AX FACTS & STATS, Vol. 25: John Ondrasik (Five For Fighting)
Another Exclusive Interview/questionnaire for Extremeguitars.com!

Welcome to ExtremeGuitars.com's Landmark 25th edition of Ax Facts & Stats. This month I am thrilled to bring you the multi-talented John Ondrasik, a.k.a. Five For Fighting. John was gracious enough to take a break from his hectic schedule, which includes his current full band tour supporting his "The Battle For Everything" release, which features the smash hit single "100 Years". John is a gifted guitarist, pianist, singer and all around nice guy. not to mention, funny! (except for that question about "hitting the big time" below. he was totally serious about that dude! lol). In his spare time, Ondrasik is an avid sports fan devoting time out of his already hectic schedule to moonlight as a sports columnist for Inside Hockey (site listed below) as well as a dedicated Lakers, L.A. Kings, and UCLA Bruins fan. Some of John's accomplishments include, of course, his Five For Fighting Grammy nominated smash hit "Superman (It's Not Easy)" from his "Beautiful" album and touring with other renowned bands including Dave Matthews, David Gray, Evan and Jaron, and my good friends, TRAIN. I am an enthusiastic FFF supporter, an as a fan I am excited, but not at all surprised to see the massive response to his "100 Years" single, which is an brilliantly written track, musically and lyrically. I totally dig it. Let's now meet John Ondrasik.

-Dave Roberts
Copyright 2004 Dave Roberts/Extremeguitars.com, All Rights Reserved.

My name is: John Ondrasik

Describe yourself in 5 words: sleepy, happy, grumpy, bashful, and doc.

My current job is: sports columnist (www.insidehockey.com)

My hometown: The Valley

My current album or project is: The Battle for Everything/Five For Fighting

Former bands: mostly Informal.

My guitar influences growing up were: Frampton, Prince, George Harrison, Edge

The guitars I use are: Ancient Martins for recording , Gibsons & Taylors on the road.

The strings and tunings I use are: Martin Mediums - standard, C-tunings,...e flat...etc...

My current rig setup consists of: 1 acoustic, 1 tuner, 1 piano, 1 mic...

The greatest invention for guitars is: the songwriter...

My favorite Five For Fighting song is: "Last Goodbye" (Damn, that was Jeff Buckley)

My Career highlight thus far is: The Concert for New York City

My most embarrassing moment on stage: any and every Kurt Cobain wanna-be moment...

Other than my guitar, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is: my kids (and the wifey too)

The first song I ever mastered on guitar: still working on it...

My first guitar was: A KRAMER ...got it for 50 bucks and a pair of hockey tickets...

If I am only sure of one thing in life, It's: nothing is for certain...

My Greatest fear is: giving in...

The one ritual I always perform prior to going onstage is: (the fist hit) male bonding tradition with each band member...

Favorite quote: "fear is the mind killer"

The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was: when she noticed me...

The one thing most fans don't know About me is: I am an android.

The best advice I could give beginning guitarists: listen and play to great players...enjoy the music...enjoy the process...

The CD(s) I'm listening to right now: Steely Dan Katy Lied/Jeff Buckley Grace

My 3 all-time favorite albums: Abby Road, Tommy, Grace

I'm a sucker for: love and honor...

Who was one of your favorite artists that you jammed with onstage? Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton

My best gig was: see the previous question...

If I could meet any ONE person living or Dead, he/she would: Lincoln, Dante, or Christ...Depending on my mood.

My favorite junk food: In & Out Burger (it's healthy dude)

My biggest pet peeve: Lies

The word or catch phrase I say way too often is: "I'm telling you...I'm to young to run for the President of the United States"

The hardest part of my job: being away from the family/my voice

The first thing I do when I come home from touring is: be daddy...

I knew I hit the "big time": when i got an e-mail from EXTREME GUITARS!

My Favorite Website is: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

The worst job I ever had: bartender.

Right after this interview I'm going to: sleep

I couldn't imagine being on the road without: a tour bus

If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as: point guard for the Lakers

My favorite movie ever: Godfather II

My mission in life: live long and prosper

My greatest obsession: relevance

My first band was: not good

My next major step is: only one staircase away

The greatest contribution guitars have brought into my life is: the songs they give me...

The coolest toy I had growing up was: an Abrams Tank

Check out our Website at: fiveforfighting.com

The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be: Paris Hilton

If I could have three wishes, they would be: 3 more wishes, 3 more wishes, 3 more wishes

When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for: something besides "Superman". Rock on...

Thanks so much John for sharing and participating in Extreme Guitars and we also want all our readers to make sure to check out John's "Inside Hockey" column and his official web site at www.FiveForFighting.com. Also be sure to check back for the next installment of ExtremeGuitars.com's "AX Facts & Stats" coming real soon!

-Dave Roberts

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