The Midwest Ska Moment - Fancy Pants Gangsters

Save The Date: March 1st

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:21:07 +0000

While march 1st isn’t any sort of voodoo holiday that I am aware of, there will be two Fancy Pants Gangsters shows returning from the dead on that auspicious day.

The Film Army, gone these past many months, will be returning in a new, monthly format. This new longer prep time will allow us to go much more in depth with our features and interviews and put a level of polish on the show that doing a weekly show wasn’t allowing us to do. The new Film Army will release on the first of every month.

And while I could say something along the lines of everything I already said, I’ll let Courtney do the talking here…

At the risk of sounding cliche, change is good. That’s why over at the Midwest Ska Moment, I’ve been refining, regrouping and retooling your favorite ska podcast. Some things will stay the same (same host, same podcast network, covering the same great genre of music), however, the changes will be vast improvements. I have expanded the scope of the show to cover artists, bands, DJs, and bloggers who have contributed to the overall national ska/reggae/rocksteady music scene, not just the Midwest. The show format will change from me prattling on about bands to me interviewing the bands directly. Since interviews take longer than a usual episode, I have decided to expand the length of the episode from around 10 minutes to about 45 minutes. This is why the show will no longer be called the Midwest Ska Moment. So instead, it is with great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Flyover Ska Show, giving you an in-depth look at the world of ska, reggae, and rocksteady in the US from right here in flyover country.

So there you have it. Mark your calendars for March 1st as Fancy Pants Day (as opposed to No Pants Day, which is nearly every other day here at Pants Command).

The Midwest Ska Moment taking a short break.

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:35:10 +0000

Hey this is Evan. As we mentioned on Yet Another Gaming Show this week, Courtney had a sudden death in the family this week and he went back home. Needless to say, Midwest Ska Moment will be on hold until he gets back on Monday the 15th.

If you’d like to send any messages to Courtney, feel free to email him at courtney@fancypantsgangsters.com.

The Midwest Ska Moment Episode 43 – Hit Me! Hit Me! by Mustard Plug

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:07:37 +0000

After several technical difficulties, I was finally able to sit down with Mustard Plug frontman Dave Kirchgessner to talk about all things ska. In the edited version of the interview, Dave discusses the origins of his band and recalls a hilarious tale about their first experiences playing on the Vans Warped Tour. He also talks about the Ska Is Dead tour, the Mustard Plug DVD, and the importance of helping local ska bands. Check it out!

You can download the full hour-long unedited interview by visiting the FORUMS or you can stream it over at MNSKA.com!

Track of the Day: “Hit Me! Hit Me!” by Mustard Plug from the album In Black And White

This episode is brought to you by MNSKA, Minnesota’s Ska Community at http://mnska.com. If you are in a ska or reggae influenced band and would like to be featured on the show, email Courtney at MSM@fancypantsgangsters.com

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The Midwest Ska Moment Episode 42 – Entertainment Riddim by Minneapolis Dub Ensemble

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:22:21 +0000

Today’s band is every sound guy’s nightmare. They aren’t scary guys themselves, but the Minneapolis Dub Ensemble use more delay pedals and reverb gadgets on stage than you can shake a stick at! One of only a few bands in the dub genre in Minnesota, but their monster sound more than makes up for the lack of a dub scene.

Track of the Day: “Entertainment Riddim” featuring Lynval Jackson by Minneapolis Dub Ensemble

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The “Midwest” Ska Moment Episode 41 – Hi And Lo by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:32:58 +0000

Teachers and parents in today’s society tell us that we are all winners. I, however, know that there are only 3 winners…in our Cherry Poppin’ Daddies contest, that is. This decidedly non-Midwestern episode of the Midwest Ska Moment has me announcing the lucky contest winners.

Track of the Day: “Hi and Lo” by the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies

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The Midwest Ska Moment Episode 40 – No Face by The Suicide Machines

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:29:35 +0000

One of the highlights of the mid-90′s ska-core scene and one of the notable bands on the early Tony Hawk video games was Detroit band The Suicide Machines. After a grueling 15 year career, they called it quits in 2006, making them our featured band on Fallen Hero Friday. Break out your skateboard and do some kick-flips in honor of this great band.

Track of the Day: “No Face” by The Suicide Machines from the album Destruction By Definition

This episode is brought to you by MNSKA, Minnesota’s Ska Community. If you are in a ska or reggae influenced band and would like to be featured on the show, email Courtney at MSM@fancypantsgangsters.com.

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The Midwest Ska Moment Episode 39 – Wake Up by The Invaders

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:37:25 +0000

The saying is true, things do get better with age…especially when it comes to Two Tone ska veterans The Invaders. Their party has been rocking since 1987 and they just don’t stop. At the end of a long day, sometimes the only way to take the edge off is with a little bit of Brew Town Ska!

Track of the Day: “Wake Up” by The Invaders

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The Midwest Ska Moment Episode 38 – Falling In Trust by Matt Wixon

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:47:19 +0000

We’re halfway through the week and you just want to power through to the weekend? How about an exclusive interview with Michigan songwriter and ska-enthusiast Matt Wixson to get you through? Matt and I discuss his musical career, why hip-hop and reggae go together like chili and milk, and the future of ska music!

NOTE: You can download the full-interview in the FORUMS or you can stream it at MNSKA.com

Track of the Day: “Falling In Trust” by Matt Wixson from the album Best Intentions (you can get it FREE from Open Hand Records)

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Little Ska Peep had lost her sheep…

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:37:38 +0000

…but thanks to some attentive listeners, we’ve found them!

Episodes 36 and 37 of the Midwest Ska Moment have been located and are now available for download. Sorry for the inconvenience, those responsible have been sacked, etc. etc.

The Midwest Ska Moment Episode 37 – Love Is War by The Drastics

msm@fancypantsgangsters.com (Fancy Pants Gangsters) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:00:55 +0000

Chicago is home to many a good thing: Chicago-style hotdogs, Wrigley Field, the Sears Tower…and some of the hottest reggae-dub in the country. Today we feature The Drastics and how they have changed the landscape of dub improvisation over the last 5 years. Look forward to new innovative releases from this band in the coming year.

Track of the Day: “Love Is War” by The Drastics

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