OK Go

OK Go

OK Go are an alternative rock and indie rock group from Chicago, United States, active since 1998. The band’s line-up includes Damian Kulash, Jr. on guitar and vocals, Tim Nordwind on bass, Andy Ross on guitar and keyboards, Dan Konopka on drums, and Andrew Duncan, with the group releasing music on Paracadute.

Music and style

The band plays indie rock with influences that include Cheap Trick, T Rex and Queen. Their songs are described through a blend of indie rock, stadium rock and pop, with occasional echoes of The Pixies, The Cars and Elliott Smith.

Releases and notable songs

OK Go are best known for the singles “Get Over It”, “A Million Ways”, “Here It Goes Again” and “This Too Shall Pass”. Their self-titled debut album includes “Get Over It”, which reaches No. 21 in the UK singles chart in 2003 and is performed on Top of the Pops the same week. The single also appears in EA Sports titles Triple Play Baseball and Madden NFL 2003. The band later contributes a cover of the Zombies’ “This Will Be Our Year” to the compilation Future Soundtrack for America, issued by Barsuk Records.

Videos and public profile

OK Go become known for high-concept, low-budget, one-shot music videos. “A Million Ways” is filmed in the band’s back yard and choreographed by Trish Sie, Damian Kulash’s sister; it is made for under ten dollars, released without the label’s knowledge, and becomes a major internet phenomenon. “Here It Goes Again” uses the same approach, with the band dancing on treadmills in a single unedited take after several days of rehearsal. That video later earns OK Go and Trish Sie a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video. Earlier oddball video projects include a Ping Pong Instructional Video and the Federal Truth In Music Project.

Other work and collaborations

OK Go share management with They Might Be Giants and tour with them before signing to Capitol Records. They also serve as the house band for This American Life on the programme’s fifth anniversary tour. During the 2004 US election cycle, Damian Kulash writes the guide “How Your Band Can Fire Bush”, which draws a strong reaction from readers. The band tours North America with Silversun Pickups and Snow Patrol in 2007.

Album recording

Their second album, Oh No, is recorded in Malmö, Sweden and produced by Tore Johansson, who also works with The Cardigans and Franz Ferdinand. Released in 2005, it gains attention through “A Million Ways”.