Hornpod: A Ska Podcast JJ Loy and Matt Wixson

It’s the 1981 documentary that captured the energy and excitement of the ska scene during the height of the 2 Tone movement in Britain. Featuring electrifying live performances by bands like The Specials, Madness, and The Selecter, it remains a cult classic, one that played a key role in kickstarting the third wave in the US. 

Recently remastered, remixed and rereleased by the British Film Institute, we are finally given the chance to see it restored to it’s original glory… it’s DANCE CRAZE and the latest episode of the Hornpod Film Club!

Our special guest is Marc Wasserman, he's the author of Ska Boom: An American Ska & Reggae Oral History; host of Ska Boom podcast and bassist for Rude Boy George & Bigger Thomas

Here's a special episode to address the recent announcement of an Operation Ivy reunion by way of the new band, Doom Regulators. Or should we say, Bad Optix? Whatever they're called, we've got Jimmy Doyle (The Fad and The Forthrights) to serve up Rancid trivia and hot takes!

In this episode of Hornpod Film Club, we review the 2019 documentary, Shella Record: A Reggae Mystery. Directed by Chris Flanagan, the film tracks his decade of searching for the soulful siren featured on a 10-cent record he bought in a thrift store, credited only with the name Shella Record.

His journey takes him from record shops in Toronto to the legendary recording studios of Jamaica, where he discusses the history of Jamaica's music with some of reggae's greatest hitmakers. Along the way, Chris's own artistic practice of carefully crafted miniatures helps to tell a playful story of obsession, the power of music, and final redemption.

Tune in to our discussion with special guests and hear the tale of Shella Record: A Reggae Mystery, plus Ska Canon.

In this episode of Hornpod Film Club, we explore the 1997 hit movie, Grosse Pointe Blank. Starring John Cusack as a hitman attending his high school reunion, the film blends action, comedy, romance and maybe a little Rude Boy mythology. The soundtrack is iconic and peppered with ska and reggae classics like "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, “Rudie Can’t Fail” by The Clash and “A” Message to You Rudy” by The Specials.

Our special guest for this episode is Ryan Reeves, guitarist for the band, The Exceptions. Ryan compares his experiences growing up as a ska kid in Detroit in the 80s to what we see on film, but also offers insights into the main character’s psyche. We get into it!

All this, and Ska Canon.

Hornpod Film Club 01 The Harder They Come (1972)

It’s the story of a Jamaican country boy who comes to the big city with dreams of becoming a Reggae star but ends up exploited by the music industry, cheated by the drug trade and eventually gunned down by the police.

It’s Jamaica’s first feature film, a cult classic and is widely credited with introducing Reggae to the world.

It’s The Harder They Come from 1972 and it is our first movie in The Hornpod Film Club!

Heather Augustyn is our special guest, she is the author of Ska: An Oral History and many other books about Jamaican history. 

JJ and Matt welcome Cody Freedom, curator of the Spotify-complete-ska-release-playlist every year.  Together, we reflect on a year in ska and we compare our Top Ten lists.