Imagine a hardcore band that takes every form of hardcore and smashes it together into one sound, classic hardcore, punk, southern hardcore rock (these guys pull it off nicely). Comprised of ex-members of the Las Vegas based hardcore band TAKE, The Normans are taking their hardcore in a whole new direction, in the Lord’s direction. Give The Normans a listen, they deserve your attention and are working hard to spread the word of God.
Again, a huge THANK YOU to Dave Miller for getting this interview! You are awesome, and thanks for contributing to HXCChristian.com.
Band: The Normans
Music Style: Hardcore
Home Town: Las Vegas, NV
Myspace Page: www.myspace.com/thenormanslv
Q: Where did you guys come up with the name “The Normans” for your band? I mean, does it have any meaning behind it?
A: It does have meaning. Trent and I used to listen to Norma Jean non stop a couple years ago when we were in the band TAKE and would call “horror chords” normans.
I would always tell him to play some more normans, lol. So it’s like an old joke. Plus when you first hear the band name you think barber shop quartet which is funny in its self.
Q: What does everyone in the band do when they are not playing?
A: Well Trent (guitarist) lives in Salt Lake City, UT and is a chemist. Doctors give him blood they drew from patients and he tests it for diseases. Jake (guitarist) lives in Lake Arrowhead, CA and just graduated from High School. He is an amazing graphic designer so I am sure he is going to go to school for that. He always plays guitar for the youth worship team at Harvest out in CA. Luis (drums) lives in Las Vegas, NV and works for a roofing company so he puts shingles on roofs in 110 heat. He is also the night manager at Quiznos. John lives in Las Vegas, NV and unloads trucks at Sears. We only play a handful of shows a year because we have to fly them in for shows. It’s worked out so far. Plus we get tired of each other quick, j/k.
Q: The Normans are unsigned…if I had the ability to get you signed to any label out there (though I don’t) what label would you all like to be with? for example, would you want to be signed with Facedown, Tooth & Nail….?
A: Whatever is God’s will.
Q: The Normans are very serious about their faith, it’s obvious. Thus, this question may seem a bit redundant but how big of a role does God play in your lives and with the band?
A: He is the only role. Our SOUL focus. Our everything. God took me from TAKE (which was mildly successful) and told me to start a band that focused on saving the lost.
Q: Tell me, what is the inspiration to some of your songs? That is, lyrically how do you come up with them? Cause I must admit, with such songs as “Robot Babies are the Future” one HAS to ask lyrically where you all are coming from.
A: Robot babies is my take on abortion. Abortion is murder and I wanted to make that clear with the lyrics. The reason I say robot babies are the future is because there are so many abortions and it seems like we are killing off all the children. Pretty soon only robot babies will be left. I know it seems out there, but I wanted to paint a vivid picture. Lyrically we come straight from the Word of God. It may not always be word for word (in some cases it is) from the Bible, but it’s all inspired by Him.
Q: Musically, who influences The Normans, your sounds varies from song to song, sometimes I hear southern rock, hardcore, punk, and even some screamo type influence?
A: We all listen to different styles. Trent loves old “butt” rock. Jake listens to more traditional hardcore. Luis listens to anything that is br00tal and John likes everything which includes a lot of hip hop and bluegrass (no joke). Note: we are having a hip hop crew throw down some lyrics on a new song we recorded the other day.
Q: What (besides God of course) influences your music?
A: God
Q: As Christians, have The Normans faced any problems with your secular counterparts in the music scene? And if so, how do you deal with it?
A: People send us messages all the time telling us to f-off or die. They tell us we are stupid and lame, but their words don’t matter. What matters is the messages we get saying that God is speaking through us to them. That they now have a better relationship with the Lord because of the bulletins we post with Bible verses and devotionals. The Bible says that we will be persecuted because of our faith. If we weren’t getting hate mail, we would be doing something wrong.
Q: What is your assessment of the Christian hardcore scene today?
A: Good and bad. Sleeping Giant is unbelievable! The Holy Spirit moves through them. They are doing Gods will and only Gods will. For Today is another awesome God fearing band. Also, Braveheart from AZ has some of the most amazing lyrics I have ever heard. Other bands claim they are Christian yet I don’t hear anything about Christ in their music. There is a different between being “posi” and Christian. If you say you are Christian. Speak the Word. Don’t speak your words.
Q: If you could give a message to the hardcore scene right now, what would it be?
A: Stop putting your beliefs into man made ideas like straight edge, vegan, etc and put your faith and trust into the Lord. He is the only way. I see so many kids trust in man made ideas and that leads them astray. Be drug free, don’t eat meat, but don’t put those ideas before Jesus Christ.
Q: The Normans don’t have a record out yet…but you’re gaining popularity. what are The Normans plans to release a record? And where can we (the fans) buy it?
A: We just finished the album. It won’t be in stores because we don’t have any way of doing that, lol. The only way you can get the album is come see us live or hit us up on our myspace page (myspace.com/thenormanslv) and tell us you want to purchase one and we will work it out. Kind of ghetto, but it’s all good.
Q: Is the band planning on touring anytime soon or are you content playing shows in your local area?
A: We would love to tour, but again whatever God has planned for us, we will follow.
So local area shows for now until that day comes.
Q: I can tell you all truly care about us (the fans), what with your picture contests and prayer requests…can we expect more fun involvement from the band with fans in the future?
A: Of course, we actually want to be friends and have relationships. We don’t care about fame or money or material things. We want to spread the Gospel and make friends while we do it. We are there for anyone who is going through any type of trouble/trial. All of us in the band have faced terrible events/situations in our lives and we want to help those who are going through some of the same things.
Q: Now, forgive me if I’m mistaken…but I heard someone claim that The Normans were a Straight Edge band, is that true? If it is true…what’s that like? I mean, for those who don’t know, what does Straight Edge mean to The Normans? And what’s it like being a Christian Straight Edge band (cause I know there is some hatred from the secular Edgers out there towards Christians who claim Edge)?
A: Non of us have ever tried drugs, drank, or smoked. We are very against that. Our body is the temple of the Lord, but like I said
in the previous question people have started believing more in man made ideas than God made ideas and straight edge has gotten out of control with all the “tough guy” crews beating up kids who aren’t edge.
Q: If you all could play with ANY band on the planet past or present, who would The Normans want to share the stage with?
A: I can’t speak for the other guys, but for me it would be Sleeping Giant.
Q: Ok, this is the part where you all can give ANY shout outs, share links to sites you frequent, bands you believe we should check out, etc. Fell free to run wild!! Thanks for the opportunity to interview you all, The Normans!
A: Hey thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed. I just want to say most of all that if you don’t know Christ and if you don’t have a relationship with Him and you feel lost and you feel like your life is pointless, hit us up on our page. We would like to chat with you. I didn’t know what peace was until I found Christ. He has given me and the other members so much happiness and joy. I wake up thanking Him for another day to worship Him here on earth and to spread His word to as many people as I can before I pass on. Seek Him. Call His name. I promise He will answer. It may not be in the way you intended, but He has a plan.
God Bless
The Normans - “I Finally See” live
