So what is "HaSkaLA"?  Full Bio

Valid question Comrade! Haskala means "the Enlightenment" in Hebrew, and that's just what this brand spankin' new L.A.-based ska band aims to do: illuminate your mind, set fire to your soul- and most importantly do it all while making you dance! Frontman Steven Schub summarizes the choice of band name thusly: "Let's see, ya got the sound of laughter- "Ha", the word "Ska" snuck in there, and our home city of L.A. HaSkaLA is all about all three- laughter, ska and bringing joy, mirth & madness to the City of Angels".    Though HaSkaLA is merely months old, they are well on their way to accomplishing this self-imposed merry mission. In point of fact, some have already deemed HaSkaLA a sort of "ska supergroup". Lead singer and lyricist Steven Schub comes from the 10-piece "Afro-Celtic Yiddish Ska" band, The Fenwicks- a band that played the Vans Warped Tour in 2005, has 3 nationally released critically acclaimed CDs to it's credit, and has toured with ska legends The Selecter, as well as "brother band" Big D and The Kids Table. Schub's "day-job" is as a working actor in TV & Film, having starred in over 15 feature films and everything from the hit show "24" to yes, "Sesame Street".   But when talking about the line-up in "HaSkaLA" that just the beginning! Curtis "Secret Weapon" Politt (Guitar/Vocals) has been a professional vocalist and musician for over ten years, working with such musical projects as "Benchmark", "Stock Autopilot", and a brief stint in "Digital Vampyro". "Supa" Dave Mastas (Guitar) was plucked from the big band "BigAmy". "Jumpin' Jiven'" Julie Gibbs (Bass) graduated from Berklee College of Music, and has played in all sorts of assorted bands, including the No Doubt cover band "No Doi". On drums we have Gregg "El Groggster" Ginsburg: a native of Hollywood California, (standing at 6 feet nine inches tall). Gregg fuels the engine room with energy higher than his lengthy frame. On saxophone: Matthew Thompson. With a background rooted in jazz, Matt's versatility has taken him through many different genres and bands, with his most recent being the touring latin/reggae/rock band MANDORiCO. On trumpet, Danny Kay. Also an L.A. native and a fixture in the Los Angeles music scene, Danny's played in bands ranging from Mr.Ectomy to La Sonora Santanera, and ultimately with living legend legend Herbie Hancock himself. Lastly, but certainly not leastly, on the B3 keys and piano we find musician/comedian Brad Watson. Brad has played with Miranda Lee Richards, The F.O.C.K.R.S (Friends of Canter's Kibitz Room) and is a regular performer at The World Famous Comedy Store.   So there you have it friends! Steeped in the best tradition of classic 2nd Wave Two-Tone ska, this family of spastics is guaranteed to make you sweat, and make you smile.  HaSkaLA is here: Prepare to dance or die!      Hide Bio