In Defense of Ska (Expanded 2nd Edition)

By: Aaron Carnes

Narrated by: Aaron Carnes

With an additional 30,000 words of compelling stories, research, and analysis, music journalist and In Defense of Ska podcast creator/host Aaron Carnes presents the case that ska never died, by jumping headfirst into ska's "lost years," i.e., the period after the 90s third-wave ska boom.

New topics covered include LA's ongoing vibrant traditional ska scene and how young Latinos are keeping the ska torch aflame, how the devastation of Hurricane Katrina inadvertently kicked off a thriving scene focused on keeping community alive in New Orleans, a deep review of Christian ska group Five Iron Frenzy, who broke a Kickstarter record in the 10s while making progressive activists out of their fan base, a close inspection of a hipster rocksteady scene in Brooklyn that grew so popular it nearly kicked off a nationwide revival, and more secret ska past revelations with none other than Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump—who has a story that, up until recently, was carefully guarded.

Plus, the book re-explores several bands featured in the first edition, revealing new layers and more details about all the bands fans love, like Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Operation Ivy, the Slackers, Hepcat, Mephiskapheles, and Reel Big Fish. With 30,000 additional words, this is the complete ska package.

©2021 Aaron Carnes (P)2025 Tantor Media

Nostalgic learning experience

Great explanation of the genre and culture. Brought back many memories of my experiences in the scene in the NYC area during the mid-late 90s to early 2000’s. I learned so much about how the bands that influenced me came to be.

Quite detailed😎🎶

How it connected musicians to the various bands and how various bands transitioned into new bands so when I go see Ska Shows I have a better understanding of the depth of the musicians and bands. And this even more appreciation for them. 😎🕺🏼