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

Follow History of L.A. Ska: One On One Sessions
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Hosted by veteran radio DJ/emcee/promoter Junor Francis, we celebrate Southern California's ska, rocksteady and vintage reggae scene through insightful conversations with the legends and modern-day players, including those behind-the-scenes. Produced by Eric Kohler for Rockery Radio. Follow us @HistoryofLASka and @Rockery_Radio on Instagram. Subscribe to our History of L.A. Ska channel on YouTube. Join our History of L.A. Ska group on Facebook.

Junor Francis & Eric Kohler


    • May 18, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 30m AVG DURATION
    • 99 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from History of L.A. Ska: One On One Sessions with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from History of L.A. Ska: One On One Sessions

    Episode 103: Herbie Miller & Jay Schaetz ("60 Years of Jamaican Ska: A Recording Tribute to The Skatalites")

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 89:28


    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.

    Episode 102: Lino Luna, Dexter Krohn, Bubba Sanchez, Mandie Bee & Chris Murray (The Elysians)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 88:00


    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.

    Episode 101: Pocket Lent Alumni - Joel Elsten, Mike Long, Justin Sears, Todd Simon, Ian Souter, Tavis Werts & Tim Wu

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2025 95:46


    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.

    Episode 100: Karina Denike & Jason Hammon (Dance Hall Crashers)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2025 80:00


    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.

    dancehall hammon dance hall crashers
    Episode 99: Adam Reeves ("Trombone Man: Ska's Fallen Genius, The Don Drummond Story")

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 74:31


    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."

    Episode 98: Charley Organaire (Jamaican Music Legend)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 88:53


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

    Episode 97: Celebrating the '90s - Part 1 with Malik "The Freq" Moore & Michael Mercado

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 83:15


    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).

    Episode 96: Horace Panter (The Specials, General Public, Special Beat)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 77:40


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

    Episode 95: 2024 Year in Review Roundtable with Dunia Best, Matt Vest & Darren Reggae

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2025 111:52


    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).

    Episode 94: Jeremiah Benzion & Spanky Kingston (Brotheration Records)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 107:25


    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.

    Episode 93: Roy Ellis (Symarip, The Pyramids)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 87:40


    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. 

    Episode 92: Hornpod Ska Podcast Crossover with JJ Loy & Matt Wixson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 88:39


    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.

    podcast crossover matt wixson
    Episode 91: Jeremy Peña (The Bandulus)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 60:41


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

    Episode 90: Sarah-Jane Owen (The Bodysnatchers, The Belle Stars)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 89:50


    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.

    Episode 89: Daniel Rachel (author of "Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story")

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2024 67:30


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

    Episode 88: Raylin Joy, Clarence "Pocket" Kidd III & Adam Porris (The Calamatix)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 61:35


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

    Episode 87: Rich Carlstedt (The Israelites) & David Hawkins (Kingston Beat All-Stars)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 103:58


    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.

    Episode 86: Mike Sosinski (Bad Time Records, Kill Lincoln)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2024 57:23


    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.

    bad time records
    Episode 85: Susan Cadogan (Jamaican music legend)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 78:32


    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.

    Episode 84: Roberto Angotti (Reggae Revolution, 3 O'Clock Reggae, KROQ, KNAC, KSPC)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 91:42


    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.

    Episode 83: Latin Ska Roundtable - Part 3 with Don Diavlo (Chencha Berrinches) & Adrian Gonzalez (Raskahuele)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 77:10


    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.

    Episode 82: Tara Hahn & Max Beckman (Half Past Two)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 83:57


    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.

    Episode 81: Jonas Cabrera, Paul Hampton, Kip Wirtzfeld & Woody Diaz (The Skeletones)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 117:08


    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.

    Episode 80: The Cover-Ups & Women of L.A. Ska with Nina Cole, Stacey Iguchi, Mini Kurhan, Sarah Lundeen, Nessa Roffredo, Gina Rodriguez & Cris Verso

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 107:54


    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.

    Episode 79: Chris Murray (King Apparatus, Bluebeat Lounge)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2024 117:35


    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.

    Episode 78: Darren Fletcher, Dean Olmstead & Paul Miskulin (Let's Go Bowling)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2024 80:56


    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.

    Episode 77: Gaz Mayall (The Trojans, Gaz's Rockin' Blues Club)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 95:48


    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.

    Episode 76: Gabrial McNair (No Doubt, Gwen Stefani, Sublime With Rome)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2024 125:57


    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.

    Episode 75: Drummer Roll Call - Part 1 with Willie McNeil, Korey Kingston & Fritz Zar

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2024 126:50


    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).

    Episode 74: 2023 Year in Review Roundtable with Brian "Dub Robot" Wallace, Middagh Goodwin & Dub Sisterz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2024 119:47


    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).

    dj robots roundtable goodwin long beach dub allstars western standard time sisterz
    Episode 73: Vernon "Maytone" Buckley (The Maytones)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 66:12


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

    Episode 72: Mario Fuentes, Erick Troncoso, Mila Cruz & Ivan Mazas (Blanco y Negro)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 87:35


    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.

    Episode 71: John Avila (Oingo Boingo Former Members)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2023 106:52


    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.

    Episode 70: Roddy "Radiation" Byers (The Specials, The Skabilly Rebels)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2023 64:32


    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.

    Episode 69: Latin Ska Roundtable - Part 2 with "Senor Kalaca" Jaime Hernandez (8 Kalacas), Azael Hernandez (La Pobreska, Concrete Jungle Ent) & Jimmy Mercado (Red Store Bums)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 87:53


    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).

    Episode 68: Roger Apollon Jr. & Marc Wasserman (Bigger Thomas, The Phensic, Rude Boy George)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2023 99:23


    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.

    Episode 67: The Donkey Show Alumni - David Hillyard, Matt Parker, Creedy Bates, Kent Graves & Rob Dominguez

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2023 93:42


    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.

    Episode 66: Brit Luna & Tim Hildebrand (Catbite)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 92:19


    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.

    Episode 65: Wally Caro & Mark Morales (Angel City Records)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2023 100:05


    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!

    Episode 64: Tim Receveur (Supernova International Ska Festival)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2023 60:58


    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

    Episode 63: Opie Ortiz (Long Beach Dub Allstars)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 76:06


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

    ortiz all stars opie long beach dub allstars
    Episode 62: "MC Bat Commander" Christian Jacobs (The Aquabats, Yo Gabba Gabba)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2023 103:12


    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.

    Episode 61: SkaMania's Jamaican Independence Festival Preview with Jeffrey Govan, Spanky Kingston, Colin Giles & Krees Borbon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 132:10


    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).

    Episode 60: Boss DJs Roundtable - Part 3 with Boss Harmony, Mr. EN, Miss Ivy Satana & Soul Station #1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2023 107:52


    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.

    Episode 59: Monty Montgomery Neysmith (Symarip, The Pyramids)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 81:23


    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.

    Episode 58: Latin Ska Roundtable - Part 1 with Jose Padilla (Matamoska) & Bernie Leos (Los Kung Fu Monkeys)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 95:12


    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.

    Episode 57: "Agent Jay" Jayson Nugent (The Slackers, Crazy Baldhead)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2023 63:32


    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."

    Episode 56: Heather Augustyn (Rude Girls: Women in 2 Tone & One Step Beyond) & Joanna Wallace (Blue Beat Baby: The Untold Story of Brigitte)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 118:48


    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.

    Episode 55 - Joe Nieves, Eric Crucial & Ian Jacks (The Steady 45s)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 119:53


    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.

    Episode 54: Jon Pebsworth & Jonas Kleiner (Buck-O-Nine)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2023 111:25


    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.

    Episode 53: Roger Steffens (author, lecturer, photographer, actor, radio DJ legend, reggae archivist)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2023 125:00


    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.

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

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel