The Grease Is Rising

2011-11-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

The time is now?

Shall we slip a copy of Land of Sandcastles into this imminent deluge of fanmail?

http://fiveironfrenzy.com/site/2011/11/hey-hey-leanor-here/

2011-09-23T04:11:00.001-07:00

DOGBAGDOGBAGDOGBAG

2010-11-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

Flappiest parents...

2010-09-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Crazy news about my church: sometime Sunday night, some thieves broke into a whole bunch of storage units in depere and stole our church trailer...and since we meet at a middle school, there was a whole bunch of stuff that we store in there during the week. Thankfully none of the A/V stuff, but a whole bunch of other stuff that we use for our kids sunday school (etc).

2010-05-31T23:39:00.000-07:00

I'm only playing in the band if Dan makes some serious changes to his stage presence...this guy has the right idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO7xWMi0lR8&feature=player_embedded

2010-04-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

The Future of Johnny Okay

Isral's post about practice space got me thinking about the direction we'd like to take for the next year or two. I know that there are those of us who desire to make Johnny Okay a living entity once again. Doing this would require some commitment and probably some changes, so I thought I'd throw out some options.

1. Keep things as they are. In this scenario, Johnny Okay retains the form it's had since 2005. David and I keep writing and we record stuff slowly from time to time, mostly for ourselves. We might play a show a year if an opportunity comes up, probably consisting entirely of old stuff.

2. Move forward with set expectations for commitment. Due to our real lives happening all around us, I understand there would be limitations to this commitment. I think we could reasonably aspire to practice at least twice a month, chip in for practice space, learn the new songs, and try to play about a show a month, maybe more during the summer. There would be expectations that each member would prepare himself between practices. David and I can't really teach the new stuff note by note. This scenario would also involve one or more new members.

3. Some compromise between the first two. Open to suggestions in this area.

4. Just die. I don't plan on this. I don't think we've said all we have to say yet.

So go ahead and give some feedback. I'm personally hoping for option two, but I understand that's asking a lot and might be asking too much from those who love the band but don't have the ability to make these commitments. If we chose option 2, we'd also have to discuss a timeline. Would we start in the fall or when David graduates perhaps? Jobs will of course continue to make things difficult, but I'd love to give it the old try.

2010-04-21T06:24:00.001-07:00

Practice space

I've been thinking more lately about trying to rent practice space.

Joanna and I were at the Hide House in Bay View on Friday for Gallery Night. It's an old renovated tannery complex that's been partly converted into apartments and condos, and partly converted into artists studios, small offices and band practice spaces.

It's $500 a month for the rehearsal spaces, but they recommend splitting the space and cost between two or three bands. I think that if we found two other bands to share the cost ($167 per band per month) that maybe we could pull it off. I think we could make that if we just played one show a month, and if we didn't it wouldn't be too much to split between us.

Here's what their website says about it:

BAND REHEARSAL ROOMS
24’ X 32’ - Band space leases are month-to-month to provide ultimate flexibility. This is a HUGE rehearsal room and is usually shared by 2 or 3 bands which makes it a sweet deal and more affordable. Craig’s List and the local music store boards are great resources if you’re looking to split the cost and need a quick response. Available immediately. $500/mo.

Thoughts?

2010-04-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Christine Widstrom
April 12, 2010 at 12:00am
Subject: Bet you never thought THIS would happen...

Dearest Isral,

I believe that you once wrote the lyrics to "Every New Day" on the wall of Cottonwood. At least, I think it was you and I know for sure that they are there because I have a picture of it on my computer. ANYWAY. I happen to go to Scum of the Earth Church where Leanor Ortega Till and Reese Roper attend. They had a DVD release party on Friday night for "The Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy" and at the end of it every band member answered what their favorite FIF song is. Unanimously it was "Every New Day." All of that being said, I had to email Leanor tonight to ask her a couple questions and I sent her that picture of the lyrics in Cottonwood. So, uh, FIF now has a picture of "Every New Day" lyrics written inside Cottonwood by none other than you. I felt the need to tell you that.

Ok bye.

2010-04-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

Looks like DragonForce just parted ways with their singer and are auditioning new vocalists. Somebody should give it a shot.

2010-03-31T06:56:00.001-07:00

Oh baby... looks like they put in a Los Burritos up by us!

http://www.foodspot.com/Clients/WI/Milwaukee/LosBurritosTaputios/default.aspx?accid=13621

Now we have no reason to go visit David.

2010-03-21T20:44:00.000-07:00

Just checked the old band email...

Dear Johnny,

I stumbled upon your Web site with its "list of the 40 sickest cheeses". I thought I would point out a couple of things:

First of all, not all mammal milks can produce cheese. For cheese to be made, the milk must have enough caseins in proportion to milkfat and lactose. For the most part only land herbivores are suitable. There could not be a cheese from aquatic animals such as seal or whale. Nor could there be a cheese from marsupials such as wallaby, wombat, and 'possum, since their milk is of a completely different form and type.

Two of the cheeses on your list, however, actually exist: yak cheese and musk ox cheese. They are not as sick as they sound.

Yaks are very closely related to cattle. In Kashmir and Tibet, they are often kept for their wool and milk. The nomadic peoples of the region have for centuries made yak cheese, which is used as a commodity in trade. The cheese often finds its way to markets in Mongolia and Soviet Central Asia.

Musk ox cheese is also an actual product. Domesticated musk oxen are sometimes kept in Siberia, Alaska, and the Canadian arctic territories. Although they are raised mainly for wool, they are also occasionally milked for rare "oomingmak cheese". It is considered a delicacy, and is sometimes found at teahouses and lodges in the far Northern trading towns. It is sometimes used in omelets made from the eggs of the murre, an Arctic bird.

Regards,

Jeffery G.

2010-03-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, just letting you all know that I have my senior recital coming up next month. If you're interested and able to come, it would be cool to see you there. If not, don't worry about it. The date is Wednesday, April 14, 7:30pm here at Wheaton. I know it's not super convenient, being a Wednesday night, so I understand if it doesn't work out for you to come. Just thought I'd throw it out there. One hour of nothing but me honking my horn. Hope to see you all sometime soon.

2010-03-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Apparently Pringles has a new slogan:

"Everything Pops with Pringles"

I don't think I had fully appreciated the covenant before now.

2010-03-02T14:50:00.001-08:00

Matt and I have instituted "March is Metal," which makes metal listening required for the duration of the month. Anyone interested in joining us?

2010-02-22T16:30:00.000-08:00

I just got this facebook message today. Any takers?

Hey,
I heard you guys were working on a new album for Johnny Okay. If you wanted I could probably get you guys a gig at my college, Judson University. You could sell merch or whatever and you would all get paid for playing. Let me know if your interested...my good friend Zach Green is the concert chair for our student organization and we could get you guys a show.
Cooper

2010-02-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

Just saw this on the curb outside our apartment building.

Who's in?

2010-02-03T13:53:00.000-08:00

Isral or Dan...

For whatever reason I was thinking in my mind about So Long Ago. During the palm-muting section of the bridge ("and the work you began..."), are the chords really D5 Eb5 Bb5? If so, what in the world was I doing flopping between G and Bb on the D5, and C and D on the Eb5? I don't think it sounds bad, but maybe my ears have just adjusted to what my adolescent self composed. I doubt I was hearing those chords with 11 and 13 extensions at the time.

2010-01-15T15:41:00.000-08:00

Honestly, half the reason I'm posting is because I wanted to make sure I remembered my login info.

The other half...I thought you guys would be interested to know that on my way to work every day, I pass "henry" street--followed directly by "reimer" street.

I'm pumped to hear a new batch of the demos.

2010-01-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

Hey Isral, any chance you would be available to record anytime between now and Thursday? If so, maybe I'll come visit for a day. If not, I'll just take the bus down some other time. If you are able to, I'll plan on doing Freed for Slavery, and wrapping up any re-takes from the songs we've done already.

2009-12-11T20:15:00.000-08:00

Up Next:

Play the Game

Ignorance and Apathy

Runner Up:

Freed For Slavery

Get prepared.

2009-11-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Demos

The clarity of the vocals is amazing. Isral sounds great, particularly on the verses of For a Time. The Sponz-David combo on When You Died sounds tight. Maybe it could be a little louder so it doesn't sound less strong than the verses.

The horns sound better than they ever have. Maybe we can have Logic play all our brass all the time. They are sometimes a little loud though.

The drums are sad. Honestly, I think they bring down the quality of the entire recording. Hopefully we'll be able to sit down and coax some good sound out of them. Would anyone think it worth considering shelling out a few dollars to redo them right?

I like the little extras at the end of the songs.

2009-11-12T14:46:00.000-08:00

Holiday Recording?

I had a blast recording two weeks ago, and I'm really excited to hear the songs we worked on (especially with the Sponz in there, too).

I know at least some of us will be in Appleton for Thanksgiving... and Joanna and I both have off of work Dec. 21 to 29 (not sure when we'll be in Appleton vs. Milwaukee).

Any chance we can do some more songs then? Depending on how timing works out, we might be able to knock out quite a lot of tracks. Are you guys going up to Winterfest?

Lastly... I know there are a few songs that you guys are planning on having just Dan or just David or just Sponz sing on. That's fine, but I'd still like to track those vocals just for fun.

2009-10-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

Isral-

So, I've been thinking about The Lost Road...and I've decided that if we keep talking about trying to find a weekend to get your voice done, we'll never do it. So my idea is that every time I come to visit for a weekend, I record you singing one song. (Or maybe two if they're some of the shorter ones and you're able to cruise through them.) Then if I visit enough, we should be able to have your voice done by the end of the school year, maybe even semester. So I could just have the stuff set up at Gobbler's Knob when I come to Milwaukee, and when it's convenient you could come on over and lay it down. This would be a much more efficient method for your rasper anyways. I should be there next weekend, and the weekend after. If you're too busy to do it at all, I understand...just thought I'd throw the idea out there. Let me know what you think.

2009-10-13T06:19:00.001-07:00

TUSK BANG.

2009-09-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

THIS. IS. SO. FREAKIN. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-x9ygQEGA

Don't worry, it's not a virus...I can promise you that. Well...unless mullets are considered viruses.

2009-09-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

Speaking of feeling old...

This weekend we celebrate nine years of us flapping around, sometimes with instruments and calling it ska.

2009-08-20T09:48:00.000-07:00

HOLY CRAP.

The Grease Blog is officially five years old (actually, we missed it's Aug. 2 birthday... too bad).

Wow, does that ever make me feel ancient.

2009-06-09T11:16:00.001-07:00

How goes it, canters?

2009-05-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

The Lost Road Recording Update:

Here is the current state of the hardest recording project of my life, complete with photographic evidence.

Saxophones: Complete

Bass: Complete

Contrabassoon: Complete

Sick Stash: Complete

Trombone: In Progress

We should aim for getting all the vocals done this summer. That should be pretty easy for Sponz and me to do while we're at camp. For Isral we'll have to try to work something out...maybe a weekend in Milwaukee, but then I don't know if his neighbors would appreciate that. We'll figure something out.

2009-04-30T10:07:00.001-07:00

Well how's about this?

2009-04-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Just spent $15 renewing Land of Sandcastles on tunecore...Let's hope we can sell at least 2 copies this year.

2009-03-29T08:51:00.001-07:00

Hey, boys.

Last weekend was awesome. The show could have been better, but the practicing was great. I wouldn't mind doing that again in the future.

You guys left some stuff at our place. Sponz, I've got your Cherubs shirt, I've got someone's sleeping bag and a book (something about tripods).

We should invite Adam to this blog.

2009-03-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

♪♫Everybody everybody look at me....do do doo do do da da dee
I wear the tightest pants in history ♪♫

Anyone know adam's email address or anything? He left his sunglasses in my car.

Also...that show was a lot of fun

2009-03-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

The Deal

All right. I'm back now, and I'm working on getting things together for this weekend. So here's a million things:

Practice:

-I currently have a room reserved in the music building here for both Friday and Saturday evenings. I'm working on getting Saturday afternoon also, in case that would be easier for us, but I would need to find another room.

-Friday we can get going pretty much right after I'm done with all my classes and stuff around 5:00. We would have until midnight.

-Saturday afternoon TBD, but I'm guessing if I can get the space, we could do it anytime in the afternoon.

-Saturday evening I have a 7:00 call time for

an orchestra concert that starts at 8. If you all end up staying for that evening, you should go to it. It should be pretty dece. I'm not sure how long it will go, but we could practice as soon as I'm done until midnight.

-Sunday if we were set on practicing, we could

probably find a place and just set up and do it, if we're feeling ballsy. I have a large open area in the basement of my apartment that would definitely be big enough, but that might piss off some people. We could also try stages or classrooms that are open and just go for it until we get kicked out.

-If we just wanted to work with the horns or anything like that, we could use practice rooms all day on Friday and Saturday until midnight.

Equipment:

-Dan, I'm assuming you're making a stop at home at some point to get drums and stuff. We would also need our PA to practice with. Just so you know, I have the gig back with mics and cables, and one of the mic stands. We'll also need Isral's amp, red box, merch?, and trombone(s). Not sure what Matt wants, just make sure we have his music notebook.

-Oh yeah, and you might want to bring the carpet from our room, because where we're practicing will either be wood or tile. So you'll probably want that for the drums.

-We have a large storage unit we could store all our stuff in if we didn't want to leave it in the car overnight.

-I have Shafty.

Housing:

Anyone and everyone is welcome to stay at my place for as many nights as they need to. We have a spare bed, 1.5 couches, a broken recliner, and floor space. The only thing is you might want to bring your own blankets and towels and stuff, because I don't know what we have for extras of those.

Transportation:

So I think the only problem with this right now is how Matt and I are going to get back to the Chicago area after the concert. I would prefer to go back that night after the concert, just so I can miss the least number of classes possible. There's a chance that my roommate will go to see the show, in which case we could get a ride back with him. I don't know yet if he can go though. Maybe if Dan is still just slacking around these days and doesn't have anything going on the next day, we could convince him to bring us back, stay the night, and then go back in the morning. Any other ideas anyone?

Times:

-I need to know what time our show officially starts, so I can let my roommate and others know.

-What time would we need to be there? When would I need to leave here? I have to figure out if I'm going to miss classes and stuff on Monday.

Chill:

I'll try and think of something sweet for us to do when y'all spend the night. One thing's for sure...we're going to have to hit up some late night Los Burritos.

How does this sound? Let me know if there's any questions or problems, and what else I need to be thinking about. See you soon.

P.S.

Oh baby...June 23rd

2009-03-12T17:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's a tentative plan based on the information I have so far, and pending confirmation on Wheaton practice space...

1.) Friday afternoon I drive down (with Adam? with Sponz?) to Wheaton (via Milwaukee, picking up Isral?). Matt also gets himself to Wheaton. We practice Friday night. We hang out.

2.) We practice Saturday afternoon or perhaps late evening. We hang out.

3.) We practice Sunday afternoon.

4.) Isral (and I? and Adam? and Sponz?) return to Milwaukee Sunday evening.

5.) David and Matt and whoever aren't yet in Milwaukee do so Monday afternoon.

6.) We get ourselves to the Rave and play a sick show.

Any questions/comments/corrections?

2009-03-07T10:34:00.001-08:00

No go on the practice space/gear storage

From our pastor:

Isral,

Right now this will not work out because of some important stuff, discussions, decisions being made at Westminster. We actually just got a request to "tidy up" all our stuff because this Tuesday March 10th they are beginning the process of selling the building and want us to consolidate our stuff. IF we did (or do) own the building, my hope is that we'll have the building to use for stuff like this all the time! So please pray that as decisions are made in the next couple months that God's hand of favor is on us!

grace
dp

Could we practice at the Rave?

2009-02-17T09:35:00.001-08:00

This is how we're writing our next album.

2009-02-09T19:19:00.001-08:00

All right, fellas. I just talked to Adam and he is up for playing a little trumpy for us. I emailed the guy from the rave and told him we want in, so I guess we're doing it. Unless we took too long and missed our chance.

Let's plan on this for a set list:

Beauty For Ashes
Land of Sandcastles
Let Us Reason
Water All Around
Find the Key
In the Darkness
So Long Ago

If we aren't too pressed for time during practices, I wouldn't mind giving some new stuff, especially Here and Now/What Came Before/Where and When and For a Time a trial run-through; perhaps we could even consider readying them for our next show (Skappleton?). So if you can, try to familiarize yourself with your parts before the show. Obviously, this can't be our first priority on the limited schedule we have.

Isral: can we confirm practice locations(and gear storage) for Saturday, Sunday if possible, and Monday pre-show? Can people sleep at your place?

2009-02-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

OH MY GOODNESS!

2009-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Latest on the Less Than Jake show:

We need to buy 17 tickets (about $300) and in return he will give us 34 (about $600 worth) to sell for our own profit. Once we buy those tickets our spot is locked and we get a 30 minute set (longer than I expected).

So...

-Are we available for this show? (Everyone please respond)
-Can we sell at least 17 tickets, preferably more?
-How much money is in the bread jar?
-Can we play 30 minutes worth of music that would impress people at a show like this?

2009-01-23T23:49:00.000-08:00

Songs we should cover...

-The Entertainer-Billy Joel

2009-01-21T20:21:00.000-08:00

Hey boys, I've got some news for ya...

We may have the chance to play a couple songs at a side stage at the Rave on March 23 for the Less Than Jake show.

Now, I don't have a plethora of details yet, but I'll keep you updated.

Some things to think about:
-Are you available for a Monday night show?
-Can you practice on Saturday and Sunday?
-Is there perhaps a place in Milwaukee we could practice?
-Is there someone who could play trumpet?
-Not sucking if we get to do this.

2009-01-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

I thought this was appropriate....or potentially inappropriate depending on the trumpeter.

2009-01-15T10:17:00.000-08:00

LOOK WHO'S BRINGING IT BACK

Apparently Vindicated is also planning to bring it back like it's 2003.

(And judging by that group photo, they really are Bringing It Back.)

Sounds like a show (and maybe a split EP?) to me!
It'd be WAY too good to pass up.

2009-01-10T15:48:00.000-08:00

A few music recommendations for Daniel and David

I can't believe I've never thought to show you guys these bands. It especially makes sense now that you're (or at least David) kind of into country. This isn't really "country" country, but it's got some definite twang. My dad always called bands like these "California Country."

Now, this stuff isn't very prog-y, but it's still good, mid-70s country-rock.

Anyway, band number one is Poco:

Band number two is Heartsfield:

2008-12-23T13:33:00.001-08:00

Whose got Christmas pits?

2008-12-17T12:30:00.001-08:00

Your wildest dreams come true:

http://wonkette.com/405035/the-free-market-works

2008-12-14T21:37:00.000-08:00

coming soon

I've been listening to pretty much nothing but the demo for the past four or five days. I think I've gotten in somewhere around 12 listens.

I'm definitely liking it, to say the least. It's actually proven fairly inspirational. I haven't written any type of lyrics/poetry/songs in at least three years and I've got the beginnings of about five going right now.

Anyway, I'm hoping to post a song-by-song list of impressions and suggestions either tomorrow or Tuesday.

Three questions for now, though:
1.) Are we just having the eight songs, or are there more to come?
2.) Who is 'For A Time' about?
3.) Is 'In The Darkness' taken from 'The Two Towers'? (I've been wondering that one for a while and kept forgetting to ask.)

2008-12-12T17:23:00.001-08:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

2008-12-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

The plan

-Dan and Matt will move to Milwaukee.
-Either the house they rent will have a practice space, or else we'll all chip in a little bit to rent someplace where we can play music.
-David can take the train up every weekend so we can practice and play shows.
-Jon will play bass (mark 5... not to be confused with Mark 5) and sing the high parts (assuming the Sponz doesn't plan on moving here, too).
-One weekend, we'll all drive the van (yes, it's also moving down here) up to Canada and kidnap Geoff. We'll just bonk him on the head and tell him that his time there was all just a very vivid dream.
-Then BK and Grace can move here, and maybe he can play second guitar.
-We'll spend a year or two working regular jobs and playing shows until we get a sweet record deal. Then we'll all quit our jobs and play rock and roll until we don't want to anymore. Then we'll all grow fat and old on the pile of money we've accrued.
-I don't know about any of you, but I'll be using part of my pile of money to buy bionic doggie parts for Rosie. That way she can live forever.

A lot of the above is in complete seriousness. Can you guess which parts?

2008-12-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Would three full practices do the trick? Here are the days that I am reasonably sure would work for me. Can we narrow this down and settle on a few days?

December 20-24, 26-27, and January 1-2.

Of course we'll have normal warm-up practices before the shows. Anything I'm missing?

2008-12-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

Clark: Since this is Aunt Bethany's 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of Grace.

Aunt Bethany: [turns to Lewis] What, dear?

Nora Griswold: Grace!

Aunt Bethany: Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.

Uncle Lewis: They want you to say Grace.
[Bethany shakes her head in confusion]

Uncle Lewis: THE BLESS-ING!

Aunt Bethany: [they all pose for prayer] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands/ One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Clark: Amen.

2008-12-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

Everyone told me they were down for shows, so I'm proceeding on that assumption.

Here is the news:

January 2nd.
Who: Nine Mile March, Johnny Okay, TBD?
Where: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Neenah, WI.
When: ~7:00 PM
Why: Benefit for missions trips
Free Food for us: yes

January 3rd.
Who: Johnny Okay, TBD?
Where: Harmony Cafe
When: ~6:00-9:00 PM
Why: ?
Free Food for us: doubtful

Things to consider:
1. practice times
2. publicity
3. preparedness
4. plasper
5. porkchops
6. pandas

Get yourself ready.

2008-11-22T13:50:00.001-08:00

All right. I am starting to send out emails inquiring about show possibilities. Here is the first response I have received from a Menasha ska band named Nine Mile March:

Actually, we are interested. We have one show that we are currently looking for bands for. It's a benefit, on January 2nd. It's for a mission trip to New Orleans. We'd appreciate it if you guys would play. We are also looking to get a bigger show booked, hopefully something like the Mirimar in Milwaukee, with the Eskapades, a band from the Sheboygan area. If you guys know anyone who would be able to draw a crowd to cover the cost of renting the theatre, I'd say we should do so, maybe two more bands to make it five? What do you think?

So that is one option on January 2 and a possible second option, in the Milwaukee area, no less. I also sent out emails to the Hub, Harmony, and a pretty decent ska band from Kimberly named Car Full of Midgets. Does anybody have any thoughts on that possibility or any others? How up for show/s are we this year? If we could, I'd sure like to do a few and do them well. Perhaps we should even start looking ahead towards Skappleton '09...

2008-11-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

Do you want to do a show this year?
If so, when would work?

2008-09-16T22:02:00.001-07:00

So not that I'm worried about it or anything... but where's my amp these days?

2008-09-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

All right, just so everyone knows, I'm taking steps to prepare for Johnny Okay's comeback. Get yourselves ready.

2008-08-29T14:58:00.001-07:00

Some questions and a statement

- When are we going to play a show?
- When do I get to hear the new stuff?
- When am I recording vocals for the new stuff?
- When are all of you moving to Milwaukee so we can be a band again?

- Today, while designing a page, I noticed that someone actually has the last name "Crasper."

2008-06-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

Can someone send me (israldebruin@gmail.com) a list of this year's SSTers? I only want to support the ones I like (just kidding... actually not really).

2008-06-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

A message I received from David Prahl:

After giving it a second thought, the band playing at our wedding wouldn't work out very well. The room we're in has limited space and the dance floor the size of your thumbnail, plus you guys would have to haul all your stuff down stairs because there's not elevator. But please still come and eat with us!

So I guess that answers that question. Which leaves the question: do we want to try to set up a show sometime this summer, and if so, when would work?

2008-05-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

David, have you commanded the Lightning's Hand lately?

Also, possibly more relevantly (no guarantees), when I was looking at our stuff on the iTunes store, I ran across a song called "Do the Flap", by The Wiggles. That's the kind of children's music we grew up on, I guess.

2008-05-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

So, what is this summer going to look like for the Johnny Okay?

2008-04-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

This is a two parter:

1.) This weekend I watched the entire Tooth & Nail 1993-1999 Videography (I did skip over a few). Nothing like some great MxPx, Supertones, Plankeye, Joy Electric, Flight 180, Stavesacre, etc. It was great fun.

2.) Geoff, I still have your copy of the Tooth & Nail Videography that I borrowed during high school.

2008-04-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Looks like we're a real band now, we are on iTunes store and amazon.com. Everyone get ready for tour.

2008-04-19T21:04:00.000-07:00

I just listened to the Earthtones 2004 version of Akanamandla.
What good times. That performance was so, so sweet. I have unbelievable vivid memories of that evening.

2008-04-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a flap for you to see.

2008-04-13T19:20:00.001-07:00

I want to play a show.
Except we can't, because David still has my guitar.
The end.

2008-04-06T09:28:00.001-07:00

We officially picked a date

It's Sunday, September 28.

Be there or be punched.

2008-04-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

una pregunta para el jefe:

Can you post the titles of those books you told me about a couple months ago? The ones about logic/reasoning/apologetics?

Thanks.

2008-04-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

Just curious...at this point who of the band owns ipods and what style (etc.) are they. I just bought an 80GB ipod classic. I named it Xerxes.

2008-03-25T11:48:00.000-07:00

I was going to play this game, but couldn't actually do it.

2008-03-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

I would like to reinstate a classic greaseblog segment:

Songs we should cover...

-Heat of the Moment-Asia

2008-03-16T18:48:00.001-07:00

Who all will be home this weekend?

2008-02-26T11:45:00.000-08:00

What would you guys think about making Sandcastles available on iTunes?

2008-02-19T10:28:00.000-08:00

Have Sweeney Todd delivered to your door... for only $3.99/month.
That's exactly what nobody wants because nobody needs.

2008-02-11T19:30:00.001-08:00

Rosie is flying out of town.

2008-02-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

An email sent to the band email address:

Hi, this is Carolyn Armstrong from Harmony Cafe. We have an open date in March, Friday the 21st. I was thinking that if that coincides with your spring break, you might want to play? Let me know as soon as you can if you would be available. Thanks!

-Carolyn

2008-02-07T19:15:00.001-08:00

These skateboard wheels are called the Ripper Grippers.

2008-02-02T17:05:00.000-08:00

This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather. Happy Groundhog Day, boys.

2008-01-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

This is a cool Web site I thought you guys might find entertaining. It supports a good cause, too.

2008-01-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

From Lindsay Seelfeldt (via Facebook):

"Hey Isral- I know that you probably don't have a clue who I am- but I have a request... Specifically for you and the rest of J.Okay. As you might know Kristen Fischer and David Prahl are getting married this summer and I'm sure you know that Kristen was and is, a HUGE fan of your music. So I was wondering if it might be possible to have you guys play a set, or a few songs, at her wedding reception... This is super early to ask, but I don't know what all your band-mates are up to on July 12th, 2008 so I thought I'd ask. No rush, but please let me know if you think this could be possible- I think it would really make her special day even better...
Thanks, Lindsay"

2008-01-11T07:49:00.001-08:00

I did it.

2008-01-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

We have a winner. Good work, the Sponz.

2007-12-25T15:55:00.001-08:00

Awesome

2007-12-19T06:56:00.000-08:00

Somebody should probably update the Web site with show info.

I would, but I don't think I remember how.

BTW, looks like David and I should be home today around 5 or 6.

2007-12-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

We're on for the Harmony Cafe, December 26, (at 7:30?). They said they had an exciting new renovation over the summer including a new sound system and stage area. I told them we had an exciting new renovation including a graduation cap and stole on Shafty.

2007-12-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

In addition to Pizza, I would like for us to go to the following eateries:

China Food Buffet
Gyro Place Where Adam Works
Tastee Bakery Dumpster
Taco Bell
The Pasty Koop

Anyone have anything else to add to this list?

2007-12-16T17:15:00.001-08:00

Christmas break:

Friday the 21: Pizza practice
22 and 23: Practices, as necessary and according to availability?
Wednesday the 26: Show at Harmony (still awaiting final confirmation, but looking good)
28-31: Fests of Winter and After, respectively

Please prepare yourself. If Shafty must be awarded, he lives with you until our next show.

2007-12-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

Great News!

I just did HORRIBLE on the written portion of my Spanish final, so Matt's illustration was accurate after all.

2007-12-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

By the way...

It would now appear that I'm coming home with Davey-kins on the 19th, so adjust my show/pizza/practice availability accordingly.

2007-12-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

I've been emailing around to see if we can set up a show anywhere.

Here are the responses I've gotten so far:

The Hub (in Neenah):

Hello!

I'll look into getting you into the Hub. December is pretty much all done for it's schedule so now I'm booking Jan. 5,12 and 26th! So look into those dates with your band mates and let me know what may work for you. Who was it that referred you to the Hub? Was it a band? Your song on your myspace is great! Do you have any others? What kind of fan base do you guys draw? And......where else have you played? Ok....I'm done with the questions (for now) :)

I'm looking forward to working with you!

Thanks,
~Carey

The Appleton Public Library:
Dan-

We do have different local bands that play at the library. We run two
different concert series, one where the bands are teens, called Jungle
Jives (formally Java Jives). The other concert series is adult groups
and is called Music at the library (or atrium). I run the Jungle Jives.

I am not sure if we be able to set anything up for December, but we
might be able to do something at the end of January if you are
interested.

First, I would need know more about you and your band...are you a teen
or young adult band? How many teens are in the group and what kind of
music do you play? Where do you go to school, ages, just tell me a
little about yourself.

Paula Wright
Young Adult Librarian
Appleton Public Library

The Copper Rock: no response

Rock Island Cafe: MAILER-DAEMON...

The Harmony Cafe: (I know kind of a last resort, but...)

Hello Johnny Okay
As far as I know, we have that night open. It would be too late to get
you on our website or monthly posters, but you could probably have a
show if you did your own marketing. Copying Jesse & Carolyn - they do
our show bookings and they can confirm if this would work,

Shannon

So in sum, we have two positive responses if we could play in January. We have no response from one, and a returned email from another. And the only place that looks like it might work is the place we vowed never to play at again...What do you guys think?

2007-12-11T07:54:00.001-08:00

Speaking of Todds, does anyone watch Scrubs?

2007-12-11T07:53:00.001-08:00

SNOW DAY ON THE SECOND-TO-LAST DAY OF CLASSES!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

NO SPANISH PRESENTATION (EXCEPT I'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO DO IT ON STUDY DAY INSTEAD)!

That is all.

2007-12-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

Why was this ever sanctioned??

2007-12-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

i forgot to post this the other day- i don't know if you guys read the toothpaste for dinner guy's wife's comic (it's not nearly as funny but i usually read it just in case). anyway, when i read this one last week, i thought it said "the dog would like his diggity back, please," and for a split second i was overjoyed. but no.

2007-12-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

Hey, remember that Spanish final that Matt so aptly illustrated me failing during our game of telephone pictionary? Well I had it today (or at least the oral half) and, shockingly, I pretty much owned up on it.
Considering how surprised I am, I can't imagine how shocked my professor must be.

2007-11-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

It's time!

Well, I believe it is once again time to make some plans for Christmas break. Answer these questions, please.
1. pizza practice, when?
2. cd liners, done?
3. show, yes/no?
4. show, when?
5. show, where?
6. winterfest, yes/no?
7. pits, yes/no?

2007-11-29T06:32:00.000-08:00

Two things

Thing number first:
I went to a show yesterday with Jon. He was hardcore dancing and accidentally punched a kid right in the face. It was bad. The kid rubbed his jaw for at least an hour afterward.

Thing number second:
Also yesterday, on the way to class, I got hassled by a cop for skateboarding in the street. He seriously took the time to stop his car, roll down the window and lean his tubby face out to tell me that 'recreational use of the street' is illegal and I could be ticketed. "Skateboarding," he told me, "is a sidewalk thing."
Not only was I on my way to college (as opposed to a drug deal, bout of vandalism or premeditated homicide), but I was also running late (hence the skateboarding in the first place). The icing on the cake? He was out of jurisdiction by two blocks; we were in Milwaukee and he was a Shorewood officer.

2007-11-27T19:01:00.001-08:00

Sin causes a reaction
It's harmful to you It's harmful to me
Sin causes a reaction
Jesus is the only way

Got a bug I'm allergic to it
Doctors got it too but they cant cure it
The bug is deadly it will send you to hell
Everybody i know is allergic as well

Infected by sin but it can be cleaned
Jesus Christ is the cure you see
My sins have been paid in full
Jesus is the only way to go

The bug is in my system still
It still affects me every day
Though I still screw up all the time
God still forgives me anyway
One of these days he'll clean it out for good
Take the bad stuff all away!

2007-11-16T16:41:00.000-08:00

So for some reason, I thought of that song "Beat Me Down" today, and the only words I could think of were
"Beat me down
Put me in my place
My lost is found
Lord, smack me in the face."

Someone tell me that's not the real lyric.