One Pin Short blends reggae, rock, blues, much more

They're more fun than an open bar, a ceaselessly boisterous bunch whose shows are a raucous survey of reggae, ska and punk. One Pin Short knows how to have a good time, as bassist Jordan Tinker lets us know.

What does One Pin Short sound like?

"One Pin Short is a reggae band that's trying to do something different by adding elements of classic songwriting, psychedelic, rock, blues and much, much more. Give a listen and tell us what you think."

You guys toured Europe. Share at least one good road story from abroad. Any culture shock moments?

"The craziest story from Europe was definitely when we ran out of money in Amsterdam. Our rental van took a dump on us when we were driving from France, so we had to use every last bit of money just to get to the show in Amsterdam. After we played the show we tried to find any way possible for us to raise money. Finally, we ran into a small fellow named Tito and he convinced some of the band members to work the streets in the Red Light District. So, we drew straws and as fate would have it, Shawn (Garnett, singer) and I were the lucky ones chosen. I don't really want to tell much more after that, but we got the money and continued on tour."

You're a seven-piece band, which is a lot of dudes for a van. Do you pretty much have to sleep in one another's armpits?

"We are a seven-piece band, so believe me, when we have to all crash in a motel, or in someone's one-bedroom apartment, there is not a lot of personal space. When we're on the road, I must say that Shawn is a much better person than I will ever be, because he lets everyone just use him as a pillow to sleep on. And believe me, he is a comfy boy toy."

You have clear reggae and ska influences, the latter of which, in general is kind of a natural mood enhancer. But what do you guys turn to, musically speaking, when you need a pick me up?

"Our band has a lot of different influences, actually. From classic rock to reggae to punk to hard-core to Stevie Wonder -- you might even hear some '80s music from a few of us. The funny thing about a lot of the songs on the album is that they were actually written to pick me or Shawn up. It's like we were writing these songs to make ourselves not let life get the best of us."

Ska is one of those genres that people always seem to be writing off. Why do you think the music has proven to be so durable?

"Well, first off, ska has been around since the '60s, so with that much history, you will definitely be able to get a following just off that kind of music. The main reason that ska is still around is because bands keep reinventing the style by adding new influences to it. Ska went from Jamaica, then to the U.K., then to the U.S. It has evolved a lot through the years. Just like good ol' rock 'n' roll."

See One Pin Short at 9 p.m. Friday at The Bunkhouse, 124 S. 11th St. Tickets are $5; call 384-4536.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476.