I had the opportunity to catch up with The Great Commission on the Abominable Snow Tour in Raleigh. Justin was nice enough to agree to an interview. I dig The Great Commission, I don’t know if I would classify their music as “classic” style hardcore, but it is definitely good stuff (if you like bands like Sleeping Giant, you will dig The Great Commission). They have a full length album “Every Knee Shall Bow” that was released on Strike First Records, if you don’t have it, go and pick it up, well worth the $9. I spoke with all the members of the band, and I can tell you that they are all in for Christ, and their message is definitely an uplifting one. As Justin, the singer of The Great Commission says, “we are a ministry and we are all about heavy worship.” So enjoy the interview and if you are going to Cornerstone this year, you can catch the band there this year.
Band Name: The Great Commission
Music Style: Hardcore
Location: Inland Empire, CA
Myspace: http://www.Myspace.com/TheGreatCommission
Q: When did the The Great Commission form as a band? No doubt the name came from Jesus’ command for the the disciples to go out and preach the word of Christ, why did you guys choose The Great Commission as the bands name?
A: The Great Commission played our first show in April of 2008. We really wanted God to have complete control of the new project that we were starting so before picking up any instruments we prayed into what God wanted to do with it and what he wanted to call it. After the name came to us in prayer, we continued to dwell on it in more prayer and we came to realize what direction God wanted us to move in with this band and how he wanted us to emphasize specifically in ministry. So the name couldn’t have been any more perfect with all that it means and we believe it came directly from God.
Q: What bands have influenced the sounds of The Great Commission? How do you describe the sound of the band?
A: We are influenced from everything from Contemporary Christian Music like Hillsong United and Phil Wickham, to heavier Hardcore and Metal like The Acacia Strain, No Innocent Victim and Point of Recognition. We just wrote music that we would want to worship/mosh to in Heaven. We would describe the sound of our band as HEAVY WORSHIP…no more no less.
Q: I know that Justin was in xDeathstarx, what other bands have members of The Great Commission been involved with, anyone in any side projects currently?
A: I (Angela) was also in xDeathstarx at the time Justin was singing for the band and I played bass. Our drummer Rodney who is on the first album used to play for Impending Doom. Nelson, one of our old guitarists is playing in Sovereign Strength. Other than that, all of current members are not in any other side projects.
Q: The Great Commission just finished up The Abominable Snow Tour with War of Ages and Living Sacrifice (and a few other bands), how was the tour?
A: The tour was great. We really enjoyed this particular tour for several reasons. First off it was an honor to share the stage with Living Sacrifice, we have been listening to them for years and they actually played a lot of the first hardcore shows that we had been to. Also, it was really awesome touring with War of Ages. Those guys are really good friends of ours so the tour only brought us closer. But this tour was especially a blessing for us because we had an opportunity to hit the road with 2 secular bands. Normally Christian bands just tour with Christian bands and Secular bands just tour with Secular bands…so we took full advantage of the opportunity that God set before us. We ended up getting to know both Shai Hulud and Lionheart and definitely made some lifelong friends. Not only did we have a blast with them but we were able to show them who the real Jesus was. Aside from the bands, we definitely went through a colder winter then we are used to but it was worth it for all the spiritual fruit that we were blessed with.
Q: When The Great Commission plays shows, people approach you about Christ, in Raleigh, I watched members of the band praying over people (which was awesome), can you share some stories about people that approached you on the tour, how you prayed for them, how God maybe changed them while you prayed with them?
A: When we played a venue in Baltimore, MD there was a kid that was drunk and snuck a bottle of Jagermeister into the show. After we played he came up and asked us for prayer. He said that he was personally convicted by God, and that he didn’t want to drink anymore and most importantly he wanted freedom from his Alcoholism. So we were able to pray for him and personally hooked him up with a church there in Baltimore to help keep him to stay encouraged and on the right path. And there were many more testimonies just like that one but with other issues like Depression, Suicide, Lust, and re dedications.
Q: What are the plans for the band now that you are done with The Abominable Snow Tour? I know Justin mentioned that you guys are playing a bunch of fests (Cornerstone being one), can you tell us where we can catch up with the band next?
A: We have a HUGE summer tour announcement coming soon that we cant give details on but we can say that we will be playing such fests as Cornerstone Festival, Sonshine Fest and there are definitely few more.
Q: The Great Commission has one album “Every Knee Shall Bow” on Facedown Records, Justin mentioned that the band is working on a new album, can you give us an idea of what the new album is going to sound like? Can we expect the sound to be similar to “Every Knee Shall Bow?”
A: It is definitely going to be Heavy Worship. The only difference is that we are going to be incorporating singing chorus’ into some of the songs. You can definitely expect it to me more bold.
Q: No doubt The Great Commission is a Christian hardcore band, what verses or books in the bible have influenced the band the most?
A: To be honest, all of them. And especially the words that Jesus said.
Q: During your set in Raleigh on the Abominable Snow Tour, Justin mentioned to get involved in a church or group, Justin and Angela, I believe that you lead a youth group, if I recall, someone else in the band is a pastor (I think), can you share what everyone in the band does outside of playing shows?
A: Both Justin and I are youth leaders at our local church, Solomon and Robby are both on the Worship Band at the church and Corey is an Associate Youth Pastor. All of us are really involved with our Churches and the Youth Groups in those Churches. When we are not on the road or playing shows, that is where our focus is and we approach that with the same ministry aspect as we do the band. “Equipping and Edifying the Saints”
Q: This question is for Angela, what is it like being a woman in a scene that seems to be largely mad up of men? I heard someone at the show in Raleigh say “hey a chick.” Then you did a sound check and let a vocal from the album fly and the guys were really impressed.
A: You are right, the Heavier music scene is 99.9% made up of men. The Hardcore/Heavy Metal scene is a harsh scene. And for the few women that actually do sincerely love heavy music, they unfortunately get put into 2 categories by the men. Either they are looked at as groupies, or if they are in bands they are just gimmick…or even worse they are discredited all together just because they are women. This is really frustrating and makes what I do a lot harder. But that is unfortunately the way it is. I take what I do very seriously, mainly now because this is what God has called me to do…but even before I was saved I took the bands I was in very seriously because music in general is that important to me and has been such a big part of my life. So I just stay focused on that and the joy I get from playing, and also any example that I may be setting for all the other women out there. If I can do it, you can do it too! As far as my vocal checks go, I always crack up when I hear people say that. I think its funny!
Q: If you could give a message to the hardcore scene what would it be?
A: Definitely don’t get caught up in the politics of it all. We can’t tell you how to live your life but we can speak from personal experiences by telling you that nothing in this world will fulfill you. No status or power will give you what your heart needs. In the Bible, Jesus says that the greatest in the world will be the least of his kingdom and the least of this world will be the greatest in his kingdom. If you enjoy the music then there is nothing wrong with that, but it would be best to just leave it as that.
Q: Please feel free to add anything else, shout-outs, bands we need to check out, etc. Thanks so much for the interview, the HXC Christian crew looks forward to seeing you at Cornerstone!
A: Definitely check out the new Wrench In The Works, they just came out with a new album and they are our friends on Facedown Records. Other than that we are going to be very busy this year! So please keep in touch with us on Myspace and Facebook! Also you can see what were up to on a daily basis by following Justin on our twitter. Thank you so much for all the support and we are looking forward to seeing everyone on the road again in a few months! God Bless!
http://www.Myspace.com/TheGreatCommission
http://www.Facebook.com/pages/The-Great-Commission/247542150728
http://www.Twitter.com/TheGreatCommish
