Band: Sovereign Strength
Music Style: Hardcore
Location: Palmdale, CA
Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/sovereignstrength

Q: Give us some background on Sovereign Strength, when did the band form, where and how did you guys come up with the name?

A: Sovereign Strength was formed in the suburbs of the Antelope Valley, CA on January 2006. We basically came up with the name by flipping through the bible. Sovereign Strength meaning that the Sovereign Lord holds the strength that we all need to overcome when were faced with oppoisition.

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

A: All I do is hang with my girlfriend, work, write new riffs, and play MW2, haha. Jordan works full time and also has a girlfriend, Jesse hangs with his girlfriend and works at a local venue, and Tony works full time and plays MW2 also! [RSQD] tillidie.

Q: Sovereign Strength has a new album coming out very soon on Mediaskare Records when is the record set to drop?  What is the albums name? When can we get our hands on it?

A: The album is called “Reflections” and its scheduled to drop in late Feb/early march. You will be able to pre-order it with package deals through our myspace and buy it on Itunes, Smart Punk, and Best Buy. Buy it, download it, get it somehow and come sing along!

Q: I have heard the track you have posted on Myspace “Half & Half” from the new album, I really like it, seems a bit heavier than some of the older stuff from SS, what can we expect on the new album?

A: Hmmm what to expect…more heavy jams! We re-recorded a few older songs and we have alot of new songs as well as an instrumental. Its some of the best stuff we feel we have written as band and can’t wait to release it to the public.

Q: We are not familiar with Mediaskare Records, do they have other Christian hardcore bands signed to the label?

A: Yes, they have a Christian hardcore band called Hundredth and also bands such as As Blood Runs Black, The Ghost Inside, Endwell, Suffokate, Burning The Masses, Betrayal, Murder Death Kill, etc. We are real greatful to be on such a great roster.

Q: What bands have influenced the sound of Sovereign Strength?

A: Mainly bands like For The Fallen Dreams, The Acacia Strain, Bury Your Dead, and Figure Four.  Figure Four is my all time favorite hardcore band and I feel always will be.

Q: Sovereign Strength is a Christian band, you have played with bands that are Christian and are not, how is your message received in the hardcore scene?

A: We have always been the Christian band in the scene that doesn’t try and shove anything down anyones throat
and have been respected for it. We feel like we are a Christian hardcore band for the kids that don’t want to share with everyone in room that they want to be saved. After shows in private we have kids come up to us asking for guidence and help them with the feelings there feeling that they can’t explain why there feeling them. Which we know is God touching there hearts. Sometimes those kids need to be reached to in a different way.

Q: Ever had anyone accept Christ as their savior at a Sovereign Strength Concert?

A: Yes we have! We feel like what we are striving to do through our music is fulfilled. Its amazing!

Q: Where in the bible does the band draw it’s inspiration from?  Any verses or books of the bible in particular?

A: We honestly just write about what happens in our lives that we struggled with or any opposition that we have faced and how God has helped us through it.

Q: What has been the most memorable Sovereign Strength show? Why?  What was the craziest show you have played?

A: I would have to say Tom Fest. We came in not knowing what kind of fan base we had. I mean we were playing at 10 o’clock in the morning so we figured everyone would of been asleep but we had a 100+ crowd so we were beyond stoked! Craziest show would have to be one of our hometown shows, AVHC sets it off everytime.

Q: What are the future plans for the band?  Are you planning on touring?  Playing Cornerstone this year perhaps?

A: Future plans are to constantly tour when the album comes out! We just got on the Love As Arson Booking Agency so we are expecting to be on the road alot. Expect seeing us on a tour with A Plea For Purging in spring! We actually just got a stage confirmed at Cornerstone this year and were waiting on a few more. We can’t wait for 4[?] days of fellowship and worship.

Q: If you guys could pick any venue and the bands playing at a show with SS, where and who would it be?

A: I would have to say The Foundry in Missouri! Pretty much anything Demo Donnie puts together he always hooks it up with good BBQ and the whole staff just has amazing hospitility. I’d personally be real stoked to share the stage with P.O.D they have been one of my favorite bands growing up as well as some other nu-metal acts.

Q: Now to get serious….sneakers or docs, boxers or briefs, who can beat Chuck Norris?

A: Jordan our vocalist could beat anyone up with the outfits he puts together, haha.

Sovereign Strength Live

Click here to view the embedded video.

Q: If you could give the hardcore community a message, what would it be?

A: Through “one” act of sin we all must taste death. But the gift of God, his son, brings justification and life to all who believe despite “countless” sins.

Q: Feel free to share any bands we need to check out that the band is listening to, shout-outs, share websites you visit, etc.  Thanks for the interview guys and hope to see you in Raleigh NC soon!

A: Be on the look out for the entire Mediaskare Records roster. Almost every band on the label has a new amazing release coming out in 2010. Also be on the look out for our dudes in MONSTERS, there amazing dudes.
Follow all our twitters!
twitter.com/NelsonSTRENGTH
twitter.com/TonySTRENGTH
twitter.com/YesseSTRENGTH
twitter.com/SovStrength