FIF - Breaking up
As most everyone knows by now, the many many members of Five Iron Frenzy have collectively decided that the band has lived out its purpose and must now end. You've seen the letter to the fans; you've been to the website. We wanted to dig just a tad deeper and see what some of these folks would say when pried.
The interview you are about to read was conducted over a month ago. All the answers could be completely outdated, wrong, and ridiculous. But you expected that, didn't you?
A = Andrew Vercehhio
M = Micah Ortega
K = Keith Hoerig
1. What will be the final thing you say or do at the very end of your very last show? (why?)
A = I would love to let our fans know that we appreciate their support. That's the whole point of the last tour, Just to say thanks.
M = I'll probably be emotional. The end of the tour usually is for me but the end of the last tour...yeah probably really emotional.
K = We don't really plan stuff like this out in advance, because we try and do what God wants us to, rather than have a set agenda for the night, but I would imagine the night will end with us somehow giving thanks. Thanks to God and to our friends for supporting us for 8 years.
2. How does it feel to give something up that you've worked with for several
years?
A = It's kind of weird to think that this was my life for the last seven or eight years and now that part of my life is coming to a close. I would be a liar to say that I wasn't bummed at all, but I'm not bummed because of the band breaking up. I'm bummed because of the fact that we will all be doing other things after this, and who knows who will keep in touch and who won't. It's kind of like graduating from high school, you wish every one the best of luck, but you have to move on w/ your life. I don't want to be one of those guys that never get's over the 'glory days'. I will always look back on FIF positively, but the future is so much more exciting than the past.
M = It feels like it does when you are about to move to another city. scary and exciting.
K = I agree a lot with the graduating analogy. It's fun and exciting, because the future holds so much. But it's also sad and scary.
3. What are 2-3 stories of ridiculous and bizarre events from your FIF experience that you'll always remember?
M = There was this one time way back in the stinky van driving days, that it was snowing in Denver the day that we were leaving to go on tour. I think it was Scott who was backing the van and trailer up into the alley to load up gear, which was tough to do because the trailer blocked your vision pretty bad and all, so he was relying on us behind the trailer outside of the van for vocal cues as to whether it was alright to proceed backwards or not. well we either didn't know about this or we had just forgot and it was really cold so i think it was andy that started asking us if we could feel our feet and we all answered yeah in unison, unplanned of coarse. That in turn caused a spontaneous chant that went like this.......can you feel your (fill in body part) (group responds in unison) YEAH! etc....over and over again. so Scott was asking us if he could keep backing up...... and are you sure i'm not going to hit anything...... and like questions each of which were responded with an enthusiastic "YEAH!" Well eventually we were all surprised when he hit the garage. He got out and was mad at us for telling him to keep backing up and we were wondering why he kept backing up. It was pretty funny at the time.
Sonnie has some pretty bizarre sleeping habits too and that is kind of funny. You got to remember the hotels are pretty dark except for the little bit of light that gets in under the door and from behind the curtains. Well he woke up one time in the hotel and was totally disoriented which is fairly common when your on the road as much as we are....not knowing which city your in, what day it is,....what month it is. Sonnie thought he had been buried alive in an egyptian pyramid! He Scrabbled up and proceeded to run around the room looking for a way out when he realized of coarse that he was on tour.
4. What are 2-3 stories of wonderful and "God's hand is evident here" type events from your FIF experience that you'll always remember?
A = I don't know about the whole 'God?s hand is evident' thing, but I met my wife through FIF. That's the most wonderful thing that's happened to me yet.
M = One of the first times that we led worship at one of our shows had an impact on all of us in the band. It was pretty amazing.
K = There are so many. I think that most of the last 8 years has been an example that. Being more specific, I would agree with Micah that there have been several times where we have been worshiping and the whole audience is worshiping along with us, and it is just this amazing thing. I can't explain it, but I know that God is there at those times.
5. What are 2-3 stories of terrible, awful and trying events from your FIF experience that you'd just as soon forget?
A = I don't want to forget this because it's funny to me now but, Reese and I got into a fist fight once. We were both uptight that night, and there was some tension between him and I over something that had happened on stage that night. I went up to Reese as we were walking up to the hotel to talk to him about it. I should have let him cool down first, but I think I wanted a fight that night. Any way, push came to shove, shove came to punch, and before you know it we were in a full on street fight complete w/ colorful language and all. It sucked at the time, but in hindsight I'm glad it happened. Reese and I are better friends for it. Just for the record, I kicked his butt.;)
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Comments
you are and always will be.........one of my 5 favorite bands of all time. most definitely my fav ska band, although i know that you were striving and reaching for something beyond the boundaries of ska and punk, which was evident with your last cd and i'm sure will ring true in the final recordings. i recently purchased 'cheeses of nazareth' and it's truly spamtastic. i cannot say enough about the influence that you've left upon my life, nor can i count the many times that i was having a messed up time and turned to your music for sanity. 'upbeats and beatdowns' is a classic. can't wait to see you this fall on the road. God Bless and i will always miss you guys...................
There are very few bands in any market that have had an impact like the one you guys have had. The integrity and honesty you guys have shown has been amazing, not to mention the fact that you still make great music despite a continually changing scene. I think that has earned you respect from fans and non-fans alike. Thank you soooo much for the 8 years you all have put into FIF. I recently saw you guys at the Glass House and Reese said that one of your main desires as a band has been to just be servants to God and your fans. I can say with much certainty that that has come across loud and clear, and your enourmous and loyal fan base is extremely thankful.
where do i begin? you guys have been such an inspiration and joy to me. since the "upbeats and beatdowns" days, you have been my all time favorite ska band, or whatever of the sort. everytime you guys played near me, i always got "hyped" to go. you guys were always awesome to talk to, incredibly nice. the annointing of the Lord was always so evident at all of your shows. i could just have a great time, worship the Lord, and get so much out of it. never think for a second anything you guys did was worthless or in vain. God had and still has a purpose for all your lives. FIF may be coming to a close soon, but the Lord's will for each of your lives still lives on. i just felt led to say these things to you. and even though i only saw you guys at shows, i always considered you friends, as opposed to rockstars who i can't talk to. may the Lord bless you in your final days of FIF and throughout your lives, and i hope to see you to say goodbye.
FIF is probably the band that has had the most effect on what I listen to currently. I listen to music that questions the societal norm and band's that truly try to do something different. FIF has encouraged me to seek God's will for me as a christian and not so much the average christian american mold of what I should be. I look forward to their member's future projects, and seeing them on tour. God Bless.
I'd pay to see that fist fight between Reese and Andy. Ive heard Andy use the colorful language before but not while he's pummeling Reese. I'll miss this band a lot in 2004 and the years to come, because they were a big part of my youth and I'll always look back on my friends in my favorite band and say "My God, that was great!"
Man to see Fif go is not a good thing,
I had the chance of seeing them in cornerstone 95 and they were awesome!!!!
its sad to see em go!
God bless kid`s!!!!!!!!!
Five Iron is amazing. They're like catsup on a hot dog, and cheese on chili. They're the best. I have been a hardcore FIF fan for 4+ years now. I have so many good memories of their live shows, listening to their albums, making a canadian flag cape to wear to their shows, and laughing hysterically at their humor and wit. Thanx so very much for being obedient to Jesus and always having time for us kids after the show. Best of luck. I pray that God will bless you in all you do.
To FIF:
You guys were/are great and I will miss seeing you guys touring after this year. It's a good thing I have your Live album because your live show is one of the best around. Simply amazing! Good luck in your future endevors.
-Mark from KC
dear 5fe,
I found out about you guys right after my parents divorced, and you really helped me through the hard times. thank you so much. love ya and god bless.
"obscure" soul-junk recordings...Mizzicah, you are killing me...from now on, we are talking CCM material all the way!!!
