Simmerdown Productions
Independent record label specializing in conscious sounds. Great music presented to you by DJ Simmerdown.
It really has been a long time and I have soooo much to tell you - especially about the guy who almost killed me. In any case, news soon!
30/07/2023
Thank you, Kevin Flowerdew for the shoutout! That compilation was where it all started - in the early days of the Northwest ska scene. I’ll put a link up in my merch store for folks who’d like a listen to “Ska from Bigfoot Country.”
Right from the first issue of my Rude Skazine in 1989 not only did I want to write about the UK ska scene that I had become part of, but I also wanted to feature as many international ska bands as I could. And by far the best way to discover such exotic creatures at this time was through the many fab national & regional ska compilation albums that were being released. These releases were like windows to whole scenes of exciting new bands all served up in a handy sugar rush of ska goodness! These comps did an incredible job of transporting their own local scenes to ska fans on the other side of the world & also helped to create the idea of a united global ska scene. Here are my favourite Unsung Gems Of 80’s & 90’s Global Ska Comps! My absolute numero uno fave ska comp, “The Rude Awakening”, was actually an international affair, but the first half of the release was all UK bands. Released by Beechwood Music in 1989, it did an awesome job of introducing the likes of The Loafers, The Hotknives, The Trojans, Maroon Town, Potato 5 & The Deltones to the rest of the world. I remember buying my CD copy from Our Price Records in Newbury with The Bakesys’ original drummer Robert TC Howe. We were so excited to listen to a CD that featured our friends from The Loafers that Rob decided we should listen to it before we got back to my house. He stuck the CD into one of the stereo systems in Dixons & turned the volume up full blast. We skanked around the shop for a couple of minutes to “Follow My Leader” before the shop manager eventually located where the noise was coming from & chucked us & the CD out the shop 😂
Diving back in - in a big way. Still here. Send me info. about your ska podcast or ask me for an interview about "the olden days." Some of you kids don't even know.
24/06/2023
Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra colored vinyl re-press! Pre-orders up now!
Western Standard Time, Vol. 1 - colored vinyl pre-order Western Standard Time's debut lp is being re-issued on colored vinyl (think blue and creme swirl pattern) with brand new artwork from...
29/03/2023
Grab tickets for this today - as this show is going to sell out quickly! Also, we're hard at work on a special surprise for this show. https://www.ticketweb.com/event/western-standard-time-ska-orchestra-jack-london-revue-tickets/13091275?REFERRAL_ID=twvenues
📣📣📣 For the very first time we will be in PORTLAND!!! AUGUST 26th
With us will be our good friends the Bandulus!!! It’s taken us 12 years and we’re finally making it out to Oregon. Mark the date! This will be a sure sellout. Tickets go live starting on Wednesday 3/29 at 10am PST. Check out our Linktree for link.
presents at
Go buy something. Please. Simmerdownmusic.Bandcamp.com
22/11/2022
Black Friday sale! Every physical Simmerdown Productions release for just $100! Western Standard Time, The Slackers, Crazy Baldhead, U Roy, Prince Jazzbo, The Georgetown Orbits, The Sentiments, and more! Only 10 sets available (U.S. only, sorry!)
I'm giving away a ticket to the upcoming Derrick Morgan, Ocean 11, The Steady 45s, The Capsouls show in Los Angeles. Go follow my new Instagram account for details.
Lots of great music over at www.simmerdownmusic.bandcamp.com for this BandCamp Friday!
27/01/2022
Thanks for everything, Mighty Mighty Bosstones! You've meant the world to me.
Video from when Heavy City opened up for the one Rocker T at Mississippi Studios. This Gregory Isaacs tune is also featured on the Heavy City e.p. - available at www.heavycityreggae.bandcamp.com
How's everyone doing? Me, I'm hanging on by a thread. I hope you had a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, or whatever-you-celebrate-or-not, and I wish you a Happy New Year! Buy some things from www.simmerdownmusic.bandcamp.com and I'm sure you'll have some music to tide you through!
07/12/2021
Woah! I finally quit messing around for 20 minutes and released a new/old e.p. Three previously unreleased Franceska songs (two featuring Angelo Moore of Fishbone) along with three hard to find compilation-only tracks.
The Unreleased & Compilation Tunes EP, by Franceska 6 track album
Bandcamp has suggested that this may be the last "Bandcamp Friday," where Bandcamp eliminates their portion of artist/label fees. Please consider some music (including options to purchase physical CD's/vinyl) at www.simmerdownmusic.bandcamp.com
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