Ska Boom-Episode 004: The Checkerboard Kids Show/Phil DeJean

Ska Boom - An American Ska & Reggae Podcast

In this episode of Ska Boom I speak to Phil DeJean, (AKA: Checker Phil) who is a New York City ska icon. If you've been to a big NYC ska show then you've seen Phil. He's hard to miss with his slightly modified take on Don King's hairstyle. There is no denying that along with a number of key bands, Phil has been responsible for keeping the ska flame burning in the Big Apple since the mid 1990's courtesy of his long-running and entirely entertaining Manhattan Neighborhood Network cable access TV show "The Checkerboard Kids" which is a ska influenced variety show with funny skits, interviews and music videos. If there was a night time Emmy for cable access variety shows with a ska theme, then Phil would have a mantle full of them.You used to have to live in Manhattan to see the show, but now you can watch them all on YouTube. Just about every major U.S. ska band has paid a visit to perform on Phil's show. He is a true treasure of the scene here and I have nothing but love and respect for the passion and energy he puts into keeping his show going. Phil and I discuss his "ska conversion" experience and the origins of The Checkerboard Kids since 1995 and what its like to be a cable access TV star in New York City and a character in a ska themed comic book.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices