AJ Nickol of Hook Line and Sinker
by Jessica

CS: How did your group form? Did you start out together or did you pick up players along the way?

AJ: ok its going to be hard to follow this because there have been a lot of changes over the four years. The original band members were adam, our old guitarist, aaron, justin, and andy and they were a punk band. then in like 2000 me and leen were added and we became a ska band. then justin left the band and Thad was brought in as our bass player. then aaron quit and justin came back so thad is now our guitarist. and now this is us.

CS: How long have you all been together? How long has the group been in existence, not counting any possible changes in members?

AJ: we have been together about 4 years

CS: How has this affected the group? Did it take awhile to bond? What kind of relationship do you all have now?

AJ:We keep the main focus of our band on God and worshiping his wonderfulness. we bonded really quick. we are all brothers and sisters.

CS: What kind of equipment do you use?

AJ: well i use a yamahaa trombone (represent). leen uses a bach. nate has a gibson firebird with an orange head and ampeg cab. thad has a trace eliot head and fender cab with a epiphone guitar. andy uses a yamaha costume drumset and paste rude symbols. justen has a swr cab and a messa boogy head and sports the musicman and adam uses his god given vocal cords.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

AJ: our bands main focus is to worship the good name of jesus christ and to glorify his name and the wonderful savior he is. also we just love to have fun and be a ministry to others.

CS: What does your groups name mean?

AJ: hook line and sinker has to do with being fishers of
men and being deciples, to spread the word of jesus christ.

CS: Where did you come up with it?

AJ: umm i dont know nate. made it up and it was there before i was in the band.

CS: Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

AJ: i really have no idea, i hope that there is somthing promising for us in the futer cuz its really fun to play in this band. pretty much whatever God has planned for us.

CS: Do you ever worry about getting caught up in the world of show biz? That success will change your group?

AJ: yes there are times were it easy to be like "hey look at us." but i try and pray that god helps me to keep a humble heart. i dont think that success will change the band. we are truly devoted in worshiping god.

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

AJ: well for our audience we are truly grateful for whatever fan or fans we get which is probably not much. i love to talk to them. they are way cooler than i am. haha

CS: How would you describe your music style?

AJ: umm we are ska sort of like we have a lot of influences but i think a main one would be Five Iron Frenzy but also since we have been together for a while we have our own sound. it is unique.

CS: Who, or what, are your biggest musical influences?

AJ: Five Iron Frenzy, Ace troubleshooter, slick shoes, Further seems forever (we arnt emo though) and a little chicago

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

AJ: i do help with Vacation bible school and other events at my church and whatever mission trip i can do.

CS: How much time do you spend practicing as a group? How much time do you practice individually?

AJ: for both of those questions the answer would probably be not as much as we should. once a week with everyone probably an hour a week individually.

CS: Does the group come together for prayer at times other than concerts and ministry opportunities?

AJ: yeah beor practices. and just if there is something bothering us we pray for each other. its god first before the band. if we aren't right with god then the band doesn't matter.

CS: Have you always had a desire to be in a group like this?

AJ: this group just sort of surprised me. i didn't know it would happen. god just blessed me with my band mates.

CS: What is the latest news on your group? Any new CD's to be released soon?

AJ: well we sort of have a new CD called put up your dukes. its like 6 songs but we are hoping to have a full length when funds are available to make one

CS: What's the weirdest thing that's ever happened at one of your concerts?

AJ: one time we were playing and my trombone slide was kicked across the room. it sucked a lot.

CS: What's a band could you not live without?

AJ: well it was Five iron frenzy but im doing ok. untill now *weep*

CS: What are your favorite bible verses?

AJ: phil. 4:13 john 3:17 Revelations 3:16

CS: Do you have any advice for the youth of today?

AJ: keep god number one. worship his greatness. i mean god loves you no matter what and you cant do anything so wrong that it will make god not love you anymore. he will love you forever and ever. and plus to keep it real.