In Defense of Ska Ep 85: Turner Sparks (Lost In America, Double Happiness)

Comedian Turner Sparks has a new comedy album out on September 30th. It's called Double Happiness. And yes, it's no coincidence that it is literally the same title as Slow Gherkin's debut album. Turner was a huge ska fan growing up. And he wanted his record's title to give a wink to the ska scene.

In fact, not only did he attend wild ska shows in Sacramento at Capitol Garage, BoJangles, El Dorado Saloon, and the Crest Theater, but he also had his own band: Fat Kids On Mopeds. Oh and one of the bands that he idolized was Link 80. He kind of thinks co-host Adam Davis is a big deal.

And we go deep into Sacramento lore on this episode, with copious discussion of comedians Keith Lowell Jensen and Johnny Taylor Jr, some love for local group Lesdystics, and Turner points out just how much ska was in the Sacramento-based film Lady Bird. How did I miss that?

We also discuss Turner's time running a Mr. Softee ice cream truck empire in China, his recent trip to El Salvador to find out if in fact the country really is run on bitcoin or not (For a potential "Lost In America" TV episode), how politically polarizing stand-up comedy has become, and his brief time running the Sacramento Anti-Racist Action chapter--at the age of 17! Oh, we also talk about how he became friends with SKAmedian Ian Fidance. It had something to do with the hardcore band H20. 

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.