User:Skaskank/skaskankredemption

Skaskank/skaskankredemption

Ska Skank Redemption is a Colorado Ska band under the leadership of Mark Kinz and Kyle Etges. The band is heavily influenced by Streetlight Manifesto and Reel Big Fish, as well as many Blues, Jazz, Classical, Funk, and Punk bands. Ska Skank Redemption draws a lot of their song material from the popular '90s video game, Star Fox 64. They also enjoy writing politically satirical songs, such as Kill Die Laugh.

They recently recorded their first demo, and are touching up the final mixes. The demo was recorded by Greg O'Brien's HTS Productions in association with Paul Vargo, both friends with Mark Kinz. The demo should be fully released by late October of 2008, but songs are being released occasionally through the band's myspace.

History

Before Ska Skank: That One Band and Legitimate Idiot (Operation: Sock Puppets)

In the fall of 2004, Kyle Etges sought to create a Jazz/Blues combo in his Sophomore year of High School. Mark Kinz was brought in on Trombone, and Tait Lewis on Guitar. With several other members, That One Band band existed for about three years. Early on in the band's existence, Mark was introduced to Ska by his friend Tai Cash. He eventually introduced Kyle to Ska. In the Summer of 2006, after watching School Of Rock, Kyle said to Mark "Kinz, you have to start a Ska Band. You have to. And you have to call it Sock Puppets."

Operation: Sock Puppets began in the Fall of 2006, cycling through many members before landing on a somewhat solid lineup. This lineup consisted of Mark Kinz (Trombone), Kyle Etges (Drums), Annelise Lowe (Bass), Tait Lewis (Lead Guitar), Chris WeeD (Vocals), Lance Stevens (Rhythm Guitar), and Noah Fulton-Beale (Trumpet). This group is responsible for writing the song "Grrr, I'm a Bear", which was inspired by Mark's druid character on World of Warcraft. They also were the first to perform "Tait's Song", and also devised a Ska arrangement of the theme of Pirates of the Carribean. Late in their existence, Mark Kinz wrote "Fuck the Drummer", which was later rewritten and renamed "Fuck That Drummer". The band landed on the band name, Legitimate Idiot.

Legitimate Idiot played one show (July 21st, 2007), opening for That One Band's CD release party, which was also their last show. Legitimate Idiot was called back for an encore after That One Band's set. Out of songs, the band played three that they had played before. While both That One Band and Legitimate Idiot attempted to get a battle of the bands gig in October, both attempts fell through, and That One Band broke up. Legitimate Idiot tried to maintain existing. Kyle Etges moved from drums to his main instrument, saxophone. Replacing him on drums was Royal Langer. However, it was only a few weeks later that the band dissolved. Its reason is lack of attendance at rehearsals. Mark, Kyle, Tait, and Royal, however, were not finished just yet, and Operation: Sock Puppets continued.

Early Days: Brown Hall

Ska Skank Redemption began almost exactly a year after Legitimate Idiot formed, continuing Operation Sock Puppets. It began a couple weeks after LI broke up. The band began by practicing in Brown Hall, a dorm at the University of Northern Colorado. In these early days, the band cycled through members. The line up usually consisted of Mark Kinz, Kyle Etges, Royal Langer,Tait Lewis, and Corey Golon. Many people joined for short amounts of time, but left due to other commitments. Eventually, the band came to acquire Tait's sister, Hannah Lewis (Trumpet) and Evan Kaverman (Tenor Saxophone). Evan was acquired when Mark accidentally sent a Facebook message to him when trying to address Evan Ballinger, who almost joined the band on keyboard.

Evicted from Brown and First Gigs

With the start of the second semester for college, the band was no longer allowed to practice in Brown Hall. So the band moved to Royal and Kyle's residence hall, McCowen. In that small McCowen basement practice room, the band began writing about Star Fox 64, producing the songs "Knights of Corneria" and "Aquos". In early spring, this incarnation of SSR finally started playing shows, having maintained a steady lineup. Its first show was played at the UNC dorm, Hansen-Willis, on March 26th, 2008. The occasion was 'Alcohol awareness', so the band decided against playing the Reel Big Fish cover, Beer. In the month of May, the band played three shows, despite having final exams right around the corner. On May 1st, Ska Skank played at Monarch High School, where Mark, Kyle, and Hannah received their public schooling. The band had to censor itself quite a bit for that show. On May 16th, the band played its first "real" show at The Climax Lounge alongside 3 Grams Over an Ounce, The Buzzcocks, and their first show alongside The A-Oks. The next day, Ska Skank played at the Plummer School House's Summer festival, its first outdoor show and first time using milk crates as a stage.

The fall of McCowen/Early Summer Sessions 2008

With the end of Spring Semester, the band moved its practice space to bassist Corey Golon's house. McCowen hall was destroyed soon after. The band didn't play many shows in the summer, but put together some new songs, such as "Final Fight", a song about Star Wolf, and "Tait's Sister's on Drugs!". Mid July, the band attempted to record a demo. However, due to recording each track separately, time differentials rendered the tracks almost unusable. The band then plotted how to record better quality tracks in the future.

End of Summer 2008/Lineup Changes-Present day

Due to scheduling conflicts, Evan Kaverman left the band in late July 2008. His spot was filled by Adam Ross, a student of Kyle's. Adam was in the band for two weeks before playing his first show August 9th, 2008, the band's first show at the Rock and Roll Grill. Prior to Adam's hiring, Kyle and Mark wrote the song "Kill Die Laugh", which is now arguably their most popular tune. The song is a satirical view of the war on terrorism, poking fun at rednecks and Dick Cheney especially. The band played another show at the R&R Grill on September 13th, and was arguably their most rowdy show played, being called back for two encores.

Since that show, Ska Skank Redemption has taken some time off to write more, as well as learn a new cover to expand their musical abilities. They have also recorded new demo tracks, now available on their myspace. The band has two shows lined up for November already, and looks forward to getting their album pressed. They are also being featured on "Ska 4 Life", a Ska compilation by Quickstar Productions.

Members

Current

Mark Kinz (Vocals/Trombone)
Kyle Etges (Vocals/Baritone and Alto Saxophone)
Royal Langer (Drums)
Tait Lewis (Guitar)
Corey Golon (Bass)
Adam Ross (Tenor Saxophone)
Hannah Lewis (Trumpet)