I would like to introduce you to a band this week that has successfully take core elements from hip-hop and combined it with raw hardcore music. I am not talking about some cheesy “rapcore” band, I am talking about The Red Baron. This five piece band out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida has been putting out some raw, in your face hardcore since 2004. Not only that, they are a Christian hardcore band, and spread the word of Christ with each set they play. Those of you lucky enough to go to Cornerstone Festival this year in Illinois will have the pleasure of seeing The Red Baron play….again (yup, they played last year as well). I had a chance to chat with Chase and Phil two members of The Red Baron. I hope that you enjoy The Red Baron as much as I do, you can find out how to pick up their split album with XBishopX below, and find out when they will be putting out their full length on Blood & Ink Records.
Band Name: The Red Baron
Music Style: Hardcore
Location (Home Base): Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Q: Where did the name The Red Baron come from?
Phil: He was a sweet pilot and ladies man. I heard about him in one of my college classes, and said, “sure, why not.”
Q: How Long have you guys been playing together?
Chase: The band has been together since the winter of 2004.
Q: How is the hardcore scene in Ft. Lauderdale?
Phil: It’s OK. Some amazing bands come out of South Florida. Got some amazing friend, some drama, but i guess it happens.
Q: What bands influence the sound of The Red Baron?
Chase: I would say that all of us have different influences individually, but I would say bands like No Warning, Stretch Arm Strong, and Ten Yard Fight. Hahahaha, kids are going to be pissed when they listen to us and think, “I love Ten Yard Fight, this Red Baron band sucks.”
Phil: We listen to all genres of music so we have a wide range. Throw Stretch Armstrong, New Found Glory, and Biggie Smalls in a blender and you get The Red Baron. =)
Q: What does everyone in the band do when they are not playing?
Chase: I just graduated from The University of South Carolina with a degree in Economics, and am getting married in October (STOKED!), (Phil will probably give you a better answer for himself, but he’s a college grad too.) Josiah is a full-time ladies man, and plays in couple other bands on the side. Black John is taking classes, working, and plays in a band on the side with his brother. Some of the dudes train Jiu Jitsu, and compete in tournaments for fun.
Phil: Josiah fights MMA and Models. Black John does vocals in another band and is in a new band with Josiah, I graduated from college and am doing graphic design and subculture ministry.
Q: The Red Baron does not hide the fact that it is a spirit filled hardcore band, anyone ever ridicule you guys for that?
Chase: Hmm, we’ve had a few hecklers now and then, but for the most part, our experiences have been positive. I mean, we have toured extensively with Bishop, and put out a split with them. I think that’s a fair example of how people have reacted.
Phil: Yea, it happens. Oh well. Hardcore is supposed to be about standing for what you believe, some people forget that. we will NEVER compromise what were about. We do this first and foremost for our Lord and Savior.
Q: What books of the bible or verses does The Red Baron draw its inspiration from?
Phil: For me personally, anything that Paul writes. Paul was all about being real. He was a man that the Lord changed and called into ministry. He wasn’t perfect and was willing to admit his flaws. We aren’t perfect, but the Lord still allows us to be His children. We will never claim to be perfect.
Chase: Obviously, I can’t speak for everyone, but I have been loving the book of Philippians lately. Chapter 2 in particular. Verses 3-4 & 14. Those are some tough verses to swallow! I’d say that’s something each of us are striving for. In that chapter, Timothy is described as real man of God, and that is where all of us want to be for sure. Real talk.
Q: Does anyone ever question how The Red Baron could be a Christian band because you don’t fit the mold of a stuffy Christian stereotype?
Phil: It’s hard to answer this. Some people say that they like that we aren’t forceful or judgemental. We just try to love on people and accept them. Some of our best friends have contrasting views, but we love them and try to be the best light we can.
Q: Have you ever had kids come up to you after a show to discuss Christ?
Phil: Yea. It’s the best part in my opinion. Having someone ask us questions, ask for prayer, message us and say they’ve been encouraged. It shows that kids are thinking for themselves and searching out truth.
Chase: Totally. It doesn’t happen every show, but it has happened. It’s definitely an awesome forum for discussion, and we are stoked when kids want to talk about what they believe in, even if they disagree with us.
Q: What was the toughest moment as a band that The Red Baron has had to overcome?
Chase: Marketing expenses to beat out that frozen pizza company with the same name. If you’re reading this, let’s collude! Sponsor us or something, we love pizza! No, (LOL) I don’t know. We’ve been blessed immensely with vehicles that run well, and safety on the road. The hardest part for a while was member changes. We’re straight now though.
Phil: The hardest part I’d say was touring. Sometimes, in close quarters, tempers flare. haha. Love the dudes but somethings they did bugged me, and I know I did some things that annoyed them, sometimes I did it intentionally. haha
Q: Does The Red Baron consider its self a ministry? If so, why?
Chase: Our immediate answer would be “YES!”, but this is such a difficult question. I would like to think that what we do as a band is pleasing to God. I pray it is. I think that what we are trying to do, more than preach from up front, is to show kids grace and forgiveness in our own lives, and in turn they can come to know about the grace we have from God.
Phil: I’d say so. but I’d like to think every minute of our lives is our ministry. Our actions, our words, etc… so yea, it’s one part of our ministry.
Q: Do you guys feel the Holy Spirit talking to you when you writing music?
Phil: When writing certain songs, I’ve felt the words just come to me in a way I never have before. So I guess you can decide the answer to that one. ha
Q: I noticed that you guys have a t-shirt with Biggie Smalls on it, what’s up with that? Are you guys influenced by some urban hip hop roots too?
Chase: Haha, yeah. (Phil will probably write an essay for this question). Phil grew up in NY, and loves hip-hop much more than he loves hardcore. He actually has done tracks for Broken Sound Blvd, which are all awesome, he’s a talented dude. I know for me, my older brother gave me Biggie’s Ready to Die, Wu-Tang’s 36 Chambers, and a Tribe album when I was really young, and that jump-started my musical interests for sure.
Phil: I’ll make this easy.
Hip Hop > Hardcore
Biggie Smalls > everyone else in music. hahah!
I love hip hop. I grew up on it. Biggie is a lyrical genius. Give him props and throw ‘em on as many shirts as i can.
Q: What other bands have you had the opportunity to play with?
Phil: that list is wayyyyyyyy too long.
Q: You guys are playing the Cornerstone Festival this year, how do you think that will be?
Chase: It’s gonna rule! Cornerstone is always ridiculous. Kids go nuts, and we always have so much fun. Probably our favorite shows ever. We had a Pajama Party a few years back that was pretty bomb. This year will be awesome.
Q: What was the craziest show you guys ever played and why?
Phil: Cornerstone Pajama Party was my favorite.
Chase: We’ve had some crazy shows, for a number of reasons… and Cornerstone is always crazy. Playing shows anywhere in Florida is awesome, but for ME personally, I would say that our shows in Lubbock, TX at The Way have been pretty out of control. Kids go off out there.
Q: I noticed that you guys are planning on putting out a full length in 2008, are you still planning on releasing a new album or currently working on one. Will that be released on Blood & Ink Records?
Chase: YES! We are (hopefully) recording in July, and Blood & Ink is putting it out. We are really excited about this release. We have all the material written. if you come to Cornerstone you can take a listen. (We have one of the songs up on The Red Baron Myspace Page).
Q: What are your future plans for touring?
Chase: Well, we are more than likely going to do a few dates on our way up to Cornerstone, as well as on the way back, and then the rest of July will be studio time. Like I said, I’m getting married, so that may be all of our touring for this Summer. You never know though.
Q: If you could deliver one message to the hardcore community what would it be?
Phil: Don’t buy into things because their cool. Seek out truth! T o the Christians in the scene, MAN UP. Stop being so worried about what other people think. Your called to be bold in your faith. Edge kids- stop claiming and breaking. and don’t “reclaim,” there’s no such thing. =)
Chase: To the Christian-Straight Edge kids I would remind them that the X on your hand isn’t getting you in to heaven. Our identity is in Jesus Christ, not a secular youth-movement. We are all edge, but it is not who we are as Christians. Check your priorities! To the hardcore scene as a whole, I wish we could all stop worrying about what everyone else thinks of us. Who cares what is considered “cool”, this isn’t a contest. Drop your pride and have fun. Go listen to “Cool Enough For You” by Five Iron Frenzy… that sums up my sentiments.
Q: How would someone get a hold of your CD split with XBishopX or other merchandise?
Chase: You can get the split through the label Dead Truth Recordings, or through any online store, like BestBuy.com, Amazon.com, Borders.com, etc. We have a new District Lines online merch store . We should have new designs up as soon as we can afford it. (So someone buy the rest of the current designs!)
Q: How does someone get a hold of The Red Baron to chat with you guys or to book you for a show?
Chase: Hit us up on Myspace! But if we aren’t currently touring, it will be virtually impossible to play a single show in say, Anchorage, Alaska, just for the record.
As usual, don’t forget to visit the HXC Christian forum to discuss topics on Christian hardcore, ska, Oi! and Punk and to fellowship with other Christians. Please don’t be afraid to check it out if you are not a Christian or are just curious and want to learn more. Hit the site by clicking on the banner below.
I got mad love for the dudes in The Red Baron. They were one of the few bands to help me with some faith issues of the past. If they ever play a show in your area then please go! Even if you don’t like the music, just go to talk to them. They’re sick bros.
God Bless.