New Jersey Ska Punk Power Trio Reunites with Producer Roger Lima (Less Than Jake) for Explosive Sophomore LP

About “Welcome Back”:

With the backdrop of a horrible situation the band went through during one of their tours, “Welcome Back” frames that experience as a treatise on recovery and perseverance from stressful circumstances. The single tells the story of a car accident that totaled bass player Billy Smollen’s car while Joker’s Republic was on tour.

While the lyrics of the song focuses on the events of the actual accident and its aftermath, the emotion that screams out from the lyrics can be applied to anyone’s life. Part of the human condition is experiencing hardship and trauma unfortunately. Listening to a song describing how others push through in the face of terrifying times can serve as inspiration for you to push forward in your own life.

Usually handling bass and backing vocals, Billy Smollen takes center stage on “Welcome Back,” delivering the song in his own voice for the first time. The result is a soaring power-pop-punk anthem that hits as hard lyrically as it does musically. It also marks a milestone for Joker’s Republic— the first time someone other than frontman Austen Gray has led the songwriting. And with the band’s full-length just around the corner, “Welcome Back” offers a catchy preview guaranteed to stick in your head.

“‘Welcome Back’ is a meditation on the aftermath of a stressful experience and how we recover and push forward. In this case the inspiration was a car accident that totaled my car while the band was on tour. The accident itself was terrifying, and the only thing that helped me get through the resulting financial and emotional trauma was my friends, family, and the ska and punk communities.” - Billy Smollen (bass, and lead vocals on “Welcome Back”)

About the album:

New Jersey Ska Punk Power Trio Joker’s Republic returns with their third full-length LP. It’s called The Hand You've Been Dealt and releases 10/10/2025. Featuring 12 tracks produced by Roger Lima (Less Than Jake/Rehasher) and mixed/mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Eric Taft, the record covers both deeply personal and globally relatable themes such as loss, politics, mental health, and identity; and it's EXTREMELY catchy to boot!

Artist: Joker’s Republic

Single Title: “Welcome Back”

Release Date: 09/26/2025

Label: Punkerton Records

Produced By: Roger Lima

Mixed and Mastered By: Eric Taft

Genre: Ska Punk

Location: Essex County, New Jersey

Release Type: Single

Format: Streaming and Digital

BAND BIO

They’re called the “Elected Representatives of the Joker’s Republic” (or at least that’s what Austen’s mom calls them), but what that really stands for is this New Jersey band’s commitment to represent Ska Punk with high-energy performances that have earned them a place at the BIG kid’s table.

The years 2023 and 2024 saw a vinyl release of the band’s second full length album Necessary Evil on Ska Punk International records, followed by several tours and festival appearances such as Punk Rock Saves Lives Fest and Ska Punk International Fest! Now with a BRAND NEW RECORD on the horizon (also produced by Roger Lima from Less Than Jake/Rehasher and mixed/mastered by Grammy-Nominated engineer Eric Taft), the band plans to continue touring through 2025 and 2026 to finally answer the greatest questions of our time: “Who are we?” “Why are we here?” and “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?”

The Music of Joker’s Republic feels familiar to fans of Ska Punk but also brings new (and sometimes questionable) musical ideas to the genre. The band feels that their brand of Ska Punk works best as a power trio, which enables them to have greater crossover appeal while still remaining true to their roots...plus, it’s a lot easier to remember the names of the band members without a horn section.

While Joker’s Republic refuses to acknowledge the existence of “Fourth Wave Ska”, they and their fans (who they lovingly refer to as “Citizens of the Joker’s Republic”) are united by one universal message: “One nation under Ska, and together we will save rock and roll!”

STREAM "WELCOME BACK" HERE:

https://ffm.to/jokersrepublic_welcomeback

WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Ux1qwHKNwsg

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