Put down your guns, suits and bulletproof vests, Checkered Past is going through the early years of influential Skacore band Catch 22. To help breakdown this era of third wave Ska, Rob and Celine welcome Laptop Ska musician, Nina aka Yours, Sincerely who talks about her new album on Ska Punk International, her history with Ska and gear. Then, the trio go through the Checkered Past of Catch 22 from their early high school years to all the versions of Keasby Nights before deep diving into their cr...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 86
It's been a year since Madness March 2022 when the ultimate Madness Single was picked and One Step Beyond was crowned as #1. It's time now for Checkered Past to return to these hallowed halls and crown a new champion in a new bracket... but what band will they choose for 2023? This TromBonus they announce the bracket and do a pre-show detailing all the satellite projects related to this new subject band and get ready for the ultimate showdown... SlackBrack! All March long starting Feb 28 only on...
Feb 07, 2023•53 min•Ep. 85
This podcast is a band-aid for your soul! Checkered Past begins their exploration of ever-evolving Prog-Ska act, The Pharmaceutical Bandits! To help out, Rob and Celine welcome return guest Chris Reeves of Ska Punk international who gives an update on his label, his upcoming festival and the future of the scene. Then, the trio dig in on the most-ska years of Rx Bandits from their OC debut to their jump to an emo label and their first explorations of progressive music. They cap it all off with a ...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 84
Fans of Euro-Ska rejoice! Checkered Past does a 101 course on the Mano Negra inspired pseudo-genre of Patchanka! Rob acts as Ska Professor (adjunct, no qualifications) as he showcases to Celine and Joey some of his favourite mainland Ska from the international sensations Manu Chao, Ska-P and Talco to the more niche offerings of La Ruda Salska, Russkaja and the Benuts. Its a playlist style episode so grab some headphones and enjoy! Hosts: Celine, Rob and Joey Editor: Joey Engineer: Joey www.check...
Jan 24, 2023•51 min•Ep. 83
It's time to JAM! Checkered Past returns to Japan to continue their long-running series on prolific Ska/Jazz group Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra! To help discuss, Rob and Celine welcomes their home town heroes, Paint Bomb of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! First they discuss Paint Bomb's checkered past, the impetus to start a Ska band in the prairies and their plans for the future. Then, they dig in on a trio of TSPO albums from their final days with founder ASA-CHANG to their jubilant concept album F...
Jan 17, 2023•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 82
Not just for people who hail from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut; Checkered Past presents dark ages Swing-Ska band, Tri-State Conspiracy! Rob and Joey go track by track through the bands Ska-based offerings from their big break on the Still Standing comp, to their all-ska debut to their abrupt shift to "psycho-swing". They cap it all off with a flapper-era edition of Build-a-Band Workshop! If you don't listen their will be hell to pay! Hosts: Rob and Joey Editor: Joey Engineer: Joey www.che...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 81
Time to ring in the new year by ringing out the old! Rob, Celine and Joey break down the Top 10 Checkered Past episodes of 2022 as voted on by their listeners, fans and social media followers of the world! Go behind the scenes with the CP/SC crew as they break down how episodes come about and what the future has in store all while counting down the top 10 and listening to clips from those episodes. This is a great starting point for any new listener or a supersized retrospective for the Checkerh...
Jan 03, 2023•2 hr 45 min•Ep. 80
Checkered Past presents the 2022 Skaliday Skanktacular! When Celine's Ska-Humbug attitude hits a boiling point, she is visited by three spirits who all attempt to win her over and re-acquaint her with the joys of Ska. Can Ska Past help show her what got her into it in the first place? Can Ska Present help show her what's great about the current scene? Can Ska Future give her the warning she needs to change her ways? It's Skarooge! The Checkered Past Christmas Carol! Hosts: Celine, Rob and Joey E...
Dec 27, 2022•55 min•Ep. 79
Are you from New Jersey and you're proud about it? Do you love the garden state? Well Checkered Past is here to help run down the brief and might early 00's Ska-Punk act, Too Short Notice! Rob and Engineer Joey bring in Josh and Ilan from Sad Snack to break down their history with Ska, the fertile Tri-State Ska scene of the new millennium and the formation of their new band. Then, the foursome break down Too Short Notice's 5 year run from their hyperactive debut to their connection with Big D an...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 78
Checkered Past is a bunch of punk rock losers as they celebrate their favourite tracks of 2022! Celine, Rob, Engineer Joey and Editor Arianne all pick five tracks each that they loved from the year from genres as wide ranging as Future Funk, Post-Punk, Trap, Djent and of course some SKA! It's a playlist-style episode so grab some headphones and vibe with the CP/SC crew! Hosts: Celine, Rob and Joey Engineer: Joey Editor: Joey www.checkeredpast.ca www.patreon.com/checkeredpast...
Dec 13, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 77
Listen to this podcast; never get stung! Checkered Past welcomes University of Alberta Associate Professor of Popular Music and Music Studies, Brian Fauteux to discuss the brief but explosive career of Ska trio Common Rider. Rob and Celine dig in on Brian's history with Ska before delving in to his scholarly research with streaming and it's impact on the music scene and music libraries. Then, the trio dig in on Common Rider's history from Jesse Michael's upbringing to his post-Op Ivy life to the...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 76
Please don't go Checkered Past! All the other pods are just... well you know the rest! Rob, Celine and Joey do a track-by-track breakdown of highly influential and short-lived 90's Ska band, Suburban Rhythm! They discuss the bands dark temperament, abnormal approach to Ska and ahead-of-its-time sound. And of course, they talk about that Reel Big Fish song. Hosts: Celine, Rob and Joey Editor: Joey Engineer: Joey www.checkeredpast.ca www.patreon.com/checkeredpast...
Nov 29, 2022•42 min•Ep. 75
Hell yeah! It's time for Checkered Past to return to Less Than Jake to discuss the Sire years! To help out, Celine and Rob invite Caitlin of Bumsy and the Moochers to break down the albums Anthem, B is for B Sides and In With The Out Crowd. Before that, Caitlin discusses her start with ska in Disney Channel movies, becoming more serious in the pop punk scene before returning to ska and merging her two loves together. Than the trio discuss Less Than Jake's biggest break, their 15 minutes of fame ...
Nov 22, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 74
Can I get a little sweet pod in between my ears? Checkered Past takes a seat at the bar to shallow dive hard-touring dark ages Ska band, Bastard Suns! Rob, Celine and Engineer joey begin by picking it up where they left off including an update on Joey's stance on dirty guitars and his rivalry with Common Sense Kid. Then, the trio run through the Ska and Reggae tracks of Bastard Suns from their Sublime-influenced beginnings to their season-themed EPs to their more pirate-styled recent offerings. ...
Nov 15, 2022•53 min•Ep. 73
All English ex-pat New Yorkers come hither! Checkered Past is digging in to the history of ground-breaking East Coast Ska band, The Toasters! For Part 1, Rob and Celine welcome returning guest, KMoy (Precure Album and Catbite). They catch up with Kenny on his tours, how life has changed since his last appearance and the magic of twitter. Then, the trio dig in on The Toasters 80's years from their humble beginnings in a New York comic store to their connection with Joe Jackson to the start of Moo...
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 72
Good Mourning to all you Checkerheads! Rob has mysteriously disappeared for this TromBonus so Celine and Engineer Joey take over hosting duties until a mysterious stranger interrupts with a set of deadly games! Will Celine and Joey be able to save Rob from his torment? Will Celine be able to stomach this much obscure trivia? Will Joey really care? Tune in to this extra-spooky episode to find out! Use my special link zen.ai/checkered and use checkered to save 30% off your first three months of Ze...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 71
Checkered Past is podcasting like a mother-f'ing riot! It's finally time to discuss the legendary, enigmatic and controversially influential 90's Ska band, Sublime! Rob, Celine and Engineer Joey welcome back Hyperska Superstar Eichlers to break down the Brad Nowell years but first they catch up with Ike on his latest album, his hectic touring and what's coming down the pipe for new tunes in the future. Then, the foursome talk all things Sublime from their beach bum beginnings to their genre-mash...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 70
You got me runnin' in a cyc-a-lone Checkerheads because Checkered Past is exploring the Ska and Ska-adjacentness of Big Beat band Dub Pistols! Rob, Celine and Joey do a shallow dive through the bands discography, their collaborations with Terry "Little Man" Hall and their proliferation on Playstation soundtracks. They also veer off to talk about EDM, lasers and Celine keeps talking about a band Rob has never heard of. Thanks to Craig on the Patreon for suggesting this week's TromBonus! Hosts: Ce...
Oct 18, 2022•51 min•Ep. 69
Oi! Oi! Oi! Gather round skins, punks and rudies as Checkered Past discusses the history and catalogue of legendary skinhead Ska band, Inspecter 7! To help, they invite New Jersey, Ska-Punk trio Joker's Republic who start by discussing their new album, getting back on the road to tour and the New Jersey scene. Then, Rob, Engineer Joey and their guests go through Inspecter 7's history from their distaste of pop-ska, their stellar musicianship and their brief 2000's reunion. Snap on those boots an...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 68
The burning question is finally answered... Is This Ska? Rob, Celine and Joey listen to a dozen pop songs and determine if they are Ska, Not Ska or Skadjacent. Since it's a Trombonus there is a miriad of detours from horror movies to the 501 to Chainsaw Man. Then, CP/SC gets through their list of 12 artists including Paris Hilton, Vampire Weekend, Ricky Martin and some shocking surprises. Hosts: Celine, Rob and Joey Engineer: Joey Editor: Rob www.checkeredpast.ca www.patreon.com/checkeredpast...
Oct 04, 2022•48 min•Ep. 67
The day has finally come to crown the absolute greatest Ska song of all time by punk superstars Rancid. Of course the only person CP/SC could think to help determine that is keyboard wizard (and former Rancid tourmate), Esteban Flores! Esteban regales Rob, Joey and Celine with his history with Ska, the fertile Ska scene in East L.A. and his keyboard heroes before running through the Semi-Finals and Finals of the Heptember bracket. After a white knuckle battle, the foursome play a Tim-inspired ro...
Sep 27, 2022•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 66
The Quarterfinals of Heptember have arrived! Checkered Past continues their monthlong celebration of all things Rancid and Ska to determine definitively, the greatest Rancid Ska song of all time! To help with the 4 matchups, Rob and Celine welcome Amy Gabba from Toronto's Amy Gabba and the Almost Famous. They talk about her Ska origin story, how the Canadian Ska scene has changed and getting to record with heroes before eliminating the tracks down to the final four. Then, they play a Lars-themed...
Sep 20, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 65
Hooligans! Rancid? Bootboys! Rancid? And everyone else is welcome as Checkered Past continues Heptember to determine the greatest Rancid Ska song of all time! In Round 2, CP/SC welcomes past guest and Ska-Punk musician Common Sense Kid to go through Rancid's early tracks and move the matchups to the Quarterfinals. CSK talks to Rob, Celine and Joey about his new album, his history with Rancid and all things England before going through 16 tracks and 8 eliminations. It's all topped off with a game...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 56 min•Ep. 64
Evil's my friend but Checkered Past is my BEST friend, as Rob, Celine and Joey kick off Heptember 2022 in style! All September long, the CP/SC crew will be running through every Rancid Ska Song to determine which is the greatest of all time. Round 1 is all about the band's newer tracks from 2000 to the present (with some classic tracks thrown in to keep 'em guessing). It's a completely blind listen with no guests as the hosts recount their history with the band, the criteria for what they consid...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 63
It's time for another CPSC semi-annual song bracket and this time it's all about Rancid! Before Heptember kicks off in full, Rob, Celine and Joey sit down and comb through as much of Rancid's spin-offs, side projects and non-Ska content as they can! You will hear music from The Transplants, Devil's Brigade, Tim Timebomb and more as Checkered Past digs deep on where Rancid came from, where they are and where they're going. Tune in all September long to see which Rancid Ska song will be crowned th...
Aug 30, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 62
Another patreon-exclusive episode unlocked for the summer! Engineer joey interviews Justin from western mass, Ska/Thrash band PWRUP! They share local scenes, influences and of course, all the gear talk you could possibly want! This episode was originally released May 13, 2022 on The Checkerhead Patreon. Host: Joey Engineer: Joey Editor: Joey www.checkeredpast.ca www.patreon.com/checkeredpast
Aug 23, 2022•41 min•Ep. 61
Checkerboards are the colour of our energy as Checkered Past delves deep into the lore and history of jam/funk/hiphop/metal/reggae band 311! Rob, Celine and Joey go all the way to the beginning to discuss the band's humble beginnings, their rabid fandom and their relentless work ethic. All the while digging in on 311's massive musical output, their ska-adjacentness and their revolving door of hit-making producers. Grab a hacky-sack, a blunt and your favorite board shorts and listen in! Hosts: Ro...
Aug 16, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 60
From behind the paywall, Engineer Joey interviews bedroom punk and hyperpop musician Oldphone about their newest EP Hey I'm Alive and It's Cool. They also talk about touring, collaborations and of course gear, gear, gear. This episode was originally published on our Patreon on May 20th, 2022. Host: Joey Engineer: Joey Editor: Joey www.checkeredpast.ca www.patreon.com/checkeredpast...
Aug 09, 2022•47 min•Ep. 59
We're not happy until you ARE happy as Checkered Past continue their discussion of Ska megastars Reel Big Fish. To help, Rob and Celine welcome Devon Kay of Devon Kay and the Solutions to break down RBF's Jive years. First, they swap some tour stories, talk about the Solution's new album Grieving Expectations and twitch streaming. Then, they get into Reel Big Fish's more polarizing years from their upbeat horn pop to their internal breakdowns to their furious final mainstream record. They cap it...
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 43 min•Ep. 58
Go Man Go! There's hell Taipei as Rob and Engineer Joey break down the entire track list of Taiwanese Ska Punk band, Mary Bites Kerry from their 2017 album, Look Into the Future. Before that, they pick it up where they left off discussing bass guitars, glam and rodeos. Then they get into the 10 tracks of the album going through the bands combination of Euro-Ska and J-Ska with a distinct Taiwanese flavour. Grab your favourite bubble tea and some beef noodles and dig in! This episode was suggested...
Jul 26, 2022•44 min•Ep. 57
