Johnny Socko

Johnny Socko, an American third wave ska band, was formed in Bloomington, Indiana, United States, in 1990. The founding members include Joseph Welch, Mike Wiltrout, and Steve Mascari. Dylan Wissing joined the band after being recruited by Welch at a musical instrument store in Bloomington.

The lineup expanded with the addition of Eric Evans (trumpet), Dave Sterner (alto sax), and Al Batton (trombone). Originally signed to BiB Records and later Asian Man Records, the band eventually established their own record label, Triple R Records. Known for their intricately written and brilliantly arranged music, their debut album, “Bovaquarium,” received praise from music critics, setting the stage for their unique blend of punk, ska, and funk influences.

The band earned a reputation for extensive touring, amassing over 2,000 shows since their inception. Although they halted touring in 2003, their impact endured, with one of their songs, “Full Trucker Effect,” featured in the introduction to the Bubba The Love Sponge show on Sirius Satellite Radio. The band’s name pays homage to the 1960s Japanese action television show, “Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot.”

Members of Johnny Socko pursued diverse musical endeavors after the band’s initial run, forming new projects such as The Leisure Kings, Mr. Sparkle, The Impalas, Born Again Floozies, and Coolidge.