Taken from Skaface 5.

On May 29th 1998, The Parka Kings came off stage for the last time, the gig at the Magic Stick in Detroit, home of the band was their last appearance before they went their separate ways.
Bass player Matt and Drummer Tony joined west Detroit band Telegraph and guitarist/vocalist Brett along with Brass man Doug Woolsey went on to form The Porters.

Unfortunately the band didn't get round to recording their third album, which they had planned to do in the summer of '98. Luckily Jump Up records were on hand to record the bands last show and with it capturing the unique live experience of the band so that those who hadn't seen the band live were given the consolation of at least hearing the band live. For those who have seen the band the live CD serves as a document to how good the band actually were.

Nevermind the mistakes or the sound problems the CD displays the energy and enthuasim of the band as well as their "playing hard, live and just having fun" motto.

The Detroit band had played throughout Michigan since they formed in 1993. Influenced by fellow Detroit band Gangster Fun along with Bim Skala Bim, Fishbone, Public Enemy and the Dead Kennedys.

There first release in 1995 was '23 Skidoo' out on Jump Up Records, it showcased the bands ability to mix mod, shuffle ska and soul. The catchy and moving horns, with a deep organ sound and mod punk vocals.

2 years later came the release of the "difficult" second album. "bienvenidos" saw the band managing to improve on the catchy mod soul ska songs that were so prominent on "23 skidoo" but also move on to include dub and early '70's style reggae.
Overall the bands 2nd album was there best as it mixed the shuffle ska songs like "shocks", "city limits" and  "souled" with  the dub and rude boy dj/chatting of "bros. To the rescue", "kidnapped" and the slow "drug prowling wolf" as well as the drunken ska pop of  "midnight sails" and "one by one".

So to the Parka Kings final release, the live album 'Where's the after party'.
The album features all their best moments. 10 out of the 12 songs from the debut album are played, 9 from the 15 tracks on bienvenidos, '2 million dollars' and 'Whiskey wine and rosaries' from Jump Up's 'Ska American Style' sampler and 'Dish or die' from Jump Up's 'American Skathic 2' comp.

The 70 minute album is made up of 2 sets from their last ever gig.

Whereas most bands storm on the stage play as fast upbeat number to get the crowd going, the P.K.' start off in a rather somber mood with '2 million dollars' and its not until 'hip ska' break into verse that the set really gets going. The fast mod/pop skanking guitar and sharp blasting horns are just as good live as in the studio.

'Jacked' has always been one of my favourites along with 'finishing last' and 'city limits' and there all played out with by a band in fine form. 'B.C.A.' and 'mob boss' are both better live than on albums.
'B.C.A.' starts of with a 2 minute rap backed up by a skanking guitar, bass and drum beat before the horns come in to start 'B.C.A.'

'Mob boss' is faster paced than the original with better rude boy chatting/vocals.

Probably the best two tracks on the album are 'City limits' and 'whiskey wine and rosaries' both are punk/ska tracks with fairly aggressive vocals that display not just the emotion of the songs but of the occasion felt by vocalist Brett. Sandwiched between the tracks are 'slow me down' and 'Pablo can't take it' both are which are skanked up faster as the band know there nearing the end of a main chapter of their and our lives.

The horns on 'Pablo can't take it' are exceptional, as is the emotion again shown by Brett. 'Jefferson Assembly' and 'Juliette' prove good tunes can be just as good as raw emotion.
'Cliche', the first song on '23 Skidoo' is another moving moment, there are a few sound problems on this track, but the horns, if not perfect still manage to pull it off.

Anyone who hasn't realised the sense of the occasion when listening to this CD becomes aware when  David from Mustard Plug comes on stage saying,  "Its a very special point in our lives right now". He then goes on to thank the band and relive how the Parka Kings supported his band when they were in high school. He also says the band influenced more than Ska music they influenced friends and the Michigan scene in general, before finishing with "There are not just the Parka Kings, they are not just friends, they are our brothers and we thank them for the last 6 years." To which the crowd cheer and bassist Matt does an improv. Version of the Funeral march, while Brett puts in "that enough of the, lets get on with some Parka Kings songs!" and the band launch into "last call" before skanking into the night with full on horns for the last time with 'Casino City'.

Overall its 22 tracks of pure genius and as Brett said "If you didn't leave sweating you were never there to begin with'"
For those of us who weren't there, we can only imagine with the help of this live CD the experience that many of the fans and band experienced on May 29th 1998.