History of L.A. Ska: One On One Sessions

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary musicologist, historian, artist manager, and curator of Jamaican Music Museum, Herbie Miller, and Tip-A-Top Records and Moonlitegroover Studio proprietor and musician, Jay Schaetz. Herbie and Jay are behind the new "60 Years of Jamaican Ska: A Recording Tribute to The Skatalites" documentary series and recordings.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with members of the Los Angeles-based traditional ska/rocksteady group, The Elysians - Lino Luna, Dexter Krohn, Bubba Sanchez, Mandie Bee, and Chris Murray.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with seven former members of the veteran ska-jazz-punk-funk-reggae fusion group, Pocket Lent: Joel Elsten, Mike Long, Justin Sears, Todd Simon, Ian Souter, Tavis Werts, and Tim Wu.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler celebrate their milestone 100th podcast episode by talking with Karina Denike and Jason Hammon from the highly-influential and beloved group, Dance Hall Crashers.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with UK-based Adam Reeves, writer, creator, and publisher of "Trombone Man: Ska's Fallen Genius, The Don Drummond Story."

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with a true Jamaican music legend - harmonica master, arranger, percussionist, and singer Charley "Organaire" Cameron.

On this Celebrating the '90s: Part 1 episode, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with singer, songwriter, musician Malik "The Freq" Moore (Mobtown, Ocean Eleven, The Lions, Irie Beats, The Rhythm Doctors, The Bullets, The Freqtones) and musician, scooter enthusiast Michael Mercado (Liquidator, The Dynamics, The Mob).

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary bassist, "Sir" Horace Panter, of The Specials, General Public, and Special Beat.

For this 2024 Year in Review Roundtable, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler are joined by singer/songwriter/musician/emcee Dunia Best (Rude Girl Revue, Supernova Alliance, Dunia & Aram, Dubistry, Agent 99, Brave New Girl, The Slackers), podcast host/ska newscaster Matt Vest (On The Upbeat), and DJ/record collector/promoter Darren Reggae (Jamaican Oldies Productions).

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two veterans from the Southern California scene (who are also cousins), Jeremiah Benzion and Spanky Kingston of Brotheration Records.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Jamaican music legend, Roy Ellis, a.k.a. Mr. Symarip and The Boss Skinhead. We also preview Roy's upcoming SkaMania show on January 18, 2025 at La Santa in Santa Ana, CA where he'll be backed by The Aggrolites and share the stage with Mobtown and The Steady 45s. 

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with fellow ska enthusiasts Matt Wixson and JJ Loy for our very special Hornpod Ska Podcast Crossover episode. Visit www.hornpod.org.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with singer, songwriter, and guitarist Jeremy Peña of The Bandulus.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary singer, songwriter, musician, fashion designer, yoga instructor, and spiritual healer, Sarah-Jane "SunJay" Owen of The Bodysnatchers and The Belle Stars fame.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Daniel Rachel, UK-based author of "Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story."

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Raylin Joy, Clarence "Pocket" Kidd III, and Adam Porris of Hellcat recording artists, The Calamatix.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two veteran singers, songwriters, musicians, bandleaders, promoters, and label operators from Southern California's traditional and Christian ska scenes - Rich Carlstedt of The Israelites and David Hawkins of Kingston Beat All-Stars.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Mike Sosinski, owner/operator of Bad Time Records, filmmaker of This Is New Tone, and singer/songwriter/guitarist of Kill Lincoln.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary reggae singer Susan Cadogan, who's celebrating 50 years in music. Susan's responsible for such hits and fan favorites as "Hurt So Good," "Do It Baby," "Nice 'N' Easy," and "Fever" We also preview Susan's upcoming SkaMania show where she'll be backed by The Debonaires and share the stage with fellow legends, Stranger Cole and Rudy Mills, on August 10, 2024 at The Glass House in Pomona, CA. This will be her West Coast U.S. debut appearance.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with their longtime friend, Roberto Angotti, a radio DJ pioneer ("Reggae Revolution" on KROQ and KNAC, "3 O'Clock Reggae" on KWIZ, "Roberto, Rock, Reggae" on KSPC), artist manager, promoter, journalist, filmmaker, professor, and baseball aficionado.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two key players from Southern California's Latin ska scene - Don Diavlo of Chencha Berrinches and Adrian Gonzalez of Raskahuele.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with singer/songwriter Tara Hahn and guitarist/songwriter Max Beckman of Orange County, CA's Half Past Two.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with four members of Riverside, CA's veteran group, The Skeletones - Jonas Cabrera, Paul Hampton, Kip Wirtzfeld and Woody Diaz. We also preview their upcoming performances at No Values Festival on June 8, 2024 at Pomona Fairplex and on June 9, 2024 at The Glass House, where they will support The Selecter. Visit www.theskeletones.com. This exclusive intro jingle is written, performed and recorded by Jesse Wagner of The Aggrolites. Drums courtesy of Scott Abels.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with 7 members of The Cover-Ups and women of the Los Angeles ska scene - Nina Cole, Stacey Iguchi, Mini Kurhan, Sarah Lundeen, Nessa Roffredo, Gina Rodriguez, and Cris Verso.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Canadian-born, veteran singer, songwriter, musician, producer and promoter, Chris Murray. He was also the front man for King Apparatus and curator of the Bluebeat Lounge.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with three members of Fresno, CA's veteran ska group, Let's Go Bowling - Darren Fletcher, Dean Olmstead and Paul Miskulin.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with veteran British singer, musician, producer, label operator, DJ, promoter, Gaz Mayall, of The Trojans and Gaz's Rockin' Blues Club.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with multi-instrumentalist, composer, and vocalist, Gabrial McNair, best known for his work with No Doubt, Gwen Stefani and Sublime With Rome. We also preview Cali Vibes festival in Long Beach, CA where Gabe will be on double duty on February 17, 2023.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with three incredible drummers from the Southern California ska scene - Willie McNeil (Jump With Joey, Big Willie's Burlesque, The Solsonics, Sono-Lux, The Untouchables, Tupelo Chain Sex), Korey "Kingston" Horn (Gogol Bordello, The Aggrolites, Shuffle & Bang, Kingston 10, The Rhythm Doctors), and Fritz Zar (The Steady 45s, Thee Illusions, The English Beat, Chris Murray Combo).

For this 2023 Year in Review Roundtable, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler are joined by musician/producer/dub master Brian "Dub Robot" Wallace (Mobtown, Long Beach Dub Allstars, See Spot, Western Standard Time), DJ/promoter/journalist Middagh Goodwin (This Is Ska), and music enthusiasts Dub Sisterz (Alice Christensen and Sheila Rene).

Host Junor Francis talks with singer, songwriter and producer Vernon "Maytone" Buckley of legendary roots duo, The Maytones.

Host Junor Francis talks with four members of Los Angeles' Blanco y Negro - singer/guitarist Mario Fuentes, guitarist Erick Troncoso, saxophonist Mila Cruz, and trumpeter Ivan Mazas. We also preview their upcoming SkaMania show at The Glass House in Pomona, CA on January 13, 2024, where they will open for Ken Boothe.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary bassist, vocalist, producer, composer, and music educator, John Avila, of Oingo Boingo fame, and now of the group, Oingo Boingo Former Members. John has also produced an array of ska acts, including Reel Big Fish, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Pilfers, Madness, Neville Staple, Save Ferris, and Sekta Core.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter, Roddy "Radiation" Byers of The Specials fame, who now fronts his own group, The Skabilly Rebels.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with three key players from Southern California's massive Latin ska scene - "Senor Kalaca" Jaime Hernandez (8 Kalacas), Azael Hernandez (La Pobreska, Concrete Jungle Ent), and Jimmy Mercado (Red Store Bums).

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two veterans on the east coast ska scene - singer/multi-instrumentalist Roger Apollon Jr. and bassist Marc Wasserman - both of Bigger Thomas, Rude Boy George, and now, The Phensic. Marc is also author of Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History and Roger is founder of Copper Son Brewing.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with five alumni from San Diego's highly influential and beloved The Donkey Show - David Hillyard, Matt Parker, Creedy Bates, Kent Graves, and Rob Dominguez.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two members of Philadelphia's own, Catbite - lead singer Brit Luna and guitarist/singer Tim Hildebrand.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two veterans on Southern California's ska, vintage reggae and soul scenes - guitarist/songwriter/bandleader Wally Caro (Mobtown) and DJ/record collector Mark Morales - who are partners in Angel City Records. We also preview the upcoming Mobtown reunion show taking place at The Glass House in Pomona, CA on October 20, 2023 where they will share the stage with The Pioneers, The Steady 45s, Thee Scufflers, and others!

Host Junor Francis talks with promoter Tim Receveur, co-founder of Supernova International Ska Festival, which takes place September 14-17, 2023 in Fort Monroe, VA

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Opie Ortiz, vocalist/songwriter from Long Beach Dub Allstars and talented tattoo/visual artist.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with front man of The Aquabats and co-creator of Yo Gabba Gabba, "MC Bat Commander" Christian Jacobs.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with four talents who are woven into the fabric of Southern California's ska and reggae scenes -- bassist Jeffrey Govan (Smoke & Mirrors Soundsystem, Mobtown, Rude Boys Outta Jail, Angel City Allstars), singer Brian "Spanky Kingston" Settles (Kingston A Go Go, Rude Boys Outta Jail), drummer Chris "Krees" Borbon (The Capsouls, The Aggrolites, The Steady 45s), and singer/guitarist Colin Giles. We preview SkaMania's Jamaican Independence Festival coming to The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA on August 5, 2023. This massive event is headlined by the legendary Eric "Monty" Morris, The Tennors, and Monty Neysmith (Symarip, The Pyramids).

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with 4 popular selectors from Southern California and Mexico - "Boss Harmony" David Orlando, Ian "Mr. EN" Olivera, Miss Ivy Satana, and "Soul Station #1" Donald Lewis.

Host Junor Francis talks with legendary singer/musician Monty Montgomery Neysmith of Symarip and The Pyramids fame. We also preview his upcoming appearance at SkaMania's Jamaican Independence Festival at The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA on August 5, 2023.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two key players on the Latin ska punk scene - singer/guitarist Jose Padilla of Matamoska and singer Bernie Leos of Los Kung Fu Monkeys.

Host Junor Francis talks with guitarist, songwriter, DJ, and dub master, "Agent Jay" Jayson Nugent of The Slackers, who's also known as "Crazy Baldhead."

In celebration of Women's History Month, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with author/lecturer Heather Augustyn and filmmaker Joanna Wallace. Heather's 8th book, Rude Girls: Women in 2 Tone & One Step Beyond, was just released and Joanna's documentary, Blue Beat Baby: The Untold Story of Brigitte, is continuing to enlighten fans around the world.

Host Junor Francis talks with three members of one of Los Angeles' most talented and buzzing ska/rocksteady/reggae groups, The Steady 45s - guitarist Joe Nieves, bassist Eric Crucial, and saxophonist Ian Jacks. We also preview the March 18, 2023 show at the El Rey Theatre where The Steady 45s will be backing ska legend, Stranger Cole.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with singer Jon Pebsworth and guitarist Jonas Kleiner of San Diego, CA-based, veteran ska punk group, Buck-O-Nine.

Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with their longtime friend, Roger Steffens, a radio DJ legend, reggae archivist, author, lecturer, photographer, and actor.