by: Carrie & Sarah, Freak City
The Rodd: The name W's is a product of boredom. Four college age guys, realizing the fact that they would never graduate college, decided to start a band, and of course a band needs a name.
FC: Where did you guys meet, and come together to form a band?
The Rodd: Andrew, Val, James, and myself attended Oregon State University, OSU. We all lived in a co-op and hung out together.
FC: Is it true that the band started out as "guitar based"? If so, how did the band evolve from "guitar based" to this swingin'/ska band that you are today?
The Rodd: I guess it was guitar based. We started out trying to play ska, like the Pietasters and Toasters. But since we lacked what most people call "musicianship" all of our ska ended up swinging. And with the help of a good producer, we were able to refine our ska into what we have now, that swing kind of ska.
FC: Swing music and ska seem to run on the same lines, and swing can be easily embraced by the skankin' ska crowd. Do you think that swing is moving into the ska territory?
The Rodd: I see most of these genres have been around forever, but didn't get big until the pop markets embraced them. First ska hit (Mighty Mighty Boss Tones) then swing (Brian Setzer) and I think the next big underground hit to rise to the pop market is rockabilly.
FC: Things have really been rockin' 'n rollin' for you guys! Your demo tapes sold like hotcakes, you opened for Five Iron Frenzy and are now touring with Dc Talk, your album, Fourth From the Last, is out on the shelves...How have you kept from getting a big head from this seemingly "over night success"?
The Rodd: I hope we don't get them. The extra weight on our necks may lead to mid-life back pains. That'd suck. Another thing we do, and I pray we always do, is hang out with the people at the show. It keeps us where we need to be.
FC: Did you ever dream that "The Devil Is Bad" would be such a hit? It's an awesome "devil booty kickin'" song! What caused you to write it?
The Rodd: Andrew came to practice one day and said "Hey guys, check out this song I just wrote!" That's really all there is to it. It was intended to be a self-explanatory, fun song. And at the time that song was written, it was the only two chords Andrew knew. But he's learned more chords since then, so the new album may have as many as 5 different chords on it. :)
FC: Do you have any certain Scripture references for any of your songs?
The Rodd: That's a good question. I don't know the scripture off the top of my head, but "Open Minded" is about not judging others. "Moses" is about how God can use anyone, even geeks like us. And the devil song is, again, self-explanatory.
FC: Each band seems to have it's own style of getting the Gospel from the stage to the audience. How do you like to reach out to the unsaved in the crowd?
The Rodd: We try and reach the unsaved by playing to the unsaved. Putting on a cool show so that anyone, Christian or not, can have a good time. And of course hanging out with them at the shows, talking with them about what ever is on their mind. If its skateboarding, music, girls or God, then that what we'll talk about. We preach the gospel by example.
FC: What has God taught you in your Christian walk, through the growing of The W's?
The Rodd: God has let me realize what our goals are as band, and as a Christian myself. I guess my learning boils down to some are called to be pots for wine, and some pots for sewage. God has a lot of cool ways to use people for his purpose. I used to always think that if you're in a band, and you are a Christian, then when you get on stage you must preach the gospel. But then when I got in the band, and I got on stage, I realized that tons of bands are already doing that. These kids just want to have fun! They want to have confidence that you can supply them with a good wholesome show, not cuss or make lewd comments, a show they can bring there parents to and the whole family can have a good time. That is what I have learn in my walk with the W's.
FC: It seems like right now you are "in the spotlight." What will be most memorable for you during this time, in a few years down the road?
The Rodd: The most memorable time would be that I got to play music with my friends. This whole trip is a blast. Its very hard to pick out any one instance. I'm doing, right now, the best thing I have ever dreamed, playing music. But in a few years, I'll be doing the same thing. Most likely scaled down, but I'm n it for the music.
FC: Are there any plans for you guys to head back to the recording studio any time soon?
The Rodd: Yep, May 12, two days after the tour is done, we'll be in Concord, Cali. for five weeks recording the new album. It should be released September 21st. During the summer we'll tour and play all the festivals. Then in the fall we are going on a tour with a secular band.
FC: We will keep you guys in prayer. Do you have any specific requests?
The Rodd: Pray that audiences will be open minded and accepting.
love the rodd w.
www.thews.org