In Defense of Ska Ep 148: Rob Bell and Gerry Lundquist (MU330, Skankin’ Pickle, Suzie Cue, Jeffy and the Sunken Heads, The Vulcaneers)

St. Louis ska band MU330 was formed in 1988. Different members came and went through the course of their first two full-lengths, but by the time they went to record their 1997 masterpiece, Crab Rangoon, they locked in as a five-piece with Dan Potthast, Ted Moll, Chris Diebold, Rob Bell, and former Skankin’ Pickle trombonist Gerry Lundquist. That lineup hasn’t changed since. 

Most curious about this lineup is the horn section: Two slide trombones. Rather than lean into the high, peppy brass of trumpets or the sultry vibe of saxophones, it was pure trombone action. With the entire horn section sliding, it sometimes added an unsettling effect to their lines, a curious, unique sound that further distinguished them from other 90s ska bands.

Today we celebrate one of the best ’90s ska bands, by hanging out with their incredible horn section: Trombonist Rob Bell and trombonist Gerry Lundquist. For anyone who toured during the ’90s or early 2000s, it was common knowledge that Rob and Gerry were incredible, hilarious, and always a delight to hang out with. They zoomed in to talk to us from a St. Louis bar of course! 

We talk about tattoos, touring with Link 80, weird experiences in Europe, Rob winning the Buddy Lee jump rope contest, Rob hanging out with Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace, Devil sticks, and garlic ice cream at the Gilroy Garlic Festival

We also talk about Gerry moving to St. Louis and staying at Dan Potthast’s house, beer farming, Rob seeing The Cramps (his first punk show), their experience playing The Outhouse in Lawrence, Kansas, and the infamous Link 80 Fireworks War. 

Plus, Rob reveals to us exactly who Pepe is! 

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.