The OC Supertones

The O.C. Supertones

The Orange County Supertones (a.k.a. The O.C. Supertones a.k.a. The Supertones) was a Christian ska band hailing from Orange County, California. The band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records before becoming an independent band for its final tour. The OC Supertones was one of the first widely successful Christian Ska bands.

History

The band began in the early 1990s as Saved. Originally formed by Matt Morginsky, Jason Carson and Tony Terusa while in Junior High School, the band played a mix of many styles including punk, rap, metal, disco, and funk. In 1995 they formed as The Orange County Supertones and settled on a ska based sound, similar to Operation Ivy or Mike Park's Skankin' Pickle.

In the late 1990s The Supertones achieved wide popularity in the Christan Rock community. Their second album, 1997's release Supertones Strike Back, was a surprise smash hit, peaking on both Billboard's Heatseekers and Top Christian Albums charts at #3 and #2 respectively.

Beginning with a more traditional ska sound, The Supertones moved next to a harder rock sound, which eventually changed again with more of a pop-rock influence. Their next two albums, 1999's Chase the Sun and 2000's Loud and Clear, each charted on the Billboard 200 chart.

They continued to release albums until 2005, when they announced plans to break up. The band released Unite, a greatest hits compilation, and played their last show at Biola University in La Mirada, California on October 7, 2005. former members Jason Carson, Darren Mettler and Tony Terusa re-joined the band on stage for three songs. Kevin "Slim" Chen was on hand but did not play with the band. The Supertones played for 2 1/2 hours at their final show, playing close to 30 songs.

On March 11, 2008 BEC Recordings, Inc. released "The Ultimate Collection," a sort of greatest hits album with select songs from each of the bands studio albums, with the exception of "Revenge of the O.C. Supertones," which has no tracks represented.

On February 12, 2008 former Supertones guitarist Ethan Luck became the newest member playing drums for the Christian Punk Pop band, Relient K.

Former front man Matt Morginsky released his debut solo album, "Doctorate in Cold Rockin' It" under the moniker Mojo & the Info via his MySpace page on April 20th, 2008.

Band Members

Final Line-Up

Matt Morginsky - vocals (1995 - 2005)
Daniel Spencer - trombone (1997 - 2005)
Ethan Luck - guitar (2000 - 2005) in Saved (1993-1995)
John Wilson - drums (2002 - 2005)
Chris Beaty (Formerly of Seven Day Jesus) - bass guitar (2003 - 2005)
Bret Barker (Formerly of The W's) - trumpet (2004 - 2005)

Former Members

Tony "Toneman" Terusa - bass guitar (1995 - 2002)
Kevin "Slim" Chen - guitar (1995 - 1997)
Brian "Bronson" Johnson - guitar (1999)
Dave Chevalier - saxophone (1996 - 1998)
Jason Carson - drums (1995 - 2000)
Darren "Chief" Mettler - trumpet (1995 - 2004)
Adam Ferry - drums (2000 - 2001)

Discography

Compilations

''Any Given Day
Veggie Rocks!
Tooth and Nail 4th anniversary Box Set
Tooth and Nail 10th anniversary Box Set
Art Core Vol.2
Cheapskates Vol. 2
Cheapskates Vol. 3
Cheapskates Vol. 4
X 2003
Moms Like Us Too Vol. 1
Happy Christmas Vol. 1
Happy Christmas Vol. 2
Seltzer Vol. 1
Seltzer Vol. 3
WOW 1999
WOW 2000
Dominate in 98
Steady Sounds From The Underground
BEC Sampler Vol. 1
Songs from the penalty box Vol. 2
No Lies

Charts

Billboard (North America)

Year	Album	US Hot 200	US Heatseekers	Top Contemporary Christian
1996	The Adventures of The O.C. Supertones	-	-	36
1997	The Adventures of The O.C. Supertones	-	-	35
1997	Supertones Strike Back	117	3	2
1999	Chase the Sun	95	-	2
2000	Loud and Clear	168	9	10
2002	Hi-Fi Revival	-	-	28
2002	Live! Vol. 1	-	-	20
2004	Revenge of the O.C. Supertones	-	-	17
2005	Unite	-	-	-