Mike Park’s Best Friend: An interview with Chris Candy

Mike Park’s Best Friend: An interview with Chris Candy

Author: Aaron Carnes February 26, 2025 Duration: 53:23

It's no secret that the In Defense of Ska crew loves them some Mike Park -- the musician, ska aficionado, and Asian Man Records founder. So, this week, the gang invites Park's best friend onto the show -- Chris Candy. Listen to Candy discuss Park, his own band Chotto Ghetto, Vans Warped Tour, and more.

Candy, the son of comedy legend John Candy, has a whole host of stories to share. Be it his hijinks playing in ska bands in his early days, his trips to Hawaii, his run-ins with figures like the legendary Stockton booker Middagh Goodwin, or directing music videos for Coldplay, the dude has certainly lived a life.

Elsewhere, the polymath also touches on photographer Hiro Tanaka, his acting experience, and (as promised) his close friendship with Mike Park.

If you’d like to support us and listen to early access, ad-free episodes with bonus content, check out our Patreon

If you like our theme song, go download the EP Lives by Slow Gherkin. They wrote the opening and closing songs for our podcast. You can get both tunes from their Lives EP. Also, check out Dan P and the Bricks two LPs. They provided the mid-roll ad transition music. 

Support the In Defense host Aaron Carnes by purchasing a copy of his book, In Defense of Ska. The 2nd, expanded edition of In Defense of Ska will release in Oct 2024. 

Co-host Adam Davis has a band called Omnigone. Their latest record, Against The Rest released on March 31, 2023. 

The In Defense of Ska editor Chris Reeves runs a record label called Ska Punk International. They have new releases coming out all the time.

Sign up for the Patreon to support the podcast and get access to our extended conversation with Rob Harvilla.

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There's a persistent idea that ska music is just a punchline, a relic of checkerboard Vans and goofy horn sections. In Defense of Ska dismantles that notion with genuine passion and deep knowledge. Hosted by Aaron Carnes, who literally wrote the book on the subject, and musician Adam Davis, this podcast goes far beyond nostalgia. Each conversation, whether with scene veterans or curious outsiders, digs into the genre's rich history, its surprising cultural footprint, and the vibrant community that keeps it alive. You'll hear personal stories that trace ska's influence in unexpected places and passionate arguments for its artistic merit. It’s not about blindly championing every upstroke; it’s about thoughtful, often funny, and always dedicated discussions that give the music the serious consideration it rarely gets. Tune in for a refreshing reevaluation that might just change your mind about what ska has been and what it continues to be. This is a defense built on facts, stories, and undeniable love for the sound.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

In Defense of Ska
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