How did the band get started? Andrew W, Val W and myself W met while living at Avery lodge at Oregon State University. slowly we added more horns, and went through 4 drummers, ending up with Brian W. 1st drummer was my brother Tim W. But he left to get married. Second was Zak W, but he left to work at Tooth and Nail Records. Third was Boat W, but he broke his arm and we finally got Brian W.
What is the goal of the band? The goal of the band is to rock out, put on a good show and have a crap load of fun. (Can I say crap?)
How would describe your style? Well we initially tried playing ska and punk, but since we were such crummy musicians, it swung, and now we have this wierd version of swing/ska/rockabilly. Although we are truly none of those genres.
What is the music scene in your area like? The scene here in corvallis is kinda cool. since there is only about 50,000 people around here, and most college stuff, we get a lot of hippy music. Ya know, like the Dead and Phish. But the stuff I go and see is some punk bands and a lot of Jazz. There is other music like Bendixon. They do a realy cool weezer/Presidentoftheusa sound.
What bands influence your band? Wow, our band has a huge mix of influence. I'll try and name off as many as I can, please be patient. Here we go: Less than jake, face to face, Primus, the Cure, Brian Setzer, the Toasters, Blue Meanies, Soul Coughing, MxPx, Down By Law, Lawrence Welk, the Dingees, Big Sandy, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme(SP?), NOFX, the Mad Caddies, the Police, Sublime, They Might Be Giants, U2, Social Distortion, Primus, the Prayer Chain, REM, Jermy Enigk, Jimmy Eat World, Pie Tasters, Depeche Mode, and some more, but thats all I can remember now. Remember, this is the WHOLE bands influence, not just mine, but I've listened to all of these bands/musicians. Primus.
What kind of a ministry does the band have? As Christians we are called to spread the gospel. Mostly we just hang out with kids after the show. If we talk about God, we talk about God. If talk about music or skate boarding, then music and boarding.
How did you guys get signed on 5 Minute Walk? One of the bands that was going to open for Fif canceled, so aaron from 5mw called us and asked if we wanted to open. We said ya. And Frank, who works for the label, like us and got us signed.
How was the El Doc Tour? that was a rad tour. Fif, Swithfoot and us raise over a half a trailers worth of medical supplies for the 5mw clinic in Mexico.
If you had the choice, which band would you tour with? some band like the Blue Meanies, or more punk band like NOFX or face to face.
I saw you guys in concert and you were really cool. Any interesting concert experiances or funny/weird stories? Brian W has a tendency to jump off the stage after playing. We played inside out/soul fest in New Hampshire (or was it Vermont?) and Brian W proceeded to jump off the stage, what I don't think he realize was the 10foot wide security pit he would have to clear if he was going to make it into the audience. Needless to say, he didn't make it. Good thing for him there were six big security guards at the bottom. He did this agian at our cd release party in July. But he just landed on the hardwood floor. I guess no one realy wants to catch some guy jumping off the stage, I wouldn't want to either.
Do you ever play cover songs? yep. the Flower Tattoo song on the album is a cover. It was originaly played by Down By Law. The new album out next year should have another cover song on it.
What would be the best and worst things about being in a band? Being stuck with the same 5 guys for 24 hours a day 7 days a week in the same van. The best is playing rock and roll.
Anything people should know about the band? we are just like you. you are just like us.
What cds do you think everybody needs to hear? Fif new EP, Mxpx-Slowly going the way of the Buffalo, the Dingees Armagedon Massive. Face to Face self titled. Frank Sinatra (any of 'em!)
Are any more cds planned? we'll have a new cd out in July/august.
How can people contact you for merch and stuff? go to our show. As of now, we don't have any mail order stuff. But we should next year. Oh, Web and email: www.efn.org/~thews
Any final comments? If people reading this are christian, please realy consider what it means to be a christian, even look into the meaning of the word "christian". Oh, and one final comment, the W in "THE W'S" does not stand for anything. It just sounds cool.
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