Askultura

Askultura — the name just looks cool — is a 10-piece whirling dervish of skalsa-core-anarcho-rhumba, a blitzkrieg of world music played at punk-rock speed with little acknowledgment of what one might consider “the rules.” Warp-speed polyrhythms and slow-winding horn riffs intertwine and unravel like some meth-addled Maypole, creating an onslaught of sound unlike anything else you’ll find. - Nashville Scene - Sean L. Maloney

Askultura Hits the Road in a School Bus Filled with Beer and Dried Apricots

How does a 10-piece ska band celebrate St. Patrick's day? The old fashioned way: by cramming into a school bus and tripping on a road to Chicago. Askultura knows that to build a following, you have to tour and the bigger the tour, the more room you have to grow. Coasting up to Chicago is a big step for the band, one too big to cram into your basic touring van.
That's why they are riding in style in the Cool Bus. The refurbished school bus is a massive spectacle, announcing to each new city that Askultura has arrived. Along with Jay Tea from the Arrogant Sons of Bitches and Ska Goes Solo tour, Askultura is blazing a trail to Chicago for two big St. Patrick's day shows. The night before they took off for tour, we chatted with singer And Mazzatoro who gave us the scoop on everything from what they eat on the road to how they acquired the beautiful touring automobile. Do the cool kids still sit in the back of the bus? It's a difficult question when every kid is cool enough to be in Askultura.

See Also: Ryan Eldred, Chris DeMakes, and Jay Tea Turret Hit Lake Worth with Ska Goes Solo Tour

New Times: What do you pack to eat while you are busy on the road?
And Mazzatoro: Let's see, I've got olive oil. There's honey buns. There are four cases of Yuengling, some plum wine, a handle of Wild Turkey. There is champagne for the first night and a big two gallon bottle of wine and a bag of oranges. A lot of beer. A lot of ramen noodles. I see a case of Pepsi. What else is in here? Oh there is a coffee maker and a cigarette butt thing. There are Fig Newtons and chocolate wafers. There's dried apricots... Oh, there's hand sanitizer!

I like your style. You have plenty of people to feed. With 10 band members, have you ever gotten all the way to a gig and realized you forgot somebody?
With the bus, it's never happened. But when we are on our own, there is always, always one vehicle that doesn't show up on time. I guess that's just part of dealing with this many people.

The bus must be a spectacle. What's it like when you roll into a new town?
Oh, they love it. It's a full size school bus, you've got people pouring out. There is an external PA and an internal PA. It's definitely a magnet. People want to come in here and hang out. There are only two of the actual school benches left. They are right up in the front of the bus and there are coolers of beer. It's classified as an RV so we're totally legal to drive and have drinks in the back.

When you guys are on tour, what is it like being in close quarters with so many people?
We're used to going in a 15-passenger van so this is actually and upgrade for us. This, you can go in the back and crash out on the bunk. There are kind of three different areas. There is the driver with his people up front. Then there's the middle section people, call them the partiers. And then more reserved people are in the back.

How did you acquire the bus?
Our friend Zachary Storrs of Hungarian Descent. He picked up the bus from the Mexican government and we basically contracted him out and he is putting the pedal to the metal for us.


How did you get hooked up with Jay Tea?
A few years ago we were all sitting around and I was like, "Guys, what band do you want me to book?" and that ended up being the first time we met him and this past Ska Goes Solo tour was the third or fourth time we played with him down here. So I called Jay Tea and I said we have a couple of dates if you want to jump on. He had the beginning of March available and wanted to come. Then he figured out it was a four week tour and he jumped on all of it.

Does gigging in Miami basically prepare you for anything on the road?
I would say so. We are well trained. When Matt, the bass player, and I look for musicians to start taking on more serious tours, we are looking for people that can hang and are physically tough and also mentally tough. They wouldn't let the small things get to them.

How can fans follow your progress while you are on the road?
Definitely through social media. We will be tweeting a lot . Twitter, Instagram and of course on Facebook. If someone wants to call us, that's cool too.

To learn more about where the Cool Bus is going to next, visit askultura.com. - Dana Krangel for The Broward Palm Beach New Times

Having a variety of instruments ranging from guitar and bass, to washboard and accordion, the band has a unique ska style that I’ve come to love in my short time spent with their album. Opening up with immediate energy the crowd erupts into dance. Anyone who might have been previously standing still certainly wasn’t any longer. The feeling of unity and elation from the crowd has only been amplified at this point and many sing along to every word. Each of the band’s eight members are playing the crowd, utilizing the intimate venue to create a sense of camaraderie not only within the crowd itself, but also between them and the band. It’s a wonderful feeling that is rarely created...from the washboard to the trumpet, blend together flawlessly, creating a jumpy, upbeat Latin-ska sound that you can’t help but dance along with. They play every song I can think from the album and each one is a delight to hear. From “Gutter Queen” to “Winter Skirt Knee,”... - The Droop - Kyle Kolomick

Ascolta is Italian for listen, and that's exactly what local punk crew Askultura want you to do.

"Listen to the culture," says the band's founder Andrew, a Lakota Nation warrior poet. He and his nine cohorts -- two chicks, six dudes, and a beast named Captain on the washboard -- are releasing a new album of tribal hooligan sounds called Ten Strong Superpunk Skarantella Reggae Rumba Fury. - Jacob Katel for The Miami New Times

Askultura filled the stage with a great performance. There are like 19 members in that band, and it was difficult to distinguish the boundaries of the stage because its members kept multiplying and cascading onto the floor. - Brian Butler for Beached Miami

3. Askultura
This band has got more wildlife in it than National Geographic, and these party animals could make Helen Keller dance. Askultura's mix of urban-crunk-reggae-punk is pure as 151, and universal enough that they could play a welcome home concert for 2 Pac and still start pit. Between the hand drums, stick drums, horn brass, heavy bass, great vocals, and island riddims, Askultura turn every concert to a carnival, and every club into an animal house. - Miami New Times

June 29, 2012

Last time we spoke to Askultura they were telling us about their new EP, You Stank, We Skank. Well, now the band is ready to release it, and in case you've never heard their music we've got their track "Domestic Insecurities" here for you to listen to after the jump.

Askultura's six songs of Miami-style mezcla music will see official release at a show July 9 at Churchill's. The band's sound is along the lines of fellow locals Alukard, but with an added female vocalist and heavier ska-punk influence. This shit is good. Check it out. If you like it you like it, if not then you don't. The lyrics to the whole EP are after the jump, too.

Askultura, at the Dangerfun Circus party. With Radioboxer, Brain Damage, Lavola, and others. 8 p.m. Friday, July 9. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE 2nd Ave., Miami. Age 18 and up. 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com - Jacob Katel, Miami New Times

June 29, 2012

Last time we spoke to Askultura they were telling us about their new EP, You Stank, We Skank. Well, now the band is ready to release it, and in case you've never heard their music we've got their track "Domestic Insecurities" here for you to listen to after the jump.

Askultura's six songs of Miami-style mezcla music will see official release at a show July 9 at Churchill's. The band's sound is along the lines of fellow locals Alukard, but with an added female vocalist and heavier ska-punk influence. This shit is good. Check it out. If you like it you like it, if not then you don't. The lyrics to the whole EP are after the jump, too.

Askultura, at the Dangerfun Circus party. With Radioboxer, Brain Damage, Lavola, and others. 8 p.m. Friday, July 9. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE 2nd Ave., Miami. Age 18 and up. 305-757-1807; churchillspub.com - Jacob Katel, Miami New Times

September 14, 2011

What’s the origin of your band name?

Andrew: “ascolta la cultura” in Italian means listen to culture
There are other interpretations, but we’re not a metal band from Brazil with similar name.

Jason: We are a diverse group of individuals from all sorts of ethnic, musical and social backgrounds.

Tell us the brief history of your band.

Andrew: We’ve been around for two years. It took a while, and a lot of members to find the right crew. Sergio is the latest addition, back from the old days of Bad Emma. Some of us work hard, others freeload but it all works out cause we play our shows, get our recordings done, and speak our minds.

Jason: It just happened! I still don’t know how!

How do you describe your music to people?

Andrew: I just tell people, “Yeah, it’s fun.” That seems to cover my emotion as far as I’m willing to go. Genre-wise it’s based in punk ethos and sound, & throw in ska, reggae, klezmer, Italian, gypsy inspired melodies, Cuban roots, gypsy thumb string work, and country.

Matt: Manu Chao + a bottle of jack… somewhat rowdier.

There’s a tremendous amount of energy on stage during your live shows, explain to someone who has never seen you live what to expect musically and visually.

Andrew: The energy comes from the crowd. It’s a physics and chemistry thing. When it’s right then you have a relentless machine of a show.

What’s your favorite song to play live?

Andrew: Usually the newest one, whatever that might be.

Matt: “305?- I think that song describe us and our sound the best.

Jason: “Gutter Queen,” because it shows all of our different styles in one song. It goes from punk,reggae, ska, to Latin funk jam.

Where is your favorite venue to play in South Florida

Andrew: Churchill’s Pub

Matt: Churchill’ s Pub because that’s where the punks are. Also, Culture Room because of their stage and sound.

Jason: Churchill’s Pub is like home, but Culture was an amazing experience. Hundreds of kids circle pitting to our music.

Finish this sentence. Support local music because ___________.

Andrew: …if you don’t then it’s all going to come from one place of shit with no heart, no ties to local lore, no nothing. you’ll be sad when then happens. It’s like Eugene (from Gogol Bordello) says “think locally, fuck globally.” sage words.

Matt: …I need to pay my rent.

Jason …it’s real

Upcoming Shows

9/16 Churchill’s Pub

9/24 Monterey Club

9/30 Rackem Billards

10/8 Monterey Club - LP/South Florida Music Obsessed

September 14, 2011

What’s the origin of your band name?

Andrew: “ascolta la cultura” in Italian means listen to culture
There are other interpretations, but we’re not a metal band from Brazil with similar name.

Jason: We are a diverse group of individuals from all sorts of ethnic, musical and social backgrounds.

Tell us the brief history of your band.

Andrew: We’ve been around for two years. It took a while, and a lot of members to find the right crew. Sergio is the latest addition, back from the old days of Bad Emma. Some of us work hard, others freeload but it all works out cause we play our shows, get our recordings done, and speak our minds.

Jason: It just happened! I still don’t know how!

How do you describe your music to people?

Andrew: I just tell people, “Yeah, it’s fun.” That seems to cover my emotion as far as I’m willing to go. Genre-wise it’s based in punk ethos and sound, & throw in ska, reggae, klezmer, Italian, gypsy inspired melodies, Cuban roots, gypsy thumb string work, and country.

Matt: Manu Chao + a bottle of jack… somewhat rowdier.

There’s a tremendous amount of energy on stage during your live shows, explain to someone who has never seen you live what to expect musically and visually.

Andrew: The energy comes from the crowd. It’s a physics and chemistry thing. When it’s right then you have a relentless machine of a show.

What’s your favorite song to play live?

Andrew: Usually the newest one, whatever that might be.

Matt: “305?- I think that song describe us and our sound the best.

Jason: “Gutter Queen,” because it shows all of our different styles in one song. It goes from punk,reggae, ska, to Latin funk jam.

Where is your favorite venue to play in South Florida

Andrew: Churchill’s Pub

Matt: Churchill’ s Pub because that’s where the punks are. Also, Culture Room because of their stage and sound.

Jason: Churchill’s Pub is like home, but Culture was an amazing experience. Hundreds of kids circle pitting to our music.

Finish this sentence. Support local music because ___________.

Andrew: …if you don’t then it’s all going to come from one place of shit with no heart, no ties to local lore, no nothing. you’ll be sad when then happens. It’s like Eugene (from Gogol Bordello) says “think locally, fuck globally.” sage words.

Matt: …I need to pay my rent.

Jason …it’s real

Upcoming Shows

9/16 Churchill’s Pub

9/24 Monterey Club

9/30 Rackem Billards

10/8 Monterey Club - LP/South Florida Music Obsessed

Miami's ASKULTURA!aka ASKU formed in late 2009. ASKU's present lineup stands on the shoulders of 7 friends & relatives who try to have a good time all the time and make music

ASKU has range...Reggae up ta Ska, Punk battles Hip Hop and mess wit that Patchanka sound comin outta the camp of Manu Chao. With song & words that tell stories, talk bout jail here in 305, free the soul to wander for 3 minutes, the aim is to build a sense of Togetherness during the set...something you can take home and just as you lay in bed goin to sleep you catch yourself muttering, "That was a freakin good time...."

When I first saw this band at Churchills I was pretty blown away , I've always had a passion for that tribal raggea/ska sound. I personally think this band has that Surf Roots feeling. Every single person in this band is very talented. It's not everyday you see a band that plays this style of music. I especially love that they have 2 singers, one of which being a women, really awesome! If you get a chance you should check this band out! So glad to see a band that has a great deal of talent and such a powerful vibe.

"Our friends & family & you girls & guys are what keeps this Thing going cuz without you we're just singing for ourselves..."-ANDREW of ASKULTURA!

Influences: Manu Chao, Specials, Sublime, Tu-Pac - Hardware Youth