In this episode, we revisit the vibrant energy and distinct sound of the ska-punk scene of the late '90s with none other than Monique Powell, the charismatic lead singer of Save Ferris. Back in season seven, we dug into Save Ferris's influential 1997 album, It Means Everything, marking our first deep dive into a ska album. Today, Monique joins us to discuss her journey with the band, from her entry into the ska-punk ensemble to the exhilarating and tumultuous experiences that came with signing to a major label.
Monique shares candid insights into the exhilarating highs and challenging lows of touring with iconic acts like Sugar Ray and The Offspring during the genre’s heyday. She also opens up about the intense legal battles with former band members, which ultimately led to her taking full ownership of the band and receiving co-songwriting credits for key tracks on It Means Everything and the 1999 follow-up, Modified.
During the interview, we briefly discussed the legal fight Powell was engaged in with former members which led to Powell taking ownership of the group and retroactively being given co-songwriting credits for songs that appeared on It Means Everything and 1999’s Modified. For those of you who love a good legal drama or want to understand the impact on the band’s legacy, a detailed account is available in a 2019 feature by Forbes magazine.
Join us as Monique Powell reflects on past glories, lessons learned, and what the future holds for Save Ferris in this in-depth exploration of a pivotal moment in ska music history.
Songs in this Episode
Intro - The World Is New
30:47 - Come On Eileen
Outro - The World Is New
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Monique Powell of Save Ferris | Artist Interview