Jake Behrens: Hearing the Reel Big Fish album "Turn The Radio Off" I knew I wanted to be a part of that music. I picked up guitar to be in a ska band.

BandwagonOK: You mean Special Disaster Team or another band?

Jake: Any band. I lived in Florida at the time.

BandwagonOK: When was SDT started? How long ago did you guys first get together as a band and start playing with the members you have now?

Jake: We started in 1999. March...well, May, eh...somewhere in there. We started as a 7 piece and then about 2 years ago, we solidified the line-up with who's in the band now, minus Joseph who left almost a year ago.

BandwagonOK: Where did the name "Special Disaster Team" actually come from? Its a pretty unique name but ska bands are notorious for coming up with interesting names

Jake: *laughs* I still have the shirt we got it from. It used to be a sub-division of State Farm Insurance. I found a red polo shirt at Goodwill one day that had the name on it. I wore it for like 2 months almost everyday, you know, you have to wash clothes once in a while. Then when we went for a name, that was it. Though, we were almost Kid Icarus or Stuck In Alaska *laughs*

BandwagonOK: How long did it take for this core of musicians to find your own sound?

Jake: We pretty much did it from the beginning. We just play what sounds good to us. Some of it's ska, some of it's punk, rock, reggae. Ska is where our heart is though. We've come a LONG way since my garage. I think we've really moved forward ditching the nay-sayers and just playing what we like. That's the only way you keep having fun.

BandwagonOK: What do you have to say to the people who say ska sucks or that it all sounds the same?

Jake: It does. *laughs* Just joking! It's okay, because people are always telling us that they don't like ska that much, but that they like us. That's enough for me. If you listen to a lot of ska, you can tell differences. It's like rap in that respect. Almost all rap sounds alike to me. But I'm ignorant. *grins*

BandwagonOK: What really makes your band different from the other bands on the Oklahoma Music Scene these days?

Jake: We play ska. That's about as different as you can get.

BandwagonOK: Did any established bands lend a hand to help along the way when you were starting out ? Any mentorlike band?

Jake: Yeah, Same Day Service helped us out a ton. We had our very first show in their backyard. Since then, we've had a lot of bands help us out, like Jackroller. They're an amazing band. Ninja Finja were our partners in crime for a long time. They were wonderful to us.

BandwagonOK: Describe what its like being in this band.

Jake: It's like the best maple syrup in the world. Sometimes it's sticky and gooey, but most of the time it's just really sweet. I love this band. All five other guys are the closest thing to brothers that I've ever had.

BandwagonOK: Within the band, when it comes to writing material, how do you guys go about deciding who does what?

Jake: We all pitch in. You have to. Usually songs start with me coming up with a guitar part and lyrics, but there have been instances where it was just spontaneous combustion. We all try to hear the final version and go for it.

BandwagonOK: You're playing at Skafest 2004 in New Mexico. Do you have any other touring plans in the works?

Jake: Yeah man. The first week of August will be the next tour. We're playing Summer of Ska in Orange, CA on August 7th. 26 bands, 4 stages. We're very excited. Visit www.summerofska.com.

BandwagonOK: Is it difficult to tour these days?

Jake: Nope, we enjoy it. Ska bands are very willing to help each other out. You always have a place to stay, fans to play for, and there are bands in every city (basically). We love it.

BandwagonOK: Do you prefer to play Oklahoma or other states?

Jake: Our home is in Oklahoma, but there are bigger ska scenes in bigger cities, so of course those shows are amazing to play as well.

BandwagonOK: Have there been any stand out crowds so far? Or any shows that really stick out in your mind?

Jake: Skalloween '99 and the show in Anaheim, CA last year. Both had huge crowds and amazing energy.

BandwagonOK: What do you look forward to when you think ahead to the next five years? Will SDT still be alive and kicking?

Jake: Yeah, we're going to go as long as we can. I'll be here for the 4 or 5 years, so I have no plans on stopping. We have a new CD coming out this summer and a tour at the end of the summer. Other than that, we're looking to play.

BandwagonOK: How far along is the new CD? Does it have a name yet?

Jake: We're starting recording at the end of May or so and no name as of yet. But we're excited. It's been too long.

BandwagonOK: What is your biggest hope for the new album?

Jake: For people to listen to it. We love our music and just want to share it.

BandwagonOK: How is this album going to be different from other ska albums?

Jake: It'll be by us. *laughs* But really...I think it will just add flavor to the market. We're trying some stuff of our own this time and breaking out of the mold of what ska fans expect. We're just about having fun. Hopefully the fans will hear it in our recording.

BandwagonOK: What are you most proud of when you look at your accomplishments in music? For example, if you picture yourself telling your grandkids about playing in a band, whats the first thing you say?

Jake: *laughs* Let's see. I would say that I got to play music with the best friends that I had growing up. I got to play with almost every band that really influenced me. I got to meet a lot of awesome people because of it. And then I would pull out the CDs and say, "these lyrics were my life when I was 17-20something"

BandwagonOK: If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Jake: I would label pop singers who don't write their own music or lyrics as employees of the record company and not as artists. "Jive's top employee Britney Spears..." Other than that, let them have it the way it is. We have the best fans in the ska community... I don't think you could recreate that

BandwagonOK: If you could share the stage with any bands past or present, who would they be? Your ultimate fantasy show and you guys are on the bill.

Jake: Sublime, Reel Big Fish, The Specials (with the first singer), the Goodwin Club, and us.

BandwagonOK: Are there any new bands kids should keep their eyes peeled for around the local scene?

Jake: Jackroller! They rock!!!!!!

BandwagonOK: Anything you'd like to add? Maybe some words of advice for fans looking to start a band like your own?

Jake: Yeah, don't let new fans turn you away from the bands you like. If you like a band, who cares who else goes to the show? It's about the music, not about personal things. And to people starting bands or wanting to...DO IT!!! We love helping bands get started. We had to as well. Just don't give up, as cliche as it is... Believe me, it's hard...but well worth it. That's my two cents.