Tuesday, December 12, 2006. I came across Five Iron Frenzy in 1999, when I was 11 years old. One of my friends came up to me during school with a couple other guys and handed me a copy of "Proof That the Youth Are Revolting." Ironically, I was beating up a kid from school. When I listened to that CD, it changed my life for ever. Before then, I didn't know that Christians were allowed to have fun. In fact, I thought they were just really boring, and kinda lame. FIF showed me that its just the opposite, and with the help of my neighborhood church, I came to Christ in December of '01.  Mike: Have you guys ever talked about a reunion? Leanor: We once said that if we ever did do a reunion it wouldn't be until ten years had past. So that means not until 2013, but I kind of doubt we will ever have one. I think this answers the next question. Mike: Will there be a reunion? Leanor: Highly doubtful. Why try to repeat something that was so rad. Mike: Do you keep in contact with the past members of FIF? Leanor: Most of them. Sonnie calls when he has a long drive. I see Micah and Tricia a lot! They go to Scum. And, I miss Brad and Mijon a ton, they moved to Phoenix. I keep in close touch with Dennis and Melinda. Scott is expecting his first baby in April! Mike: How is A Size Too Small doing? Leanor: Going really well! We're getting a new press, our company is based out of our garage. Ready to make rad t-shirts. So if you are in a band or just want cool t-shirts for your youth group or for yourself, contact us! Also we will have a new line out next year! (www.asizetoosmall.com) Mike: Did you know that a member of the Ska for Christ forums simply named ‘Kevlar’ thinks you're cool? Leanor: That rocks! I am so not cool though. Mike: What was it like having your husband in Roper, before he left? Leanor: It was fun to tour with him. We hadn't been married very long then so when he first toured without me, I was so bummed, but then I took a semester off to tour with him and had a blast. It was also fun to tour with Nick White. He rocks. Mike: What’s it like being a new mom? Leanor: I love it. My baby is super easy though. He is quite a happy kid. He started sleeping through the night at four months old, in his own crib! I have been so blessed. I do miss how easy it used to be to leave the house. Mike: What was it like being the only woman in a band with six guys? Leanor: Well, there were seven guys; there were eight of us. So I guess you suck as an FIF fan... just kidding! It was fine, but hard to find privacy. Mike: Did the members of FIF take typical "Christian" stands on such things as creationism, abortion, and gay marriage? Leanor: Each of us tried our best to emulate Christ in our lives and to follow His biblical teachings. That means we do all value life. As far as politics go, we each have different views concerning the role of religion in politics. Some believe that morality should be legislated and some do not. I, personally, do not like for morality issues to be legislated simply based on the fact that our country is mostly Christians. I believe it is the job of The Church (all Christian churches and individuals) to teach morality in a loving, Christ-like manner. Mike: Do you have any funny stories about being in FIF? Leanor: Once a crazy guy pulled our school bus with his beat-up old station wagon. Another time we got stuck in the salt flats without gas or water. Mike: What was the best part of being in FIF? Leanor: So many aspects were blessings: travel, making new friends, worshipping on stage with thousands. Mike: What’s your testimony? Leanor: Oh man, this is too long of a question to answer. Basically, I once decided I loved the Lord and wanted to follow Him. Every day I wake up and make the same choice. It's sort of like marriage. Every day I choose to follow and seek Christ. Mike: How did God create the universe, and humankind in it? Leanor: How?
I tend to ask why. Mike: And my last, and most serious question, Do you think you can take Ethan Luck and Joe Yerke in a street fight? Leanor: No way, they are huge! Mike: Now for some questions from our fans. Mike: Will you teach me how to play the sax? Leanor: It's really quite easy. Get one and teach yourself. I started when I was nine. It really is that simple. Mike: How did FIF get started? Leanor: Out of pure Metal! Then Punk, then Ska. The progression of all things rock. Lastly we tried a little salsa, jazz and then....back to metal! Mike: Did you all (in FIF) ever stay up really late after practice and talk about UFO's, the nephilim, Nikolai Tesla, dinosaurs, time travel, the Philidelphia Experiment, a pre-Adamic race, and the like? Leanor: No. We are simply robots without brains. We would plug ourselves into the closest outlet and dream of ways to make teens obsess over us. Mike: Do you have any funny stories you would like to share about Roper, FIF, Dance Mexican Dance, or His Love Fellowship? Leanor: His Love Fellowship is the name of a Mexican church I used to tutor at. Stephen thought it would make a rad band name. I am in a band now however, called Nathan and Stephen. I have a show Thursday and tomorrow we are playing live on the radio! Check us out on MySpace! I am the chick with the sax and my husband is the tall, skinny kid with facial hair.(www.myspace.com/nathanstephen) Mike: What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow? Leanor: African or European? Mike: How did you learn how to play the sax? Leanor: My dad used to spend the afternoons with me while my mom was in college. We had a big old house with a music room. It had a piano, many trumpets and saxes from pawn shops, and lots of percussion instruments. We would jam to records, mostly Motown (Sunny and the Sunliners, Marvin Gaye, and Barry White) and also some strange music (Lenna Zavaroni, Tierra, and Richie Valenz). I taught myself. He taught me how to dance though! Mike: This next set of questions was from one fan. Mike: What were the best tours? Leanor: The ones to tropical places. New Zealand was my favorite! Also, I loved touring in the fall around Fishkill, Boston and Philly. Mike: What were the best concerts? Leanor: Our last one was my favorite. The Holy Spirit was so strong. It was such a blessing to be a "local" band no one had heard of to selling out the Filmore, and ending with praise, and tears! Mike: What were the best Festivals Leanor: Cornerstone, main stage. Inside Out Soul Fest in New Hampshire. Tomfest! ...the old one. Mike: What are your... favorite bands to listen to? Leanor: Bjork, Dragonforce and Rhapsody, Black Black Ocean, the Cardigans, Face to Face, Bad Religion, Krupted Peasant Farmers, Violent Femmes, Johnny Cash's "God" album. Showbread. Mike: ...favorite bands to have played with? Leanor: Bleach, mu330, Blue Meanies, Relient K, Switchfoot, the Insyders and Supertones, and of course, Edison Glass (Roper toured with them). Mike: What was... the final concert like? Leanor: A dream. A gift that God said, "open slowly 'cause you're going to love this!" Seeing the eyes of those I love as they praise our Father for the gift of our band and His absolute goodness was surreal. It still is. Mike: ...the whole experience of being in FIF like? Leanor: Up and down. Mostly up but there were difficult times. It was hard to tour after my younger brother passed away. That is what the song Car is about, but I knew I was called to do it. Mike: What color is your toothbrush? Leanor: Lime green! And Stephen's is purple. Mike: Do you floss? Leanor: Yeah, with a weird stick thing that holds replaceable floss. Mike: Why the obsession with Canada? Leanor: That was only one song kids. It was 'cause a girl from there liked Brad many moons ago.... Mike: On a very serious note one fan says, "I am very deeply moved by the many songs about the treatment of Native Americans. What inspired you (FIF) to do songs on that subject?" Leanor: That was Reese's passion. He studied up on all of that. I am glad he did though, it educated all of us. (I am partly indian!) Mike: Did anyone really eat bacon bits and jalapenos on a polish hot dog? Or moldy bread? Leanor: Reese did, and eats nasty stuff... pickled pink eggs. Mike: Thank you again for taking your time for this interview. On behalf of all of Ska For Christ and our fans, God Bless you and your family. |
