Mealticket
Encyclopedia
Mealticket was a ska punk
band formed in the San Fernando Valley
area of Southern California
in late 1991. Although part of the larger third wave ska revival, Mealticket offered a unique sound thanks to its serious musicianship, complex compositions, and silky, jazz influenced female vocals.
Marching Band. The members of the band in 1991 were Alfie Larreau (saxophone and vocals), Edwin Portillo (bass guitar) Bill Meadows (guitar), Richard Ferreria (Trombone), Derrick Conyers (Trumpet), Chris Taylor (Drums) and David Ferreria (keyboards and guitar).
After playing their first gig at the Natural Fudge Cafe in Los Angeles
in 1991, the line-up went through some shifts as Edwin and Alfie left the band and David switched to bass. David was originally going to take up the Pan Flute after hearing the magical playing of Zamfir
(AKA 'Master of the Pan Flute') but changed his mind when he realized just what he was doing. The band went through a number of singers before the band was joined by Genai Canale in 1992. The band often played shows at the Cobalt Cafe
on Sherman Way in Canoga Park.
Mealticket began playing the Orange County
ska scene regularly in 1994. That same year they released their debut CD Misconceptions. Influenced by the American punk rock
scene, the band decided to release the album DIY on their own label "Pork 'n Beans Records." Soon thereafter, the CD became a hit among the rapidly growing national ska scene.
In 1995, Mealticket went through another lineup change as Derrick and Chris left the band. They were replaced by Jim Cushnie on saxophone and Carlos De La Garza (formerly from the OC band Suburban Rhythm
) on drums on the interim. Mealticket's next permanent drummer, Dennis Leipert, joined shortly thereafter. This new lineup recorded and released the second Mealticket CD 13 Apologies in 1996.
In 1996 Mealticket changed guitar players. The new guitar player, Ricky Estrada, recorded the last Mealticket release Lisa Marie. Unlike the previous two releases, Lisa Marie was released by Asian Man Records
.
The band's relationship with Asian Man Records
also yielded a Japanese release Superpositive, a retrospective of the band's earlier releases. It was to be the band's last release. Mealticket disbanded in 1997 amicably.
. This band would also sign to Asian Man Records
and release two full length records.
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band formed in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
area of Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
in late 1991. Although part of the larger third wave ska revival, Mealticket offered a unique sound thanks to its serious musicianship, complex compositions, and silky, jazz influenced female vocals.
History
The band formed in 1991 in Van Nuys, California and consisted of members of the Van Nuys High SchoolVan Nuys High School
Van Nuys High School established in 1914, is a high school in the Van Nuys area of Los Angeles, California, belonging to the Los Angeles Unified School District: District 2...
Marching Band. The members of the band in 1991 were Alfie Larreau (saxophone and vocals), Edwin Portillo (bass guitar) Bill Meadows (guitar), Richard Ferreria (Trombone), Derrick Conyers (Trumpet), Chris Taylor (Drums) and David Ferreria (keyboards and guitar).
After playing their first gig at the Natural Fudge Cafe in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1991, the line-up went through some shifts as Edwin and Alfie left the band and David switched to bass. David was originally going to take up the Pan Flute after hearing the magical playing of Zamfir
Zamfir
Zamfir as a placename:* Zamfir, Bulgaria, a village in BulgariaZamfir as a name:* Zamfir Dumitrescu , Romanian painter* Gheorghe Zamfir , Romanian musician * Mircea Zamfir , Romanian gymnast...
(AKA 'Master of the Pan Flute') but changed his mind when he realized just what he was doing. The band went through a number of singers before the band was joined by Genai Canale in 1992. The band often played shows at the Cobalt Cafe
Cobalt Cafe
The Cobalt Cafe is an all ages, non-alcoholic venue in Canoga Park, California that caters to local bands that range from punk to heavy metal to alternative...
on Sherman Way in Canoga Park.
Mealticket began playing the Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
ska scene regularly in 1994. That same year they released their debut CD Misconceptions. Influenced by the American punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
scene, the band decided to release the album DIY on their own label "Pork 'n Beans Records." Soon thereafter, the CD became a hit among the rapidly growing national ska scene.
In 1995, Mealticket went through another lineup change as Derrick and Chris left the band. They were replaced by Jim Cushnie on saxophone and Carlos De La Garza (formerly from the OC band Suburban Rhythm
Suburban Rhythm
Suburban Rhythm was a ska punk band from Long Beach, California. Formed in 1990, the band had a short-lived but prolific career. They played numerous shows in small-venue clubs with many now famous O.C. bands opening their performances, including Sublime, No Doubt, and Reel Big Fish. Suburban...
) on drums on the interim. Mealticket's next permanent drummer, Dennis Leipert, joined shortly thereafter. This new lineup recorded and released the second Mealticket CD 13 Apologies in 1996.
In 1996 Mealticket changed guitar players. The new guitar player, Ricky Estrada, recorded the last Mealticket release Lisa Marie. Unlike the previous two releases, Lisa Marie was released by Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
.
The band's relationship with Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
also yielded a Japanese release Superpositive, a retrospective of the band's earlier releases. It was to be the band's last release. Mealticket disbanded in 1997 amicably.
Studio Albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Misconceptions | Pork n Beans Records |
| 1996 | 13 Apologies | Pork n Beans Records |
| 1998 | Super Positive | Tachyon Records (Japanese Import) |
EP's / 7" Vinyl Releases
| Year | Title | Label | Tracks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Appetizers - EP | Pork n Beans Records | Side A: "Looking Glass"/"Back Later"/"Defunct"/"Brass Man" Side B: "Bus Driver"/"Her"/"98"/"Mealticket" |
| 1997 | Lisa Marie - 7" | Asian Man Records Asian Man Records Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:... |
Side A: "Lisa Marie" Side B: "Picture This"/"Parachute" |
Compilations
| Year | Title | Track |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Blackpool Skampilation Vol II | "Brass Man" (live) |
| 1994 | We Don't Skare (French Import) | "Looking Glass" |
| 1994 | Step to it: Best of Ska Parade Ska Parade Ska Parade, now known as SP Radio One, is a southern California radio show whose goal is to promote up-and-coming ska artists, as well as other types of new bands. The show was created by Tazy Phyllipz and Albino Brown. The show was a part of the Orange County third-wave ska movement of the mid-1990s... |
"Brass Man" |
| 1995 | Misfits of Ska | "Neanderthal" |
| 1995 | Generic Skaca | "Stale" |
| 1996 | Salad Bowl Theory | "Bust of Instinct" |
| 1997 | California Ska-Quake, Vol. 2: The Aftershock California Ska-Quake, Vol. 2: The Aftershock California Ska-Quake, Vol. 2: The Aftershock is a compilation album released by Moon Ska Records on 3 September 1996. The album was created as a follow-up to California Ska-Quake, serving as a snapshot of the active mid-1990s California ska scene.... |
"Bliss" |
| 1997 | Punk Goes Ska | "No Message Here" |
| 1997 | Girls Go Ska | "Worried ABout You" |
| 1997 | Ska Down Her Way | "Super-Positive" |
| 1997 | Disc Makers Annual Top SoCal Acts | "Better Half" |
| 1997 | Black, White & Red All Over - (Video Comp) | "Live Performance" |
| 1998 | Punk Trash (Japanese Import) | "Lisa Marie" |
Pushover
Members of Mealticket would go on to form the basis of PushoverPushover
Pushover may refer to:*Pushover EP, an EP by Australian artist Lisa Miller*Pushover , a game for the Amiga, Atari ST, DOS and SNES...
. This band would also sign to Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records
Asian Man Records is a small, DIY record label run by Mike Park in Monte Sereno, California. Park started a record label and began releasing music in 1989 under the name Dill Records, with the Asian Man label established May 1996.-Artists:...
and release two full length records.