Checkered Past: Humboldt County’s Ska Sensation!

Founded by long-time Humboldt musician Kris Sundeen, Checkered Past is the perfect blend of classic ska and eclectic musical journeys.

Born in the heart of Humboldt County, the band takes you on a ride through the infectious energy of first-wave ska, 2-Tone, 3rd wave, and everything in between.

Whether you’re craving soulful rhythms or feel-good melodies, Checkered Past delivers sweet tunes designed for your dancing pleasure.

The lineup is stacked with talent: Queen P (of Oceans 11) brings the vocal power, Jimi Hawk keeps the skankin groove, Serg Mihaylo adds low end flavor , Kevin Miller drives the rhythm and soothes your soul, Julie Froblom and Sarah Fine create harmonic magic, and Tanasa Daniel rounds out the sound with finesse and groove.

Get your scooters, throw on your suspenders, and hit the dance floor—Checkered Past is here to make you move and pick it up

BOOK NOW

Looking to bring high-energy ska, reggae, and rocksteady to your next event?

Checkered Past is ready to create an unforgettable experience! Whether you're planning a festival, private party, wedding, or special event , we bring a dynamic live performance that keeps the crowd dancing all night. We specialize in customized setlists , including crowd favorites, deep cuts, and even special request shows tailored to your event.

From intimate gatherings to large-scale festivals, we seamlessly adapt to the vibe of any venue, delivering a show that resonates with every audience.

Our members have played legendary festivals like Reggae on the River and Supernova Ska Festival, and have backed some of the biggest names in reggae and ska. With a lineup of experienced musicians passionate about live music, we guarantee a performance that blends classic hits with fresh energy

Whether you need a full-band experience or an acoustic setup , Checkered Past is available for bookings across California and beyond . Let’s make your event one to remember— get in touch today to bring the spirit of ska and reggae to your stage!

For Immediate Booking Response, Contact Jimi Hawk:📧

jimmyhawk@suddenlink.net

📞 415-203-4050

Now Backing

QUEEN P

(Persephone Laird)

A true powerhouse in the world of ska and reggae, Queen P (Persephone Laird) has left her mark on the global music scene with a career spanning decades.

As the lead vocalist of Oceans 11 and Hepcat, she has brought the golden era of ska, rocksteady, and reggae to life with her soulful voice and commanding stage presence.

Queen P’s musical journey has seen her backing legendary Jamaican artists such as Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Errol Dunkley, and Derrick Morgan, performing alongside these icons who shaped the sound of reggae and ska.

She has graced some of the most renowned music festivals, including Supernova Ska Festival, captivating audiences with her authentic and electrifying performances.

Now, as a singer with Checkered Past, Queen P continues to blend original music with timeless ska and reggae classics, keeping the spirit of the genre alive. She also pays tribute to the legends of Jamaican music, ensuring that their influence and artistry continue to inspire new generations of fans.

With a voice that bridges eras and a presence that commands the stage, Queen P remains a true ambassador of reggae and ska music, honoring the past while shaping the future.

BIOS

Jimi Hawk

Jimi hawk is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, multi instrumentalist and producer from San Francisco. Inspired by music from his hometown along with a broad spectrum of musical genres he honed his skills playing in bands from grade school through college. He moved to Humboldt county in 1978 with his then singer songwriter girl friend who he backed for years. His first band the Root Rockers were very successful and inspired many bands to follow including Rod Deal. He later went on to form Graffiti who continued to blaze the trail for the Reggae genre along with world beat ,rock, funk. He has toured and played with bands from SF, LA, Maui and Jamaica with styles ranging from Reggae, ska, funk, Hawaiian/slack key, folk rock, jazz, blues and new age. His most recent bands have been the Rezonators and True North.He is currently working on a compilation of original material at Bongo Boy Records

Kevin Miller

A versatile singer, guitarist, and music aficionado , Kevin Miller has spent years mastering his craft, effortlessly blending genres with a style that feels both timeless and fresh. As a founding member of the award-winning ska-reggae band Monkey , he toured extensively, bringing his dynamic performances to stages across the country. Now calling the redwoods home, Kevin continues to create music and art with the same passion that has driven him for years. When he got the call from Checkered Past the chemistry was instant— from the first jam, it was clear this was where he belonged.

Serg Mihaylo

"Find me deep in the pocket. My passion is to be the low end I want to see in the world."

With a career spanning 15 years,

Serg Mihaylo has carved out his place in the music scene as a dynamic and soulful bassist. Performing on stages across San Diego, Humboldt County, and beyond , he has brought his signature groove to countless live shows, creating powerful connections between rhythm, melody, and the audience.

Passionate about live performance and uniting people through music, Serg thrives on the energy of the stage, locking in with the beat and driving the sound forward. Whether laying down deep, steady basslines or improvising with the moment, his mission remains the same— to bring people together through the undeniable power of music

Tanasa Daniel

Tanasa Daniel was born in the bayou and destined to lay down the funky rhythms to move your soul. Drumming ever since the day his arms begin to move it's inevitable your gonna catch a groove. Well studied in a wide of variety of musical genres including Regge, Funk, Soul, Blues, Rock, Ska and all feel good positive music. Performing and touring since the age of 13. Has performed all over the U.S. at festivals including Reggae on the River, SXSW and thousands of other festival and venues. Ready to move your feet from the second he kicks the beat. It would be hard pressed to find someone that has more fun playing the drums for people all over the world.

Sarah Fine

As a young child, Sarah Fine had three primary dreams: dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench; play trombone in a ska band; save the world (not necessarily to be accomplished in this order).

As time went on, it became clear what the first step must be. Although she wanted to learn the trombone first, Sarah’s mother, a wise guitar player and singer-songwriter, insisted that flute would be much more fitting. Conveniently enough, Sarah’s mother was dating a woodwind teacher at the time so Sarah started learning flute at age 11 or so, and eventually started honing her skills as a piccolo player. She has since picked up trumpet, F horn, and the saxophones. She can also play snare drum, but wishes she had enough natural dexterity for the drum kit. Trombone, and bass clef in general, are still a work in progress.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Sarah spent her adolescent summers in Loch Lomond, California. She moved to Arcata in 2010 after graduating high school, attracted to HSU for the area’s natural beauty and for the fact that she could play music while not being part of the university’s music department (choosing instead to major in International Studies - (see childhood dream #3).

In addition to playing in Checkered Past, she is also part of the Northern Humboldt based brass bands Loud Neighbors and Safety Corridor. She is also active in community groups such as the Humboldt Crabs’ Crabgrass Band and the Cal Poly Humboldt Marching Lumberjacks.