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Artist
The Parka Kings
12+ albums
skadetroitearnestupbeatHigh School
about
The Parka Kings (and the Reuben Sandwich Horns) were a ska band from Michigan that were on Jump Up! Records. The Parka Kings formed in 1993 in one of the Midwest's legendary music cities and one of the hotbeds of 3rd wave ska, Detroit. Early appearances on the first two American Skathic compilations endeared the band to thousands of fans worldwide and put them center stage on the growing but still fledgling ska scene. The band produced two successful albums, "23 Skidoo" in 1995 & "Bienvenidos" in 1997. The Parka Kings featured singer/guitarist Brett E. Warren, bassist Matt "Boose" Van, and drummer Tony Barragan. The Parka Kings included some impressive brass and the horn section was known as "The Reuben Sandwich Horns." The Reuben Sandwich Horns were -- tenor saxophonist Milton Gray, alto saxophonist Brian "Hank" Steinmetz, and trumpeter Doug Woolsey. They originally consisted of an organist, Dave Holle, who later departed from the band for personal reasons. Not entirely uncommon among ska bands, the organ lent a unique and full sound to the band through the formative years and considerably later on. The Parka Kings were a diverse band. Not just in instruments but more importantly in influences. The band had overtones of not just ska, 1st wave ska and punk, but undertones of soul, funk, blues, and dub. Because of this, their line up, specifically the horn section and originally the organ, gave them a musical versatility many bands do not enjoy taking the band
