HXC Christian has a bunch of people on the ground at Cornerstone this year.  They are sending bits and pieces about the festival.  Here is some information that I received about some of the bands that performed on Monday that RJ (posts as TenaciousB on the HXCChristian Forum) said we should check out.  Apparently the festival is so good that the team has not even had a chance to get in front of the computer!

I would like to take two paragraphs to explain a few things, so if you are impatient skip ahead. First, I would like to take a moment to describe Cornerstone (C-Stone). C-Stone is a Christian music festival unlike any other. There are no real security guards no bouncers and a chance for nearly anyone to play music. Cornerstone is free flowing and a key to that is the generator stages. There is a regular schedule just like any other festival but anyone who pre-registers a stage can bring their own generator and let bands or themselves play.

 

Our coverage at cornerstone won’t be press coverage. We will just be sharing our C-Stone experience with those of you who are unable to attend. So enjoy hearing band names you have never heard of and tales of valor on the dusty battlefields of Illinois.

 

I have been very lax on doing any sort of reporting duties today (as minimal as they will be) but I did want to share a few things.

As with any festival half of the point is running into some bands you have never heard of before. I would like to share with you a couple that I thought were quite good and worth checking out.

 

Varcella – A good post hardcore band, they reminded me a lot of Spoken. I was quite impressed, they were very guitar driven and the front man was involved with the crowd. I plan on trying to catch up with these guys later.

 

When Forever Falls – They were a hardcore band I saw and didn’t write many notes about other than “they were not bad”

 

Before there was Rosalyn – This hardcore band made it clear who their savior was. A good sized crowd of about a hundred gathered to dance and enjoy the music, Before there was Rosalyn did not disappoint the crowd. I look forward to seeing this band later in the week when they are on one of the official stages.

 

Harp and Lyre - Decent stuff, really enjoyed their set and worth checking out.

 

Children 18:3 played to a fairly full crowd at the Anchor Stage. The band was slow to start they did not seem to get into a groove right away, but by the third song Children was rocking like I would expect them too. The crowd knew the songs being played and was singing along with the music. The oddest thing about the show was the drum solo, As with all things which are boring it seemed to drag forever. I was standing there thinking to myself “this is a punk show not a metal show… why on earth is there a drum solo?” All in all though the band was looking and sounding good. The anchor stage has excellent sound and plenty of room for them to jump around.

 

The best show of the evening by far was FBS (Fight Before Suurender). I have seen FBS several times before this show and was not expecting anything different, boy was I wrong. I have never seen them more comfortable than on the Fatcalf stage. The tent was just a bit over half full but the crowd that was there were FBS fans. The crowd was just loving how comfortable FBS looked and did not want them to stop. FBS is playing other times this week but that will definitely set the bar high for that band. That is all from Monday at C-Stone I look forward to the upcoming days and will be bringing you pictures and video. One last note never forget why we were put on this earth and that is to glorify God, so go out today and make a joyful noise unto His name!

Big props to Dave Miller for interviewing the guys from True Liberty, Dave will be helping out at HXCChristian.com and interviewing bands and adding content to the site. So look for Dave’s interviews in the future. Dave had the opportunity to hook up with the guys in True Liberty. Some of you may have read the review of True Liberty’s last album “Brotherhood” done right here on HXCChristian.com (if not, you can read it HERE). It was time to interview the guys in the band, and I think Dave and I were both really surprised to hear how thoughtful and honest the guys from the band were. Plain and simple, True Liberty is all about fellowship and Christ. So read on, and check out True Liberty, they will be playing Cornerstone this year, so if you are going, catch them live and tell them you read about True Liberty here! Thanks Dave, here is a big “you da man.”

Band: True Liberty
Music Style: Street Punk/Oi!
Home Town: Richmond, Virginia
Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/truelibertyrva
Website: www.truelibertyrva.com

Q: When did True Liberty, tell us how you got started?

AARON - True Liberty formed in November 2005. I grew up in a Christian household but was always in secular bands. The summer of 2005 I became very involved in a young adults ministry in my church and began praying to God about what He would have me do. Very clearly I heard a call to use my love for music to share my faith and my story. I’ve been playing in punk rock bands since I was 13; it’s all I knew how to do. So that’s what I did, but this time my heart, mind, and attitude had been changed. I actually found Mike and original bassist Tom through ads on craigslist of all places. God has a funny way of bringing people together.

Q: Where did the name “True Liberty” come from?

AARON - Well, honestly, I had a list of about 50 band names. I’m still not sure that I really like True Liberty for a band name. But it has special meaning to me. I had gone through life feeling trapped, feeling weighed down, after high school, after I moved to my own place, and even to some extent after I got married, I never felt like I had freedom. I thought freedom was being able to do whatever I wanted, but the things I wanted to do held me prisoner. Drinking, anger, rage, loneliness, sorrow, regret, these were all cages that held me. When I recommitted my life to God in 2005 I began to see that He made me, He loves me, and He knows what is best for me. Through listening to God through His word, the Bible and prayer, He began to show me that true freedom; true liberty was in a life lived in the path God sets before me. There is a version of the song Amazing Grace/Unending Love, “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free” is a line we sing in church, and that is very true for me.

Q: What does everyone in the band do when they are not playing?

AARON - I am active in a new church out in Amelia Virginia. I am blessed to be the drummer in the worship band with some amazing talent. I can literally feel the spirit and presence of God with us when we play; it is so moving and powerful. I also am involved with leading small group Bible studies with my wife Bonnie. We are currently beginning a new marriage study that good friends of ours wrote. I have seen many lives changed through small group ministries, it’s a great thing to be a part of. Bonnie and I have been blessed with 10 years together so far. We just had our 8 year wedding anniversary and we have a 1 year old son and one more on the way. To help pay the bills though I work for Mike doing construction for his company. Yes sometimes is sucks working for one of the guys in the band but no one has killed anyone yet. But seriously, times are tough and it’s a great blessing to be working for a friend.

MIKE - I spend as much time as possible with my wife and kids, hang out at the river or hit the country for a day of dirt bikes with the boys. For money I make Aaron slave away and reap the benefits for myself - (Insert evil laugh)

Q: Some of my personal favorite True Liberty songs are “Chosen” and “Warriors of God”. Thus, this question is simply to ask…what gives you all the inspiration to your songs? That is, the lyrics and meanings behind them?

MIKE - Warriors of God is one of the most inspired songs I have written. I had a dream one night that was basically a warning of the end of the world, there was a person who was dark and ominous, he was telling everyone the time was near, to take up our armor. When a demon can he uncloaked himself proclaiming I am a warrior of God and with a fiery sword struck the dark figure down, I woke up and wrote the song

AARON - I was taking some college classes about 2 years ago. Anatomy and Physiology actually, and I wrote Chosen during a class period. I was thinking about all the things I’ve done wrong, all the times I turned my back on God and ignored Him. And all the times, despite myself that God reached out and took care of me. I was sitting in this class learning about how intricate the human body is, and the class was full of people that thought we evolved or just happened. It was all I could do not to scream at them. How evident it is that God made us. And it hit me. God made us to love Him, but he doesn’t force it. He lets us decide. I just started praying to God. Thank you. You chose me. I don.t always choose you. You take care of me, love me and I don’t deserve it, but thank you. Anyway that.s the story of that song.

Q: You guys proudly profess to be a Christian band; I’d like to ask how much of a role does God play in your band, and in your personal lives?

AARON - God is everything to me. Of course I mess up and get off track, loose my temper, and struggle with things but that’s my sin nature fighting with me. Honestly being a follower of Christ is more of a way of life. It’s not a religion, it’s not a fad. I devote as much time as I can to serving the church and others. I lead and participate in Bible studies, serve on my churches worship team, serve the community through service projects such and visiting nursing homes, or helping with construction on shelters and things. I try to do daily devotions with my wife, and spend some time each day in prayer. Learning, serving and living
amongst other followers of Christ has been a great blessing to me. I can’t imagine life without God. He is my everything.
The band is my outlet. Everything I learn, everything I go through I get to channel through these songs.

Q: What music or bands have inspired you all musically?

AARON - Inspiration. I have two categories for this. One is purely musical. The other is spiritually. Musically I grew up on the Sex Pistols, Social Distortion, Ramones, The Business, Demented Are Go, The Metiors. Just tons of old punk rock, hardcore, and psyco-billy bands. Spiritually, well musically too, but, I love guys like Keith Green and Johnny Cash. I could spend hours
telling you what their life stories have meant to me but I’ll leave you to look into them if you are interested

MIKE - Aaron and I have a huge difference in music taste, I have been very inspired by bands like the Replacements, Descendants, Jerry Lee Lewis, old gospel, Opera, etc. There is not much that I don’t like musically, and I take inspiration from everything.

Q: What would you say it’s like being a Christian band in the music world today? And, do you all face any problems with any of your secular contemporaries?

AARON - Here’s the issue. We don’t really fit in anywhere. Being in a Christian band is one thing but a Christian punk band. Honestly, I don’t think we’ll ever be rich or famous doing this. That’s not the point though. We’re just doing what we have to do. Love us or hate us, this is what we do. We’ve had a few times where secular bands are less then excited to find that we are Christians, but we love them anyway. The big time music industry sickens me, Christian and secular. I don’t really like all that. I know there are good people in the industry; it’ just not for me.

Q: What do you think of the music in the punk scene today?

AARON - Some bands I like, some I don’t.

MIKE - There are a lot of great new bands out there, and there is a lot of garbage, I say do what you love, play music good or bad

Q: True Liberty has two albums and a third album on the way. What keeps you all going? And can we (the fans) look forward to more in the future?

AARON/MIKE - we would say first our faith keeps us going. Knowing that we serve a greater purpose. We love music and people. We are trying to build relationships. With the other bands we play with and with the people that come out to shows. Knowing that our time on earth is short and that we need to make the most of our time to impact the world for Christ. No plans of stopping anytime soon.

Q: Speaking of another album, when is your newest (and third) album due out? Can you tell us what to expect with the newest album?

AARON - For me the newest record is going to be a little different than the others. I feel that the overall the music is better, faster, louder, harder. I’m very critical of myself and usually as soon as a record is finished I don’t listen to it anymore. But this new stuff feels different. I have a lot invested in these songs. To me the first album was just us trying to sort out what we wanted to do. The whole Christian band thing was new to all of us back then. The second album, I feel, was miles better than the first, but it still wasn’t quite there yet. I think we finally have it. We’re going to release a single “Take it Back ” in the next few days.

Q: I’m running into a wall, this interviewing is harder than I thought it’d be… Favorite foods? LOL just joking!!

AARON - Punk rock spaghetti! My wife and I have been able to host a few bands at our home over the past few years. We always cook up like 6 lbs of pasta. Best meal ever.

MIKE - Anything Italian

Q: Okay, continuing on *get my serious face back on* Anything in particular you’d like to say to the music scene out there? And to the fans?

MIKE/AARON - So many cliche things are coming to mind. Gotta fight off the urge to spout off cheesy remarks. But I just want to thank everyone that goes out to local shows. Bands are nothing without people to support and believe in them.

Q: Is there any specific scripture (or scriptures) that really speak out to you guys?

AARON - There is a lot. John 10:10 had really been huge for me. Understanding that Christianity or a relationship with God was not about rules, but about freedom to live. That was a big breakthrough for me years back. I’ve also been reading a lot of the Psalms, lots of inspiration there.

Q: Can we expect many more great shows and songs from you guys? Will True Liberty be touring?

AARON/MIKE - YES, of course. We are currently booking a short tour. I think in the future we will be doing less local shows and concentrating our efforts out on the road a few times a year. Honestly with having a lot of involvement with the local church, having our families and small children it’s hard to leave for extended periods of time. But we are open to what God has in store for us. It’s always been a dream to pack up the whole family and all hit the road together touring.

True Liberty Live at Alley Katz In Richmond, Virginia - 2007

Q: True Liberty played Cornerstone last year, how was that, will you be playing this year? What bands does True Liberty look forward to seeing play?

AARON - This will be our 3rd year out at Cornerstone Festival in IL. It’s truly amazing. It keeps me going all year. Knowing that there are other bands with the same music and heart as us is very encouraging. Cornerstone to me is like a big revival conference. One of my favorite bands to see out there has been Headnoise. Also this year I hear that The Crucified is playing, that should be sweet.

MIKE- the Crucified! It’s always good to see our friends Flatfoot 56, F.B.S, the Scurvies, Filthy 42’s..I could go on and on

Q: Anything else you’d like to say, shout-outs, bands we should check out, links to sites you visit, etc. Feel free to go wild!

AARON - There are 2 bands that have really been an encouragement to me. They are great people and love God with all their hearts. I just want to let them know that. Flatfoot 56 and FBS. If you know about Christian punk you probably already know them. These guys sacrifice so much to be out on the road, touring relentlessly, sharing Christ’s love with all they meet, and being an example of what it means to be a true Christian. Of course they are not perfect, no one is, but they have been a big inspiration to me. My pastor and friend Tommy Adams at ACC ( www.ameliacommunitychurch.com ) Tommy delivers the word of God in a way that is so real, so powerful, it’s changed my life forever. It is a joy to serve alongside him. I want to thank my friends at Ironbridge Church. John Calhoun, Mike Talley, and the team we started the Crossroads ministry (www.crossroads616.com ) with have been with me through a lot. They were the first to be praying with me when I felt the call to start this band. I truly feel that without their prayers I would not be where I am today. And lastly I have to thank my wife Bonnie for being my rock. Her love and support have carried me