Why did we change the name, you ask?

There are a few reasons for us changing the name... none of which have anything to do with our style, members, label signing, etc. We are the same band moving in the same direction, only now with a new name. The foremost reason is because of two existing bands - "Amsterdam" (Based out of the UK) and "The New Amsterdams" (Kansas City, MO). Both bands are quite a bit higher on the "ladder-o-rock" at this point, so out of respect for them and some fear of confusion in the Amsterworld we decided it best to put some new letters in front of what we're doing. It had also came to our attention many times that "Amsterband" could and has backed us into the same corner as the "hippie jam band" world. That's a great world, but a far cry from what we're doing, so we couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about that instant label... especially with the national release coming up, and the hope of some new and vast exposure. Please keep in mind, this was a daunting task for us. Ever since SXSW we've been battling with name after name to figure out what best suits us. The more we battled the more we realized that whatever name we picked we were pretty much going to have to grow into it rather than just instantly "be" that name. We've been "Amsterband" for so long now... how could we just put on a new outfit and not have people think it's strange? So after more than a month of tossing out names, laughing, crying, fighting and keeping all of this a secret, we have decided to go with a name completely original to the Ozarks. So without further ado…our new name is Ha Ha Tonka. All of you old fans, take it in. Say it to yourself a few times. Let it roll off the tongue. : ) Here's a little background from whence the new name is derived - http://www.mostateparks.com/hahatonka.htm

We ask that you please update and change all of your myspace and facebook stuff that says "Amsterband"... and just ride it. It'll grow on you. It has us. We love you guys for accepting us for who we are, name change or not, and we'll continue to do what we do…footstomp and be crazy. Ha Ha Tonka it is!

Well - Laura already gave us her opinion on the name in a previous post. We want to know what everyone else thinks as well. Be honest - it's not going to cause us to change it to something else or hurt our feelings, we just want to know whats on people's minds... maybe help walk you through this a bit...

Love you guys.

Sadly I have to agree with her though.

I dont know if its the name, or the fact that I loved the name Amsterband so much, but I'm not a big fan of the name Ha Ha Tonka.

I'm going to try though, and hopefully it will grow on me.


Maybe I need to go there to like the name.

Here's the deal. First off, I'm sad I didn't know about this previously. I thought I was in on the loop, but I guess not. Secondly, Yes it will be sad to see the Amsterband name...previous CDs, Shirts, Posters, all those amazing amsterpuns. I guess I'll be the first to say I do like the new name. Yeah it's going to be hard for me to adjust to it, but I think it's very catchy and when you guys start getting bigger and attracting new faces I think it's going to be great. It's just going to be hard for us Amsterfans to complete forget about all those great years supporting our Amsterboys. I think it's awesome you took the name of an Ozarkian Park. And I read up on that place and I think I'll take a trip out there this summer. Sounds like a neat place. I wish you guys the best of luck with the new name.

I will say you may need to do some updating on the website. It's a little plain. I'm guessing it's just temperary as you work on something better. Anyway, those are my thoughts. Can't wait to see you guys again. Peace.

I like the name too! But just like everyone else, the change will be hard to do. You guys will always be Amsterband to me. But the Ha Ha Tonka park is beautiful just like you boys, so its fitting. We should plan a street team meeting at Ha Ha tonka. Lol Have a picnic!

I hope you all won't get upset if an "amster" term gets slipped here and there. Oh and there are many walls with amsterband on then in Columbia, that's alright jaime and i will go and change those! haha

I'm soo diggin that idea to have an amsterband...I mean Ha Ha Tonka street team party at the state park.

I know! Am I a genius or am i a genius? haha jk But still that would be uber fun!!!

So...I never said why I don't like the name. Basically if I were looking at a list of bands I've never heard of, and Ha Ha Tonka was on the list...I wouldn't be tempted to check them out. I'd make fun of the name...but not listen to the music...lol

On the plus side...I do like that it's memorable, and I like that it gives a little feel for the type of music.

The one thing I really don't like though is that you didn't give your Amsterfans a heads up. I would have really appreciated the opportunity to talk you out of this name...even if it didn't work.

Out of curiosity, what were some of the other names you guys threw around?

I really don't know my thoughts on the new name. I mean, I laughed when I read it. But I don't know my actual thoughts.

I guess it will take some getting used to.

Thanks a lot guys for posting your thoughts.

I understand that some of you might feel like we should have brought this out a little sooner, as opposed to having it be the ultimate shock. Either that, or kept some of you in the loop. Think of it this way... what if we would have let all of you know that we were going to change the name, then all of a sudden something happened where we couldn't? I think that would have made us look terrible. Plus, there are times when band business is just band business. We were very top secret about all of this. Maybe 10 people TOTAL knew what was going on. This of course includes wives and close family... so don't feel like you were the only one's. Amy Lynne and Audi didn't even know, and they do more for us than anybody! With a decision like this, the more people you bring in, the harder it becomes. Trust me on that.

As we stated in the write up... we expected that there would be some that wouldn't like the name. It's like calling your friend James by that name forever, then all of a sudden he wants to be called Mike. It'll just feel weird. I mean, you knew him as James since the beginning! What the hell?!

Things that really sold us on the name are as follows.
1. It has an Ozarkian connotation.
2. There is no way that you can connect the name Ha Ha Tonka to one style of music. It might put you in the frame of mind of a specific style, but that opinion will probably be completely different to someone else.
3. It's unique. "Why would they name themselves that?" "What's this band all about?"

You may laugh at the name now... that's fine. No hurt feelings. You may also think that you wouldn't check out a band named Ha Ha Tonka for the first time... but think of it this way.

If you had never heard the music of the following bands, would you check them out? It'll be easier to say yes now, because you know them... but put them in the same situation as us...

- Minus The Bear
- Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
- Wilco
- Superchunk
- Modest Mouse

Those are all names that I might not find the most appealing, and a couple of them I'm not even fond of their music so much, but they've had some great success. Or are working on it... why? Because of the music.

When people like the music, that's what the name becomes.

So - love us or leave us, we'll still love you.

ps - Other name options are not important now... the choice has been made.

I'll still love you guys....just not your name...lol. I'll just have to forever call you Amsterband (now Ha Ha Tonka....what were they thinking?)

PS: This would have been the most amazing April Fool's day joke ever....

Ha Ha Tonka is awesome. That's all I'm saying I feel bad that some people aren't liking it. I'd totally check out a band I've never heard if their name was Ha Ha Tonka. I think it's very catchy and would appeal to most people. I'm sad to see Amsterband go, but I think you've done well with the new name. I am a little upset I'm going to have to buy all new Amsterapparrel. I mean Ha Ha Tonkapparrel. You have any t-shirt designs in the works yet?

Rafelicious...new merch is in the works! However, in the meantime, feel free to make any adjustment(s) you might see fit on the old Amstermerch.

I find "boniero"s comment quite strange. you say:

"When people like the music, that's what the name becomes."

so why did you change the name in the first place then? if it doesnt make a difference what people associate with the name than your argument to change the name, saying it has a certain hippie band clichee attached to it and you guys are trying to move away from it, wouldnt hold true.

if your music is that good that it would overcome a bad choice of band name than you could have just stuck with amsterband, right?

also, why wouldnt you include your fans in choosing a new band name?

you say it makes it harder, i say it would have made it much easier. you would have had more ideas coming from all different kinda people that look at the choice of a band name from totally different perspectives.

the funny thing is that you are starting a discussion about the name now that no one has any influence on the decission anyway. so what difference does it make whether or not people like it? apparently none because its not going to change.

in the end you just want people telling you how great that name is, like this rafe guy, who is kissing your ass so he can be your backstage betty at the next show.