Before The Menzingers became one of the most beloved punk bands of the last nearly-20 years, three members–co-vocalist/guitarist Tom May, bassist Eric Keen, and drummer Joe Godino–played in the ska-punk band Bob and the Sagets. (The other co-vocalist, Greg Barnett, played in the ska-punk band Kos-Mos alongside future Tigers Jaw member Adam McIlwee and future members of Captain, We’re Sinking.) Speaking about Bob and the Sagets in a 2018 interview for Stereogum with Ian Cohen, Tigers Jaw’s Ben Walsh said, “They were so good too, as far as ska goes.”
The Menzingers just put out a new single and announced a tour with Microwave, Cloud Nothings, and Rodeo Boys, but meanwhile, Tom May went down memory lane on an episode of the In Defense of Ska podcast where he gave a deep dive into Bob and the Sagets, the Scranton scene in the early/mid 2000s, and much more. He cited ska-punk bands like Operation Ivy and Leftover Crack as Bob and the Sagets’ big influences, talked about fellow Scranton ska band Lester, reflected on playing CT Ska Fest and opening for other bigger ska bands in those days, and more. Listen to the full episode below.
If you haven’t heard Bob and the Sagets’ music, it’s not on streaming services but it’s been preserved thanks to NJPP Archives, and it holds up really well. Give a listen to that below too.
The Menzingers’ upcoming tour hits NYC on November 11 at Knockdown Center. All dates are listed below.
The Menzingers / Microwave / Cloud Nothings / Rodeo Boys — 2023 Tour Dates
Nov 09 – Rochester, NY – Water Street Music Hall
Nov 10 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner
Nov 11 – New York, NY – Knockdown Center
Nov 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
Nov 14 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
Nov 15 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
Nov 16 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts
Nov 17 – Richmond, VA – The National
Nov 18 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
Nov 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
Nov 24 – Columbus, OH – The Athanaeum Theatre
Nov 25 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed
Nov 26 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Nov 28 – Dallas, TX – Southside Music Hall
Nov 29 – Austin, TX – The Far Out
Dec 01 – Phoenix, AZ – The Nile
Dec 02 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory
Dec 03 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
Dec 05 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre
Dec 06 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
Dec 07 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Dec 08 – Vancouver, BC – Harbour Convention Centre
Dec 09 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre
Dec 10 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
Dec 12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at The Complex
Dec 13 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom
Dec 14 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall
Dec 16 – Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
Dec 17 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall