Ska-punk cover band The Dead Bettys share their favorite tunes ahead of Friday’s Aztec Shawnee show

The Dead Bettys. // image courtesy the artist

Lawrence cover band The Dead Bettys are an anomaly in the local music scene. Not because they’re a cover band, but because they’re a ska cover band, and one which covers the music of the ’90s third wave ska. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, the Toasters–all of the bands you definitely put on a thrifted suit and porkpie hat to go see when you were in high school are represented in their sets, along with skanked up versions of “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” “Walking on Sunshine,” and more.

The massive party band has rapidly become a popular show in Lawrence, as well as Topeka, but Friday, April 18, marks the Dead Bettys’ first incursion into Kansas City when they play the Aztec Shawnee Theater. To mark the occasion and give you an idea of what to expect, we had the ska cover act’s members put together a list of their favorite ska tunes.

Andrew, aka “Big Sexy” (trombone/vocals)

Gotta be “Sell Out” by Reel Big Fish. I remember listening to it and being blown away by the horns because as a classical player I had never played stuff like that. I sat there listening over and over again learning the trombone part and playing with the tape…good times!

Aaron (thunder bass)

Mine would be “Someday I Suppose.” Ska-Core the Devil and More was one of the first CDs I ever bought back in, like, 1993 (damn, that was over 30 years ago) along with Slapshot’s Sudden Death Overtime. I had to ask the record store employee to get out the big ol’ book from behind the counter to look these records up and place a special order for me then wait 4-6 weeks for delivery. We sure had it hard back in those days discovering non-mainstream music, LOL. Both these records were pivotal to my introduction into punk rock. “Someday I Suppose” was always a track I would put on mixtapes for friends to share my love of punk rock music with.

Bennett K (guitar)

My favorite ska song is “Someday I Suppose.” I love the bass line. It’s also because of the guitar part in the chorus and bridge bringing a little bit of metal to the song but still preserving the unique sound of ska. The lyrics are hilarious too!

Rory, aka “Dr Ska-enstein” (guitar)

“Automatic” by Less Than Jake! Love the tempo, the distorted guitars switching to the clean up strokes. The blasting horn melody. The walking basslines. The lyrics.

Patrick B (drums)

“The Impression That I Get” by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones was my first real introduction to ska after years of playing and listening to big band, jazz, and pop. I played the CD so much I practically burned a laser groove through it. I first heard it in college, and to this day, it’s still on my all-time greatest playlist.

Cole B (trumpet)

Mine’s gotta be “Superman” by Goldfinger. It’s the first song that comes to mind when I think of ska and is an absolute banger! The horn lick is catchy and the lyrics are really meaningful. The whole album, Hang-Ups, is probably one of my favorites.

Dr. Heeb (trombone/Dead Bettys urology services)

My favorite tune that we play, that I had never paid attention to before I was a Betty, is “Superman” by Goldfinger. Love the driving horn licks, chord changes and the lyrics. Super fun to play!

Ohm-I The Artist (bari-sax)

I don’t know if I have a favorite song. I definitely have a favorite album ’cause this was my introduction to ska: Somewhere in the Between by Streetlight Manifesto. If I had to pick one from this list, it’d be “Forty Days.” Streetlight Manifesto was solid with all of their horn lines and Latin influences but I think that one is the best on the album.

Andy “Smoke on Wheels” G (trumpet/vocals/lamb)

I don’t know I can name a favorite, but I know the first–“The Rascal King” by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. I was at KU and had been focused on jazz and funk: T-O-P and others doing tight horn sections. Nils Landgren. Flogging Molly was on the weekend party playlist. I remember hearing the horn licks on “The Rascal King” and how they hit like a James Brown lick, but had totally different vibe and was hooked. It all flowed from there!

Beth (vocals/keys)

“She’s Kerosene” by The Interrupters. I fell in love with Aimee Interrupter’s driving energy and aggressive voice when we saw them live. “Kerosene” fits her perfectly.

JV (sax/vocals/keys)

“Party at Ground Zero” by Fishbone. As our band ska’s/punk aficionado Rory H says, “It’s mother-f-ing Fishbone!!!!” Enough said.

The Dead Bettys play the Aztec Shawnee Theater on Friday, April 18. Details on that show here.