ION INDIE MAGAZINE June 2015, Volume 13 | Page 118

Music by SKASHANK REDEMPTION “Miss Ohio”
Photo credit:
James Cash

SKASHANK REDEMPTION
Story by Tim Campbell
Isn’t it funny how the mention of certain cities automatically conjures specific images? Milwaukee, Wisconsin is forever
associated with beer and football. Washington D.C. makes you think of our government and San Francisco is the land of red
woods and hippies. I imagine if DON SEIPEL had his way, when you think of Columbus, Ohio, you would think of SKA. Despite
only brief moments of time in the mainstream, SKA has been on the fringe of the American music scene for well over 20 years.
For Seipel and his band, THE SKASHANK REDEMPTION, that infectious blend of Punk energy and Reggae rhythm isn’t just a
throwback to the happier times of the Clinton years.
Since the bands inception in the fall of 2010, THE SKASHANK REDEMPTION has been tearing through Columbus with their
rare blend of musicianship and attitude. With a lineup nearly the size of a baseball team, Skashank shows are a sight to
behold. Drummer TATE BALTZLY puts down an athletic performance that is just as tight as it is playful. This paves the way for
the two-sided attack of guitarists JAMES JOHANN and ROBBIE WARNER. Their combined versatility is the key to taking the
band through its range of styles. The more traditional portion of the lineup is rounded out by the aforementioned Seipel, one
of the most musically solid bassists I have seen in a long time. What really sets THE SKASHANK REDEMPTION apart from most
bands in the region, is what sets most SKA apart from other genres of Punk…the horn section. NEIL STACKHOUSE and JAKE
HUFFSTETLER’S raucous trombone playing bounces off every corner of the room, while JOE BRENNEMAN’S smooth sax lays
over the top like the cherry on this delicious musical sundae. Add this to the Huffstetler’s swagger as a lead singer and the
harmonies of Seipel and Brenneman, and the result is an undeniably catchy and impressive brand of music.