Ghoti Hook fans in the area had been looking forward to this night for a month or so after it was announced that this would be guitarist and writer Conrad's last show with the band. Although the band had been praying about this for some time, they announced at the Purple Door Festival that he would be leaving the band to continue in his real job as an accountant and to begin a ministry in his home church for college-age people. Word quickly spread far and wide, and the Ghoti Hook fans came in droves to say good-bye and good luck to Conrad. More than six hundred fans showed up at the door of On Stage Theatre hoping to get in to experience what promised to be a special night.  

Ghoti Hook began playing out in public about two or three years ago. In fact, they started out at Javacasa when the venue was a little restaurant. After a compilation of regional Christian bands was put together by Dwarf Records, on which the song "Ooklah the Punk" was first released and made the Christian charts, interest in the band grew. So did the crowds at the shows. But at this show, "Home town boys made good," Ghoti Hook were starting a new era without founding member Conrad, and the "home town" crowd was here in force to encourage the boys, celebrate the past, and look forward to the future. 

God has set each and every one of us in a certain place and at a certain time to bring glory to Himself. We can be thankful for the opportunity that Ghoti Hook and Conrad have been given, to do what they love to do and have a blast doing it, but more importantly for the way that God has chosen to use a bunch of wackos like Ghoti Hook. We don't know why He does it, but we're sure happy that He does. 

The night opened with Granesane and their own brand of praise-punk music. Granesane's songs are lyrically up front with their love of God. They throw in a ska beat or riff once in a while to keep the audience on their toes. Granesane wasn't very polished but played a good set of six inspiring songs.  

Next up were the Huntingtons, a traditional New York-style punk band in the vein of the Ramones. They took the stage and blasted off into a ripping set. This band was tight. The songs were mostly about relationships, both routine and romantic. With hardly a breath, they stood in place and like a buzz saw chopped through seventeen songs: "Rock and Roll Girl" BZZZZZZZZ, "Veronica" BZZZZ, "Crackhead" BZZZZ, "Alice is the Bomb" BZZZZZ. They finished with a medley of songs by the Ramones that ended with one that they left off of their tribute album: "I Wanna Be Sedated." They said that they were going out on a tour very soon, so if you see them in your area and you like that kind of music, go and enjoy the Huntingtons! 

After a quick set change, the emcee introduced the featured attraction to an anxious central Pennsylvania crowd: "Ghoti Hook!" The boys came out wearing new blue mechanics's coveralls. It was right down to the oily business of dirty rock and roll, Ghoti Hook style, as they took us on their colorful, carnival ride. They played everything from Sumo Surprise and some new things from the upcoming Banana Man. There were old favorites like "Tract Boy," "Samson," and, of course, "Ooklah the Punk"; then the fun stuff like "This Song Will..." and a new one called "The Box," complete with hand motions. The boys also did covers of old playful songs like "Walk Like An 
Egyptian" and the Penguins's "Earth Angel."  

During a break in the music, Joel, the lead singer, and Adam came out from behind the drums to say hello to their mothers, who were there at the show, and Adam called his mother to come on stage and had her sing "Amazing Grace." I am so impressed by how Ghoti Hook can have so much banter on stage and still play a tight, exciting set.  

Ghoti Hook fans came from as far as Illinois to see Conrad's last show with the band, and now came the time for the band to publicly say thank-you to Conrad, and for Conrad to express his thoughts at this crossroads in his life. One of the best stories was when Conrad told us all about the early days with Joel and Adam. He decided to join the band only to find out that the guys really couldn't play, even though they told him that they could. Conrad was a few years older than these high school kids, and he spoke of being judgmental at first, but realized that it was only because of Christ that he was any farther along in his walk with the Lord. Conrad encouraged all the guys and us to focus on God and find our joy in God. And to buy Banana Man.  

Now with smiles and warm feelings all around, Ghoti Hook put on the instruments for the last encore, Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll." Ghoti Hook took their bows, and Conrad sat down on the edge of the stage to talk to his fans and shake hands. So with a great fun show Ghoti Hook said 
good-bye to Conrad.  

Long live Ghoti Hook!