In Defense of Ska
@indefenseofska.bsky.social
In Defense of Ska (book) on CLASH books
Check out the In Defense of Ska podcast. New episode every Wednesday
linktr.ee/aaroncarnes
Check out the In Defense of Ska podcast. New episode every Wednesday
linktr.ee/aaroncarnes
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Have you purchased a copy of the expanded edition of In Defense of Ska? It was released in Oct, 2024. I'm super proud of it! I put a lot of work into revising and updating my book.
Grab a copy wherever you normally buy books. There's also a link in my bio!
Grab a copy wherever you normally buy books. There's also a link in my bio!
Today I am thankful for this video of Lily Alen performing "Gangsters" with The Specials in 2007
November 27, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Today I am thankful for this video of Lily Alen performing "Gangsters" with The Specials in 2007
Huge congrats to Lily Allen and her amazing new pop record "West End Girl."
Let's all take a moment to remember her song "Smile" which hit #1 on the UK charts in 2006 and #49 on the US charts in 2007.
Let's all take a moment to remember her song "Smile" which hit #1 on the UK charts in 2006 and #49 on the US charts in 2007.
November 26, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Huge congrats to Lily Allen and her amazing new pop record "West End Girl."
Let's all take a moment to remember her song "Smile" which hit #1 on the UK charts in 2006 and #49 on the US charts in 2007.
Let's all take a moment to remember her song "Smile" which hit #1 on the UK charts in 2006 and #49 on the US charts in 2007.
Friends! Followers of this social media page. In Defense of Ska is a BOOK! You can grab a copy wherever you normally buy books if you don't already have a copy.
Please share with your ska-loving (and ska-hating) friends! It's the perfect Christmas gift for either.
Please share with your ska-loving (and ska-hating) friends! It's the perfect Christmas gift for either.
November 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Friends! Followers of this social media page. In Defense of Ska is a BOOK! You can grab a copy wherever you normally buy books if you don't already have a copy.
Please share with your ska-loving (and ska-hating) friends! It's the perfect Christmas gift for either.
Please share with your ska-loving (and ska-hating) friends! It's the perfect Christmas gift for either.
Now is a good time to inform you that "In Defense of Ska" is a book (that I wrote!) The first edition came out in 2021, and it was updated and re-edited as a 2nd edition last Oct.
It's often referred to as "the most important book ever written EVER"
You need to get a copy of this book!
It's often referred to as "the most important book ever written EVER"
You need to get a copy of this book!
November 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Now is a good time to inform you that "In Defense of Ska" is a book (that I wrote!) The first edition came out in 2021, and it was updated and re-edited as a 2nd edition last Oct.
It's often referred to as "the most important book ever written EVER"
You need to get a copy of this book!
It's often referred to as "the most important book ever written EVER"
You need to get a copy of this book!
Real Big Fish ruined my life?!
We talked ska with the homie, Frank, during the Supernova 2023 livestream.
Watch or listen to this on the IDOS Patreon
We talked ska with the homie, Frank, during the Supernova 2023 livestream.
Watch or listen to this on the IDOS Patreon
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Real Big Fish ruined my life?!
We talked ska with the homie, Frank, during the Supernova 2023 livestream.
Watch or listen to this on the IDOS Patreon
We talked ska with the homie, Frank, during the Supernova 2023 livestream.
Watch or listen to this on the IDOS Patreon
How many iterations have there been of Bad Operation?
Just one of the several questions we asked BO bassist Greg Rodrigue during the Supernova 2023 Livestream.
I uploaded the audio and video of this to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
Just one of the several questions we asked BO bassist Greg Rodrigue during the Supernova 2023 Livestream.
I uploaded the audio and video of this to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
November 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
How many iterations have there been of Bad Operation?
Just one of the several questions we asked BO bassist Greg Rodrigue during the Supernova 2023 Livestream.
I uploaded the audio and video of this to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
Just one of the several questions we asked BO bassist Greg Rodrigue during the Supernova 2023 Livestream.
I uploaded the audio and video of this to the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
What the heck does ¡FUÁKATA! mean?
Two members of the band chatted with us doing our Supernova 2023 livestream.
I uploaded the audio/video to the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)
Two members of the band chatted with us doing our Supernova 2023 livestream.
I uploaded the audio/video to the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)
November 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
What the heck does ¡FUÁKATA! mean?
Two members of the band chatted with us doing our Supernova 2023 livestream.
I uploaded the audio/video to the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)
Two members of the band chatted with us doing our Supernova 2023 livestream.
I uploaded the audio/video to the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio)
Things got surreal at Supernova 2023 when we were livestreaming.
I'm uploading more Supernova 2023 conversations (Audio and Video) to the IDOS Patreon this week (Link in bio)
I'm uploading more Supernova 2023 conversations (Audio and Video) to the IDOS Patreon this week (Link in bio)
November 21, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Things got surreal at Supernova 2023 when we were livestreaming.
I'm uploading more Supernova 2023 conversations (Audio and Video) to the IDOS Patreon this week (Link in bio)
I'm uploading more Supernova 2023 conversations (Audio and Video) to the IDOS Patreon this week (Link in bio)
Defending ska after that fifth cup of coffee...
November 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Defending ska after that fifth cup of coffee...
Thanks Dan Ozzi for sending me this amazing sticker.
Do yourself a favor and follow Dan on Instagram and Substack (Dan Ozzi's Zero Cred).
Do yourself a favor and follow Dan on Instagram and Substack (Dan Ozzi's Zero Cred).
November 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Thanks Dan Ozzi for sending me this amazing sticker.
Do yourself a favor and follow Dan on Instagram and Substack (Dan Ozzi's Zero Cred).
Do yourself a favor and follow Dan on Instagram and Substack (Dan Ozzi's Zero Cred).
Bravo Hard Times. BRAVO!
November 18, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Bravo Hard Times. BRAVO!
Steve Ewing from legendary St. Louis ska-alt-rock band The Urge owns his own hot dog restaurant (Steve's Hot Dogs).
On 11/26, they will combing the two greatest things of all time (Ska + Hot Dogs) into one big SKANKSGIVING party.
If you live in St. Louis, make sure you go
On 11/26, they will combing the two greatest things of all time (Ska + Hot Dogs) into one big SKANKSGIVING party.
If you live in St. Louis, make sure you go
November 17, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Steve Ewing from legendary St. Louis ska-alt-rock band The Urge owns his own hot dog restaurant (Steve's Hot Dogs).
On 11/26, they will combing the two greatest things of all time (Ska + Hot Dogs) into one big SKANKSGIVING party.
If you live in St. Louis, make sure you go
On 11/26, they will combing the two greatest things of all time (Ska + Hot Dogs) into one big SKANKSGIVING party.
If you live in St. Louis, make sure you go
My dude Miguel shouting out The Minutemen as an influence on his new album the other night, gave me a big smile
November 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
My dude Miguel shouting out The Minutemen as an influence on his new album the other night, gave me a big smile
Reposted by In Defense of Ska
This week I'm dropping some previously unreleased Supernova 2023 IDOS conversations to the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio).
In this video, Flying Raccoon Suit's Andrew Heatron talks about being mistaken for Bad Time Records own Mike Sosinski.
Check it out. There's audio and video!
In this video, Flying Raccoon Suit's Andrew Heatron talks about being mistaken for Bad Time Records own Mike Sosinski.
Check it out. There's audio and video!
November 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
This week I'm dropping some previously unreleased Supernova 2023 IDOS conversations to the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio).
In this video, Flying Raccoon Suit's Andrew Heatron talks about being mistaken for Bad Time Records own Mike Sosinski.
Check it out. There's audio and video!
In this video, Flying Raccoon Suit's Andrew Heatron talks about being mistaken for Bad Time Records own Mike Sosinski.
Check it out. There's audio and video!
Everyone keeps telling me about this Catbite band and I finally gave them a listen. I'll have to say. I like what I hear!
November 13, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Everyone keeps telling me about this Catbite band and I finally gave them a listen. I'll have to say. I like what I hear!
I'm working on the 2nd draft of my novel, Little Black Book of Death. I'm nearly done with the first act. So I take a moment to talk about the music reference just in the 1st draft alone.
Full audio is on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio) and on my Substack (Link also in bio)
Full audio is on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio) and on my Substack (Link also in bio)
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I'm working on the 2nd draft of my novel, Little Black Book of Death. I'm nearly done with the first act. So I take a moment to talk about the music reference just in the 1st draft alone.
Full audio is on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio) and on my Substack (Link also in bio)
Full audio is on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio) and on my Substack (Link also in bio)
GRATEFUL DEAD SKA CONNECTION
Here is a photo of Berkeley ska legends, The Uptones in 1984. The person on the far left....that's their drummer Jay Lane. After his time in The Uptones, Jay would go on to playing in Primus, Charlie Hunter Trio, RatDog, Bob Weir & Wolf Bros and later, Dead & Company.
Here is a photo of Berkeley ska legends, The Uptones in 1984. The person on the far left....that's their drummer Jay Lane. After his time in The Uptones, Jay would go on to playing in Primus, Charlie Hunter Trio, RatDog, Bob Weir & Wolf Bros and later, Dead & Company.
November 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
GRATEFUL DEAD SKA CONNECTION
Here is a photo of Berkeley ska legends, The Uptones in 1984. The person on the far left....that's their drummer Jay Lane. After his time in The Uptones, Jay would go on to playing in Primus, Charlie Hunter Trio, RatDog, Bob Weir & Wolf Bros and later, Dead & Company.
Here is a photo of Berkeley ska legends, The Uptones in 1984. The person on the far left....that's their drummer Jay Lane. After his time in The Uptones, Jay would go on to playing in Primus, Charlie Hunter Trio, RatDog, Bob Weir & Wolf Bros and later, Dead & Company.
Thoughts on this reggae/ska tinged track "Violence in the Supermarket" by SF punk band Spiritual Cramp?
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Thoughts on this reggae/ska tinged track "Violence in the Supermarket" by SF punk band Spiritual Cramp?
Supernova's very international lineup this year got changed to mostly US-based ska groups.
I chatted with founder Tim Receveur about the trials and tribulations of booking an international SKA festival in 2025, the era of Trump 2.0.
Give it a listen on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio).
I chatted with founder Tim Receveur about the trials and tribulations of booking an international SKA festival in 2025, the era of Trump 2.0.
Give it a listen on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio).
November 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Supernova's very international lineup this year got changed to mostly US-based ska groups.
I chatted with founder Tim Receveur about the trials and tribulations of booking an international SKA festival in 2025, the era of Trump 2.0.
Give it a listen on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio).
I chatted with founder Tim Receveur about the trials and tribulations of booking an international SKA festival in 2025, the era of Trump 2.0.
Give it a listen on the IDOS Patreon (Link in bio).
Someone please give Oscar Isaac my number. I will restart the In Defense of Ska podcast if he agrees to be a guest. Let's go!
November 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Someone please give Oscar Isaac my number. I will restart the In Defense of Ska podcast if he agrees to be a guest. Let's go!
I love ska.
Ska is from Jamaica.
Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa.
I visited Accompong in Jamaica in 2019 with my wife, possible because Mystic Bowie brought us.
Mystic is playing a benefit at Fairfield Theatre on Nov 29. You can also donate directly on the event page. (Link in bio)
Ska is from Jamaica.
Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa.
I visited Accompong in Jamaica in 2019 with my wife, possible because Mystic Bowie brought us.
Mystic is playing a benefit at Fairfield Theatre on Nov 29. You can also donate directly on the event page. (Link in bio)
November 5, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I love ska.
Ska is from Jamaica.
Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa.
I visited Accompong in Jamaica in 2019 with my wife, possible because Mystic Bowie brought us.
Mystic is playing a benefit at Fairfield Theatre on Nov 29. You can also donate directly on the event page. (Link in bio)
Ska is from Jamaica.
Jamaica was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa.
I visited Accompong in Jamaica in 2019 with my wife, possible because Mystic Bowie brought us.
Mystic is playing a benefit at Fairfield Theatre on Nov 29. You can also donate directly on the event page. (Link in bio)
A little while back, I posted a video of (mostly) country band The Mavericks playing a ska original. Now here's a little taste of them covering "Simmer Down" by The Wailers (And then seamlessly transitioning to "Blue Moon" by Elvis). Brilliant band all around.
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A little while back, I posted a video of (mostly) country band The Mavericks playing a ska original. Now here's a little taste of them covering "Simmer Down" by The Wailers (And then seamlessly transitioning to "Blue Moon" by Elvis). Brilliant band all around.
Ara Babajian has played drums in The Slackers for 20+ years. He was in the 1st iteration of Leftover Crack. He played in underrated 90s ska group, Agent 99.
He wrote a memoir, which is coming out on CLASH Books in 2027. I did his first-ever interview on it. It's on the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
He wrote a memoir, which is coming out on CLASH Books in 2027. I did his first-ever interview on it. It's on the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Ara Babajian has played drums in The Slackers for 20+ years. He was in the 1st iteration of Leftover Crack. He played in underrated 90s ska group, Agent 99.
He wrote a memoir, which is coming out on CLASH Books in 2027. I did his first-ever interview on it. It's on the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)
He wrote a memoir, which is coming out on CLASH Books in 2027. I did his first-ever interview on it. It's on the IDOS Patreon (link in bio)