Skaboy JFK - Production History

Production History

Singer-songwriter Steve Perry first announced interest in a ska compilation in a November 2008 interview shortly after the release of Susquehanna, saying that fans had been suggesting the concept for years as a companion piece to Zoot Suit Riot. Perry further noted that such a project could help show a different side of the Daddies than the swing material the band is primarily recognized for and would hopefully reconnect them with the ska scene in which they had first established themselves at the start of their career.

On February 22, 2009, Perry confirmed the project on the band's MySpace page, revealing that production would take place in March and the album - under the working title of simply "The Skankin' Hits of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies" - would possibly include as many as 15 songs. He noted the cover art would revisit touches of the Zoot Suit Riot artwork, explaining "...if they look somewhat similar maybe people will put 2 + 2 together and understand that these were special records we did in order to showcase one style, as opposed to getting a wrong impression of what the band is about generally".

In mid-2009, the Daddies signed to independent label Rock Ridge Music, home of former Mojo labelmates Reel Big Fish (who, coincidentally, would also release a ska compilation of re-recorded tracks due to an identical conflict with Jive Records), for the national release and distribution of both Skaboy JFK and a re-issue of Susquehanna. Both records were simultaneously released on September 29, 2009.

The newly-recorded tracks for Skaboy JFK marked the last recorded appearances of longtime lead guitarist Jason Moss, who joined the Daddies in 1992, and tenor saxophonist Jesse Cloninger, who had joined in 2008, as both musicians would leave the band in 2010.