SKA NATION SIDE SHOWS BRISBANE OCTOBER 27, SYDNEY OCTOBER 28 AND ADELAIDE NOVEMBER 2ND

All shows with The Planet Smashers, The Resignators and local supports

THE PLANET SMASHERS

Formed in 1994 in Montreal, Quebec, the Smashers’s infectious pop infused melodies, rippin’ horn licks and killer live shows, quickly established them as the city’s “Kings of Ska”. They released their first album (“Self-Titled”) on Planet Smasher’s founder Matt Collyer’s own label STOMP Records and hit the road. By 1997 they were no longer a local band, but a national phenomenon, headlining shows across Canada and pushing their second record, “Atttack of The Planet Smashers” which reached #2 on the national college radio charts for 2 months straight. Their third album “Life of The Party” took the continent by storm, aided no doubt by the commercialization of ska by such bands as Mighty Mighty Bosstones and No Doubt. “Life of the Party”, The Planet Smashers won the Montreal Independent Music Award for best ska band and drew attention from labels, bands, publishers and booking agents all over the world.

In terms of touring, not many indie Canadian bands come close. They have headlined countless tours in North America, 8 European tours, been included on 5 Vans Warped Tour as well as a Japanese tour in 2002. They have toured with such acts as AFI, GOB, Satanic Surfers, Sick of it All, Death By Stereo, Mustard Plug, Samiam, The Aquabats, Rancid, Guttermouth, Catch 22, and countless others. Now in their 16th year and having sold over 250,000 copies worldwide they plan to records a new album for spring release in 2011!

THE RESIGNATORS

Melbourne City ska all-stars, The Resignators, never knew back in 2005 that their infectious sound and trend defying style would take them around the world. As one of Australia's hardest working independent bands, The Resignators have seen it all, playing over 450 shows both nationally and internationally. This road hardened sextet know how to get any room of people on their feet and skanking to their Ska infused beats.

The Resignators live shows have to be seen to be believed, transforming a lifeless crowd into dancing mayhem.

 

AREA 7

The origins of Australia's most popular ska band Area 7 lie in the Madness tribute band Mad Not Madness, which in 1993 began to create a stir in the nascent grunge-dominated Melbourne live scene. The band featured Raph Segal (vocals), Dan Morrison (drums), Dugald "Doogs" McNaughtan (keyboards), Charles "Chucky T" Thompson (guitar), Brock ? (bass), Peter ? (saxaphone) and Ivan Downey (toaster/dancer/MC), with sometime contributions from trumpet player Toby Dargaville.

THE FUNADDICTS

The Funaddicts hail from sunny Queensland and were formed in the early 80’s, based heavily on bands like The Specials, Bad Manners and The Beat. Living on “Joh’s Farm” rather than “Maggie’s Farm” ensured their brand of infectious Ska had a political edge all of its own. As one of the premier Ska bands of the time in Qld, they enjoyed a wonderfully loyal following and throughout the ‘80’s shared the stage with, amongst others, Strange Tenants, Allniters, Hangovers, Divinyls, Cockroaches and UB40.

Their double A side single “Mandela/What’s Going On “ topped the local charts in 1987 and during the late 80’s they would regularly fill venues from Brisbane to Sydney. After a 20 year hiatus, a recent tour with Bad Manners for a couple of members and a facebook reunion encouraged the Funaddicts to dust off the boots and bring their 2nd wave sound to Melbourne for the very first time.

THE KUJO KINGS

The Kujo Kings are back, Cross-promotional, Jargon, Synergy, Dynamism, Miami, Vertical integration. They’re fresh from releasing their second sensual, sexual, and moderately priced EP; Kujo Kuddles. Out of all of the bands in the world, The Kujo Kings are definitely one of them. Come down to Ska Nation 2011 and they’ll entertain, shock, mock and arouse you for a weekend of kuddly fun. Featuring 5 Musicians and two overage females, The Kujo Kings don’t play an eclectic mix of styles - they play ska. And it’s awesome. So come check out The Kujo Kings: The band with over 700 friends on facebook.

JOBSTOPPER

Jobstopper has existed in Cairns since the start of February 2010. With influences such as Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Jobstopper mixes a combination of punk, reggae, rock and ska to create a unique sound. The sound is accompanied often, with lyrics of a controversial nature, referencing marijuana laws, religion, broken down social scenes, global warming and racism. Since the beginning the boys have traveled from Cairns to the likes of Brisbane, Palm Creek, Townsville, Sydney and are soon to stop in Melbourne. Jobstopper has also played alongside acts such as, The Living End, Shihad, British India, The Butterfly Effect, Pez & 360 and many more!

KAMIKAZI THUNDERKATS

Brought together and driven by a mysterious force, six strangers from the Northern Rivers town of Ballina forged an alliance of musical performance in 2007.
The Kamikazi Thunderkats have one goal in mind - to entertain and save the world by playing ska!

Thinking globally and acting locally, The Kamikazi Thunderkats have played throughout the North Coast and SE Queensland for the past couple of years - consistently entertaining with their horn-driven, comedy laced Radical Ska Rock. They recently recorded their debut EP 'Birthday Cake', which will be released very soon, and just took out the Southern Cross Battle Of The Bands for 2010!

Saving the world through Amazing, Audacious, Astonishing, Awesome Alliteration!
Also, they're pretty sexy... 

THE BENNIES

The Bennies (formerly Madonna) are a four piece band who have been together for just over 2 years. While they are inspired by the likes of The Clash, Sublime and Rancid, The Bennies consider themselves a party band. Elements of hip-hop, physcedallic, metal and pop also influence the band into their own fun loving style.

Although the punk/ska genre may sometimes be considered dated, The Bennies breathe life into the style by performing with extreme energy, enthusiasm and an unbashful love to party. Their line-up is guitar, bass, drums, microkorg and the singer utilizes delay vocal effects as well. With bouncy bass lines, fast high-hats and filthy synth noises an undeniable homage to the club scene is present. The lyrical content is drug praising, night-life loving and good times rolling.

In their short career so far the band have completed an international tour of Japan, Singapore and Malaysia, supported international acts such as The Aggrolites, Streetlight Manifesto, Leftover Crack, Star Fucking Hipsters, AC4 and Doing Life, released a self titled album ('Madonna' 2010) and played more than 150 gigs in and around Victoria and New South Wales.
 

LOONEE TUNES

Loonee Tunes is an 8 piece ska band formed in Melbourne 1982. After learning that if we played in a band we could get into pubs legally while still underage, we set about doing just that. We got our first gig at the Aberdeen Hotel, Fitzroy and then quickly started learning how to play our instruments. With the Two-Tone sound ringing in our ears we 'rit' some songs and the people came. After a long apprenticeship at Macy's we worked our way up to playing with Madness, and the best and worst of Australian ska bands.

MENAGE A SKA

Ménage a Ska got together for the love of playing Ska music and recognising the need to keep original Aussie Ska alive at any cost!
So channeling the spirit of all the great Melbourne bands like Commissioner Gordon and Loin Groin, the songs are firmly tongue in cheek. Nothing is sacred. Just like the rules of in any suburban pub – The band are firmly against wankers and will play in any pub in town. Just don’t expect them to suck up you’re a*se.

The band play for real people who like to go out have a great time, maybe get drunk, get loose and dance.
Ménage a Ska are the kind of band that don’t care how old you are, what you look like, as long as you get up and come along to our shows and get involved. Everyone is welcome.

Gearing up for a big year, Ménage a Ska are very pleased to be included on this years ‘Ska Nation’ line up and be part of a Festival that attracts people from all over Australia to come to Melbourne for a three nights of skanking!

Finally materialising mid 2011, The Furrows are still fighting their way out of the dark, not quite fresh-as-a-daisy, not quite as wise as Mufasa, this three-piece are just beginning to bring you the punk rockin' party reggae ska vibes all summer long and into the future... Prepare for some good times!
 

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT PORKERS

For a quarter of a century Pete Cooper aka Pete Porker has fronted Newcastle power-house ska outfit The Porkers.
Now with members scattered far and wide, both geographically and mentally, Pete has enlisted the help of Canberra's Los Capitanes to back him in a set of Porkers classics to debut at this years Ska Nation Festival in Melbourne. Under the guise of 'I Can't Believe It's Not Porkers!', Pete promises all of the manic chaos and mayhem of any previous Porkers show.
"Instead of 7 tired old men on stage, there'll just be 1, plus 6 energetic Porkers fans." Pete said..

LOS CAPITANES

Los Capitanes is a controversial and turbulent new age love story; like Kurt and Courtney, Sid and Nancy or Bert and Ernie. Thrust into an industry where washed out retro clichés have reached pandemic proportions, Los Caps‘ unfaltering dedication to exciting, original and diverse music has seen them achieve cult status amongst misfits and outcasts nationwide from a vast array of backgrounds and cultures.

‘…more ambitious than Kanye West's latest, and so much more fun. I was expecting another Pokers inspired horn-blow (and would have been happily satisfied), and instead got a magnum opus.’