Tuesday, January 24, 2006.

Junior High, sitting in a Christian bookstore at the local mall, listening to CD's. "Motor City Ska," what could that be? Put on the headphones, scanned the case... and my life was changed. The first Ska CD I had ever bought.

I was recently given a great opportunity; I was able to interview Joe Yerke, the lead singer of this (now retired) band from the Motor City. I started out with some general questions I had come up with, and then we moved on to questions submitted by members of our online forum.

Todd: I don't know the region, but I hear Royal Oak, and that is close to Detroit right?

Joe: Correct, about 2 miles from Detroit; to the North.

Todd: Where were you born?

Joe: Here, in Royal Oak.

Todd: What was it like growing up there?

Joe: The best. Hot Summers, cold Winters, amazing Fall/Spring.

Todd: How did you become a believer?

Joe: I always have been, since as long as I can remember, but I really started taking it serious when I graduated High School.

Todd: So, when did the Insyderz start?

Joe: The end of our Senior year, in 1995.

Todd: How did the Insyderz start?

Joe: We wanted to get into shows for free and play with bands we liked, so we started it and realized that there was a whole Christian scene and whatnot.

Todd: Why the name "Insyderz?"

Joe: In Colossians 4:2-6, It tells us that we have the secret of Christ within us and that we need to share it with outsiders. If they are outsiders we are insiders. Then we changed the name to try and be cool.

Todd: How was your time in such a music ministry?

Joe: I loved it. I said I would do it until it became a job. Well, it became a job so we stopped. But the
experiences, friends and knowledge that I gained was priceless.

Todd: Do you have a favorite concert that you did?

Joe: I have several for different reasons. I loved Cornerstone because of what it embodies. I loved playing Germany and worshipping with people from another culture. I love playing little dives with 40 people, those are usually the best.

Todd: A favorite song for performing?

Joe: The "Bouncing Souls" cover of "True Believers."

Todd: How about a favorite Insyderz song for listening to?

Joe: "Soundtrack to a Revolution."

Todd: What have some of yours and the bands musical influences been?

Joe: Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Pacers, Slapstick, Earth Crisis, Less Than Jake,
Bouncing Souls, The Pogues.

Todd: Favorite bands in general?

Joe: Toss up between Bosstones and the Pogues.

Todd: Favorite bands you've done shows with?

Joe: Five Iron Frenzy, Chevelle, Flatfoot 56, The Parka Kings, Johnny Socko.

Todd: From what I hear, you have been, and continue to be, a youth minister.

Joe: Yes, sir. I try.

Todd: Did you always want to go into ministry? How did that come about?

Joe: I don't consider myself to be a youth pastor. I do a lot of things for the Salvation Army and one of my jobs is to be real with kids and let them know the garbage that is out there and the emptiness that we will all feel at some point. I simply let them know that that is Christ calling them.

Todd: How has your time in youth ministry been?

Joe: Ups and Downs.

Todd: If you could give some advice to someone that wants to be in music ministry, especially a band or performing group, what advice would you give them?

Joe: Practice, Practice and Practice. Do what you feel God has called you to do, don't settle or feel pushed into something.

Todd: If you could give advice to young people out there that want to go into youth ministry, what advice would you give them?

Joe: It's serious stuff. You don't become a youth pastor because of Peter Pan syndrome or something. It's hard work. You feeling are tossed and turned everyday.

Todd: Any other words of encouragement for our readers?

Joe: I don't know if my words were encouraging. But I just want kids and adults to do what they feel God
is telling them, leading them to do. If it is true, the doors will open. DO NOT compromise to get a deal or play a show. Do what you have been called to do.

Todd: Ok, now we have some questions from our online audience...

Todd: "Why Ska?"

Joe: It's the greatest form of music, EVER! Everything about it just grabs me and lights me up. You can be heavy or happy and it sounds great.

Todd: "What do you think of the retirement of the 'Big Three,'" and "Do you think Ska will live on?"

Joe: It always has. It was around decades before us and it will be around in decades to come. It's just not the flavor of the week on radio stations anymore.

Todd: "Is it possible for you guys to get any more good looking?"

Joe: I want to say yes, but I do not think medical technology has come that far. So for now I am content with being.........slightly below average.

Todd: "Who could you take in a street fight?"

Joe: Anyone. I'm from Detroit.

Todd: "What color is your toothbrush?"

Joe: Black and Pink.

Todd: "What is your best tour or concert experience?"

Joe: Any Five Iron tour and the Skeletones/JFC and Chevelle stuff.

Todd: "What are your favorite music or bands?"

Joe: Bosstones and Pogues

Todd: "Where did you get your first job?"

Joe: Oakridge Super Market. I was a "bag boy."

Todd: "What did you have for breakfast?"

Joe: A piece of sugar-free gum.

Todd: "What do you like on your pizza?"

Joe: Pepperoni and onion.

Todd: "Do you know the muffin man?"

Joe: I believe so, doesn't he live down the lane?

Todd: "Did the soap really burn your eyes when you filmed the video for FIF's farewell tour when you were in the shower?"

Joe: Um, No comment.

Todd: "Boxers or Briefs?"

Joe: Boxers and boy shorts!

Todd: "Regular or Decaf?"

Joe: I can't tell the difference, but I won't pay more than $1.50 for a coffee.

Todd: "What was it like being on the stage for the last time? What were the emotions of the band?"

Joe: It was a lot of fun. The emotions were kind of like, well, see you guys around. It would have been more emotional if we had been with all those that had helped us on the way or other bands that we had
toured with.

Todd: "Why?!?!?!"

Joe: Why What?

Todd: "Who would win in a street fight, Ethan Luck or yourself?" Oh, and the girls that asked this want to know if you remember them.

Joe: Again, me. Yes I remember. Although, I haven't been in a fight in a long time. I'm a dad now.

Top