Ha Ha Tonka

Hometown: Springfield, Mo.
Fun Fact: The members of Ha Ha Tonka have invented their very own cocktail, which contains vodka, amaretto, sloe gin, Southern Comfort, peach schnapps and a little bit of orange juice.
Why It's Worth Watching: Ha Ha Tonka serves up complex heartland rock with both the bar-band ferocity of The Replacements and the subdued twang of R.E.M.
For Fans Of: The Hold Steady, Uncle Tupelo, The Replacements

Like many a band, Ha Ha Tonka started out as a couple of friends sharing a cheap apartment and the love of music. "I don't think we were really that serious about music at the beginning, seeing as how we were full-time college students," says Brian Roberts, who sings and plays guitar. "Plus, our songs were terrible and we weren't that good live, so there really wasn't that much to be serious about." The group originally was called Amsterband, a name Roberts admits he and his bandmates chose hastily, "because we needed a name for a talent show we'd entered." They took second place.

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