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

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.

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

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.

05-31
01:23:57

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

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.

05-15
01:57:08

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

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.

04-28
01:47:54

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

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.

04-06
01:57:35

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

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.

03-10
01:20:56

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

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.

02-25
01:35:48

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

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.

02-11
02:05:57

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

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).

01-28
02:06:50

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

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).

01-11
01:59:47

Episode 73: Vernon "Maytone" Buckley (The Maytones)

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

12-26
01:06:12

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

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.

12-12
01:27:35

Episode 71: John Avila (Oingo Boingo Former Members)

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.

11-26
01:46:52

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

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.

11-11
01:04:32

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)

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).

10-25
01:27:53

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

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.

10-08
01:39:23

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

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.

09-24
01:33:42

Episode 66: Brit Luna & Tim Hildebrand (Catbite)

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.

09-10
01:32:19

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

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!

08-27
01:40:05

Episode 64: Tim Receveur (Supernova International Ska Festival)

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

08-12
01:00:58

Episode 63: Opie Ortiz (Long Beach Dub Allstars)

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

07-27
01:16:06

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