Dr. Woggle & the Radio are a German band that plays beautiful traditional ska. The song I'm sharing today came out earlier this year, although it isn't their most recent release. (They seem to be releasing a song or two at a time and including all of the previous tracks from this presumed eventual album with each release. I kinda like this because it keeps them on my radar, and I dig their tunes. I know it complicates things for the nice people who attempt to curate new ska releases for the rest of us freeloaders on r/Ska.) At any rate, even though it's an earlier song, I believe this one deserves attention because it might be my favorite ska/ska-adjacent tune that's been released so far in 2025. I could listen to "It's True" ad nauseam and it would never get ad nauseam:
Here's a live version too...not the best audio and video quality, but it's fun to see them do their thing. Those beautiful harmonies...!! :) (And...shamefully omitted when I first published this post...I should note that this song features the amazing guest vocal talent of Jenny Yeboah...!)
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I don't have a lot to say to tie this one to the RPG setting at the heart of these posts (the one where ska musicians and their friends travel through the ages to protect the timestream from greed and destruction). It's just a great song and was worth posting on its own. And...y'know...LOVE and all. I do want to talk about Haruko Suzuki, though.
Last time I wrote about him, I rolled for his stats and decided that he would be of the Three Minute Hero class (the musical stars of the setting). Today, I'm imagining what he might look like as a full 1st level character (I'm assuming here that the Three Minute Hero is the class that ends up the closest, among the Agents of SKA classes, to the Rudie I wrote about way back when), also throwing in some biographical details along with the info my buddy Jake wrote about him. Further expansion (and possible correction) of the class(es) I discuss these days is coming soon. I kind of almost promise!
Haruto Suzuki
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I know his bio says he's a pacifist. But this is what happens when you piss him off. Born: Tokyo, Japan, 1981 11(--) 9(--) 9(--) 17(+2) 12(--) 12(--) HP 4 Move 30 ft. (6 units) Attack Bonuses (with proficiency) +1 Proficiencies Skills: Performance, Insight, History, Animal Handling Talents: Trumpet, Trombone, Voice, HVAC Repair Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish Saves: Wisdom, Charisma Weapons: Simple weapons Armor: None Haruto Suzuki was born to blow that horn. (I'm still workshopping that opening sentence.) He's always known he was meant to be up on stage, making people move. Lately he's found out that he's also apparently meant to be a time-traveling sentinel for humanity. He's a punk, a pacifist, and a handyman for an animal welfare organization in Tokyo. Today, like most days, Haruto is having natto for breakfast. He loves the stir of the sauce and the mustard, and he likes that it’s slimy. He likes slimy things. Later, he’ll go to the studio to practice his trumpet, but first he’ll hit the 7-11 for cigarettes. At night, his band Ringo SKARR has a show at Salt Peanuts. He’s not feeling his best, but he’s gonna give it a go. Ganbarimasu! Soundcasting: Haruto can channel the energy and spirit of ska to affect the world in profound and arguably magical ways. Specific capabilities known as sounds follow the general rules of spellcasting by other classes. He may cast unlimited Cantrips (level 0 sounds) and has two slots daily for level 1 sounds. Sounds known: Cantrips: Ball of Fire, A Message to You Rudy Level 1: Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down, Moon Hop, Rudie Can't Fail, Skankin' to the Beat Pick It Up: The upbeats give life! On his turn, Haruto can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to 1d6 + his Three Minute Hero level + his CON bonus. This ability can't be used again until after a short or long rest. |
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