon! We plan to release Skarmageddon 4 in the
winter of 1999.
Thanks for reading this!