In Defense of Ska Ep 87: Chris Cresswell (The Flatliners, Hot Water Music)

Toronto, Canada had a raging ska scene in the mid-2000s. It included ska bands like Hebrew School Dropouts, Suzy Jacuzzi and the Hottubs, and Five Across The Eye. It also included PUP singer Stefan Babcock's former ska band Stop Drop N Skank. But there was one band, The Flatliners, who would go on to sign to Fat Wreck Chords and make a name for themselves in the punk scene. But when they started, they played intense ska-punk. A brutal, aggressive mix of Suicide Machines, Kid Dynamite, Against All Authority and Voodoo Glow Skulls.

Today we bring on Flatliners lead singer Chris Cresswell to talk about his early ska years, which includes the brilliant 2005 Stomp Records album Destroy To Create, a favorite among some of their fans that want The Flatliners to bring back the ska.

We discuss iconic Toronto venue, Big Bop which fostered this scene by hosting multiple all ages shows every week. We also talk about how Steve Foote from Big D and the Kids Table helped get the band signed, The many ska tours that The Flatliners did (Catch 22, Suicide Machines, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake), and how OG Flatliners ska fans always "Spill Your Guts" at shows. 

We also find out if it was Fat Mike that asked the band to stop playing ska! You won't believe what Chris has to say about that! 

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.