Band: ABSOLVED
Music Style: Good Ole’ Punk Rock
Home Town: The 805 Baby!
FACEBOOK REVERBNATION

Jimmy Sisco – lead vocals, guitars
Byron Brumit – bass

Q: Looks like there is quite a history with Absolved, two of the members go back quite a ways and quite a few bands,  give us a quick overview of how the band got started, when did you officially decide that Absolved was for real?

JIMMY: In 1999 or 2000, I was in a college class called “History of Christianity” in which Byron, our bassist, was also a student. For odd reasons I was wearing a straightedge t-shirt and Byron came up to me out of the blue and introduced himself and said that he worshipped Ian MacKaye. But I mean, who doesn’t? I had seen Byron around campus before but being the anti-social recluse that I have always been I never instigated any conversations even though he was clearly someone I could get along with amongst the multitude of assembly-line looking clowns that attended the college. Byron and I then started a band called “O.I.N.K”, a name which is totally Byron’s fault and stood for something my old brain cannot recall. We wrote some songs and practiced though we never had a drummer. Byron graduated leaving me all sad and alone but eventually around 2002 we tried the band thing again, this time coming up with the name Working Class. More songs were written (some of which we still use in Absolved today) but we still had no drummer. In hindsight, maybe we just should have done the Godflesh thing and used a drum machine to play live. Byron moved out of state and that was that. Then in 2007 he moved back and he and I decided to try one more time, but this time he enlisted a drummer whom he had played in a band with previously. So from 2007 till 2010 it was me, Byron, and Aaron. I think we always kinda felt this band was legit and that it was only a matter of time till we got some attention from others besides our own families who are kinda obligated to lie and tell us we are good. Last year we added a 2nd guitarist, Bob, who had also played in that previous band with Aaron and Byron. So basically I am the only member to proudly say that he has never ever played in any ska band. Thanks be to God.

BYRON: I saw this guy at Bible College with tats and a Straight Edge shirt.  We spoke and talked about the bands we liked.  Soon we were attempting to put something together.  The very first name of the band….OINK.  Problem was we could never seem to get the timing right, both in life and as well with actually having a drummer.  Fast fwd several years.  I had been living in Washington State and my Dad “Dirty” Jack became ill.  So I moved back to California to be closer to him.  This is when we decided it was time.  I approached Aaron Kelly who I had played with before and well here we are.

Q: What is the significance of the name Absolved?

JIMMY: When Working Class originally didn’t work out, I took 4 of the songs I had written for it and was going to put out an EP on my own and came up with the name Absolved as the moniker. When Byron and I decided to give this another whirl we realized that a few other bands had “working class” in their band name so we decided to go with “Absolved”. Being human, we all falter. The Old Testament is chock full of laws. According to the Talmud there are 613 laws to be exact. It’s impossible for anyone to truly follow so many, and hence people were reminded just how much we were incapable of keeping the divine standards. But thanks to what Christ did for us, we can be absolved of all wrong-doing through our faith in Him and our willingness to change and to be changed. The band name itself mirrors that sentiment, a sentiment that all of the members of the band hold fast to in our own ways.

BYRON: To me the significance is being free of the guilt that we carry as humans.  The hardest thing in life to do is to forgive yourself of your faults and let go. It’s hard to wrap your mind around the idea that a sacrifice was made so many years ago to restore our relationship with God.  Being absolved allows us to be free of the guilt and torment that would anchor us to our past.

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

JIMMY: I’m a school teacher, Byron is a bookkeeper I think, Aaron is an electrician, and Bob works at the airport.

BYRON: I work at a lumber company in Chino.  This takes up a decent part of my day.  When I get home I take Abby out for a walk (bulldog), and then it’s off to Azeroth, or working on something for the band.

Q: What bands have influenced the sound of Absolved (I hear a lot of punk influence, good punk!)?

JIMMY: The funny thing is that I am the band’s principal songwriter and I don’t even listen to that much punk! I grew up in the Bay Area and at a time when the thrash metal movement was blooming and so by nature I am a headbanger. If you listen to our songs, there is always a tinge of metal in there because of that. But at the same time, I was a huge fan of Suicidal Tendencies, Agnostic Front, Agent Orange, DRI, SOD, and other bands that incorporated punk AND metal, so in a way, it was the best of both worlds and in this band I try to do that with our songs as well. The other guys in the band are more punk than me, and so their playing styles and what not make the songs sound like what they have become. We have found a happy medium I guess. Vocally, I used to and still do listen to a lot of the youth crew and straightedge hardcore bands like Floorpunch, Youth of Today, Minor Threat, Better Than A Thousand, In My Eyes, Chain of Strength, and even modern representations like Bane and Have Heart, and I think my vocals have been influenced by all of that which of course lends itself to our old school sound.

BYRON: I grew up on Minor Threat, SOA, Black Flag, Dead Kennedy’s, Rancid, and Descendants….then moved to Officer Negative, Headnoise, and The Deal.  Basically if the bassline is fun I enjoy the band.

Q: You guys are pretty brazen about your faith, real in your face, how does that translate in the punk scene in California?

JIMMY: To be completely honest, I don’t think we really are that “in your face”. We really only have two, maybe three songs that are very explicit about our religious beliefs. But there isn’t a question of who we are and what we stand for, even if it’s not so explicitly stated lyrically. The punk scene is a funny thing: some of the new school kids are a bit more militant while the older guys who have been around for some time understand that there is more to life than “the scene”, and because of that they tend to listen to the music for music’s sake, not for the lyrics. However, no one wants something force fed to them, and if they do they are a sadist. Respect is a two-way street and we have never had any problems with anyone because we give the other bands and the show patrons the respect that they deserve and in turn we expect it back. Christian band or not, it’s just the right thing to do.

BYRON: I remember going into the Christian bookstore and seeing the crazy poster “If you like Metallica you will love Newsboys”. OK it wasn’t that bad but I felt as if there wasn’t the genre of music available to me that I enjoyed.  If I was not in ABSOLVED I would still listen to them no matter which side of the fence I was on.

Q: You guys are obviously a Christian band, where does the band draw most of its influences from in the bible?

JIMMY: My undergraduate major was in the Biblical Languages of Greek and Hebrew, and I have always had a deeper love and fascination with Old Testament studies. Our song “This One’s For The Survivors” even has some Hebrew lyrics in it. Not that the New Testament doesn’t, but the OT has a myriad of stories that are real, honest to goodness stories about heartache, pain, loss, and victory…the kind of stories that we all can relate to on an hourly basis. It shows mankind in its most susceptible state and how much it longed for the Messiah. Whenever I sit down to write one of our song’s lyrics, those types of things are on my mind. Let it also be known that the Song of Songs is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s no allegory, people! Three cheers for marriage!

BYRON: I am a Romans fan.  Ever since Mark Duzik’s class at Life Bible College I have been sold on Romans. I also enjoy Psalms, I mean honestly who hasn’t had issues in life and blamed God? I have been so mad at God in the past and then you realize wow, God is good and this is that little extra push we need to take it up to 11 and move forward with our lives.

Q: Did some of you guys serve in the Armed Forces?  Just curious, was listening to your new song Relentless Leathernecks.

JIMMY: I am the resident Veteran of the band. I put in six years in the United States Marine Corps serving as a Field Radio Operator in both artillery and infantry units. Some of the best years of my life. That song is about a famous World War I battle between the Marines and Germans in Belleau Wood, France where the Marines were vastly outnumbered and out gunned, but as we Marines do, we found a way to not only survive, but win. We have another song about the Marine Corps called “The Few And The Proud” which is on our now out of print and hopefully soon-to-be re-released self-titled debut album, also affectionately known as “the red album”.

Q: I am told that you guys have a quite a sense of humor, care to share any fun show hijinks with the general public?

BYRON: I will mostly let Jimmy take this.  Let me say that we all have great sense of humors. Bob and I go way back and seem to feed off each other. We do like to tease each other and I can only imagine that’s what it’s like with siblings who like each other.  Take it away Jimmy “the Tooth”…

JIMMY: I guess any band that writes songs about getting your annual physical and getting vasectomies shouldn’t be taken too seriously. We have an unreleased song too where there are no lyrics, just burps. I don’t know, I think too many bands take themselves too seriously. Must every band scowl at the camera for their official band pics? Scowl at the audience?  Scowl at one another? At themselves? Please. The tough guy posturing is always so laughable. Having been in the military and having a dad that runs with the 1%-ers, I know what tough is, and I see no need to bring that into our music or performances. As for hijinks, I believe that our other guitarist Bob has much incriminating evidence in his camera phone. He always has that dang thing on during band practices and what not. I can’t divulge most of our nonsense because I’ll have to 86 you if I do. There’s also some unfounded rumor that one of us dresses like a giant toothpaste tube and moshes to bands during their sets when we’re also on the bill. What a show of brazen disrespect! How dare he! As for any other behind the scenes pranks…like Dave Chappelle said, I plead da fif!

Q: You guys just played an awesome show at the Stronghold with some awesome bands (the Rekoning, The Way, and The Hoax) how was that show?

JIMMY: The show was a ton o’ fun. We finally got to meet some of our label mates and also our label Prez David Aaron for the first time, whom I’m going to call El Señor from now on. El Señor has put together a roster of bands that not only have the music in common, but also mesh so well personality-wise. So yah, ‘twas a fun evening. We’ve played with The Way several times and it’s always fun sharing the stage with them. And they always go on after us which is pretty cool cuz I spit on stage a lot so that means they get to step in it.

BYRON: It was one of my favorite shows.  I live in Santa Ana and commute to Ventura for band practice and gigs.  So to see my crew show up and heckle me and Jimmy (“Put the bag back on!”-Marcu). I mean, that simply made my night. All of the bands that played that night had good sets and had a blast. It felt like a time of worship, we laughed, and enjoyed the time we had together.

Q: So Absolved recently signed to Thumper Punk Records, congrats, what does this mean for the band?

JIMMY: Thanks, man. This means gold albums on the walls, having our CD on Target shelves, and artist riders that consist of a bowl of M&M’s sans the red ones. Other than that, I don’t really know. But with El Señor behind us we will be able to do some things we have yet been unable to do on our own, like, for instance, actually getting shows. It also means interviews like this and a chance to represent old school punk rock to people outside of our own families and our minuscule circle of friends.

BYRON: I hope it means I get a helicopter and my own dressing room and I can be snooty to people.  In all seriousness it means the world to me personally that someone would come behind what we have working on for the last five or so years.  As a band it means that we have confirmation that what we are doing is needed and that we can focus on writing music and obtain assistance for some of the other day to day items.

Q: Will you be releasing a new album on TPR?

JIMMY: We have plans on eventually re-releasing our out of print self-titled debut from 2010 on TPR early next year perhaps, and then around March 2012 our new full length will be released, also by TPR, God-willing.

BYRON: I told David that Bob and I need remote control helicopters.  Until then….we will just have to see.

Q: Tell us about the EP “This One Goes To Seven”  you guys have a pretty interesting thing you do with the album covers, can’t say that I have seen many bands do that in the past….

JIMMY: Yah, our new EP “This One Goes To Seven” is out now on TPR. First off, just the fact we have a Spinal Tap reference as our title means that everyone needs to purchase one of these pronto. The first run of 100 features hand-drawn covers that are drawn and colored by the band members themselves, and no two are alike. That was fun, but talk about tedium! I am constantly trying to think of things that haven’t been done before (or at least, not on a large popular scale) and this was one of those ideas. We have some other witty ideas but I won’t divulge those so that we can use em for future projects and so that bands like The Way won’t steal our insanely rad ideas.

BYRON: I can honestly say I don’t know where this idea came from.  However, I like the idea behind it.  We had 100 copies of the E.P. printed.  Divided up 25 covers per band member and then proceeded to draw each cover by hand.  Bob and I still have five blanks we need to finish, well, I have four. David @ TPR has requested a special item and I shall deliver.

Q: What can we expect from Absolved, will you guys be touring or hitting any of the festivals?

JIMMY: We envision more shows in 2012 than all previous years combined, so that’ll be rad. As for touring, that probably won’t happen for some time if at all. Being that three of us are married with children and we all have full times jobs, that makes it difficult to make any type of touring plans. But we’d love to play some West Coast fests for sure. But who knows. If Rancid comes calling, we’re hittin the road.

BYRON: I am not just a pretty boy who plays bass in a punk band. I work at a lumber yard in Chino by day. This keeps me pretty busy. I would love to go out for a bit this summer. I really want to play Cornerstone.  I really just want to meet more people, to hear their stories and build memories.

Q: What bands should we check out, who have you guys been listening too?

JIMMY: Truth be told, I don’t really listen to any modern music in the punk or metal scenes. Way too over-produced and most of it doesn’t even sound like punk or metal to me. But from what I have listened to, our TPR label mates have some pretty cool and original sounds in their music so check them all out. I’ve been listening to the final Strongarm CD “Advent Of A Miracle” a lot lately. That came out over a decade ago and it still holds a passion and intensity that really none of the bands in the Christian scene today can match. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and well-worded and the music is awesome. They didn’t rely on a lot of the power chords and chord structures that so many hardcore and punks bands use, instead employing a lot of almost-solo type playing throughout each song. That band was amazing. On the more modern tip, I was a huge fan of xDISCIPLEx AD. Their most recent incarnation, Jesus Wept, is really very very good too. I think they have two albums out and both are outstanding. I was also a huge fan of the early Facedown Records releases long before the label branched into the Hot Topic trendy metalcore territory. However, as far as heavy Christian music goes, my staunch belief is that Vengeance Rising’s “Human Sacrifice” is easily the best of the best. That came out in 1989 I think. It rivals any mainstream metal album in terms of its power, aggressiveness, skill level, and overall sound. The great, classic Christian band Undercover had an album called “Branded” which is also simply one of the greatest Christian albums of all time of any genre. Haven’t stopped listening to it since it came out in 1986 or so. The honesty and power of it is still unparalleled, except maybe by LSU’s “Shaded Pain”, which is itself a classic album too. “When You’re A Rebel” by the Altar Boys is also a longtime fave of mine and their follow-up to it, “Gut Level Music”, is fantastic. Funny how all those last few albums I mentioned all came out at around the same time…late 80’s-ish. What an era in Christian music! And man, how I’d love to collab with Ojo Taylor, Mike Stand, and/or Micheal Knott one day. Geniuses.

BYRON: I have been stuck on THROUGH IT ALL.  I saw them several years ago at the Showcase. They had a Christ centered message and basically did for me in the Christian realm what Minor Threat did for me growing up.  They gave me something to look forward to.  You have a mic, stage, and a responsibility to share some insight, don’t blow it.for a bit this summer. I really want to play Cornerstone.  I really just want to meet more people, to hear their stories and build memories.

Absolved – “Relentless Leathernecks”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Q: What message do you want to give to the punk scene?

JIMMY: To the nu jacks in the scene, don’t forget where your roots are. If it weren’t for bands like ST or Dead Kennedys or Agnostic Front or Rancid or Iggy & The Stooges…or individuals like Ian MacKaye or Henry Rollins or Jello Biafra or Ray Cappo or Roger Miret, there would be no punk rock or hardcore as we know it today. To the old geezers like us still in the scene, keep reppin. To the whole scene, stay real. Punk has always been a genre that prided itself on confronting the status quo, and somehow the scene got hijacked by corporate entities and became what it is today. Let’s take it back. Death to pop punk (sorry Bob)!

BYRON: Go beyond the image and the outward appearance.  If you don’t like something seek a way to change it.  No need to sit back and critique things if you are not willing to stand up and fight for what you believe.

Q: Feel free to give some shout-outs, drop links, etc, thanks for the interview!

BYRON: Thank you so much for the opportunity to do this interview. I strongly encourage you to check out the bands on Thumper Punk Record. Thanks to Dusty at Caustic Fallout who created an awesome page for us. A very big thanks to David Aaron @ TPR who is one of the nicest guys I have ever met.  Check out Absolved on Facebook.

JIMMY: Yah…peace to El Señor David Aaron, peace to our 805 homies The Way, peace to the other TPR bands, peace to the venues, labels, and promoters that still support and cater to the underground punk scene, peace to our brothers and sisters in uniform who protect our freedom, and peace to everyone that has given Absolved a chance. Now your soul is ours. Flawless victory. You can send hate mail to jrsisco22@hotmail.com and you can harass us at facebook.com/absolvedband, reverbnation.com/absolved, absolved.bandcamp.com, and on thumperpunkrecords.com.

Band: Break The Curse
Music Style: Hardcore
Home Town: Chicago
Facebook Bandcamp Stereokiller

Interview by John Jackson

Q: So, tell me the history of Break the Curse?  I’ve learned from Alex that you met in Rockford of all places and now are in the Bolingbrook area.  Ironically, both are close to my heart as I grew up in Rockford and lived near Bolingbrook for about 10 years.  Were any of you in other bands?  Any side projects currently?

A: A long, long time ago, in the Gold Coast Blended island of Bolingbrook (IL) sat four men doin an interview. Jah boi’z don’t play.

Jacob - History is HIS story on Break the Curse. (as Jacob puts some jams on)

Alex – SO Break The Curse all started with myself, Jacob, and our friend Matt Russell. Matt was our bass player and is one of our great friends. He recently had to step down to focus more on medical school. (he’s the man!) Back in school we all wanted to jam together. Matt coined the name Break The Curse, and the whole heart behind it was playing music and seeing spiritual  curses and/or strongholds being broken off of people believer or nonbeliever.  So after we all left school in Rockford (Commissioner’s School of Bible Mastery) myself, Jacob, & Mark did an internship with a pastor in Poplar Grove, IL and we got together in the our pastor’s basement and wrote the first song, Breakin Knees & Takin Names! Shortly after this we all moved to Bolingbrook and then Keith finished school in Rockford and moved here and then the band was complete and we continued writing. That’s all she wrote in the history of Break The Curse. BOOM!
As I type…here’s what’s happening in the background of my foreground.
(Jacob) -(he showed me his new knife)
(Mark) -(drinking coffee)
(Keith) -(looking over my shoulder while I type)

Back in high school Mark played in the following bands: Improvcore band called Panther Punch. A psuedo-Zao-esque-band-core called Agony In This Fire. An Alternative Rock Outfit called Endless Never. A freshman year phenom-core band called The After Party.

Concerning Keith, his bands include: a double kickin,guitar growlin metal band called Killing The Archetype. a TBS-esque band called The Aaron House. And then a deeply philosophical project called Lifelike Theory.

Alex played sports. HA!

Jacob- A good ole band called Sarrows End. And evolving project called Thicker Than Blood which was eventually called xBy His Stripesx. And then a solo project called xContenderx.

Side projects currently?? YES! Midcoast Boyz. A hip-hop project which bedazzles its competition! literally. Bedazzling every living thing alive. It includes myself (Alex) & Keith
And then a powerhouse fitness-core project including all of us called Pure Sweat. Sweat the Hate! Scorch the fat!
Also a tentatively unnamed band that’s thrashy and spazzy!
Also then a lil band called Hostile Holy Ghost thats just FAST!!

Q: What bands do you think have had the biggest influence on your sound?  I see “Chicago-style hardcore” used to describe your sound, so for those not privileged enough to live there, could you describe what that means?

A: First I’ll explain the Chicago-style hardcore thing. HAHA! Part of who we are is where we are from. So Chicago-style hardcore isn’t so much a sound, but its more like a description of places we like to eat. Like you could say Sleeping Giant is more of a West Coast, Redlands, So-Cal style hardcore (no disrespect, we love them! like a lot) where as Break the Curse is more like taking a bite of chili cheese dog w/ extra onions from Portillo’s and then slammin a cake shake-core.

So bands that influence our sound would be Have Heart, xLooking Forwardx, Take it Back, Cheep Trix (check spelling, Cheap Trick?), Lust Control, and of course 100%, rebel born, pure, genuine, ‘Merican Rock’n'Roll,  Foo Fighters.

Q: The Chicago burbs are monstrously huge, so is there one scene there and in the city or a bunch of smaller ones?  Is there good unity or is there some of the “our scene/bands are better than yours”?

A: In Chicago there a bunch of scenes! A lot of metal. It’s pretty diverse, we’ve played with folk bands, punk, metal, spazzy instrumental, and in the city you got a lotta jazz! So there’s a lot of music goin on out here. Thank you historical route 66, for providing us so many musical kicks.
And honestly there’s not much unity. There’s a lot of young minded bands who feel like they need to sound better than everyone else. Unfortunately, most people that come to shows don’t watch all the bands and just wanna pay money and then hang outside. It stinks. We hope one day unity will return and dominate the scene in our area!! Bam!

Q: Tell me about the recording process for “World’s Greatest Dad” (where, when, how long did it take)?  Has it really been around since 2009?

A: Ahhhh, 2009 is actually the year we started and wrote our first song. So “World’s Greatest Dad” was started in March and we recorded the whole thing in a week during Jacob’s spring break. We made a makeshift studio in a small room, maybe 15×20 foot room. We set up and tore down mics(3 57′s, a beta, and a shure kick mic) amps, & drums for each song. We soundproofed the room using Styrofoam, old couch cushions, and stacks of chairs. And we used a soundboard that begged us not to use it because of how old it was, it has senioritis. But we put it in its place…on a table…next to Marks computer. Then we (Keith) mixed the songs thru headphones and borrowed speakers. Our recording software was garageband. Keith did such a good job mixing!! This all goes to show that it’s possible that with time and patience you can have a solid recording and make maximum use of what you have making yourself true DIY men.

Q: What are the band’s favorite songs on “World’s Greatest Dad?”  What makes these stand out?  Which are the favorite ones to play live?

A: Simplest, easiest, and truest answer…all of them. Bar none. Straight up. No exceptions. Let’s go I’m hungry. Donezo.  We pour our whole hearts into every song so its easy for us to love them all.

Q: How/why did you decide to freely give away the full-length?  A lot of newer bands have a couple songs for free download, but usually not a full-length.  How has this been received?  Have you heard any reviews on “World’s Greatest Dad?”

A: We want to give it away for free because its not a business…its a ministry for us.  It’s a gift to anyone and everyone in need of hope. We want to give the music away because we believe in the message that it carries, which is one of hope and freedom found in Jesus Christ.  It seems like people are really diggin it! which is really cool. we’ve gotten a lot of feedback from people saying they like the jams. And we haven’t heard any formal reviews or anything like that on WGD, you can do one! haha

Q: How does the songwriting process work in Break the Curse, anyone take the lead?  Music first, lyrics first?  Who comes up with the song titles?  You have to expect this question when you have “Psalm dunk the funk” (ha).

A: The songwriting process has been done a few different ways. There have been times we started with lyrics, at times it’s been music, we’ve jammed and then wrote, & our newest one starts off with a spoken word. We’ve written songs a few different ways, but in all things our songwriting process is very collaborative. We all have input. it’s very much a group effort.

Q: What do you see as the mission of Break the Curse?  In the endless debate, would you side with the statement “Break the Curse is a Christian band” or “Break the Curse are Christians in a band”? or is this even relevant and worthy of discussion?

A: The mission of BTC is to spread the amazing news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our lyrics are filed with truth, and the message is given in fierce love. It’s our passion and our life. We also long to see curses broken over people whether it be thru listening to the CD or coming out to a show (when we have one, ha), because our music is intercession. We also have a blast! It’s a heartbeat we follow, not a dreadful chore. Also with hardcore there’s a lot of hate in the scene, but we bring the love of God, a lot of good ole times, and SO much laughing! HA! LIFE. We have a friggin amazing time!

Break The Curse is a Christian band.  All we do is for the Lord and our music is no exception. It’s an absolutely undebatable question among each of us.

Q: What are the plans for the future?  Any touring/shows coming up?  Going to any festivals?

A: Our plans for the future are in a way on hold as of right now, because Mark is going to moving to Minnesota for a few months with his wife. After those few moths when Mark gets back we will be right back to getting together and jammin! No doubt. And if a touring opportunity or festival opportunity came up and worked out for everyone we would all be down! We are down for whatever the Lord has in store for BTC, we simply long to honor & obey Him in all things.

Q: If you could pull together some bands for a tour, who would you pick?

A: Bands for a tour…Debtor, Desiring Dead Flesh, Carrying The Fire, & Psyche. Psyche is a local band from our area and they are really cool dudes that love the Lord and play some gnarly hardcore.

Q: What is the most embarrassing music people would find on your Mp3/iPod or in your music collection?  Or what bands do you like but try to hide from others?

A: HA! We all love so many different kinds of music. We aren’t ashamed by any of them bands or singers, but I’m sure people might laugh at us! hahaha
Jacob- Barry Manilow
Mark- Justin Bieber
Keith- Heat Wave, Celia Cruz (salsa music)
Alex- Something Corporate, The Wedding Singer Soundtrack

Q: List your all-time favorite show that you’ve been to and briefly why.

A: Favorite Shows…
Jacob- xLooking Forwardx- because they are super energetic, passionate, and their lyrics are super positive and uplifting.
Mark- It would be Underoath. It was back in 2000 and Dallas was there singer and they were black metal, and they also played with beloved. The band ate at my friends house so I got to hangout with them. They were super personable and made me feel like I was one of them which is something I look for in band.
Alex- For me it’d be Take It Back. Almost all of their songs are so close to my heart so every time I see them live it’s such a blast being in the pit and going crazy and snaggin the mic because they are all songs that mean so much to me.
Keith- Definitely the Foo Fighters, back in 2003. It was my favorite band at the time, and still is among the favorites to this day! It was during the Summerfest in Wisconsin, so that whole day was filled with musical delight! But Dave Grohl has always been an inspiration to me!

Q: Please share with everyone what parts of the bible motivate you as a band.

A: Our biggest inspiration is drawn from the life of Jesus Christ. All He did & said inspires who we are and what we are about.

Jacob- I’m just trying to understand the Father’s heart whenever I read. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me understand what His Word means, and what its intended purpose is for in my life, and in His kingdom’s purpose while He has me here on earth.

Mark- Do not fret. It is wickedness because it is a result of me trying to have my own way. Don’t fret because of outward things…rest in Him.

Alex- Psalm 91. I’ve been realizing that there is fear in my life as a result of not trusting in the Father. Fear is an emotional response to a lack of trust.
Sometimes I fear that I won’t and am not living in my true identity that is found in the Lord because it gets attacked a lot. So through being with the Lord and going deep into the Word I find there is safety for my soul and safety for who I am, because who I am is in all that He is. The Lord has been speaking truth over my identity, and now I want to speak peace and healing over you who are dealing with an identity crisis. Of not knowing who you are. TAKE HEART! Who you are is found in Him. There is wholeness and healing found in Jesus Christ. He is your immovable refuge and strength!

Keith- Romans 8 and 1 John 4. Those two passages have been the antidote to my shortcomings and have laid out much of my identity in Christ Jesus. They have been a counter-attack to apathy as well. I find more and more that my soul longs more than anything for love/intimacy, a destiny/purpose, and meaning/truth.. which I believe is the case for many. It’s what really brings us alive. Everybody longs to belong. Sometimes it’s why people wear what they wear or do what they do. Christ is the only one who can fill those soul longings, completely and un-artificially! These 2 passages bring to me meaning, belonging, a filled soul. read em for yo’self! They will show you who you really are in Christ.

Here is a current list of the some of the bands/music the guys in BTC are listening to…

Keith- Betrayed, Internal Affairs, Marvin Sapp, Twin Shadow, & Stevie Wonder
Alex- Take it back, Have Heart, Fleetwood Mac, & Foo Fighters (soon it’ll be the new Debtor and the new Hands AH!)
Mark- Thrice, Hands, & various indie/folk artists
Jacob-  Foo Fighters, False Idol, & Duke Ellington

As promised, you can download the album “World’s Greatest Dad” for FREE HERE and HERE.  Pass the word along, friend these guys on Facebook and tell all your homies about them, ya dig?

There were so many great bands playing this year, in particular, Blood & Ink records did a B&I family and friends day at the Solace Stage (which spanned two different days).  What was cool about this show is that it included such great B&I bands as Venia, Jawbone, Friends, Dependency, Thin Ice, Ironwill, Thirtyseven, Divide The Sea, and Debtor, but also bands including Cool Cough (side project of the guys from Call To Preserve), Strengthen What Remains, Beggars, Call to Preserve, Messengers, Dynasty, and Gideon (whom are not on the B&I label).  What makes the fact that this was going on extra cool is the fact that our tent was wedged in between Solace Stage and Legacy Stage where all of these great shows were taking place.

Some of the highlights of the week were the following:

1.  Meeting so many of you that visit our site and post on the forum, and finally meeting many of the bands we interview in person and getting to know everyone better.

2.  Catching a few Dynasty sets.  I (Josh) really like this band and I think they are solid, their testimony is also very moving.  I think I almost broke my hand and wrist when I was dancing and clobbered some poor kid right over the head.  Turns out my hand is OK, if the kid I hit is reading this, sorry, hope you are OK!

3.  Getting Officer Negative to play the Legacy Stage on Thursday may have been a highlight of the week as well.  I knew of the band, but have never really listened to many of their songs.  Hanging with Chad (the singer) and Justin, Casey, and Rick (who was filling in on drums) was great, awesome bunch of guys, strong in the Lord.  It was awesome to watch everyone getting into their set, singing along, and dancing like a bunch of maniacs.  Plus, I am sporting my new Officer Negative shirt today!

Officer Negative – “JCHC” on Legacy Stage

Click here to view the embedded video.

4.  Final Call To Preserve sets at Cornerstone, while everyone is bummed that these guys are breaking up, it was cool to catch their last shows at Cornerstone.  I picked up their 7″ “Validation” as well, which I highly recommend everyone go and pick up.  These guys have grown musically over the years.  It was also fun to see Cool Cough, their side band with Harbor singing, and John playing guitar.  Good stuff.

5.  Debtor’s new material is awesome, nuff said.  The guys in the band are super cool, easy to talk with, and they blew up every set with their new songs.  Go and buy their new album Bloodseeds and Blood & Ink Records.

6.  Catching a full Graverobber set.  If you have not seen these guys live, then you are missing out.  They are like the Misfits of the Christian punk world, their music is tight, and their stage show is extremely entertaining.  Just a word of advice, if they are singing any song that includes the word “blood” in the title, run for cover.  Catch their midnight shows, way more fun then their daytime shows.

7.  True Liberty and FBS – again, both of these bands just keep getting better, and they are both tons of fun to hang with.  Make sure to catch them live if they happen to be coming through your town.

8.  Branching out – I checked out A Hill To Die Upon, I am not normally a metal fan, but these guys are actually really really decent, and when I listen to their stuff, there is a heavy undertone of hardcore in it.  Go and check them out.

9.  Strengthen What Remains and Clear Convictions – their split set was probably one of the most fun sets at Cornerstone.  Strengthen What Remains is out of Florida and the guys in the band are among some of the coolest you will meet.  Their music just keeps getting better and better.  Clear Convictions came all the way from Puerto Rico to play Cornerstone.  I was pissed that so many people slept on the this band during their set on Texas Stage, but I was glad that I was able to tape the set (check out video page).  Both of these bands are signed to On The Attack Records run by our friend Sammy.  Love you guys!  Make sure that you pick up both of their albums from On The Attack, worth every penny, and how often do you see the record label owner in the pit???  Now that is support for your bands!

Clear Convictions Set from Texas Stage

Click here to view the embedded video.

10.  Discovering new bands that everyone needs to check out.  Beggars, With Increase, Blackhole.

And number 11.  The super secret show at the barn.  WOW, Debtor and Beggars both played a set, and then there were three cover sets including songs by Minor Threat, Advent, Seventh Star, and Shockwave.  This was by far THE best show, held in the storage shed by the skate park.  There where probably two hundred people that showed up and only enough room for 50 in the venue.  I was lucky enough to get up in the storage rafters to tape some of the show.  It was insane.  And as one of the guys from Debtor told me, “I just had a huge smile on face the whole time cause it was so awesome.”  I agree that it was awesome and I think there should be more intimate shows at Cornerstone like this.  Check the video page for coverage of the event.  Sorry you missed it!
Over all, the event was great, seemed fewer people were there this year, actually seemed kind of empty this year.  Rumors are floating around that they may not have Cornerstone next year because they did not sell enough tickets this year.  I say, don’t listen to rumors and sit tight, they may change the look and feel of Cornerstone next year, but I find it hard to believe they will altogether cancel the event, it touches so many people’s lives.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thanks for all your support and for everyone that stopped in to say hello, your kind words and blessing edify what we do and why we do it. Until next year, God bless and be safe!

Check out our video page for more videos, you can find our youtube channel here, and make sure to “like” us on Facebook!

Josh and the HXCChristian.com crew (John, RJ, Katie, Seann, Doug and special helpers like Mike!)

And one more fun video of the “best of” Cornerstone!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Band: The Way
Music Style: Punk
Location: Oxnard & Santa Paula, CA
Facebook Myspace Reverbnation

Q: Where and when did The Way get there start?

A: The WAY started around January of ’09. Tank, Harry, and Ryan were in a band called “R.I.P. The old Me” and had just lost their singer. That’s when I joined the group. A couple of weeks later Manny came to a practice to try out on lead guitar and we never looked back!

Q: What is the significance of the name The Way?

A: I guess you could say that the Bible verse that drives this band most is John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” That verse is so powerful in its claim of absolute truth. It also fits with anything in life. It is the solution to any problem we face, any discouraging situation, any question about who we are. It is so simply put but it, (along with John 3:16), sums up the entire gospel message of the New Testament.

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

A: Ryan works for a concrete coloring company, Manny works for a body shop, Tank and Harry are currently unemployed and I work grounds maintenance for Pacifica High School out here in Oxnard CA.

Q: What bands have influenced the sound of The Way. I kind of get a Social D, early punk feel when I listen to you guys. Who do you compare your sound to?

A: Well You nailed it with that one! Social D is one of our favorite bands. As a matter of fact we cover a couple of their songs. Bad Religion is another big influence along with Pennywise, Rise against, and Good Riddance. We also dig on The Crucified.

Q: I understand that the band just signed with Thumper Punk Records, congrats! What does this mean for the band, when can we expect a full length?

A: We are very excited to be added to the Thumper Punk roster. Thumper Punk has been busy promoting us online and we are happy to get some exposure outside of our local scene. We look forward to meeting some new friends and hopefully hooking up some gigs outside our area.

Q: The Way is a Christian band, has the band always been a Christian band?

A: From the get go we have put ourselves out as a Christian band, first and foremost. We don’t go around looking down our noses at people or anything but we are unashamed of Jesus. We are more than willing to evangelize at a bar gig in the opportunity arises!

Q: What is the purpose of The Way?

A: The WAY has a passion for expressing our lives, thoughts, and even shortcomings through music. Jesus Christ has been the biggest influence on how we see the world and that comes through in our songs.

Q: From where in the bible does The Way draw most of its inspiration?

A: Like I said before, the fact that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father is what our biblical inspiration hinges on. Jesus stands at the apex of history. He was and is the most influential, most important, most beautiful person who ever walked the face of the earth.

Q: The song “Walking Dead” is a pretty powerful song with incredible lyrics, sounds like someone has quite a testimony in the band. Care to share the personal story behind the lyrics?

A: “Walking Dead” was influenced by a very low point in my marriage. I lost my desire for my wife and was starting to give into temptation. When the Lord pulled me out of that situation it was clear to me how far I had strayed and dead I was inside. He restored my love for my wife and presented her to me in a whole new way. I have never looked back.

Q: When you guys play shows, do you share the gospel on stage? If so, how is is accepted by the crowd? Do you have shows where there is a mixed crowd of Christians and non-Christians?

A: The majority of our shows lately have been a mix of believers and non-believers at Christian venues. When we play places at those we are more open on the mic about Jesus. When we play the clubs and bars we save it for the one-on-one conversations throughout the night.

Q: Has The Way had anyone approach them after a show and given their life to Christ?

A: Nobody has approached us as of yet to receive the Lord after a show. We do however love it when people come up and ask questions about us at shows. It gives us the opportunity to share the good word.

Q: What bands has The Way shared the stage with?

A: The WAY has played with tons of great local bands. Some of the more well known ones are House of Heroes, Abandon Kansas, The Classic Crime, and most notable, Seventh Day Slumber. Maybe one day we will get that call to open up for Social D!!

Q: What shows have been the most memorable and why?

A: I would say the most memorable show to date would be the night we won the battle of the bands for a local bar. We were not officially signed up for it but were called last minute to fill a dropped slot. Long story short we won the top prize and used the money to record our new CD!

The Way – Live – “Never Enough”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Way – Live – “You Don’t Know Me”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Q: Can we expect to see The Way tour soon? Will you guys be heading to Cornerstone Festival?

A: Touring is something we would really love to do. I don’t think that we are quit ready at the moment but look forward to planning something in the near future. As for Cornerstone, it has been on our mind and want to do it, badly

Q: Any message you want to convey to the punk/hardcore scene, shout-outs, etc?

A: To all our christian brothers and sisters who love punk rock we say to keep strong in your faith in Jesus! Never forget what He did for you on the cross, always remembering to live your life according to His will and not anyone elses. Please Check us our @ reverbnation.com/theway805, facebook.com/theway805, and myspace.com/theway805! God bless!!

Band: False Idle
Music Style: Hymnals in a Punk Rock Style
Location: Idaho
www.FalseIdlePunk.com Myspace Facebook

Q: Can you give us an introduction to Thumper Punk Records? The label is fairly new to the scene, but from what we understand at HXCChristian.com you have some things in the works. Why did you start Thumper Punk Records? What can we expect from the label in the future?

A: (David) Thumper Punk Records was formed to help artists record, produce and distribute music that reflects a positive, Christ-centered message. I started writing a music blog (www.thumperpunk.com) several years ago to share information about Christian punk and ska bands, and recently decided that it was time to get-off-the-couch and take the next step. My initial discussion with Sef began as result of a discussion in the HXCChristian.com forum about worship hymns played in a punk rock style. Sef and I were on the same page with the music, and have the sole purpose of bringing glory to Christ. So, here we are.

Q: The first release for Thumper Punk Records will be a new recording artist called False Idle, with a familiar person to HXCChristian.com as the mastermind, Sef, fill in the people on who you are and your background….

A: (Sef) Who am I… hmmm… well some of the folks reading this might recognize the name uniSEF, which was a project that I started like 5 or 6 years ago that eventually turned into the band that some of you may know. We went our separate ways about a year ago now and I, not being able to sit around for very long, started up the new project False Idle.

Q: We understand that False Idle is not your typical run of the mill hardcore punk band, can you fill us in what makes False Idle different than other bands?

A: (Sef) Well, False Idle it isn’t actually a band. It’s what we in the music industry like to call a solo project. I’m not big on having the focus be on me, so I had to come up with a ‘band name’ so I could fool everyone. Tricky… eh? The funny thing is, uniSEF started the exact same way… but don’t get your hopes up!

Q: So False Idle is covering traditional Church Hymns in a punk style, what famous Hymns can we expect a punk twist on? What songs are the most interesting and why?

A: The list is as follows:
Old Rugged Cross
It is Well with My Soul
Great is Thy Faithfulness
He Lives
To God be the Gory
He’s Alive

(Sef) Initially I was partial to “It is Well,” because I really tried to make that one into a technical punk style of song, “He Lives,” because I went a little more hXc with that one, and “He’s Alive,” because, A. It is an amazing song B. It was the song that kicked off the project and C. I really challenged myself to develop it well… But now that the whole CD is done, I honestly like them all a lot for all different reasons. I’m super stoked on how they all turned out.

Q: Sef, who has collaborated on this album with you, did you record all the different instruments?

A: (Sef) I did all of the song choosing and concept writing myself. My initial plan was to play all of the instruments myself on the recording, but as my relationship with Thumper Punk Records grew, I really started striving to put out as high quality of a CD as I could. That being the case I called in the big guns for drums. My good friend Matt L. (Death and Revolution) was kind enough to once again lend his skills to one of my projects, and he tore it up for sure. My friend Jess H. was also kind enough to record some piano and organ parts for the project. Then of course had the fellas over to lay down some gang vocals, just to give it that good ‘ol punk rock feel! Aside from that, I played all of the other instruments

Q: I read somewhere that you had some great guest vocals, care to share who might be making guest vocal appearances on the album?

A: (Sef) Haha… those rumors… you can never trust em… But yes, my pal Nate Rising from FBS laid down some gang vocals and backup parts throughout the CD. Josh from FBS begged and begged me to let him have some parts on the CD but I told him “no way dude”… haha… Actually he was going to do some too, but the window of opportunity was pretty tight… so it, unfortunately, didn’t happen. But if you listen real close you’ll also hear another familiar voice, Tyler from uniSEF came back into the studio too hook it up with some of his signature backup vocs…

Q: How challenging was it to come up with different music to come up with for these traditional hymns? Did you try to stay true to the traditional sounds of the songs or did you reinvent them completely?

A: (Sef) At first it was pretty easy, I had been coming up with ideas in my head for the first couple of songs for some time, but as the project progressed it got a little more difficult. There is actually one song on the CD that I completely re-wrote about halfway through the process because I just didn’t like the feel it had at all. Luckily a song by Flatfoot 56 totally inspired me for that specific song, and now I love how it turned out. I’ll let you try to figure out which one…

My goal throughout the project was to keep as close to the traditional feel of each song as I could, but also to make it a full on punk rock CD. Thinking back now, that was quite a challenge… haha… My hopes were to bring these amazing songs from the past into today so that this generation could have a chance to hear, and appreciate them.

So to make sure I stayed true to the original feel of each song this is what I did. Once I had all of the concept recordings finished, I sent them to my mom… yup, you can always count on mom… So when she came back and said that they were good, not really her style, but she recognized them all and could sing along with them, I knew that I pulled it off.

Q: Where and when can we get our hands on the new False Idle album?

A: (David) False Idle’s Hymns of Punk Rock Praise will be available through the Thumper Punk Records website (www.thumperpunkrecords.com), and digital downloads will be available from iTunes, Amazon and the usual suspects.

Q: What else do you have in the works for Thumper Punk Records? Any chance you will try to release some hard to find records on your label?

A: (David) Regarding my future plans for the label, I have been discussing projects with a number of bands and hope to announce the next project soon. While I wouldn’t be against re-releasing hard to find music, my primary focus will be to support new projects. If I had a shout-out, it would be to the entire HXCChristian.com team for supporting a Christian ministry to the punk and hardcore community.

Q: So after False Idle, what are you plans, do you think you might do a follow up album?

A: (Sef) Well, it’s pretty funny. I had so many song ideas thrown at me when I started this project; the joke going around is “what songs are you going to put on Hymns, “Volume II…” So let’s just say there is a pretty good chance that False Idle isn’t gonna be a one trick pony…

Q: Anything else you guys would like to add, websites, facebook pages, myspace pages, shout-outs, etc, feel free to add, and thanks for the interview!

A: (Sef) I just have to say, I have been doing the punk rock thing for quite some time, and up until this project I have done it 100% DIY all the way. So when David @ Thumper Punk Records approached me with the idea of putting this out on a label, I was a little hesitant. But after talking to friends and family and giving it some serious prayer, I decided to give it a shot. And all I can say is David has been awesome! I can’t say enough about what he has done for this project and where his heart wants to take his new label. He has my full support from here on out.

For all of you musicians out there reading this, you will not find a more musician friendly and supportive label than Thumper Punk Records. If you are looking for a label, start there… and if you are a fan of great music, keep an eye out for Thumper Punk Records… you will not be disappointed…

Thanx to you guys at HXCChristian.com for playing the snot out of these new songs too! I am listening right now and have heard all 3 songs we sent to you… You guys are rad!

I’m always up for an email so hit me up anytime… God bless

- Sef Idle

www.falseidlepunk.com
False Idle Myspace
False Idle Facebook
sef AT falseidlepunk.com
http://thumperpunk.blogspot.com
www.thumperpunk.com

When I was at Cornerstone there was ONE ska band (at least that I knew of).  Send Out Scuds represented Christ and ska at the same time.  Although the entire band didn’t make it, they still managed to put on several awesome shows, which I danced till my legs hurt, and got up on stage and filled in with all the “ska stuff”  (you know, the “pick it up, pick it up, pick it ups and Chugachick chicks…all you old ska head will know what I mean).  SO read on, Kim, Sam, and Dustin (who was filling in on drums) answered some questions about the band.  Pass it along!

BAND: Send Out Scuds
Music Style: Ska
Home Town: Southern Florida
Myspace Facebook

Q: How and when did Send Out Scuds get its start? Where did the name come from?

A: (Sam) Send Out Scuds was started in 2004 when Kim (trumpet) got together with a former band member and started a ska band. S.C.U.D.s Servants of Christ Untill Death. We would like to go out, make disciples, and send them out and they would send them out etc…

Q: Seems like you guys have had some lineup changes, who is currently active in the band?

A: (Dustin, who is filling in on drums) Yeah there has been numerous member changes; but the line up at the moment seems to be pretty amazing. The band has 7 people in it to my knowing: Jeremy, Kim, Sam, Tony, Dave, Josh, and Josh. One thing you should know is in the part of Orlando were in there’s a lot of people named Dustin and Josh haha.

(Kim) The line up Dustin gave you was correct except for one of the Josh’s. He recently had a baby with his wife and is on hiatus until further notice.

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

A: (Kim) We all have normal jobs and one or two of us are in school. Sam and I are currently unemployed but we are heavily involved in our churches and try to make ends meet doing other small projects. Jeremy works in a warehouse stocking and shipping Hollywood memorabilia. Tony works for a resort. Josh Peters is in graphic design and David is the owner of his own DJ company.

(Sam) I perform as Radical Sam at concerts and other events. I am also am very active in my church South Brandon Worship Center as a youth leader, Sunday worship team member (bass guitar), and family group member.

Q: Send Out Scuds is a Christian ska band, what do you say to people who think that ska is dead?

A: (Sam) With God all things are possible! lol, Ska is kinda dead, but it’s very possible to revive it but first we are concentrated on reviving souls, then ska, so it may be a while ha ha.

(Dustin) I think everyone who thinks ska is dead needs to wake up from their cave haha. The one cool thing that cornerstone taught me was even the HXC kids love ska! It was great, if anything I think ska is coming back and it’s here to stay. If you ever get a chance go to Michigan; there seems to be quite a ska scene over there.  Kenny Plont, he books shows and is in a ska band called Take a Hint and is doing a good job of keeping ska alive and well over there.

Q: Where do you guys find inspiration for your songs? Are there particular books or verses in the bible that you find inspiration from?

A: (Sam) I write a lot of the lyrics for S.O.S. and I get %100 of my inspiration from God. The songs are about what God is telling me He wants our fans to hear at the time and most of the time He puts it in my heart first for me to live it out and relate, and then He’ll allow me to use it artistically. Not one step with out Him!

Q: How is the band generally accepted in the music scene, when you play shows does anyone ever turn their nose up at the fact that Send Out Scuds is a Christian band?

A: (Sam) I’ve personally seen secular bands and fans dance their butts of to a few SOS songs and as soon as I deliver the Gospel one or two of them will stick around and the rest will step out of the room for the duration of our set. Other than that, we are accepted in our music scene as the Christian ska band, what else is there to know us by? lol and I rarely get high noses, if fact more people will show respect than lift their noses. I like to give non-believers the benefit of the doubt and let them find out for them selves the real truth as we deliver right in front of them.

(Dustin) I’ve only had one person that has had a problem with the whole Christian band thing. The cool thing about that is he ended up being nice to me after the show cause of the way I treated him, God does cool things.

Q: You guys are out of Florida, there are a lot of great hardcore bands coming out of Florida, do you guys do mixed shows with hardcore bands, or is there a resurgence of ska in Florida that we need to know about?

A: (Kim) Tampa seems to have a bigger ska scene than it is given credit for. There are a lot of secular ska bands and a lot of secular hardcore but surprisingly Florida has a lot of Christian hardcore bands. Lately we have noticed this trend is sort of fading and the pop-electro bands are becoming more prominent. We do play shows with hardcore bands but for the most part we try to stay as close to our genre as possible so there will be a better turn out.

Q: Send Out Scuds has one album that I am aware of and it is fantastic, is there another album that I am not aware of? How can folks get a hold of Send Out Scuds albums?

A: (Kim) We did have a demo with a bunch of old songs but we have scrapped those. There has been the debate of whether to re-vamp them and try to make them into something better. This link can help you find the Sower Seed EP http://www.fireoutside.com/fomstore/sendoutscuds.html

Q: Is there anything in the works for future albums? What can we expect from Send Out Scuds?

A: (Sam) Expect an EP with no release date as of yet, but it will soon be finished.

(Kim) It still needs some tweaking and the artwork is almost complete. Once this is done we will announce the title and release date. At the moment we are taking a break from shows and concentrating on our full length. We are in the process of learning new songs and finishing up writing a few. Once that is complete we will be demoing them out and recording them professionally.

Q: Are you guys planning any tours in the near future?

A: (Sam) We will be touring off of our Sophomore EP and will begin booking as soon as it is released. You can book us in your town at sendoutscuds@gmail.com

(Dustin) There will most likely be no touring till early 2011 or the summer of 2011. Cornerstone baby!

Q: What was the most fun show Send Out Scuds has ever played? What cool bands have you guys shared the stage with?

A: (Kim) The most fun one to me was Cornerstone FL 2006. The audience was packed! We have shared the stage with bands like Children 18:3, White Collar Sideshow, The Insyderz, Abandoned Kansas, Flyleaf, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Eleventyseven, and a whole lot more!

(Sam) I’ve been in the band for about two years now and for me, one of the most fun shows we played together was Real Fest 2008 when we shared the stage with Fly Leaf. The crowd was pretty big and those people really loved dancing with us.
let’s see bands we’ve shared the stage with: Fly Leaf, Eleventyseven, White Collar Side Show, Children 18:3, Showbread, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Hand Drawn Mountains, Abandon Kansas, and a loooottt more.

(Dustin) Out of all the shows I’ve played with them I’d have to say every show has been amazing! Even on a bad night, I just love playing and touring with them. SOS has shared the stage with band like Eleventyseven, children 18:3, White Collar sideshow and so many more.

Q: What is everyone in the band listening to? Who should we check out?

A: (Kim) Currently I try not to listen to too much music on my own. I like my alone time with my thoughts and conversation with God. I would like to promote a few bands that I think are worth checking out. Strengthen What Remains, Hand Drawn Mountains, Nathan Stiteler, Children 18:3, White Collar Sideshow, Glenn Clark and the Family, Fight to Remember, Radical Sam, Levi the Poet, and Take a Hint.

(Dustin) Oh! Wow, asking me that question is crazy! I have about a billion bands you should listen to haha. I listen to Hawk Nelson, Showbread, Emery, Lights, The Pinstripes, No Doubt, Blink 182, and so many more. As for bands to check out. The Pinstripes, A Billion Ernies, Sent by Ravens, Poema, (me and Kim share a love for this band) Straylight Run, Cady Groves, We Came AS Romans, I See Stars, K Sera, Mates of State, David Lehr, Go Radio, Take a Hint, Await the Day, Nathan Stiteler, Hand Drawn Mountains, Strengthen What Remains, Write This Down, The Postal Service, Levi the Poet, and Listener. Trust me, I could go on for days with that question haha. Everyone else listens to anywhere from Less Than Jake to Green Day to Dragonforce to Tool to Poema haha it’s crazy.

(Sam) I listen to new school punk and ska. Less Than Jake, MXPX, Billy Talent, Slick Shoes, Rise Against, Dogwood, Operation Ivy, Value Pak, stuff like that. I also love Jimmy Needham and a few other one hit wonders in today’s contemporary Christian music scene.  All the bands I mentioned are worth checking out.

Q: Is there a little romance going on the band (correct me if I am wrong, but I think Kim and Jeremy are engaged – juicy!!!) Do tell, do tell! Will there be a Send Out Scuds wedding!

A: (Sam) Yup! Jeremy and Kim are getting married soon we all can’t wait.

(Kim) The wedding will be in November. We have been dating for 2 years now and are more than thrilled that God has provided us with each other. We were friends for over 4 years before we even thought of one another in a romantic sort of way. It’s amazing who God can pair you up with when your not even looking!

Q: What message do you want to send to the Christian ska, ska community?

A: (Dustin) The message that God sent Jesus Christ, His son, to die for sinners like you and me! That anyone who believes on His name and realizes that there is no other way to heaven but by Him! And that ska won’t die without a fight

(Kim) Christ came to us in the form of a man to die for us. Without His death payment we would not be able to have eternal life. We can now enter the kingdom of heaven because of His sacrifice on the cross. All you have to do is trust that Christ died for your sins and then you will have eternal life. There are no extra good deeds attached or works. It is very simple and not complicated. Just trust Him and you can have this free gift!

(Sam) Pick itrrrrrrrr(tongue rolling thing) up! Kim answered this question pretty much the same way I would. And, Ska is a great genre, but don’t let it (or music period) take over your life like it did mine. At one point in my life I was worshiping music as a huge idol in my life and when I trusted that Jesus had come to die for me, I was then living for Him only and then music came back into my life as a huge part of my ministry. So God needs to come first or else everything will fall apart. Jesus is the rock, the solid foundation!

Send Out Scuds – Live at Cornerstone 2010 – Jesus Village Stage

Click here to view the embedded video.

Q: Feel free to share any messages, links, shout-outs, etc, Thanks for the interview. Thanks for letting me get up on stage with you at Cornerstone and making a fool of myself!!!

A: (Sam) Everyone who reads this please go to www.RYFO.org they are an organization that helps Christian bands like us stay on the road by giving us places to stay over night and also helping us spiritually. They have been a huge asset to us and many other Christian bands out there but they need more host homes around the country. Please visit their web site now and see how you could help by becoming a host home.

(Kim) We enjoyed your company and the tent you provided at Cornerstone! We wear your sticker proudly on the back of our trailer and equipment cases

Take care!
Kim

(Dustin) Well, once again thanks for everything! I love you and what you’re doing; and thank you for skankin’ it up on stage, truly amazing.

Doug (one of the contributors at HXCChristian.com) did a pre-show in Campbellsville, KY the Sunday before Cornerstone.  I drove 9 hours to get to Campbellsville, it was an easy trip.  The show was awesome.  Doug is working with the University to put on show for all the kids and peeps in the area.  Apparently, like most small towns, there isn’t a whole lot to do there, so putting on shows is a great way to blow off steam and stay out of trouble.  The lineup was Restore the Roar (Doug’s band), Debtor (Philly hardcore), Worker (Tennessee hardcore), Dead Icons (Lexington hardcore), and The Showdown (Metal).  I was really impressed with Debtor and Worker (Debtor is a Christian band, Worker is not although their message is positive, and the dudes in the band are really cool).  It was a fun show, and I was glad that HXCChristian.com could be part of it.  After the show, RJ (HXCChristian.com contributor) thought it would best to drive straight through the night to Cornerstone.  I think Doug and I could have strangled RJ when we got to Cornerstone at 6:30 AM and the gates weren’t open, but we forgive RJ (just kidding RJ).  When we got in, we immediately found our tent and started to setup.  We made homemade Gatorade (DIY hardcore style baby) and were a place to just come and hang.  We later became known as the place that made good food and usually had leftovers.

General Mayhem and Trouble from the HXCChristian.com at Cornerstone 2010

Click here to view the embedded video.

The first couple of days were a blur, meeting people and going to shows, sleep deprivation.  In the first couple of days, I saw Debtor, Call To Preserve, Send out the Scuds, True Liberty, The Meek Estate, and probably one of my favorite shows The Great Commission (where I decided to throw my old butt off the stage).  My man Micah at The Legacy Stage really put on a lot of the best shows, he kept the stage limited to traditional hardcore for the most part.  Good job Micah!  Look for good stuff from this stage next year.  Thin Ice and Dependency (new to Blood & Ink records) both played multiple shows and were fantastic.  I highly recommend picking up their albums from Blood & Ink, well worth it.  I was fortunate to catch the Grave Robber show at midnight at the Sanctuary stage which was right next to us.  It was hard to miss it actually, quite and interesting band, if you like The Misfits and other type horror punk, then these guys will make you happy, plus their stage act is really unique.

Check out the Cornerstone 2010 Video Page

The second half the week I started to get used to the confusion and get my wits about me.  I was tired from getting into the pit, and I proved to myself that a 35 year old dude can still throw down in the pit and handle himself.  I think I even out danced some of the younger kids!  The Sleeping Giant show was awesome, I had a run in with the Holy Spirit, I am sure people thought I was crazy, but I was moved, and God touched me.  Their set was great as usual, and they played a new song, and honestly, I was not that crazy about it.  However, sometimes playing new material live is tough because you cannot get a feel for what a clean recording of it sounds like. Look for new stuff from Thom Green and the gang soon.   Also, the Great Commission rocked another show on the Undergound Stage, it was awesome, they also played a new song, it was decent.  I think there is some big stuff coming down the pike from these guys, I think they have been working on new material.  The last day was the craziest, I went from show to show to show.  Mason Summers (my punk friends), to Thin Ice, to Sovereign Strength, to All Or Nothing (what up Laz?), to Call To Preserve, back to back to back.  Then, it seemed as soon as we got there, we were gone.  Doug and I traveled together from Kentucky.  Doug is a cool dude, and we laughed the whole way home and told stories about shows and the people we met.

I think that the best stuff of the week was some of the punk bands, True Liberty, Desiring Dead Flesh, The Meek Estate, The Last Hope, Flatfoot 56, Mason Summers.  The only ska band there, Send Out The Scuds (I love these guys, and girl!)  had to get my skanking in, and I miss good ska! In the hardcore world, I don’t think I saw one bad band.  Thin Ice, Dependency, The Great Commission, Call To Preserve, Wild at Heart, Strengthen What Remains, Strength Within, Sovereign Strength, Debtor, Venia, All Or Nothing, Take It Back.  All bands that you need to check out.  One band in particular from Pittsburg, Those Who Fear.  I was happy to hear a band that is still playing old style beatdown hardcore.  These guys are awesome, and the dudes in the band are cool guys, so check them out.  Plus they had a turtle named XSteveX.  They kept me entertained.

We were lucky to have meet and greets with some of the bands, Andy from A Plea For Purging came by in the morning to discuss the band and life in general, it was cool.  Leroy the singer from War Of Ages also came out and did a meet and greet, great guy with a great story.  On Wednesday night we decided to do a spaghetti dinner, I think we cooked 30 pounds of spaghetti and made about 10 gallons of sauce.  I think everyone enjoyed the meal and fellowship.  I think we fed about 200 people.  On Thursday morning we did a meet and greet with Harbor from Call to Preserve and a pancake breakfast. Again, we had a huge turnout, more people that pancakes, but again, it was a huge success.  I am glad that we could be a blessing to the people and bands.  That was our mission, and I am glad that we accomplished it.

We had to leave a day early.  My family was sick at home.  Funny how Satan can attacks your weak spots when you are closest to God, he was attacking my family, coward.  The ride home was long, but gave me a lot of time to decompress and think about the experience.  I realized that Cornerstone is not really about the music, but about the people.  The people are what makes it worthwhile.  I met a lot of great people and even talked to people who were not Christians about Christ.  On the long trip back after I dropped off Doug in Kentucky,  I cried, half tears of happiness that I would be seeing my wife and two beautiful sons, the other half for the all the new friends that I would not see perhaps until next year.

Take a Look at the HXCChristian.com Cornerstone 2010 Photos

Takeaways – Lots of cool people, finding out that different genres of people still have the same core beliefs, that Christ is King.  Great shows, I can still throwdown in the pit.  People love free food, especially Eastern style BBQ (NC BBQ).  The bands are really cool and fun to hang out with, if there is a band coming to your area, go hang with them.  They usually hang in the parking lot behind the venue, go introduce yourself.  Bring them some goodies, food, baby wipes, stuff they might need, let them crash at your place, have a shower, do laundry, etc. help them load and unload their gear.  Metalcore and screamo still suck.  Ska needs to make a comeback.  Punk is alive and well.  Don’t use megaphones at Cornerstone or security will come and cart you away (see below). Have fun and fellowship with you future neighbors in heaven, after all, we will all be together in heaven forever!

God bless and thanks for everyone who came out and visited us.  See you next year.  Join the forum.

Josh

Interview by Doug Hurt – Contributor to HXCChristian.com

Band: Debtor
Music Style: Hardcore/Punk
Location: Philly Burbs
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/debtorpa

Q: Tell me about the band: How long have you been together?  Who are the members?  How did the band start?

A: Well, I began the attempts to form this band as far back as Spring of 2006, but it didn’t become a full band until October 2007.  That lineup was together for about a year, and then we were on hiatus for about another year before reforming in December 2009 with new members.  The new lineup is Jon Eirich (guitar), Jason Warner (guitar), Skot Rudy (bass), Josh Galloway (drums), and myself, Alan Popoli (vocals).

Q: How long have you guys been going to shows?

A: We’re all in our mid-20s, so we all went to our first shows as young teenagers.  Average is about 10 years ago.

Q: Have you guys been in other bands?

A: Lots, but probably not bands that anyone has heard of.  Jason and I played in Prevail (now Ancestor).  Jon has played in a ton of local bands over the years…some recent ones were Sincerely Monroe and Subcolour.  He still has a side project called The Rescue.  Skot played in some punk and hardcore bands from central PA: Heads Held High, The Standard, and Make It Count.

Q: Tell us about the scene in your area and bands from that area.

A: I love the greater Philadelphia area scene.  Bands like Blacklisted and Reign Supreme have put Philly back on the map in recent years.  But I grew up in the scene around the city, primarily going to shows in Lansdale, Doylestown, Collegeville, etc.  We’ve had plenty of struggles and setbacks, but there are dedicated people here who care deeply about keeping hardcore going.  I’m proud of this area.  The standards are higher here than what I’ve seen in many other scenes.  I have seen bands come and go who never got recognition but who were far better than whatever was happening in the “mainstream,” if you can call it that.

Q: You guys are on Blood and Ink Records, How does that label treat you guys not just as a band but as people?  How long have you been with the label?

A: We signed a deal with them July 2009, so we haven’t been with them long.  So far we’re very pleased.  I have long respected and enjoyed B&I bands like xLooking Forwardx and Ten 33, so I was stoked to work with them.  I’ve found that Sean knows good music, and is sincerely invested in improving Christian hardcore.  On the personal level, it can be difficult to hang because of the long drive between us, but we’ve spent hours on the phone and have had good times chilling over falafel and beans.

Q: Have you guys been on any tours?  if so, alone or with other bands?  Do you guys handle your own booking?*

A: I’m sorry to say we have not yet been able to tour, no.  We all have full-time jobs or school, and two of us are married.  On the bright side, we are blessed to be in an area that has lots of venues and scenes within 2 hours of us.  And yes, we do our own booking.

Q: What is the best show you have played so far?  Tell us about a horrible time that you have had as a band.

A: The best show has to be our comeback show last December.  There were a lot of old friends, and it was the best reaction we’ve gotten yet.  Just an all-around good show.

We haven’t had anything too terrible happen to us.  The worst show would be back in 2008, when we opened for an indie band in Doylestown, nobody was there, and I tore the butt of my jeans wide open.  Really the horrible thing we have to fear is that one of us will get too hyped and ball-tap somebody.

Q: Name some of your band’s influences:  Tell us about some bands that we should all be on the look out for.

A: We all like different music.  For example, Skot is really into New York style hardcore, while Jason’s favorite band is Living Sacrifice.  I write the music though, so what you hear in Debtor is mostly a result of my influences.  I think “Advent of a Miracle” by Strongarm is the best record ever made.  I literally talked to a guy once who said, “The first time I heard that album…I got saved.”  I also love fast, gritty hardcore like American Nightmare, and more emotional stuff like Verse.  Another big one is Derringer.  They were a great band from central PA that definitely did not get the recognition they deserved.  If you like Debtor, do yourself a favor and find a way to get a hold of “Rock & Roll Tragedy” by them.

Bands to look out for:
hardcore (or close enough):
myspace.com/killingyears
myspace.com/thinicehc
myspace.com/redemptionhc
myspace.com/burdenspa
myspace.com/mankindhc
myspace.com/100philistineforeskins
myspace.com/divinitytheory
myspace.com/withincrease

metalcore (or close enough):
myspace.com/ancestor
myspace.com/ohconstantine
myspace.com/cetus

Q: What is your band’s message?

A: It needs to be said that (with a few exceptions) I don’t intentionally approach most songs as “messages.”  They are first and foremost individual prayers about spiritual struggle.  Yet, a theme seems to have emerged from many of our songs: our dealings with the “problem of evil.”  If I had to state it briefly, it’s that suffering, depression and the like should not drive us away from God, but towards him.  When faced with evil, the proper response is not to hate God, but to run to him.  To run to God in the midst of trial requires humility; to spit in his face shows bitterness and spite. Easier said than done, obviously.  The question of evil is as old as the Bible, and we don’t pretend to be able to answer it.  The hope is simply to wrestle with it openly, honestly, and faithfully.  I believe this is a specially necessary task in a scene where the experience of evil is exactly what has caused almost everyone to reject God.

Q: How do you feel about booking agents and booking agencies in hardcore?

A: I have mixed feelings about them.  I love the D.I.Y. ethic, and I believe that spirit is necessary for good hardcore scenes to thrive.  But the reality is that there is no authority or standard to appeal to, so the definition of “D.I.Y.” is pretty flexible and arbitrary.  So, I think all I can really say is that for my own band, I’d rather book shows myself, but I don’t see how I could condemn a band that uses an agent.  There is no standard to denounce with.  Bottom line: hardcore D.I.Y. isn’t a hill I’m
prepared to die on.  We’ve got enough of those as it is.

That being said, we just silk-screened our own patches last week.

Q: Being in a hardcore band and being individually a part of this scene, how does it make you feel when you hear about Christian bands using the Christian hardcore scene as a way to gain popularity before taking a step into mainstream “hardcore stardom”?

A: I feel very much the same way as I do when a Christian brother or sister leaves the faith.  In fact, from what I know of these cases, the people in question either have lost their faith, or never had it in the first place. Like Satan, those people have chosen their own glory over God’s glory.  It’s devastating.  The temptation is to get mad, but that doesn’t help.  The truth is it’s a tragedy, and sadness is the appropriate response.

Q: Have you guys ever demanded a tour rider, deli tray, assorted candy or a specific number of red bulls and imported beers before agreeing to play a show?

A: Every show, man, but the promoters just don’t seem to care enough.  What has happened to our scene??

Q: As you do not intentionally go into writing a song with a specific message, you have songs that have strong tones concerning certain topics that kids can really relate to.  Most bands can only and will only write about girls or will talk about politics.  Some other bands will write lyrics that sound like praise songs from the 80′s that don’t quite mesh with what today’s hardcore crowd will accept…  When you show up to play a show, do you have people there that will debate your lyrics and what you guys are about; or is it mainly people talking trash just because they know you guys are a Christian band?

A: Hah yeah…well first of all, if a band isn’t going to say something worth saying, they absolutely should not be screaming it.  In truth, if there’s no fire in your belly – if there’s no seed of discontentment with the status quo – then it’s just a matter of time before you phase out of hardcore and blend completely into the rest of the world.

As for responses from non-Christians, it’s a very mixed bag.  On the negative side, there is a large segment of our local scene who reject wholesale the idea of Christian hardcore, and it can be difficult even to get on a show with those bands.  For people like that, we don’t count as hardcore, just as Christian music, and it makes more sense for us to play with Christian metalcore bands than with atheist hardcore bands.  On the flip side, there are those who don’t much care about beliefs and just want
to rock out.  We don’t preach from stage or give any kind of altar call, and they like our music, so they don’t much care that we’re screaming about God.  Some flat out disagree with our beliefs, but sing along to certain parts anyway.  As an aside to Christians who are in bands or considering starting them: I think the average hardcore kid cares a lot less about beliefs than he may say; what he really cares about is being bored.  I think you can get away with a lot more boldness than you might think, so long as you’re not boring while you’re doing it.

Unfortunately, we don’t get as much debate about our lyrics as I’d like it. If people have a problem, they generally express it by trash talking via the internet or when we’re not around, or just ignoring us.  I would love to see greater numbers of people debate with us!  The best responses, though, are the odd/obscure threats, as in a recent fun case where a metal band took the
stage after us and commanded the Christians in the room to “fall on my hammer!”

Q: If you could go back to any year, and you had 24 hours to do anything at all…  what would you do?

A: First choice: meet Jesus or Paul and listen to them.  Second choice, go WAY back, and tame a Velociraptor.

Q: Which is better…  XBOX 360 or PS3?  Hockey or Football?  Chicken or Steak?  Dr Pepper or Mr Pibb?

A: Don’t know, Hockey, Chicken, Dr. Pepper.

Q: What would you like to say to those reading this, especially the ones that have never heard of your band or maybe stumbled across our website by chance?

A: That’s tough.  I guess if I had to say anything, it would be that there is nothing worth living for but God.

Hope you are gearing up for the Christmas.  I know that things are chaotic out there, as they are here, things feel like they are falling apart all over the place, but….one thing is for sure…..God is still in charge, and has not lost control.  So, even in these tough times, we can all rely on Jesus to see us through!

I had a chance to do something completely different this time.  I hooked up with Abilene (pronounced like Maybeline) who is a local Christian hardcore/metal band located in Sanford, North Carolina, which is about 20 minutes from me.  So, we did our first video interview!  I am so stoked about how this turned out!  They guys in the band are awesome and did a great job.  They truly are a spirit filled band, and make no bones about talking about Christ.  They treat their music as a ministry and it shows through in their lyrics and music.  Keep in mind that I am not a pro at interviews, I am guy like you, and my editing skills are getting better!  So enjoy, have a laugh, and check out Abilene.  (I also reviewed their new EP “Blinded By Fear” below)

HXCChristian.com Abilene Interview

Click here to view the embedded video.

Abilene “Blinded By Fear” EP Review

So the guys put together this 6 song EP called “Blinded by Fear”  I first got my copy and immediately popped it into my car’s CD player and listened front to back.  The line up on the EP includes two guitars, bass, drums, and vocals from two of the members, one singing clear clean vocals, the other singing the growling hardcore style we hear with bands like The Devil Wears Prada or As I Lay Dying.  I don’t have a ton of music in my collection that is similar to this, but I do have an album each from Life In Your Way and Inked In Blood which you could easily compare the style of Abilene to.

The production on the CD is a bit raw, but that is not a bad thing.  I like my music a bit more raw than polished, I think that it gives it more character.  When I hear an album that is so overproduced it shines like a new gold tooth, it kind of turns me off.  So in this case, the rawness of the album really works for me.

What does the band do well?  They have some gnarly vocals on the EP that cut you down.  The lyrics are great to, and you can understand Pat when he is singing which is a bonus for me, seems that most of the “screamo” type bands are pretty hard to understand, but not so with Pat, you can make out what he is saying just enough so you get the point the first time through.  The guitars are blistering with a lead and rhythm, drum and bass are pretty solid.  These guys are fairly new so I would bet that the more experience they gain, the better they will get.  So keep an eye on them.

If you want to pick of a copy of “Blinded By Fear” you can get it on the Abilene myspace page, or on Sound Faith Music’s website.