Ska fans have one good reason to skank tonight, even if it is a bit of a sad occasion. Yesterday it was announced that the Ska Parade Lounge, a monthly live music night at the Slidebar in Fullerton dedicated to the rude boys and girls of OC, is having its final show. Tonight's event, featuring Matamoska, The Bassics, Pizano and Vitolo and Punker in the Headlights (featuring ex members of Suburban Rhythm and One Eye Open) also doubles as a birthday party for SPL's founder Tazy Phyllipz. As one of the most well-known champions of ska in OC, Phyllipz started the night in August of 2013 as an offshoot of Ska Parade, a radio show he founded back in 1989 which helped launch the careers of No Doubt, Sublime, Maroon5, Reel Big Fish, The Aquabats, Switchfoot, and Thrice to name a few.
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Though it's had a good run, Phyllipz says it was time to end the club night after two and a half years.
“This has been heavy on my mind and it is totally by my choice,” he says in a recent statement. “I really think that I have taken Ska Parade Lounge as far as I can. I totally love doing the shows; the bands who have performed; and absolutely adore all who attended (especially my regulars)!
I have lots of love and gratitude to The Slidebar Rock N Roll Kitchen – Jeremy Popoff, Joshua Stolo, Ramon Gonzales, and the entire staff have been exceptionally wonderful! Also, thank you to John Pantle for giving me the encouragement to begin this journey!”
Most SPL shows featured lineups that combined upcoming and established Ska-N-Espanol bands from East LA / Mexico, along with key [new & established] acts from OC / IE / LBC / and SD.
Among the highlights of SPL were shows from LA's The Interrupters (on Hellcat Records – produced by Tim Armstrong) who did their album release show for the 1st SKAnniversary of Ska Parade Lounge in 2014. OC's Skapeche Mode debuted at SPL and other acts of note include The Delirians, Papafish, Los Kung Fu Monkeys, Half Past Two, Hooray For Our Side, Jackie Mendez, The Skariginals, Chris Murray, Profesor Galactico, The Originalites, Stupid Flanders, and The Maxies.
Though it's bittersweet to see SPL go out with a bang tonight, Phyllipz says he's still as upbeat as the music that he's dedicated his life to. “I have a lot of love for all who were involved, especially Slidebar! It's been a great joyous run!”
For full details on tonight's show, visit Ska Parade Lounge's Facebook Event Page.
See also: The 50 Best Things About the OC Music Scene The 50 Worst Things About the OC Music Scene The 25 Greatest OC Bands of All Time: The Complete List
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