Exit Interview With The Deal

A few months back The Deal announced they were getting back together to play a bunch of shows, well, they did, and boy did they play some good shows, topping it off with an appearance at Cornerstone. You can read the first interview HERE, and you can watch all the video from C-Stone HERE.

Well, our friends from The Deal are officially done with their official reunion and that makes me sad, however, the band has been reincarnated into El Death, which features many members of The Deal including lead singer Collin. So, we will miss you guys, and even though you are done, we ask, really?

Band Name: The Deal
Music Style: Street Punk/Oi!
Hometown: Chino, CA
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thedeal

Q: The Deal just announced (within the last couple of months) that you were getting back together, was that officially just a short term thing or are there other reasons that The Deal is retiring again?

A: Yeah, The Deal reunion was always intended to be a short run. We found ourselves all in the same room at the same time, and figured why not? The plan from the start was to do a large show in the Chino area, our hometown, and a run out to Cornerstone, trying to stop at some places on the way, visit some friends, and give some people a chance to see The Deal play one more time; for some, the first time.

Q: The Deal has touched so many peoples lives with their music, their message, and the love of Christ, what do you want to say to all the adoring fans out there?

A: I don’t know that I would go as far as to use a line like “ALL the adoring fans out there”, but with all the humility we have, we say ‘thank you’. We’ve had all kinds of people thank us for our music, message and so on. The truth is it’s the people that went to the shows that deserve all the thanks. You have to understand, we were fresh out of high school, if that, and given the opportunity to travel places, meet people and experience things we never imagined at such a young age, 100% because people, drove for miles, shelled out their hard earned money and supported US.

Q: Most of you guys are also playing in El Death (that is an anagram for The Deal if you didn’t know already), what can we expect from El Death now that Colin has officially joined the band? Who is not in El Death that was in The Deal?

A: El Death is a name that has been thrown around for years and years, even as The Deal was in full swing. A product of driving miles and miles with nothing to do but entertain yourselves, it was only natural to take the letters of THE DEAL and see what else could be made of it. It was only in the recent years that it has turned into the name of a band. It’s bit of a revolving door of musicians giving us the advantage / challenge of exploring different avenues of music. The Deal reunion was staffed by the original founding members of the band with one exception. Rick Remender, who was the original drummer and eventually transitioned to guitar, remained on guitar for the reunion and Dave Edmunds filled the drum spot. Both Rick and Dave were members of El Death as well until their exit following The Deal reunion tour. Nothing devious or juicy, everybody still loves everybody. As the years go by, we all seem to come together, move apart, and eventually back together, as brothers do. As for what to expect, guys getting together, sharing ideas and writing music they love listening to and playing.

Q: What is the difference between The Deal and El Death? Seems like the music of El Death is still pretty aggressive, but perhaps a bit more polished and laid back than The Deal.

A: I would say any difference would simply be the maturity and development of the soul and mind. It’s aggressive yes, but with attention to grove, melody and style. Fellow musicians seem to dig it.

Q: Is El Death considering itself a Christian punk band as well?

A: Well let’s address the easy part of that question. El Death does not consider itself a punk band. As for whether or not we are a Christian band, no. For some of us, and by ‘us’ we mean the thousands of believers around the world, who have a passion and God given talent to entertain with our music, writing, acting, painting, or juggling for that matter, the idea that once a relationship with Jesus Christ has begun, any and all artistically expressive acts should look or sound a certain way, has become quite the hot button topic. Some people try to determine the strength and validity of a believer’s faith based only on what they say, do, or sing about. And although scripture does speak to how we should speak and act, we believe far too much emphasis has been placed only on those things, so that someone doesn’t actually have to get to know someone, before they determine if the are a “good Christian” or not. The fact is, this isn’t something that can be intelligently discussed in a short interview, but please know this, if anyone reading this wants to truly know if any one person has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, calls Him the Lord of their life and wants nothing more than His will to be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven, these are all conditions of the heart. Getting to know the heart of a person takes time and effort. What a person does or says are simply actions that can be used to paint a picture of who that person wants others to believe they are. The power of Christ gave him the ability to see the heart. Without that power, much more effort is needed by us to come along side the fellow sinners of this world and share the love and forgiveness of Jesus regardless of their current spiritual condition, saved or not. Fellow believers don’t take the easy way out. The Son of God died on a cross so that we may know him. The least we can do with our short time here, is get to know each other.

Q: Can fans attending an El Death show expect to hear a few songs from The Deal now that Colin is singing?

A: In short, no. They’d stick out like a sore thumb.

Q: Can you guys share a story that will stay with the members of The Deal forever, perhaps the best show, when people got saved at a show, something that most people wouldn’t know about the band?

A: Things we learned on the road:

5 guys + gear + merch CAN fit in a mini van but they never SHOULD fit in a mini van.

People in a McDonalds at 5am on a Wednesday in Nebraska DON’T look like us.

Hotel microwaves are NOT made to cook 5 frozen meals in a row.

Justin Timberlake and Natalie Portman can bring the funny.

Gas station food + long miles = unhappy digestive system.

Q: Cornerstone was officially The Deals last show, what was it like playing Cornerstone for the last time as The Deal?

A: Playing there is always very special. Much has changed. Some things haven’t.

Q: The Deal has touched so many lives and made such an impact in the Christian hardcore/punk music scene over the years. You have consistently shared Jesus Christ with so many people through your music that would have probably never heard the message of Christ or would have never even thought that people and music like The Deal could be Christians. You have influenced so many bands over the years and surely inspired them to play Christian hardcore & punk, that The Deal will be sorely missed? Please share any parting thoughts, words of encouragement, whatever you guys would like to share, feel free.

A: Again, a heart felt thank you to the people that made our travels possible. The kind words and appreciation that was shown to us over the past year was amazing and very special. We’ll carry it with us always.