H.P.: You guys all started out fairly young. How did it all begin, and what brought it together?

A.S.: Well, it all began as a school project, just something we were doing in music class for credit. Then we realized we liked what we were doing , so it just came together. There were originally 13 members in the band, but it was hard to keep it that way. Now we have 10 members, but there are actually only two original members at this point. College is a big competitor with us.

H.P.: I can imagine. It must not be that easy.

A.S.: It's definitely not.

H.P.: I noticed that you dropped the "13" from your band name and named your album "Triskaidekaphobia'' , or fear of 13. Is that mere coincidence, or what?

A.S.: (Laughing) Well, it's kind of funny. G13 is a name which Nintendo has the rights to. We didn't want to get in trouble for using it.

M.H.: Yeah, we really didn't want to have some bigshot from Nintendo crossing paths with us and having a lawsuit on our heads for using that name. That's what that is all about.

H.P.: One of your band members just left for Brazil recently. Have you found a replacement, and how does this affect the band?

A.S.: Yeah, our bass player, Don, just left for Brazil for one year. Don is not just a band member, he is like a brother to us. However, we are very happy with his replacement. He's learned everything really well, and is doing good with us.

H.P.: So is he just temporary, or will it create some friction when Don comes back?

A.S.: We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For all intensive purposes, at this point, Don has left the band. He knows where he stands, and we'll definitely cross that bridge when it happens.

H.P.: What were the influences around you as far as ska music, and why did you choose ska?

M.H.: We heard a Mighty Mighty Bosstones song "I'II Drink to That," and that song was really one of our influences. We just all came together because it was something fun.

A.S.: Ska is a common ground for all of us. It's a lot of fun for us, music that is on a common level. Really, only a couple of us enjoy ska as our real music of choice. We have a diverse outlook, but ska is something we all agree on. It's fun.

H.P.: So when you guys get together and practice, how does it work? Is it just ideas on an individual basis, or does it all just come together?

M.H.: I think a little of both. Like piece by piece, something will come up. One person will be playing and, for example, lately I've just been coming up with really cool horn sections, and somebody will be like "Play that again!" It usually works like that. And then it just all comes together.

H.P.: Ska is an up-and-coming music, and most of your crowd is younger. Would you like to appeal to an older crowd, such as in their 30's and 40's?

A.S.: Right now, I believe ska is at its peak. I've never seen it so popular. As for the crowd, we enjoy what we have now, which is mainly college age. If an older crowd came to see and enjoy us, yeah, that would be great, but we're not about to change what we're doing.

H.P.: Speaking of changes, is there anything you would have changed on your album? Anything you would have altered?

A.S.: This is our first album, and we worked hard on it. We're proud of what we did, and we're happy with it. I don't think we'd change anything.

H.P.: You guys have achieved some fame on a local level. How does that make you feel?

A.S.: We have worked hard, but we also have a lot of people to thank for it. Mainly Scott at the El-N-Gee and our friend Josh from our record label, Endless Fight Records. We owe a great deal to him, because we probably wouldn't be much without him. We've gotten a lot more publicity, and even have a couple of our songs being played at a radio station in Australia. That's a really amazing feeling, knowing that your music is being played on the other side of the world.

H.P.: One final question - What is the future for Golgo? Is it a serious thing or do you expect it to fade in a couple of years?

A.S.: We're all totally happy with what we're doing, and at this point wouldn't change a thing. I think we'll continue to grow and with time become more serious. However, we'll just take one day at a time. But if it all were to end tomorrow, or even an hour from now, I could honestly say that I'II never have regretted my time with the band. It is one of the best experiences I've had, and we're still having fun with it.

M.H.: Definitely.

H.P.: Is there anything you'd like to add, a really strong point you'd like to get across?

A.S.: I just want to say that I think everyone should get out there and support their local music scene, wherever that may be, no matter how good or bad the musicians are. That's where it all begins, and us musicians out there could really use the support of others. It's the best thing you can do.

"Triskaidekaphobia'' is available at:

Mystic Disc (Mystic, CT)

Strawberries (New London, CT)

University of Music (Norwich, CT)

Record Express (Groton, CT)

GOLGO is:

Andrew Smith - Lead Vocals; Don Graham - Bass; James Zeppier - Guitar; Eric Reubelt - Drums; Eric Ganz - Tenor Sax; Mason Herring - Trumpet; J.P. Gouzie - Trombone; Victoria Echeverria - Baritone Sax; Kyle Murphy - Tenor Sax.