History of L.A. Ska: One On One Sessions: Recent Episodes
Junor Francis & Eric Kohler
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.
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.
Host Junor Francis talks with Brooklyn-based subculture and alternative dance specialist and instructor, Aranivah.
For this 2022 Year in Review Roundtable, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler are joined by three key figures in the Southern California scene - musician/selector The Bubba Master (The Untouchables), singer Jackie Mendez, and promoter/record label operator Darrell Rubio (Stiff Dog).
On this milestone 50th episode, host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with two architects of Jamaican music - percussionist Larry McDonald and bassist Val Douglas, who are both members of The Skatalites.
Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with brothers Jesse and Justin Bivona from popular ska punk band, The Interrupters.
Host Junor Francis talks with singer, musician, bandleader, journalist, and podcast host, Matt Munoz, of Bakersfield's Mento Buru.
Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Don Letts, legendary British filmmaker, radio host, selector, author, musician, cultural commentator, and fashionista. His documentary, Rebel Dread, is released in the U.S. on November 1, 2022.
We preview the upcoming screening of Rebel Dread and Q&A event at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on November 1, followed by a special Punky Reggae Party at Hello Stranger in Little Tokyo where fans can meet Don.
Host Junor Francis talks with legendary rocksteady singers, Keith Rowe, Phillip Texas Dixon (Keith & Tex) and Rudy Mills.
We preview their upcoming SkaMania show at La Santa in Santa Ana, CA on November 5, 2022. This will mark Rudy Mills' debut U.S. performance.
Host Junor Francis talks with keyboardist, DJ, songwriter, producer, dub engineer, Roger Rivas, of The Aggrolites, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Jason Mraz, The First Cuts, Night Owls, and Rivas Studios.
Producer Eric Kohler talks with two masterminds behind the super group, Rude Girl Revue - Jenny Whiskey and Kristin "Lady Hatchet" Forbes. Jenny also plays in Hub City Stompers and Rude Boy George, while Kristin also plays in The Scotch Bonnets and The Players Band.
Due to technical difficulties, Junor Francis was unable to host this episode.
Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with Kingston, Jamaica-born, pianist, recording artist, composer, and bandleader, Monty Alexander. Monty's latest album, Love Notes, is his first recording featuring his vocals.
Recorded in April 2021, host Junor Francis talks with Rhoda Dakar, legendary singer, musician, DJ, of The Bodysnatchers and The Special AKA fame.
Recorded on IGTV in April 2021, host Junor Francis talks with veteran musician, band leader, writer, arranger, producer, DJ, music historian, and tastemaker, Joey Altruda, of Jump With Joey fame.
Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with veteran singer Persephone "Queen P" Laird of Ocean 11 and former band leader for LA Allstar Revue.
We preview Jamaica's 60th Anniversary Celebration featuring the "King of Ska" Derrick Morgan and a reunited Ocean 11 coming to the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on August 20, 2022.
Host Junor Francis talks with veteran singer, songwriter, musician, band leader, record label operator, Mike Park, of Skankin' Pickle, The Bruce Lee Band, The Chinkees and Asian Man Records fame.
Recorded in March 2021, host Junor Francis talks with singer/songwriter, Karina Denike, of Dance Hall Crashers fame.
Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with legendary singer, Jackie Robinson, of The Pioneers.
Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler talk with 3 popular selectors - LadyEye La, Rude Blue and Jessica Lipsky a.k.a. Terry Dactyl.
Recorded in February 2021 on IGTV, host Junor Francis talks with Chuck Wren, long-time proprietor of Jump Up Records, DJ and promoter.
Host Junor Francis talks with veteran San Diego-based musician, singer and bandleader, John Roy, of Unsteady and Smoke & Mirrors Sound System.
Recorded in January 2021 on IGTV, host Junor Francis talks with his longtime friend and Jamaican music legend, Stranger Cole.
Host Junor Francis talks with drummer/percussionist Fredo Ortiz and saxophonist David Urquidi of Los Angeles' ska-meets-Afro-Cuban jazz outfit, Yeska. These two accomplished musicians have played with such heavyweights as the Beastie Boys, WAR, Los Lobos, Poncho Sanchez, Ozomatli and Gogol Bordello.
In celebration of Women's History Month, host Junor Francis talks with 3 popular Southern California-based deejays - Elizabeth Mix It Up, Queen of Hearts and Skarina - in Part 1 of this Boss DJs Roundtable series.
Host Junor Francis talks with two members of Orange County, CA-based, Bite Me Bambi - singer/actor Tahlena Chikami and veteran trombonist T-Bone Willy.
Recorded in December 2020 on IGTV, History of LA Ska: One On One Sessions' producer Eric Kohler turns the tables on his longtime friend, Junor Francis, legendary reggae/ska radio host, emcee, DJ, and promoter.
Host Junor Francis talks with members of Riverside, CA-based, The Debonaires. Kip Wirtzfeld (lead vocals, sax), Mano Mirande (guitar), Mike Presser (guitar), Woody Diaz (drums), Ryan Tomazin (keys), and Roberto Ronquillo (sax) share stories about their friend and bandmate, bassist Jason Napayon, who lost his battle with cancer in December 2021.
Host Junor Francis talks with Norwood Fisher, celebrated bassist for Fishbone and Trulio Disgracias.
Recorded in December 2020 on IGTV, host Junor Francis talks with Heather Augustyn, professor, author of several books on ska and Jamaican music, and writer of "Pick It Up: Ska In the '90s" documentary film.
Recorded in November 2020 on IGTV, host Junor Francis talks with Robert Sotelo, guitarist for The Allentons, Irie Beats, and Arise Roots.
Host Junor Francis talks with Courtney Minors, former owner of Culture Beat/Kulcha Beat Records and Monkey Boot Productions, who now operates Kingsworth Bed & Breakfast in Kingston, Jamaica.
Host Junor Francis talks with Monique Powell, singer and songwriter for popular third-wave ska group, Save Ferris.
Host Junor Francis talks with legendary Jamaican music composer, arranger, musician, historian, and author, Carlos Malcolm. He is one of the most pivotal and central figures in early Jamaican music and it was a true honor to have him as our guest.
Host Junor Francis talks with bassist Ivan Wong and drummer Greg Sowders of Los Angeles' first ska band, The Boxboys.
Recorded in October 2020 on IGTV, host Junor Francis talks with ska icon, Lynval Golding of The Specials.
Host Junor Francis talks with Eitan Avineri, bandleader and trumpeter for Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra, who have just released their new album Tombstone.
Recorded in September 2020 on IGTV, host Junor Francis talks with the legendary Jerry Miller of The Untouchables.
Recorded in August 2020 on IGTV, host Junor Francis talks with Nina Cole, DJ, drummer for The Cover-Ups and Tight Spot, and ska fitness instructor.
Recorded in July 2020 on IGTV, this was our inaugural History of LA Ska: One On One Session. Host Junor Francis talks with Greg Narvas, veteran drummer of Hepcat and talented visual artist.
Host Junor Francis talks with Tara Hahn of Orange County, CA-based Half Past Two and Chuck Wren of Pay Attention Records and Jump Up Records.
Host Junor Francis talks with Howard Paar, O.N. Klub creator and author of "Top Rankin': A Punk/Ska Noir Novel."
Howard also shares details about the upcoming special event, Top Rankin': The O.N. Klub & Birth of the L.A. Ska Boom, taking place on October 23, 2021 at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles.
https://www.universe.com/events/top-rankin-the-on-klub-birth-of-the-la-ska-boom-tickets-LVQCZB
Host Junor Francis talks with Ken Stewart, longtime keyboardist and manager of The Skatalites. Over the years, Ken has played alongside and befriended many of ska's originators.
Host Junor Francis talks with Jamaican music legend, Norma Fraser, whose career started in the early 1960s. Her version of "The First Cut Is The Deepest" remains a fan favorite.
Host Junor Francis talks with Luis Correa of Steady Beat Productions and Kat Aguirre of Mobtown and 150 Productions. Both are behind the forthcoming A Steady Beat Film: Chronicles of the Los Angeles 90's Ska Scene.
Host Junor Francis talks with Oliver Charles, drummer for Ocean 11, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and The Mad Geezers, plus a talented visual artist.
Host Junor Francis talks with Marc Wasserman, a musician, podcaster, blogger, and author of Ska Boom! An American Ska & Reggae Oral History.
Host Junor Francis talks with veteran singer, songwriter, guitarist, front man of The Toasters and record label guru, Rob "Bucket" Hingley.
Host Junor Francis talks with journalist, podcaster, musician, ska enthusiast, and author of In Defense of Ska, Aaron Carnes.
Host Junor Francis talks with legendary Jamaican record label operator, Miss Pat, whose career spans 6 decades – from Randy’s Record Mart and Studio 17 in Jamaica with her late husband Vincent “Randy” Chin, to VP Records in New York.
Host Junor Francis and producer Eric Kohler introduce each other and share how this interview series came about.