My favorite podcast, Switched on Pop, recently made their 2026 pop predictions. One of them was that Bruno Mars would finally release a new solo album and that it would be ska. I'm all for this prediction, especially since he performed a SKA rendition of "Lazy Song" on the Today Show 15 years ago.

Marry ska. Fuck ska. Kill ska.

Start ska. Stay ska. Die ska.

Black MirrSKAr

Me excited about the upcoming Bad Time Records tour Meme by @thebandsilikeonlycharge18bucks

Shout it from the mountaintops!

Fun fact! Blue Meanies worked with collaborators on 4 songs on their 2000 major label album, Post-Wave. The Go-Go's Jane Weidlin co-wrote and sang vocals on the song "She Breathes Fire." Here's a photo of Jane and Blue Meanies singer Billy Spunke deep in the pits of songwriting abyss

Blue Meanies were a good band. But even better astronauts. From the Full Throttle photo session in 1997. I talked to guitarist Sean Dolan on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio) about how THEE Melissa McCarthy was a friend/fan of the band! Yeah, I know, MIND BLOWN!

Heading into 2026 like...

With 95% certainty, I believe I am the only author in the history of the world to ever get a circle skank pit going during one of their book readings. This was at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco in 2021. The club is closing at the end of 2026. One of the greatest venues SF ever had.

Who remembers this gem? Blue Meanies' music video for "Smash The Magnavox" (1997)

“That hoodie is wild man. Ska, now more than ever.” - a stranger to me as I walk my dog. @indefenseofska.bsky.social I did tell him it was for a podcast.

Found my copy under the tree. Thanks Santa!

Alright, what are we calling this particular subgenre of late 2000s ska-influenced pop? Eric Hutchinson's "Rock & Roll" from 2008.

Minneapolis ska band The Prizefighters left Spotify recently. They're not the only band doing this recently. In fact, several bands have. I talk about this all with 2 members of The Prizefighters on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)

SKA FILES Screenshot from a behind-the-scenes doc on the making of X-Files.

I didn't make this Very Important Meme, but you have my permission to share it far and wide. Courtesy of: @burritoska

Say hello to the distinguished Mike Park! A legend, and in 2026, there will be a book documenting his life in music. It's called Elvis Is Dead, I'm Still Alive. It gets released on Clash Books in May 2026 Listen to my conversation with the author, Mike Huguenor, on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)

Three Cheers For Mike Park! There's a book on THEE Mike Park getting released on CLASH Books in May 2026. "Elvis is Dead, I'm Still Alive." Pre-orders are available now! It was written by Mike Huguenor. I interviewed Mike H about the book for the IDOS Patreon. You can listen now (Link in bio)

My favorite chainsmoker, Mike Park Last week, I interviewed Mike Huguenor on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio). Mike H wrote a brilliant book on Mike Park called "Elvis is Dead, I'm Still Alive," which gets published on Clash Books in May 2026. Pre-order it NOW

Here's a photo from 1995 of Steve Youth (7 Seconds), me (A WINNER!) and Mike Park (Skankin' Pickle) Last Friday, I interviewed Mike Huguenor for the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio). He wrote Elvis is Dead, I'm Still Alive, a biography on THEE Mike Park, It's getting released on Clash Books in May 2026.

I think we can all agree that you need this song in your life right now. Performed by: Corey Atlas Song by: Scott Klopfenstein / Reel Big Fish

Look at this ska punk MANIAC! Would you believe that when he's not skanking in crowded clubs, he is a busy being a funeral director? That's Benny Capaul of The Boy Detective. He joins me on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio) to talk about DEATH (or rather, his life working as a death professional)

This is incredible! One of my friends gets everyone in the ska scene to sign his copy of In Defense of Ska. He got Jeff Rosenstock. Only, Jeff didn't sign it--he admonished Slackers bassist Marcus Geard for writing on his forward.

I have been doing a lot of writing on my novel and I (gulp) uploaded the intro and 1st chapter to my Patreon (link in bio) and my paid substack (link also in bio)

No shade on P. Roach. But, it's my obligation to report on the things I see at ska shows. In this case, it was on the wall of Pirate Press Records in Emeryville, where I saw a SECRET Slackers show last week.

Me talking to any musician

I had a great time last week at the SECRET show at Pirate Press in Emeryville. Small crowd. fun, unhinged performance. Perfect night. 10/10.

Only in the UK would they turn a Pepto Bismol ad into a ska dance party

An excellent instructional video

This is a moment from 2023 Supernova that lives in my head rent-free. The moment Danny from Stop The Presses realizes it wasn't a coincidence that his outfit and his dog's matched. Watch/listen to the whole thing on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)

The Loving Paupers' Jorge Pezzimenti has coffee for the first time in 30 years?! Chaos ensues Watch or listen to the full thing over at the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)

KAYLEIGH "KMOY" MALLOY SKANKS! This is a highlight from our 2023 Supernova interviews. Kayleigh is correct about skanking form. Everyone else is wrong Full video/interview on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)

Everyone sing along! Courtesy of Random Hand

I'm always super touched when anyone recommends In Defense of Ska. It's especially kind when it's an employee at a book store.

Me, everyday to myself in the mirror when I was writing "In Defense of Ska" Btw, this is a song by Blake Rules. Go check it out wherever you listen to music.

In the UK, ska music is pop music. Here's a new single from UK pop star, Olly Murs, called "Save Me," that has some overt ska elements.

Do we defend grunge??? Our conversation with Not From Concentrate from the 2023 Supernova conversations. Available on the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)

It's Black Friday. That means you should spend your hard earned Christmas cash on SKA. Start with grabbing a copy of the expanded 2nd edition of In Defense of Ska for all of your loved ones. Available wherever you normally buy your books.

Today I am thankful for this video of Lily Alen performing "Gangsters" with The Specials in 2007

Huge congrats to Lily Allen and her amazing new pop record "West End Girl." Let's all take a moment to remember her song "Smile" which hit #1 on the UK charts in 2006 and #49 on the US charts in 2007.

Friends! Followers of this social media page. In Defense of Ska is a BOOK! You can grab a copy wherever you normally buy books if you don't already have a copy. Please share with your ska-loving (and ska-hating) friends! It's the perfect Christmas gift for either.

Now is a good time to inform you that "In Defense of Ska" is a book (that I wrote!) The first edition came out in 2021, and it was updated and re-edited as a 2nd edition last Oct. It's often referred to as "the most important book ever written EVER" You need to get a copy of this book!

Real Big Fish ruined my life?! We talked ska with the homie, Frank, during the Supernova 2023 livestream. Watch or listen to this on the IDOS Patreon

How many iterations have there been of Bad Operation? Just one of the several questions we asked BO bassist Greg Rodrigue during the Supernova 2023 Livestream. I uploaded the audio and video of this to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)

What the heck does ¡FUÁKATA! mean? Two members of the band chatted with us doing our Supernova 2023 livestream. I uploaded the audio/video to the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)

Things got surreal at Supernova 2023 when we were livestreaming. I'm uploading more Supernova 2023 conversations (Audio and Video) to the IDOS Patreon this week (Link in bio)

Defending ska after that fifth cup of coffee...

Thanks Dan Ozzi for sending me this amazing sticker. Do yourself a favor and follow Dan on Instagram and Substack (Dan Ozzi's Zero Cred).

Bravo Hard Times. BRAVO!