The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are ready to rock Worcester’s socks off when the band’s inaugural Cranking & Skanking Fest takes over the Palladium Saturday afternoon. In addition to a headlining performance by the Bay State’s own Bosstones, the festivities will feature appearances by Toots & The Maytals, the Bouncing Souls, Fishbone, Big D and the Kids Table, the Planet Smashers and more. Music isn’t the only thing on the menu, as the fest will also have a big beer component, with Wachusett Brewing, River Walk, Castle Island and others on hand to serve up delicious brews. Ahead of this weekend’s show, we caught up with Bosstones frontman and “Jimmy Kimmel Live” announcer Dicky Barett to chat about the Cranking & Skanking Fest, the band’s new album, Matt Damon and more.
Dicky Barrett talks Cranking & Skanking Fest, Matt Damon and more
Where did the idea for this fest come from?
It was born of an idea I had a long time ago. I’ve always loved ska music, I’ve always loved punk rock and I’ve always loved punk-influenced ska music. I’ve always wanted to do a festival that is strictly that, the bands that we love and the bands that we play with around, and to have a summertime festival in New England that pays tribute to those and like-minded bands like that.
At the beginning of the summer we played something in southern California called the Back to the Beach Festival, which was put together by John Feldmann and Travis Barker from Blink-182. It was a really sick roster of everyone from Less Than Jake, the Aquabats, Fishbone —every ska band. A lot of people showed up, so we said, “It’s possible now.” Our Cranking & Skanking Festival is on a smaller scale, but it’s going to be intimate and hopefully wonderful.
Why was Worcester the right fit?
We do the Hometown Throwdown in Boston and we wanted to find a good, solid, healthy, working class, salt of the Earth type people. We’ve got a long history with Worcester. We’ve had a lot of great shows there and we love the people of Worcester. I’ve got family in Worcester. It seems just close enough, but just far enough to set up camp. And they said “Yes, welcome.” Hopefully we do the town proud. Hopefully it’s a success and Worcester says, “Thank you very much, please come back.”
How does the culture of Worcester compare to Boston? What makes the city unique?
I think Worcester has a really good sense of humor and I think it’s got a good sense of itself. It’s always trying. It’s the little city that could. Nothing really gets it down and it keeps plugging. It definitely has its own identity, for sure, but it’s a great town.
In addition to music, there will be a lot of beer on tap at the fest as well. Are you a big beer fan and what’s your go-to drink?
I’m not the least bit a beer snob, so it’s top to bottom. I have a lot of friends who have a lot more beer wisdom than I do. We’ve got smarter people than we are to pick the beers that will be represented there, and I think they are best of the best in the area.
You guys recently dropped a new Bosstones record, the first in almost a decade. Why did now feel like the right time?
That’s the way we do things. When we’re inspired, when we feel like it’s time to say something, we say something. It’s a privilege to be able to do that. If you’re an artist, the only way to really create is when you’re feeling it. If you’re forced or if there’s a deadline, a due date, the quality of the product will suffer. I don’t even like using the word product. We said, “Hey, it feels right. This is the time.” We hammered it together and we built the album and we’re proud of it.
The music world is still dealing with the death of Aretha Franklin. How will you remember her legacy?
Absolutely the Queen of Soul. Without soul music there wouldn’t be ska music. The first wave of Jamaican ska was completely inspired by the soul records of the United States. Flawless voice and super talented entertainer and part of the very heart of American music.
When you’re not playing with the Bosstones, you’re the announcer for “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Since you’re a Bostonian, why haven’t you helped Matt Damon finally get a guest spot on the show?
No, it’s never going to happen. As part of the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show and as Jimmy’s friend, my Boston brother, I turn my back on him. He’s dead to me. I’ve known Matt for a long time. Matt went to high school with Ben [Carr], Nate [Albert] and some of the Cambridge Bosstones. F–k that guy.
If you go:
Aug. 25, 2 p.m., Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester, $38.20+, thepalladium.net
