The way you repay a favor is double it and say no more. That’s just what we did with the Oi-Skall Mates, a band musically like us but just about twice as big and probably wouldn’t hesitate to scarf down a carton of natto in a heartbeat. Yeah, so they’re a little different but those things are minor when you think about it. The main thing, like it’s always been with us, is the music and that’s what really counts. When it comes down to it we’re all strumming our guitars and blowing horns to the same beat, the ones that originated back in Jamaica way back when and has us all doing pretty much the same thing just in different countries and languages and such. Ain’t music great like that?

Back to the beginning….our two bands first met sometime in April 2006 when Go Jimmy Go went to headline their first Japan Tour. The country, the people and the food all coalesced, joined forces to make that one of the best tours we’d ever been on. Being from Hawaii made the “land of the rising sun” somewhat similar in most respects and we devoured the rest deliciously bite after savory bite. And in the end, we met Oi-Skall Mates at the last gig in Tokyo, sold out and dangerously packed. We could believe the energy and firepower this band brought to the stage — it was both amazing and inspiring all at once. We shared the same war stories after the show with the Duty Free whiskey we had hoped to bring back home, but some things are worth sacrificing for the sake of a memory. Fast forward roughly two years to 2008 and a scene change and you have Oi-Skall Mates in Hawaii (America, even) with Go Jimmy Go hosting them for a two night stand at the venerable Anna’s and even a BBQ to boot.

So, make that tripled…the favor, and I’ll say no more. There’s no need because despite the huge language barrier we all faced, in the end it was the music that mattered.

Nothin’ Like A Little Fire-Breathing Lizard Shooting Lighting Bolts To Get Peeps To The Show

Oi-Skall Mates / Go Jimmy Go Crew “Backstage” At Anna’s

Tenor, Trombone, Now…Singing?!? Reviving The Tantra Days

Tony Trying His Best To Imitate The Old Japanese Guy On The Vinyl

John Being…Well, John

Oi-Skall Mates Lost Their Pants During Their 4.5 Hour Customs Ordeal; The Crowd Pays For It, Dearly.

Lead Singer Wataru Is A Fashion Genius — Look At Those Matching Bebs And Slip-ons! Tight!…Literally.

Da Japanese Bruddahs At Their Farewell BBQ @ Kaimana’s

This Is Almost Everybody That Came Out

Akira’s Hiding Behind Us But He’s The One That Leads The Charge For Us In Tokyo

Oh Yeah, It Was Also Shon & Ryan’s Birthday. They Forgot Their Ages But Remembered It To Be A Good Time.

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