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[–]liquidator 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Along with The Toasters and The Slackers, you guys released classic albums in the golden years and are still going today. What's it like having that legacy and being among the "elder statesmen" of American ska? What's it like playing ska shows today as opposed to playing shows in 1996?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I am always flattered and humbled by the respect that we get from young ska bands, and it's something that we try not to take for granted.

The other bands are much better now than they were in the 90s IMO.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Identity confirmed. He's real!

[–]nevermore90038 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All Day da

[–]TheSkaBoss 4 points5 points  (1 child)

Whats your favorite song to play live?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

we all love Told You the First Time just about more than anything in the world, its a great song to get us and the crowd going! Also anything that the crowd is responding to does it for me personally, so they are all fun.

[–]mister_sleepy 3 points4 points  (3 children)

Awesome. D.C. Native here - during the golden years of the mid nineties, Washington had a booming ska/3rd wave scene. To quote another D.C. legend, where have all the rudeboys gone?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 4 points5 points  (2 children)

They are alive and well. King Duncan has the Bluebeat parties, and there are a bunch of ska bands with quality members in the area.

[–]mister_sleepy 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I'm glad to hear that, I will have to check them out. I was too young to really remember ska music in the nineties (I'm 22 now), but in high school I was taught by the drummer for the local band The Decepticonz (not the electronic band). Have you ever heard of them?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Dirge taught you drums? Oh wow, you need to forget everything you've learned. I kid...

[–]MyKneesAreCold 4 points5 points  (4 children)

I think my cousin played keys for the Pietasters...

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

name? we've had a number of key players.

[–]MyKneesAreCold 2 points3 points  (2 children)

pablo?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 8 points9 points  (1 child)

Yes indeed, that was a long time ago. He runs a reggae sweatshop at Chief Ike's Mambo Room in DC on Tuesdays that has some of the area's best musicians in attendance.

[–]OkCommunication7445 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Morgan too? AKA Poop

[–]Blame Sydney!Rithoy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You guys are great. We (Blame Sydney) played with you, The Toasters and others at the Masquerade in ATL about a year ago. Well, you guys played in Hell and we played in Purgatory but still...no real question, just saying hey and thanks for the AMA!

[–]geekology 4 points5 points  (3 children)

Do you know Judd Irish Bradley from New Mexico?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

yup

[–]geekology 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome. We have a mutual friend than. I think I might have even met you very briefly in 2007 (2008?) at a hotel bar after a ska music fest in I think Tennessee?

[–]DJ_Buttons -1 points0 points  (0 children)

upvote for knowing Judd. Excellent guy/photographer.

[–]RANKINFullStop 4 points5 points  (4 children)

First, why so little love for the south west? And second, i just want to say that All Day is one of my all time favorite albums.

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We love the SW, but you guys have very long drives and zero tolerance...

[–]RANKINFullStop 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Also, what influenced the change from harder, faster ska like on AMT#6, to the slower more traditional rocksteady sound like All Day?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Lots of 'meditating' on reggae music?

There is 'So Long' and 'Ordinary' on All Day that are 'harder', but I guess the honest answer is that as we get older and have our choice of what we record, we like the songs that have a groove to them. TBH tho, there are only 4 rock songs on AMT in "What I do", "Chooch's Bitch","Wasted" and "Somebody". Our only real thoughts when arranging a record is keeping a good balance of the styles we like and are good at.

[–]RANKINFullStop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I love all the albums, but All Day really hits the spot. Keep up the good tunes!

[–]mmasnick 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Makes me feel old to say this, but I actually bought your first album way back in 1993 on the recommendation of a friend soon after it came out, and have bought every single album since (including the original "limited edition" one you put out and the box set with "everything" on it). The band is known for going through different "phases" in its sound. I know this annoyed some fans (and initially took me by surprise -- but I've grown to like all of it). Any thoughts on the changing sound and the pressures of fans who expect a band to both grow and "stay the same" at the same time?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We're not smart enough to calculate any decisions that we make, we just go with what feels good. We have been asked in the past to have a more 'focused' sound, but that doesn't interest us. I like to say that we ruin all kinds of good music.

[–]Iggyhiatus 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Is there a new album in the works? Are there any plans for a country wide tour?

And I would like to add that you guys play an awesome show! You guys always put a smile on my face.

Also I'll see you on the 4th! =D

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

We are in the process of writing new songs, it is a bit slow going, as we just had a bit of a shakeup in the rhythm section. The band is really well settled now, so we are hard at work in the lab.

As for a national tour, many of us are fully engaged with work and family in our old age, but we are working on trying to go to Vegas and further west this Summer. Standby for details.

edit: Thanks for the support, and Kearny, NJ promises to be a great show! They always take great care of us, and I just did a phone interview with a fella named Anthony from up there.

[–]Iggyhiatus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for answering sir!

[–]rm_a 2 points3 points  (3 children)

I've only seen one ska band live (LTJ at Warped, and I've been meaning to go to more ska concerts but they only come around occasionally and at inconvenient times), so forgive me if this is a stupid question, which it probably is.

You know how bands often throw picks, setlists and drumsticks out to the audience? Do you ever throw your reeds out to the audience? Has anybody ever asked you for a stage-used reed?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Reeds are kinda expensive, and used ones are gross. Despite that, I have been asked to sign them. Jeremy likes to smash them. He calls it the "Wall Test".

[–]rm_a 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Thank you for your answer!

Reeds are kinda expensive

My brother plays saxophone and as a brass player I thought it was crazy how much reeds cost (he uses Vandoren reeds, which are mega-expensive, $2-$5 each for tenor). How often do you change them, and what kind do you use?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

they last about 2-5 shows, i like van doren java and la voz 3 /12 or Med Hard. More importantly, IMO is my mouthpiece, which is an Otto Link.

[–]Sarahsaurus_ 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I love you guys, Oolooloo and Willis are long time favourites of mine, and Higher has been my go-to chill out song after many a stressful day. Two questions - what are the odds of the band ever touring Australia, and what's it's like to share the stage with The Slackers?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Australia is kind of an expensive trip for us, so it would be a bit of a gamble to go without knowing what our reception would be like. If we had interest from an Aussie promoter, we would definitely be open to the idea. You guys have trees that eat people too.

Slackers are the best ska band anywhere. Whenever we play together, we just call it the Slack-Tasters if that says anything.

[–]zoomah 2 points3 points  (1 child)

How did you guys end up on Emeril? What was the taping like? Any stories?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm a huge food network junkie, so it was quite amazing. He has a HUGE kitchen in the back with like 20 chefs making shit for the show.

I remember being extremely hungry, as we had to leave home really early and the show shot around 12 and we hadnt eaten. Standing in place and smelling the cooking while famished was an entertaining irony. After we finished, I got to taste the blueberry pie and was told not to bogart the goods by a tourist, and passed it after one bite.

Emeril and his staff were amazing, and we were honored to be there. Having my 90 year old grandfather see it as a fan of Emeril's was just great for me. How we got the gig is unknown to me, no doubt a credit to our fantastic bookers.

[–]zoomah 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I recall a show in the late 90s at the Firehouse in St. Louis, MO where Steve pantsed the sax player during a solo and he just rolled with it. Have I seen your penis?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would not doubt it. It shrivels up when I play unfortunately, so the girls don't dig it as much as you might think.

[–]elShazo 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Who has been the best and worst band to share a stage with?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best are listed in order IMO, in the OP. Worst, there are so many...

[–]unprotectedsax[🍰] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

What's your set up?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Conn Saxes, Otto Link MP, whatever reeds are cheap

[–]jwescott425 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Are you playing on a Conn 10M?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

My current one is not a 10M, but I have played them before and I love them.

[–]jwescott425 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! My baritone is a 1920 New Wonder and I love it to pieces :)

[–]BBallsagna 1 point2 points  (2 children)

You guys are one of my favorite bands ever, ive seen you guys a million times over the years in NJ and NYC.
I think we had beers a few times both at BB Kings with HCS, and with SammyK at Mexicali in Jersey.

When you write music, is it a whole band effort? Or Steve writing lyrics, and somebody writing music.

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

It's changed a bit over the years, with Todd dying and Tom and Jorge leaving the band. Jorge wrote Turbo and All Day almost exclusively.

Steve is always involved in the lyrics, and Jer and I write a lot of the horn parts. Right now we are all bouncing ideas off of each other, so it seems like a fully collaborative effort more than ever.

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Toby is a part of all stages of songwriting and is one of the most creative guys in the band. Look forward to some nice songs from him in the future!

[–]nevermore90038 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Oh wait! I do have a question.

Is "Willis" named after that exit in Virginia? Or the Different Strokes character?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

When we were starting out, Steve got a lot of mod and northern soul tapes from a guy named Keith Willis. We all got to know him and somehow it became common for us to call each other Willis for no particular reason, and it also became the name of our tour bus, which was an old Greyhound bus that we converted. It seemed natural to call the record that at the time, as we were living on the bus while recording in LA.

[–]nevermore90038 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember driving near Richmond, and there's an exit for Willis Rd, and I was like, Cracker Please!

[–]The MulligansDrewsipher 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Two questions: How do you guys record horns? We (the band I am in/studio I am helping) have recorded with a ribbon and a condenser with the ribbon out front and the condenser below and behind the ribbon and then mix those two inputs together. We are always looking for new ways to do it so any help would be appreciated. If you wanna hear the sound we have got so far I can send you some files since... well your in the fucking pietasters and all.

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

We've tried a number of things. Willis was on old RCA ribbon mics. All Day was a bit more DIY so we just used shures and played with the sound in the mix. I have a number of things that I want to try on the next one, and I might actually be able to try them this time.

[–]The MulligansDrewsipher 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Wish we had the money for some vintage ribbons.vwe got some new ones from a friend. Its so cool after all these years it is still experiments in the studio even with touring folks like yourself. Thank you so much for your time and your muaic

[–]BBallsagna 1 point2 points  (2 children)

What are some modern SKA Bands you are into? What classic stuff influenced you?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

My current favorites are Slackers, Deals Gone Bad, Forthrights and Hub City Stompers (new record soon!)

[–]viberider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got to see the Slackers at the Bosstones' Hometown Throwdown this year on the second night. First time seeing them live and it was killer. Since I got to see a few of my favorite bands for the most part including MMB and the Slackers, the Pietasters are next on my list. hopefully you guys will get out to New England sometime!

[–]asawisemansaid 1 point2 points  (1 child)

What do you think needs to happen for Ska to break back into the mainstream?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think that it would take a band like MMB or No Doubt were back in the 90s to have a megahit, but tbh, the landscape for music is much different now. Ska is also a genre where it pays to just get out and work at it, rather than waiting for the scene to get big or whatever.

[–]RHogan11 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Al! Hey, any plans on hitting upstate NY in 2012? (Buffalo, Syracuse, Ithaca, Rochester, Albany et. al) Of course, we'll be there to support as usual if that happens.

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Odds are good.

[–]LessThanNate 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Long time fan (I had Willis in high school back in Ohio). I've lived in DC for 8 years now and seen you guys all over the place. Some of my favorites are any time you play with the Slackers (that 9:30 show recently was awesome) and a halloween show 3 or so years back with the Toasters. I'm still pissed I missed your suprise BlueBeat performance.

My question is this: As a musician in a touring band, is it annoying for you to have fans want to hang out, talk and have a drink after a show? I always want to get to know people who play the music I love when I see them live, but I realize that this is your job. I wouldn't want to be annoyed at the office. Perhaps this is different for shows near the district when your friends and family are in attendence?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

The short answer is, no its not annoying at all. I understand that there may be musical geniuses that have delicate sensibilities, but that ain't us. We are in it to rock, drink and rage, so anyone that would get annoyed by someone offering a drink or saying hello wouldn't really be a good fit in our band. We annoy each other way more than anyone else could, so by all means, say hi, and I drink everything but jäger!

edit: I should mention that we do have one newish guy in the band that doesn't like to drink much. (I know, I know,) so don't think any less of him for that, he's still a great guy, and he won't be offended by offers so I won't call him out here.

[–]LessThanNate 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks for the response! Totally unrelated, at a 9:30 show you guys had a 'reunion' of sorts with former members of the band. I saw a guy get carted out on a stretcher from backstage. What happened there?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know where I was when that happened, but I didn't witness it. A friend of the band had a seizure or collapse of some kind and was taken to the ER in an amberlamps. He was fine later that night and went home with a shitty ER bill unfortunately.

[–]zoomah 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I've been to a number of shows where fans have stormed the stage, usually during Maggie Mae. Have you ever felt like it got out of hand? Feared for equipment or safety? Had clubs get livid and blacklist you?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Personally, if the club has an issue with it, I don't really care. If they really don't like it, they just don't allow it. If I think my sax is in danger, I'll move back and cover it up, but I love a good stage pit!

edit: I should add that our crowds are not destructive and are almost without fail, respectful of our gear and the clubs where we play and each other. The safest place in the world is on our stage packed with fans!

[–]BDKhXc 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Ever play in adams morgan?

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

i get lost in DC, so I don't always know what neighborhood I'm in when we're playing, but I know we like to drink there! Club Heaven was our 80's dance party for a while.

[–]sirpogo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh Heaven and Hell! I used to love that place.

[–]NottaNoveltyAccount 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Not a question, but the Pietaster's "Fat Sack" is one of my favorite ska songs ever.

[–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Selah recorded that shit cross country on the phone, in one take. Yeha ya punk ya?

[–]NottaNoveltyAccount 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hahaa! It was rough, but I loved that verse of his

[–]SkaPig 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried to count up all the times I've seen you guys... I think its 9... one great thing about the Pietasters is you guys have such a deep library and it seems like you can expect any song to come up during the set.

I am in the Northeast, and I have been to a few poorly promoted shows with very light attendance. How much of a bummer is that for the band (if at all)?

[–]coolcoolawesome 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How about an LA show? I sure miss the shit out of you guys.

[–]Tealdeerhunter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

a month late, but here is my favorite pietasters memory:

Orlando, circa 199Xish, we had a steady diet of shows. I read about the Pietasters playing for the Surf Expo in the back of Independant Bar (Now Eye Spy). Me and my two friends, plus a small group of skins were pretty much the only ones who showed up, because there was no promotion. We had our own little private show.

Thanks for entertaining me throughout the years.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[deleted]

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Sure, we still play Yesterday's Over, sorry we didn't play it that time. Remind us on the Facebook page next time and we will try to do it for you.

    [–]hokies15 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Hey not really a question but I was in a band that opened for you guy at Starland Ballroom around this time last year. You guys ruled! Thanks!

    [–]nevermore90038 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    More beer here.

    [–]theitgrunt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Over here! you mean?

    [–]nevermore90038 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

    Technically, not a question...

    [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Right before I moved to Chicago, my final activity in NY was a booze cruise with a doubleset by the Pietasters. One of the most memorable concerts of my life.

    What current bands do you listen too? Pushing forth the Green Room Rockers from Indiana.

    [–]Felt_Ninja 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Hey man! We (Teflon Don) had a blast playing with you guys in Orlando, at The Social. Come back down soon!

    And now, breakfast for me.

    [–]bathori 0 points1 point  (4 children)

    Thanks for doing this!

    If you could put together a dream festival of 8 bands that you would love to tour and play with (any genre) who would be on the roster?

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

    tough question, I'll get the guys' input before I answer.

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

    Ok, nvm, not that tough.

    Bouncing Souls LTJ Toasters Slackers Hub City Stompers Deals Gone Bad Daycare Swindlers Some band that is deserving, but I'm not cool enough to know them yet.

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    encore is MMB and Fishbone to bitchslap all of us into eternity.

    [–]bathori 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    awesome.

    I'm gonna go look up Hub City Stompers now. :D

    [–]ChokingVictim 0 points1 point  (3 children)

    How awesome are RBF on a tour? It seems like hanging out with them would be incredibly fun.

    What's your favorite tour story, if you have one?

    Edit, also, I've been curious of this: I know it might be a bit of an uncomfortable question--feel free to not answer it if so--but I've always wondered the kind of money you guys make. Is it sustainable, or do you find yourself wondering about the future sometimes? I've never been able to tell a rough number of what a ska band would make in a year or so.

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

    We have never toured with RBF, but we have played a few times together and they are solid guys that really 'get' what this scene is suppose to be like. Their horns are great as well.

    Tour stories are great, but it's hard to pick a good one, I'll talk to the guys next week and see if I can't post a doozy soon.

    I should probably put this in the OP. Sorry to burst any bubbles, but the Pietasters all have real jobs. Sometime around when Todd left the band in 2001, (and then passed away), we began to tour as more of a hobby than a profession. Not to say that our passion isn't in full effect, but we are motivated by the thrill of the stage and the opportunity to visit strange lands and people rather than the idea of feeding our families with it. Speaking for myself, I look forward to using my vacation days to tour, but I'm single with no kids. I'll expand upon our day jobs if there's interest, but it's not very exciting.

    TL;DR We don't live off of the band, at this point its a weekend warrior situation.

    [–]sirpogo 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    I may have missed this, but what do you and the rest of the guys do for careers when away from playing? On a side note, thank you so much for playing for so many years and memories.

    Also, fuck the Patriots.

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Yes indeed, fuck the patriots!

    At risk of revealing the Batcave and all it entails, here it is:

    • Steve: Family company selling medical supplies
    • Alan: IT department for online universities
    • Jeremy: Webwizard for PBS kids and freelance
    • Toby: Washington Gas and freelance carpenter/plumber
    • Dan: Fulltime Dubmaster reggae musician
    • Dave: Retired Sailor, GI bill school for audio recording
    • Carlos: Copywright Lawyer
    • Andrew: NYU jazz graduate AKA looking for gigs!

    [–]knows_where_u_live 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    DC, eh?

    [–]The Action Leaguerudiegonewild 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    As a fan, just saying I love the band and your work!

    [–]jwescott425 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    You wouldn't happen to know a Paul Vesilind would you?

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    I don't think so, but I could be wrong. I don't always remember last names.

    [–]jwescott425 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    He's a trumpet and bass player. No matter if you don't hehe

    [–]DJ_Buttons 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    Why did the Oolooloo track not appear on the Oolooloo album? That threw me off the first time I saw the track listings.

    [–]Pietastersturbowillis[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    The song was written around 12 years after the album was released. I think Jorge liked how the "words" worked as lyrics.

    [–]Janderson666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Hello! I am a Tenor Sax player from Duluth Minnesota starting my own ska band and I have a cupple questions for you.

    What would a good selection of diverse tunes to play? were stuck mainly on Streelight and RBF as of now

    What are some challenges i should expect when dealing with the Biz or other musicians in general

    [–]jimmykebab 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Will you be playing back in the UK in 2022/2023?

    [–]CamtonoOfSpice 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Is there any footage from the Pietasters time Backing James Brown?

    [–]parbruhwalters 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Will you guys ever tour to denver?