In 2012, when Save Ferris frontwoman Monique Powell was diagnosed with a degenerative spine condition, she came to an epiphany.

“I had three doctors say you can sing, or you can walk, you gotta choose. At that point I decided to bring the band back.” Once that decision was made, she says, “Everything else that happened from there has changed me remarkably as a human being.”

Luminaries of the ‘90s ska scene, Save Ferris had a run of popularity that saw them land an appearance in the cult classic film 10 Things I Hate About You. Now, in 2017, Powell and a completely revamped band have their first new release in 18 years, a fan funded EP titled Checkered Past, due out February 10.

While the EP is filled with all the fun and joy Save Ferris is known for, Powell notes there’s something personally moving for her on Checkered Past as well.

“In September we recorded (the song) ‘Goodbye Brother’ on my dad’s birthday,” she explains. “My dad’s a singer, we had him come out and sing backup … on his birthday, September 12. On January 9 my dad died, so all of this is for him. All of it. It’s all for him. Nothing else really matters right now but this band, and making it happen in my dad’s honor, because he loved this band, and everyone in it … He was so happy that we were doing it again.”

With her father in her heart, Powell, and the revamped Save Ferris are about to hit the road for a tour, where they’ll be singing about their Checkered Past, while also cranking out the classics.

Myspace caught up with Powell while she was packing her bags, and she shared some stories about Save Ferris’ ‘90s heyday, meeting David Bowie and why she loved being in a band in the pre-social media era. Hop to the next page to read the interview.