Last Saturday night at the Hi-Dive, Denver’s own Latin Ska ensemble, Roka Hueka, delivered a brief, but powerful set opening for legendary New York Ska outfit The Toasters. Playing to an enthusiastic and packed house, frontman Andres Gonzalez belted out original tunes in his native Spanish as the band raged behind him and dancers skanked at the lip of the stage.
This bill pairs the Latin Ska of Denver’s own Roka Hueka with legendary New York City band The Toasters. While Roka Hueka combines traditional and contemporary Latin ska with members from Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, and the US, The Toasters have been called “Ska Pioneers” by Billboard Magazine and compared to the Ramones due to their longevity and adherence to core principles.
In Dave Thibodeau’s mind, it’s all about, “Music, beer, bikes, and burritos.” When Listen Up Denver! sat down with the owner of Ska Brewery, his passions were pretty evident. His Fishbone t-shirt was mud spattered from his morning mountain biking escapades, his hand held a cold pint, fresh from his tasting room tap, and the sound-check for the Ska Brewing 16th Anniversary Concert was in full swing.