I guess its been about a year and a half ago that three guys in a boring little suburb of Charleston, SC got together to form a rather uninteresting band. "The Professionals" consisted of Jason, Justin, and Andy... on occasion Paul was a member. Jason formed the band and was the original bass player, with Justin on drums, and Andy on guitar. Andy brought in Paul as a singer, the kid had spunk, flare, and an energetic voice it seemed like a really good idea. Shortly after that Jason decided to trade spots with Andy. His excuse was that Andy was a better on bass than he was, but his real reason was he wanted to be a hot-shot-rockstar-spotlighten-guitar-player/singer. Poor Paul got pushed to the side by this massive ego-monster. When the band formed ska had been the intended purpose, But when we got t orehersal it was nuthin' but punk punk punk punk punk from Jason. After a few forgetable shows the guys in the band had a serious talk and Jason conceded that at the next practice we would start doing ska. We never saw him again. Justin then left to pursue his other band "7th Vision," who have actually become rather successful. That was the end of the Professionals. You can actually still see our wall at Verse II. It's got a punk-rock monkey with the name scrawled across the top. Andy and Paul picked up a new guitarist, the extremely talented, and beautiful: Keith "Pretty Boy" Williams. They spent two months practicing in Andy's room accompanied by a drum machine. Drummers were hard to come by in those days, especially christian ones. Then we found Jason (different guy). He was young and untrained, but he had his own set so we signed him up. We could no longer be the Professionals because we found out the name was already taken. We went through a few names such as "The Ska'd Fathers" (also already taken), "Half Pint" (just didn't like it all that much), and a real winner "Booty Butt Naked" (don't know why we just didn't feel like sticking with that one). We finally settled with Nail Ska'd Hands. Then along came Tom "Funny Man" Harvey with his shinny alto sax. Show Time!! We played a couple shows with this line-up, then we picked up a couple school band horn players: John and Pete. This was the era of the punk-ish twist in our music. Thankfully Keith was converted, and he took his foot off that nasty distortion pedal. Then we began the era of exploring the roots of the music and playing real SKA. Unfortunately Paul got a call from God and had to leave the band. We didn't stand in his way. Then Tom went to live with his biological father far, far away. We will miss them both. Tom was a trooper, always at practice and always with his sheet music, and Paul was just fun. .... but life goes on. We've all gone through a lot of changes during this journey. Keith went from a punk-rocker to a rudeboy. Paul went from a rudeboy to a swing kid. And Andy went from a rudeboy to a Skinhead. (Oi! Oi!) Now Andy is at college, but he is still officially a band founder and member. This band has not died, it is merely hibernating awaiting Andy's return. And We will return with a more solid, stronger sound than before. Because we have a mission. We have come to chew bubble gum and to praise God..... and we're all out of bubble gum....
