"Met at a Super Bowl party in 1999. Broncos vs. Falcons
Got the band name in 2000.
Got a real singer in 2001.
Can't remember anything in 2002.
Parents and friends finally start liking us in 2003 or 2004.
Broom 2005. First tour. Tom leaves the band for art school.
Polyvinyl 2006. Our song is on The OC. The OC gets canceled.
Boris Yeltsin dies 2007 and we play at his funeral in Moscow (66% true).Also in 2007: First Europe tour with Jakub. Mute Math/Cinematics tour.Phil tries to kill John with a bar stool after a bad show in New Mexico.
Pershing 2008. Jonathan briefly quits then rejoins the band.
2009. We got 16 and Pregnant. Start recording LP3.
New album. Let It Sway. August 17, 2010."

Roaring out of the Ozarks with a bottle in one hand and a bible in the other, Ha Ha Tonka mix sanctified four-part harmonies and blistering rock, carving out songs that evoke the dichotomies that define their home. Their dark view of the realities of socio-economic hardship, backwoods prejudices and drug abuse is leavened by wry humor and a
deep appreciation for regional storytelling traditions. Coming straight out of Springfield, MO., Ha Ha Tonka specialize in disarming and effortless anthems that owe as much to high and lonesome Ozarks mountain music as chugging college rock.
Ha Ha Tonka? What the hell could that name possibly mean? It's a nod to the boys' Ozark pride. It's the name of a state park in southwestern Missouri, full of natural bridges, sandstone cliffs, caves and a castle. That's right, a castle. Some crackpot rich guy built himself a Scottish style castle around 1900. It burned down, but the ruins are still an attraction. Thus, Ha Ha Tonka want you all to know there is more to their home stomping grounds than Branson, walnut bowl outlet stores and Jesse James' hideout.
The band released its Bloodshot debut, Buckle in the Bible Belt, to much acclaim in 2007, gaining praise from glossies like PASTE and Spin, and taste-making radio stations like KEXP. At years end, Popmatters Magazine named Buckle in the Bible Belt one of the best albums of 2007 (In fact, Buckle was ranked #15 for the year, pulling
ahead of those lauded indie rockers, Spoon. Ha Ha Tonka was also a featured performer at the 2008 Lollapalooza and Sundance Film festivals, and toured the US with Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, The Meat Puppets and Old 97's.