- The Auskanites

The Auskanites are a ska/reggae/dub band from Austin, TX, playing the classics: first-wave Jamaican ska, British 2 Tone and original songs in that tradition.

Think Jimmy Cliff
and The Specials —

Tight rhythms, crisp horns, and familiar grooves that get people moving, dancing, and singing along before they realize what hit them.

Read about the birth of the band on Substack.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Catch us live, horns and all.

LIVE FROM SAHARA LOUNGE

What a blast of a launch we had on Easter Sunday at the Sahara Lounge! Big thanks to all the folks who came out, danced and sang along!!! And especially to the Easter Bunny for sitting in!

THE MISSION

Ska was never just party music. From Kingston to London to Austin, this sound carries messages – about resistance, justice, love, and finding joy in hard times.

These classics aren’t just nostalgia: they speak directly to our polarized and stratified era.

Gray Parsons, Jason Molin and Danny Piccuirro

Mark Gonzales

Oliver Steck

THE CATS

The horn section is led by Grammy-winning arranger Mark Gonzales (trombone) and the inimitable Oliver Steck (trumpet).

The rhythm section – Danny Piccuirro (drums), Doug Marcis (percussion), Gray Parsons (bass), Gus Manzur (keys) and Jason Molin (guitar/vocals) – features friends who’ve been playing around Austin for years.

The Auskanites: Doug Marcis, Oliver Steck, Jason Molin, Gray Parsons, Mark Gonzales and Danny Piccuirro (with toaster standing in for Gus Manzur)

This band is what happens when old-Austin players find the right upbeat groove at the right damn time.

CONTACT

Email j@theauskanites.com about bookings, updates or inquiries.

Available as full 7-piece with horns or scaled down for smaller stages — stage plot and tech rider available on request.

Fri, Sept 11, 8-9 PM

Sat, Nov 21, 9-10 PM

Fri, Sept 11, 8-9 PM Drinks Backyard, Austin, TX. 6328 S Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78744 The Auskanites kick off the night before 3rd-wave ska band Aust’n Found takes the stage.
Sat, Nov 21, 9-10 PM Flamingo Cantina, Austin, TX 515 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 Slackfest w/ Los Kurados & The Slackers. Our biggest stage yet — sharing the night with Los Kurados and legendary NYC ska/reggae/soul band The Slackers.