Blue Island Tribe

The 5 Hits of Ecstasy

Don’t freak out now—the title of Blue Island Tribe’s latest EP The 5 Hits of Ecstasy may be a clever double entendre, but it’s not about drugs. Well, not really, unless you consider the powerful, hypnotic sway the Iowa based reggae‐rock band holds over its thousands of fans across the Midwest.

Driven by their mantra “You can’t argue with crazy,” these six ambitious musicians launched the band while attending the University of Northern Iowa in the early 2000s after deciding that the world simply needed more fun. They have since spread the fun on four previous discs and anywhere from 100‐200 annual gigs.

And the EP name isPurely exciting and innocent. It developed after drummer Mike Schminke couldn’t remember how several of the new songs—all in their primitive stages—started. The title track “Ecstasy,” whose laid back romantic and soulful exuberance reflects the band’s new sonic vibe after a spell of growth and transition, launches with five hits in unison, so bassist Brandon Clark would always tell him “5 hits of ecstasy.” They added “The” because, well, they can and the other guys—lead singer James Frey, lead guitarist John Schminke, rhythm guitarist Kelly Powers and saxophonist Garrett Thielking—couldn’t argue with it

The 5 Hits of Ecstasy was recorded at Sonic Factory Studios in Des Moines and features key contributions by members of the popular Midwestern based college rock band The Nadas. The EP was mastered by John Mailoux of Bongo Beach Productions, whose credits include Sugar Ray, Dispatch, and State Radio.

“We love all of these songs, but ‘Ecstasy’ is one that in particular shows the maturity and development of Blue Island Tribe over the past few years,” adds Clark. “We’ve all grown so much as songwriters. Our songs in the past have been popular but also somewhat simple, but these five tracks are more refined, with a tighter sound, an exciting edge and more emotional impact. We’ve finally got our sound to where people will know it’s Blue Island Tribe the minute
they hear us. There have been bumps along the way for us, but we’re great friends, have a powerful chemistry onstage and most of all, just have fun doing what we’re doing. In fact, we’re having more fun performing now than ever before. We’re out there embracing the moment and having a blast. The crowds pick up on that and have a great time right along with us.”

Even as many of their infectious songs, beginning with the widely popular “No Worries” from their 2003 debut Road To Hana, have been on numerous TV shows and videos over the years, Blue Island Tribe’s live shows have been where the real energy and excitement of the band shines. A major touring force and huge festival attraction everywhere from their adopted hometown of Des Moines, Omaha to Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, they played several shows in a summer series at Navy Pier in Chicago, which is one of their main hubs. They also performed 20 shows this summer for Armed Forces Entertainment on U.S. military bases in Japan and Korea and have already been asked to return.

One of The 5 Hits of Ecstasy’s key tracks, the tropically‐tinged spiritual anthem “March On,” was partially written, totally extemporaneously, when the band was playing an intimate show in a living room for about 20 people on a small base in Korea. The music for the song had been composed back home, but the song didn’t have lyrics until Frey started singing it and improvising words like “March On…This Is Our Movement…Can You Feel It In Your Soul?” and creating what became a stunning tribute to our troops. The EP is rounded out by “Jump And Shout” (which features an incredible Red Hot Chili Peppers flavored guitar riff by John Schminke); the instantly infectious, edgy rocker “Down” and “Drop Out,” whose upbeat vibe is balanced by pointed lyrics about the end of a relationship.

Frey says, “’March On’ is not advocating war by any means. This song was written as homage to all the excellent people we met and their will to simply ‘march on.’ I can see with new eyes that our military is an absolute necessity, not as a warring campaign but as a peace‐keeping entity. With that in mind, we wanted to create a song that would reflect the inspiration of what the tour and the people we met meant to us. So, to all the troops past and present that put their life on the line to protect our freedoms, this one is for you.”

For Press/Publicity:
Rainmaker Public Relations
617‐445‐4383
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FAQ

1. Where did the name BIT come from?
Frey’s mind

2. What does the name of the new album mean?
The name developed from Mike not being able to remember how several of our new songs started. The song Ecstasy starts with 5 hits in unison, so Brandon would always tell him “5 hits of Ecstasy”. It grew from there and we liked it. We added “The” because we can.

3. Have you guys ever taken 5 hits of ecstacy?
no

4. Wasn’t there a girl in the band?
yes

5. Why aren’t you signed?
Because we believe in not giving into the man, etc., etc., We don’t want to give up artistic control, blah, blah….bullshit, we haven’t been offered enough money yet.

6. Do you guys really live in Iowa?
We all met in Cedar Falls, Iowa where everyone attended The University of Northern Iowa. Presently, the band lives all over the place including Los Angeles, Phoenix, Des Moines, Dubuque, and Cedar Falls. So, no we don’t all live in Iowa.

7. Are John and Mike brothers or cousins?
brothers

8. How did you guys start?
Frey and Brandon met in the fall of 2000. Brandon met John at “the beach house” in 2001/2002 and John introduced Mike to Brandon. Kelly was the bands photographer/tech for a few years before he stepped onstage…and finally Garrett, “the new guy” was approached about playing in the band after Kelly and Brandon saw him playing with another band.

9. I heard you were managed by the guys who signed sublime?
false

10. Will you come play my party/birthday/wedding/etc?
probably not, but email brandonwclark@gmail.com

11. Do you know “insert random girl/guy” from “insert random city here”
Maybe?

12. Didn’t you guys break up?
We took a little time off in 2007 to do other things we wanted to do. We realized quickly we weren’t good at other things.

13. What happened to the crazy kid that played trumpet?
Ben-E-Ben is still a very good friend of the band and anytime it works out we love to get him up on stage with us. He lives in Chicago now and is pursuing and acting career.

14. My friend told me that you were all in the army, really?
No, we aren’t in the army, we did tour military bases in Japan and Korea.

15. Is your singer married?
no

16. Did one of you get a girl named Amy pregnant in South Carolina?
no

17. Do you guys know a kid named “greaser”?
Yes, Grieser, is a very close friend of ours who lives in Phoenix unless you are a girl he is trying to impress….. In that case, we have never heard of him.

18. How many albums do you have out?
Revival (2001) very rare to find
Road to Hana (2003)
Ready and Waiting (2005)
The Essentials (2007)
The 5 Hits of Ecstasy (2008)

19. How long have you been together?
Refer to #8

20. Do you guys know “johnny love”?
yes we do. His picture can be found on the Road to Hana Cd label.

21. Is Frey on drugs?
No, unless energy drinks count.