Ska can be a somewhat isolated scene, but in reality, many non-ska musicians have a deep appreciation for the genre. In this episode of In Defense of Ska, the team examines the metal band’s ska roots, joined by Ice Nine Kills frontman Spencer Charnas, as well as Peal Jam’s Eddie Vedder. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts. Vedder and Ice Nine Kills have recently released songs that reveal their love for ska music: Vedder covered The English Beat’s “Save It for Later” (which appeared on Season 3 of The Bear), and Ice Nine Kill released a ska-infused cover. . “Walking on Sunshine,” for which they recruited Reel Big Fish.
Author Marc Wasserman (Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History), who also joins the conversation this week, gives us insight into how Vedder’s story intersects with ska music.
Listen to all that and more above, and be sure to like, review, and follow the series where you get your podcast. Pearl Jam are currently on tour following the release of their new album Dark Matter (buy tickets here), while Ice Nine Kills have their upcoming concert series with In This Moment (buy tickets here).
Ska fans can also get ad-free early episodes of the show by joining the IDOS Patreon, and don’t forget to check out all of the Consequence podcast network series here. Also, you can support In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The second expanded edition will be released in October 2024. Co-host Adam Davis also has a group called Omnigone, whose latest record, Against the Rest, was released earlier this year.