The Skunks (ska band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Maryland , United States |
| Products | Albums, live performances |
The Skunks emerged as a third wave ska group established in 1988 by a circle of high school acquaintances from suburban Maryland. They produced three albums, played numerous shows across the Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland regions, and embarked on tours throughout the United States.
Formation
In August 1988, Matt Earl and James McDonald—both former members of Boy Scout Troop 214 in University Park, Maryland—crossed paths with Joe Hottel and Erick Morgan at a skateboarding location in Riverdale Park, Maryland. This encounter sparked the creation of The Skunks. Alongside Anthony Foronda, Jake Hughes, and Brent Washburn, they began performing at local events around suburban Maryland. Their debut paid performance took place in December 1988 at DC Space in Washington, followed by shows at the University of Maryland and the 9:30 Club, venues that became regular stops for the band.
As their fan base expanded, additional musicians including Tony Albano, Andy Hayleck, Reggie Romain, Dave Rudolph, Dave Smallwood, and Scott Treude joined the lineup. To enhance their marketability, they produced a cassette demo copyrighted on September 29, 1990,[1] although it never saw an official release. Music historian James Joyce later described this recording as one of his "most treasured tapes".[2]
Chaos In Skaville
Following their initial demo, The Skunks issued Chaos in Skaville on cassette,[3] copyrighted May 5, 1991,[4] under their own label PU Records. In 1992, PU Records also released a 7-inch vinyl single titled "Piñata". Subsequent to these releases, the band ramped up their live appearances both locally and on tour. In 1992 at Hennessey's bar located in Georgetown, they invited fellow PU Records act The Pietasters to join them on stage—a partnership that would become recurring.
Moon Ska Records
Prior to releasing Chaos in Skaville, The Skunks attracted the attention of Robert "Bucket" Hingley, who was scouting talent for his label Moon Ska Records. To gauge their potential fit, Hingley invited them to tour alongside his band The Toasters. During the summer of 1992, The Skunks shared stages with The Toasters and other ska groups at the Masquerade venues in Atlanta, Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, Wilmington, North Carolina, Madison, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois. The tour concluded on February 27, 1993, with Moon Ska’s Skalapalooza event at The Ritz in New York City featuring The Skunks performing along with The Toasters, Bad Manners, The Skatalites, among others. Following this tour, The Skunks signed with Moon Ska Records and had Chaos in Skaville incorporated into Moon's catalog as MR034.
Mixed Nuts
By 1993, with new members George Beronio, Tim Karns, and Mike Kim onboard, The Skunks maintained an active schedule of performances locally and on the road. In April of that year, they joined forces with The Pietasters at the SkaOiAndPunk festival held at the Masquerade. Their summer "Nuts on the Beach" tour included appearances at venues such as Dick's Clam and Cow in Virginia Beach, Virginia along with other locations throughout the Tidewater area.
During downtime from touring, they worked on recording material for Mixed Nuts. Before finishing the album, Joe Hottel relocated to Atlanta and was succeeded by vocalist Steve Orders; however, Hottel contributed lyrics to every track except one. The album's release was commemorated with a show at the Black Cat on August 18, 1994. By June 1995, Mixed Nuts was officially listed in Moon Ska’s catalog as MR040. Prior to this formal release, the song "Big Haired Girls" appeared on the compilation album Skarmageddon (Moon Ska 1994). Additionally, "Odd Couple" was featured on Cover to Cover [Ska] (Bob Media 1996), while "YMCA" was included on Skandalous: I've Gotcha Covered, Vol. 2 (Shanachie Records 1997).
Throughout 1994 and 1995, The Skunks maintained an extensive touring regimen. On a coast-to-coast journey to California and back, they performed alongside Mustard Plug in cities such as Lawrence, Kansas and St. Louis, Missouri.
No Apologies
After the launch of Mixed Nuts, James McDonald left the group in 1995 to establish Eastern Standard Time. As preparations for a subsequent album commenced, Larry Schugam was brought in as the drummer, Dave Reinstein succeeded trombonist Dave Rudolph, and Rico Renzi assumed the role of bassist. During the summer of 1996, in anticipation of their upcoming album, the band toured through Quebec and five states across the U.S., culminating with a show in New York City alongside Spring Heeled Jack. The album No Apologies was officially released on August 24, 1996, under Moon Ska MR079. One of its tracks, "Dubz 57 Sauce," was included in the soundtrack for the 1997 independent movie Bang. The ensemble disbanded during the summer of 1997. In his review of No Apologies, critic Brian Ellis commended The Skunks’ musical contribution.
Where are they now?
Erick Morgan, Dave Reinstein, Ely Rodriguez, and Matt Simms became members of Eastern Standard Time. Morgan additionally collaborated with Lickity Split and the Pietasters before co-founding The Spice Boyz alongside Chris Suspect. He passed away on April 18, 2020, due to cardiac complications related to pneumonia.
Prior to his tenure with The Toasters, Tim Karns performed with the Checkered Cabs.
Joe Hottell currently lives in Decatur, Georgia, where he occasionally performs and plays soccer with the Oakhurst Rovers.
Steve Orders pursued a career teaching English in schools located in Rockville, Maryland.
Scott Treude has been involved with various bands such as Fireworks Go Up! while also building careers as an environmental physicist and web developer.
Dave Rudolph, Mike Kim, and Ely Rodriguez have all relocated to California.
Matt Earl departed from The Skunks to continue graduate education and currently holds the position of Associate Professor within the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where he directs the dosimetry training program at Tate Cancer Center.
Andy Hayleck produces "sound films" and experimental music with his group Trockeneis and serves as faculty at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.
Rico Renzi works as an artist and was the original colorist and co-creator for the Spider-Gwen iteration of Spider-Woman (Gwen Stacy).
Personnel
| Name | Instrument | Tenure | Chaos in Skaville | Mixed Nuts | No Apologies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erick Morgan | Keyboards | Aug 1988 – Jun 1997 | X | X | X |
| Matt Earl | Tenor Saxophone | Aug 1988 – Aug 1995 | X | X | |
| James McDonald | Drums | Aug 1988 – Aug 1990 Sep 1991 – Nov 1995 |
X | X | X |
| Joe Hottel | Vocals | Aug 1988 – Aug 1993 | X | ||
| Brent Washburn | Clarinet | Sep 1988 – Jun 1997 | X | X | X |
| Anthony Foronda | Alto Saxophone | Sep 1988 – Jan 1990 | |||
| Jake Hughes | Bass | Sep 1988 – Aug 1989 | |||
| Andy Hayleck | Guitar | Feb 1989 – Oct 1989 Nov 1993 – Jun 1997 |
X | X | |
| Dave Rudolph | Trombone | Apr 1989 – Aug 1993 | X | X | |
| Tony Albano | Trumpet | Jul 1989 – May 1991 | X | ||
| Scott Treude | Guitar | Sep 1989 – Feb 1992 | X | ||
| Dave Smallwood | Bass | Sep 1989 – Nov 1991 | X | ||
| Reggie Romain | Drums | Sep 1990 – Dec 1991 | X | ||
| George Beronio | Trumpet | Jun 1991 – Nov 1993 | X | ||
| Tim Karns | Bass | Nov 1991 – Jan 1997 | X | X | |
| Mike Kim | Guitar | Feb 1992 – Nov 1993 | X | ||
| Ely Rodriguez | Trumpet | Nov 1993 – Jun 1997 | X | X | |
| Steve Orders | Vocals | Nov 1993 – Jun 1997 | X | X | |
| Rico Renzi | Bass, Vocals | Jul 1994 – Jun 1997 | X | ||
| Dave Reinstein | Trombone | Sep 1995 – Jun 1997 | X | ||
| Matt Simms | Saxophone | Sep 1995 – Jun 1997 | X | ||
| Larry Schugam | Drums | Nov 1995 – Jun 1997 | X |
- Timeline
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Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Trumpet value:yelloworange legend:Trumpet id:Saxophone value:skyblue legend:Saxophone id:Trombone value:lavender legend:Trombone id:Keys value:purple legend:Keyboard id:Clarinet value:tan2 legend:Clarinet id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Lines1 value:black legend:Studio_album
LineData =
at:05/05/1991 color:black layer:back at:08/08/1994 color:black layer:back at:24/08/1996 color:black layer:back
BarData=
bar:Hottel text:"Joe Hottel" bar:Orders text:"Steve Orders" bar:Hayleck text:"Andy Hayleck" bar:Treu de text:"Scott Treude" bar:Kim text:"Mike Kim" bar:Hughes text:"Jake Hughes" bar:Smallwood text:"Dave Smallwood" bar:Karns text:"Tim Karns" bar:Renzi text:"Rico Renzi" bar:Albano text:"Tony Albano" bar:Beronio text:"George Beronio" bar:Rodriguez text:"Ely Rodriguez" bar:Earl text:"Matt Earl" bar:Foronda text:"Anthony Foronda" bar:Simms text:"Matt Simms" bar:Rudolph text:"Dave Rudolph" bar:Reinstein text:"Dave Reinstein" bar:Morgan text:"Erick Morgan" bar:Washburn text:"Brent Washburn" bar:McDonald text:"James McDonald" bar:Romain text:"Reggie Romain" bar:Schugam text:"Larry Schugam"
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Hottel from:start till:"01/08/1993" color:vocals bar:Orders from:"01/08/1993" till:end color:vocals bar:Hayleck from:"01/02/1989" till:"01/10/1989" color:guitar bar:Treu de from:"01/09/1989" till:"01/02/1992" color:guitar bar :Kim from:"01/02/1992" till:"01/11/1993" color:guitar bar :Hayleck from:"01/11/1993" till:end color:guitar bar :Hughes from:"01/09/1988" till:"01/08/1989" color:bass bar :Smallwood from:"01/09/1989" till:"01/11/1991" color:bass bar :Karns from:"01/11/1991" till:end color:bass bar :Renzi from:"01/07/1994" till:end color:bass bar :Renzi from:"01/07/1994" till:end color:vocals width :3 bar :Albano from:"01/07/1989" till:"01 /05 /19 /91 " color :trumpet bar :Beronio from:"01 /06 /19 /91 " till :"01 /11 /19 /93 " color :trumpet bar :Rodriguez from :"01 /11 /19 /93 " till:end color :trumpet bar :Earl from:start till :"01 /08 /19 /95 " color:saxophone bar :Foronda from :"01 /09 /19 /88 " till :"01 /01 /19 /90 " color:saxophone bar :Simms from :"01 /09 /19 /95 " till:end color:saxophone bar :Rudolph from :"01 /04 /19 /89 " till :"01 /08 /19 /93 " color:trombone bar :Reinstein from :"01 /09 /19 /95 " till:end color:trombone bar :Morgan from:start till:end color:key s bar :Washburn from :"01 /09 /19 /88 " till:end color :clarinet bar :McDonald from:start till :"01 /08 /19 /90 " color :drums bar :Romain from :"01 /09 /19 /90 " till :"01 /12 /19 /91 " color :drums bar :McDonald from :"01 /09 /19 /91 " till :"01 /11 /19 /95 " color :drums bar :Schugam from :"01 /11 /19 /95 " till:end color :drums
</timeline>
References
{{Reflist | refs =
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "COPYRIGHT Registration for Skunks First Set of Songs (Submit and select {1}.)". September 28, 1990. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Shaloup, Mara (January 6, 2009). "Interview Featuring James Joyce". Fresh Loaf; Atlanta. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Joyce, James (May 19, 2008). "Chaos in Skaville Blog Post Analysis". Beyond Failure. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "US Copyright Office Entry for Chaos in Skaville (Submit then select {1}.)". May 10, 1991. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
- ↑ "Andrew Hayleck Faculty Profile". Maryland Institute College of Art. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
- ↑ Hayleck, Andrew (October 14, 1999). "The Paranoiac on Internet Archive". Retrieved 2011-03-12.
- ↑ "Trockeneis Performance Featuring Andy Hayleck". Yahoo Groups. June 22, 2010. Archived from the original on January 5, 2013. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
- ↑ Bradley, Steve. "Concise Biography of Andrew Hayleck". Art Radio. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ↑ Green, Jo-Ann. "Review of No Apologies on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
- ↑ Anderson, Rick (August 5, 1997). "Bang Album Review on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
- ↑ Kim, Jae_Ha (September 25, 1992). "Weekend Jam Feature". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ↑ "Credits for Lickity Split on AllMusic". Lickity Split. March 16, 1999. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
- ↑ Diaz, Julio (November 1999). "Interview with James McDonald on ink19.com". Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- ↑ DaRonco, Mike. "Biography of Eastern Standard Time on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ↑ "Pietasters Band Biography". Morphius Records Newsletter. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
- ↑ "Oakhurst Rovers Spring 2011 Schedule". Winona Park FC. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ↑ "Skalapalooza Event Flyer". PhotoBucket. February 27, 1993. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ↑ "Matthew A. Earl Faculty Profile". University of Maryland School of Medicine. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- ↑ "Dosimetry Training Program Details". UMD Greenebaum Cancer Center. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- ↑ "Moon Ska Discography Overview". Moonskaworld.com. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ↑ "Mustard Plug Concert Archive (June 17 & 18, 1994)". Mustardplug.com. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
- ↑ Peters, Bill. "Mixed Nuts Album Review on AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
- ↑ Ellis, Brian (January 18, 1998). "A Look Back at the Skunks' Legacy". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
- ↑ "SkaOiAndPunk Fest Promotional Flyer". Allie B. Sausner. April 18, 1993. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
- ↑ "Remember Album Credits on AllMusic". September 8, 1998. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
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