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Reel Big Fish to Headline Viva Ska Vegas with The Chinkees, Let’s Go Bowling, Suburban Legends and More

Smash Magazine & Miller Lite present ¡Viva Ska Vegas! – highlighting some of the biggest bands in ska during a day-long music festival. ¡Viva Ska Vegas! takes over the Henderson Events Plaza (200 S. Water St.) on Saturday, May 4, 2013 beginning at noon (Photo credit: Kevin Knight). 

This is an all-ages show and tickets are on sale now. General admission tickets are available for $23. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $43; VIP tickets include an event t-shirt and poster, as well as discounted bar access (must be 21+ and have valid ID for bar access). Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketfly.com.

¡Viva Ska Vegas! will feature bands including, Reel Big Fish, Chinkees, Let’s Go Bowling, Suburban Legends, The Skeletones, Be Like Max, CodeName: Rocky, Potato Pirates and The Maxies, with more bands joining the roster as the event approaches. 

Reel Big Fish was one of the legions of Southern California ska-punk bands to edge into the mainstream following the mid-’90s success of No Doubt and Sublime. Like most of their peers, the band was distinguished by their hyperkinetic stage shows, juvenile humor, ironic covers of new wave pop songs, and metallic shards of ska. The group cultivated an underground following that broke into the mainstream in summer 1997, when their single “Sell Out” became a modern rock radio and MTV favorite.

In the summer of 2012, Reel Big Fish released its seventh studio album, Candy Coated Fury – an inspired and infectiously catchy return to the sounds and biting wit of the band’s beloved early albums. Still fronted by original lead singer and song writer Aaron Barrett, the group continues to release albums and touring relentlessly around the world.

Fronted by Mike Park, formerly of Skankin’ Pickle fame, The Chinkees debuted in 1998 with The Chinkees Are Coming! and followed with several more releases and multiple tour dates, including a stint opening for Voodoo Glow Skulls and Buck-O-Nine. The band hits Vegas following a more than 10-year hiatus.

West coast ska favorites, Let’s Go Bowling formed in 1986 with a traditional ska style, crafted harmonies, instrumental tracks and high energy live performances. Sharing the stage with acts including No Doubt, The Skatalites and The English Beat, Let’s Go Bowling helped lay the ground work for the mid ’90s third wave ska scene.

With the flare of a boy band and the bravado of the most ostentatious rock group, pop-ska rockers Suburban Legends bring their superhero-like brilliance to every live performance. Choreographed dancing, back slips, improvised raps and other theatricals make the group’s stage show a must see.

With a sound that resonates with the energy of rock and punk, the Caribbean “riddims” of reggae, ska and dancehall, as well as the rhythmic appeal of classic soul, The Skeletones deliver a fusion of diverse sound.

Vegas-based Be Like Max, formerly known as Everyone Meltdown, performes hooks with an explosive sound, catchy horn melodies and an edgy attitude.

Codename Rocky, recently reformed from a 2004 break up, originating from Orange, Calif. will make their Vegas debut showcasing their inimitable sound which can best be described as emo and rock influenced punk-ska, although the influences are almost impossible to pinpoint due to the fact that they range from hardcore punk rock to hip-hop; from drum and bass to classical; and from jazz to ’70s soul.

The Potato Pirates, based out of Denver, Colo., take various styles of music considered dead – or at least exhausted of ideas, and inject them with an infectious, youthful exuberance. Part ska, part punk, part whatever else they have absorbed over the years, all resulting in a sound with wiry energy.

The Maxies, illegally relocated to your sunny South Calif. to show how to make the best “super punk rock party” and spread “Maxie mania!” They bring chaotic power pop punk rock to make dancing for one and all. 

Sponsors include: Miller Lite, Smash Magazine, Sailor Jerry, Milagro, Stoli, Vitamin Water, Gold Mine Tavern – who will serve as host for the official after party immediately following the event.

For more information, please visit www.vivaskavegas.com.