How did the band get started? Summer of 1997: Well Dave and Dan wanted to get a band together, but they didn't have a drummer nor horn players. I go to college with Dave and went to high school with Dan, but wasn't really friends with either that much. They asked me to play and that was cool, but we didn't have a trombone playa, so I told them I would find one. I talked to Sang Kim, of Insyderz fame, and he said yes in a heartbeat. We had Todd in mind, but he was in New York all summer, so when he got back, he agreed, and there we were.
What is your goal as a band? We want to make some great music, have tons of fun, and please God while doing that. Hopefully, the combination of the three will have positive effects on somebody.
What style do you play? Chicago punk-ska. Sometimes we like to call it punk with horns, because that's what it really is. We don't have much true ska stuff going on.
Where are you guys from? Dan, Dave, and myself are from Naperville; Todd is from Arlington Heights, and Jon is from Boys Town (Wrigleyville)During the school year we are based on the North side of Chicago at Northpark University
What is the music scene like in your area? Well, we are in Chicago. You can find anything you want. There happens to be quite a few Christian venues, if you will, that tend to get some decent bands through. Edan productions, of course, always puts on a great show.
What bands influence your band? 3 Days, Nofx, face to face, Less than Jake, Slapstick, and Kenny G (convinced us to never get a sax player)
What kind of a ministry does the band have? Hopefully an effective one. A lot of it has to do with relationship building with people at the shows, and being a friend to them and praying for them and stuff like that.
If you had the choice, which band would you tour with? Dan: Miles Davis and the Milestones, Dave: Bon Jovi, Todd: Moxy Fruvous, Jon: Mxpx, Steve: blur
Any interesting concert experiances or funny/weird stories? Once, we were playing with the Insyderz at Heart and Soul Cafe, and Nate was giving his little talk, and our Dan was sitting on the merch table, and it collapsed and spilled everywhere and was basically a minor form of chaos. Also, we played at a place called The Mill, in Davis, IL, population 300 or something like that. We had a drunk heckler/dancer/photographer. This would have been funny anywhere, but considering there were like 10 people there, and he took at least a whole role of film on us, it was pretty hilarious.
What's the wackiest thing you've ever done in concert? We all wore red one time.
What would you say the best part of the show is? When we do songs that a lot of people know and they sing along and totally get into it.
Do you ever play cover songs? Yes. "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles.
Best and worst things about being in a band? Best thing is free food and meeting tons of cool people. The worst is when we get nothing done at practice.
Anything people should know about the band? Yes, we play birthday parties and Bar Mitzvahs.
Do you have any cds,demos, etc., out? Yes, we had a tape, but sold out. We just independently released a full length CD called "Don't Look Back." We are on the Cuddlefish records comp volume 1 and soon to be volume 2; we are on the Underground 202 comp that should be out soon. Also, the BettieRocket records SkaCraze volume 2 comp. Also Bedlam records is coming out with a comp that we will be on.
How can people contact you for merch and stuff? email: [email protected] Soon we will have a website up: www.funwithdirt.com/5md. This is courtesy of Chris McGrath at Bedlam records.Thanks Chris!!
Any final comments? God bless and Rock on!!!
(c) 1999 Skankin' Truth, please do not use without permission.