Akron, Ohio. The former Rubber Capital of the world. It’s the home of the ice cream cone, hamburgers and caramel corn. Visitors here can see the world’s largest model train in the city that stakes claims on famous residents like Angie Everhart, Hugh Downs and Devo!
It’s no surprise that Akron, however, is not known for a budding young hip-hop scene.
“The hip hop scene is pretty dry in Akron.”
But its fitting that 24hits (Steve Bader) hails from the City of Invention. It might not yet be a household name, but its one that carries with it, a heavy message. October 20th marked the date that 24hits, along with DJ 2 Snaps, dropped his album The Grey Area – and his message was quickly downloaded to computers across the country.
“It’s basically like the elephant in the room,” Bader said of his album. “If you’ve met a Christian who really turned you off from Christ its kind of letting you know that that’s not what its about. It was something that, a topic that I felt didn’t have a representation as far as like the church and the kind of like messed up stuff that it does, and if there’s a representation that speaks out about that its not really a Christian perspective.”
His message may be controversial, but his intention was never to make waves. He’s clear about one thing – he’s trying to help.
“I didn’t want to piss anybody off and make diss records about the church,” Bader said, “but I think it covers the extremes that people get carried away with and kind of put in place of what’s really supposed to be the reason that we all get together and the reason we even congregate – just to share the love of Christ and to worship the savior.”
His goal is to reach out and grab those people who’ve been jaded, or turned off from the church.
“Anything that a non – Christian would look at the church and say this is what I don’t like about the church, I think it covers those things in a loving way. But also doesn’t shy away from the fact that we’re all sinners and we all need Christ.”
He’s constantly asking hard questions in his tracks.
“Why is it that we would get together and hurt each other?” He asked. “Why would we put laws on something that has nothing to do with what the scriptures are?”
Questions that may have no answer.
But Bader continues to ask. The producer has a unique approach when it comes to music. Raised in a home where all things secular were frowned upon, his exposure to music was very limited.
“I wasn’t allowed to listen to music,” Bader said. “It was pretty much hymnals, maybe a little Sandy Patti if I was lucky. But I ate that stuff up because I loved music.”
Bader remembers the first time he heard Hip Hop. It was during the credit sequence of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie, and he listened to it over and over until he wasn’t allowed to listen anymore. He was hooked.
“Maybe it was just the fact that I had to do without it for so long that made me love it so much.”
Bader was later nearly expelled from his Christian school for having a DC Talk tape in his locker. Now, music has become his life, his vehicle to explore the deep crevices of life. He invites you to do that with him, and experience The Grey Area.
“I don’t think this is an album that everyone is going to enjoy,” Bader said. “I think there’s a certain group of people and a scatter group of people that have been turned off by the church or hurt by the church and I think if they got their hands on it they’d kind of feel that somebody else knew what they were going through. It would kind of maybe give them hope.”
For a free download of The Grey Area, go to: http://www.moongardenrecordings.com/.
For more information on 24hits, check out: http://www.myspace.com/24hits
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Josh Gloer is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. He’s written six season of MSNBC’s Lockup: Extended stay. He has also written for MTV, TLC, TruTV, HGTV and Oxygen. Josh has been a journalist for over 12 years, doing celebrity interviews with actors such as Djimoun Hounsou, Dennis Farina and James Marsden; and bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Orgy and sax guru, Carl Grubbs. Josh’s work has appeared in Filter, Car Audio & Electronics, Zink!, Item and many other publications and websites. This fall, his fiction is scheduled to appear in an anthology of LA writers, including Charles Bukowski. www.joshgloer.com
It’s February, almost a full calendar stretch until Christmas. Stockings are packed in boxes, next to bubble wrapped nativities and knotted strands of twinkle lights. The holidays lie dormant, waiting to be unearthed ten months from now. Right?
Wrong.
For Family Force 5, February was the time the band decided to start working on the most upbeat and unconventional holiday album to hit the shelves since… ever. And in early October, the band’s hard work paid off as their Christmas album, Christmas Pageant finally hit the shelves.
“We decided to make a [Christmas] record because we were tired of listing to the same old Christmas music that we’ve always listened to for the last 80 years of our lives,” Solomon “Soul Glow Activatur” Olds, the band’s front man, said. “This one you pop in, and I think its very unexpected and refreshing to hear.”
Recycled, remixed and revamped, holiday favorites like “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Carol of the Bells” and “T’was the Night Before Christmas” fill the track list along with a FF5 holiday original entitled, “The Baby.”
“That track originally developed from trying to do a version of ‘We Three Kings,’” Olds said. “We thought why not do it our way and make the kings gangstas from ATL, bringing silver and gold and have them talking about it in their Cadillac.”
Appropriately, Christmas Pageant was born in motion. The band recorded tracks while on tour in Atlanta, Nashville and the UK. Some of it was even laid down in a portable recording studio in the back of the band’s tour bus. It’s a blend of dance, “ghetto”, upbeat and infectious twists on the timeless tracks American’s associate with Christmas. But, get one thing straight — this isn’t your momma’s Christmas album.
“We wanted to create a Christmas album that you could throw on at a part, or rock at a club,” Olds said. “Have a Christmas dance party with eggnog and all that – all the Christmas shenanigans that go on.”
According to Solomon, the album gets back to the band’s dirrrty ATL roots, straying from the dance licks of their last album, Dance or Die. But that doesn’t mean this album is falling back into old and stale territory as they boys of FF5 combine gangster and grunge.
“A lot of people expect us to do different twists on music,” Olds said. “Our fan’s are loving it. We’ve got ‘glee’ and ‘jolly’ written all over us.”
And keeping with the Christmas Spirit, Christmas Pageant is a family affair. Of course, the ranks of FF5 posess three brothers, but several tracks boast Jerome Olds, the Olds brother’s dad, Olds’ wife under the moniker “Lalipop,” and his baby exercising his young vocals on “The Baby.
The annual debate starts predictably after the first leaves of fall begin cluttering gutters and blanketing lawns, and then continues right up until the last present is hastily ripped open on December 25th. No, this will not be another rant decrying our materialistic habits, the War on Christmas, or how the true meaning of the holiday has been forgotten. Though the contentious topic of the commercialization of Christmas merits examination and everyone should at some point question the virtues being extolled by the manner in which it is celebrated, I will not re-tread the well worn arguments that have been used to either support or demonize our gift giving and sometimes secularized holiday traditions. Instead I would like to take a more critical look at what occurs during the other 10 months of the year when Christmas is not at the forefront of our collective conscience.
Christian oriented products and services are a 4.5 billion dollar a year industry fueled by the wallets and checkbooks of millions of Christians. There are board games, jewelry, calendars and even auto insurance policies that are geared specifically towards this demographic. Christian music has a large following as well, with many bands gaining prominence on the national stage. The scope of these efforts to market to Christians and evangelize compels one to question the effects of such an extensive commercialization of Christian beliefs, values and traditions. Is a Jesus action figure an appropriate plaything for a small child? Will one’s faith be strengthened by the mug with a scripture verse etched on it? Is it ethical for entrepreneurs to make a profit off of another’s religious beliefs? The answers to these questions can be occasionally uncomfortable to consider and are difficult to uniformly apply. The mixing of business interests with a
religion that encourages altruism is not always easy to reconcile. It is a delicate balancing act that requires equal attention be paid to our inner spiritual growth as opposed to only focusing on the outward expressions of our faith.
The possible danger of purchasing toys with Biblical themes and characters is that children may confuse religion and fantasy. What’s the difference between a comic book superhero and an Old Testament prophet or even Jesus Christ if it comes packaged in the same form? Teens, young adults or even twenty-somethings may only be superficially attracted to Christianity due to the popularity of a particular trend, celebrity or musical group. The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson raised some amount of controversy by stressing the suffering that Christ endured while rarely emphasizing the importance of his teachings. It may have encouraged some to come closer to Christ, but it did so in a sensationalist and perhaps less substantial manner.
Surrounding ourselves with figurines of Biblical figures, wearing t-shirts with religious messages, or having a Christian bumper sticker attached to the back of the car does not make one a good Christian, it simply provides the means to generate that appearance. A too zealous approach in acquiring and displaying such items can blind one to more important aspects of Christianity. Instead of simply proclaiming Christian virtues, it may be better to put more effort into allocating resources towards causes in line with them. You can donate money to a local charity and emergency relief agencies or perhaps volunteer your time to aid the less fortunate. Even more troublesome could be using Christian paraphernalia as a substitute for faith and conviction. Regular personal prayer, scripture study and pondering Christian teachings are better solutions when doubts and difficulties creep into our lives.
The potential positive aspects of having a range of Christian products available should not be ignored. They can remind us of our commitments to both our God and to our fellow men. A ring, a cross necklace or a daily bible verse may spur us to make better decisions on a day to day basis. Incorporating religious elements into family or recreational activities can reinforce the concept that Christian mores and teachings should not be limited to only Sunday services, but are in fact an integral part of living a good life. They offer an alternative to the mainstream concept that in the ‘real world’ one must check religion at the door. The difference between a useful reminder and a purely ornamental accessory or product though, is whether it can influence actions and attitudes. The usefulness of having a vibrant Christian music industry should also not be dismissed. The Christian music scene provides a refuge from the often times denigrating and
amoral attitudes that are evident in popular hip-hop, rock or metal song lyrics. Large social music events can provide the support and camaraderie that can make living a Christian lifestyle a more fulfilling experience.
It is possible that in some cases the act of ‘commercializing’ Christianity is in actuality a practical step in introducing the gospel to non-believers. Most religiously apathetic individuals would likely reject a knock on their door, or a pamphlet passed along on the street, but may instead be receptive to the advice of a pop singer. When examining the effects of commercialization it is vital to consider the intent and purpose of the product, and whether it has sufficient potential of drawing yourself or others closer to God.
Do you view the commercialization of Christianity as negative or do you see, within it, positive aspects that can promote the faith? Let us know!
Revelation Generation 2009 provided an awesome venue for non-profits to get their name out to a receptive Christian youth audience. To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit that is quite popular amongst modern day music fans, as many of today’s most popular acts promote the brand in various ways. Frequently attending Warped Tours and music festivals all over the country, TWLOHA is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. I sat down with James, a representative, to learn more about TWLOHA.
How long has TWLOHA been around, and where did it all start? -It all started on MySpace in 2006, where a group of individuals wanted to sell shirts to raise money for a friend who needed treatment. Quickly, it resulted in many individuals responding and sharing stories of their own. Before we knew it, we had a huge network of people who were able to give each other advice and hope.
What gave you the idea to promote with musicians? -Because MySpace is so integrated with music, what happened is that musicians started taking notice, and were some of the first to buy our shirts. Our biggest help was word of mouth advertising. People would see guys from their favorite bands wearing the shirts, and start talking about it to friends. Also, our message connects with a lot of the lyrics that bands write, so they can relate to what we’re trying to say.
Do you promote outside of the music industry? -While we mostly attend music events, we try to make as many appearances we can each year. We also frequent charity events and any festivals that share a similar message.
What has made TWLOHA so successful? -To tell you the truth, we’re such a real organization, not just another non-profit that is asking for money. I think our message hits home with everyone. We’re all about encouraging people to talk about these issues, and that it’s ok to talk about tough stuff. We encourage everyone to “be yourself,” and we’re a very open community. People feel comfortable talking with us about getting help.
Thanks to James and all of the TWLOHA crew! You can learn more about the organization and buy apparel at www.twloha.com.
Emery was one of the first bands to hit Tent 7 on Friday at Rev Gen 2009- which attracted a small group of lucky fans who got a chance to learn about how the band came together, and what it means to have Christ in their lives.
The guys from Emery started in Church choir, growing up in a Christian atmosphere and singing through high school. “We didn’t start playing guitar until college” mentioned guitarist Devin Shelton.
Toby Morrell (Bass/Vocals) helped explain Emery’s message. “We write about relationships with family, God, and people you dislike. It’s usually a whole bunch of things that can happen in relationships. You can be blessed, hurt, etc.”
When asked about their main influences, the guys mentioned “50′s and 60′s rock n’ roll”, which had deep meaning with the lyrics. They explained how the music from this time period generally came across as happy, but there was an undertone that not everything was necessarily going to last. Toby mentioned that he enjoys finding multiple meanings in music. Also on their list were Queen and Weezer, and a lot of indie rock.
Now in their ninth year as a band, one fan asked how they stay creative while creating new music. “We rely on each other” mentioned Toby. He went on to say that they all contribute to writing, and if one person is stuck, they might ask another for help, or to hear some old stuff they’ve written for inspiration. Their main motivation to write music is that they love it, and want to be real for their fans. They feel a need to be honest with people – and to be able to relate to them, which is why the focus on relationships of all kinds.
“We get caught up in our lives, and there’s constantly a daily struggle of “Jesus is Lord vs. ME.” Toby added that last week he dropped his brand new iPhone, and he and his wife both screamed and looked at one another. “I wish I could be as devastated about a homeless person, or something that really matters.” He closed by saying that “Everything gets better with Jesus in my life.”
Emery shared similar messages to their fans, drawing a huge crowd in a lively set that include both new and old material.
You can check out Emery and their new album “…In Shallow Seas We Sail” at emerymusic.com.
One thing that makes Christians stand out like a sore thumb in American mainstream culture is views about premarital sex. It is almost unheard of today for someone to wait to have sex before marriage, and if someone does decide to wait because of his or her Christian beliefs, people may look at them strangely or mockingly with disbelief. For instance, think of the Christian tradition involving the so-called “purity ring,” where young unmarried Christians choose to wear a ring symbolizing their commitment to abstinence until marriage. In some church traditions, fathers give their young daughters this “purity ring.” To an onlooker, this might look like these people belong in a different century or are part of a cult-like group that follows the strictest of rules. This is especially true in the context of our contemporary secular culture, which practically worships sex and the idea of it. Sex seems to be everywhere, in advertisements, TV shows, movies, music, magazines and the Internet. How can Christian views about sex, which traditionally teaches the only place for sex is marriage, be so different from contemporary American popular culture? Is Christianity’s mainstream view about premarital sex too old-fashioned for today’s culture?
Sexual temptation is nothing new, and has been around since the beginning of time. The biology of our bodies and the feelings, passion, and lust that arise in a relationship is something Christians have dealt with for a long time. Today’s culture, however, does not make things any easier for Christians to strive for sexual purity until marriage. For many, making the choice to wait may sound insane. It is much easier to be like everyone else then rather stand out and be that person who is still a virgin, and will be until…when, marriage?! Perhaps it was easier when the mainstream American culture agreed that sex should be saved for marriage only. American popular culture views about sex drastically changed during the 1960s, a decade famous for the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war demonstrations, but also known for its cultural revolution. The Baby-Boomer generation led the way for what is known as the “Sexual Revolution.” Amongst other things, views about sex drastically changed. For example, “free love” came about and is described as unrestricted sexual practices and a casual attitude towards sex. People were “freed” of sexual boundaries and rules, and premarital sex was no longer such a taboo or hidden deed. However, this much more relaxed, open view about sexual behavior did not come without negative consequences, such as unwanted pregnancies and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. These negative consequences did not stop American culture from continuing on become more relaxed about premarital sex, however. After all, here we are half a decade later, as a generation that does not quite remember chastity as ever being the norm.
Not only is sex everywhere, it is also celebrated greatly. Premarital and casual sex is the standard behavior for characters in TV and movies, and the basis for lyrics for many popular songs and magazine articles. Pornography is also more accessible than ever, and is an industry that makes billions of dollars annually. Rarely does our popular culture focus on the long list of possible negative aspects of casual sex. A fictional character in a TV show or movie that indulges in casual sex hardly gets a STD, an unwanted pregnancy, or deals with negative emotional aspects tied to sex. If one of these issues should arise, they are solved in an unrealistic timeslot. For example, think of the popular sitcom Friends. The characters of this show have premarital sex frequently; yet deal with very little negative consequences, except for one unwanted pregnancy. However, the mother and father end up together in the end, are over 30 years old and financially stable. Although this is just one TV show, it is representative of the problem with the way sex is viewed and dealt with in our popular culture. Much of it seems to say that sex is extremely important and vital in a dating relationship, that you should have it as much as possible, and if you do not have it frequently, you are not a man or are a prude.
Some might say that Christianity needs to keep up with contemporary culture, or it may become irrelevant and outdated. Sure, this may be true for the type of music that is played during a worship service or how people dress for church, but should this really be the answer for a serious and important issue such as sex? Sex is not as simple, and the choices we make about it can be life changing. Did God give us boundaries for the sake of giving us rules because He doesn’t want us to have fun, or is there something more to these moral guidelines? Many people, including the non-religious and religious, often claim rules that religion place on people restrict individual freedom and choice. Perhaps the Christian church is somewhat at fault as well for over-emphasizing these rules so greatly instead of Christ’s grace, mercy, and freedom.
It is important to read what the Bible has to say about sex and its boundaries. Just like other sayings and phrases in the Christian tradition such as the “Holy Trinity” or the “Second Coming,” an exact phrase condemning premarital sex does not exist in the Bible, which does not make things exactly easy. However, there are verses that infer God does not want His followers to live in sexual immorality, which amongst other things includes premarital sex. Both 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Ephesians 5:3 say to “flee sexual immorality.” The passage in 1 Cor. 6 also says that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and that people who sin sexually sin against their own body. In 1 Cor. 7, Paul wrote that men and women should get married to avoid burning with lust and fornication (defined as having sex outside of marriage). Having sex or satisfying lust is of course not the only reason for marriage in the Bible, but the language used in these verses makes it clear that God does not want us to engage in sexual immorality, including premarital sex, and for good reason.
In can be extremely difficult for a young Christian couple to wait to have sex before marriage. When two people are in love, it feels natural and right to advance their physical relationship. However, even our own feelings can lie to us. In the moment, what we think is right and what may feel great may not be the best for us. The world around us is also constantly lying to us. “Free-love” is an ironic term that is not so freeing after all when you consider all of the possible negative and life-changing consequences that such a relaxed view about sex brings about. Sex may feel right and good at the time, but like many other things in life, it may turn sour if practiced outside of the boundaries God gave us. As Christians, we believe God is the Creator and Sustainer of our universe and humankind. If this is true, then we must trust He knows a lot more about what is good for us then what the world and our minds tell us. God has made boundaries for a reason, and these boundaries are not to restrict us but to ultimately set us free. Many parts of the Bible celebrate sex in the context of marriage, and it is important to remember that God created our bodies and sex as good and beautiful things. Sex in the context of marriage is an intimate and important act, as well as a gift from God. Unfortunately, sex has been perverted into what American mainstream culture thinks of it today. Things like casual sex, promiscuity, and pornography, are hurtful to society, as well as demeaning and destructive to women, men, and relationships. It is not what God intended for sex or us. God did not create sexual and other boundaries to hinder our fun, yet to ensure we can enjoy life to the fullest without so much unnecessary worry.
As a veteran festival attendee, I’ve been to countless Warped Tours, Bamboozles, and all other alternative music festivals that stop by the New York area. But this past weekend at Revelation Generation 2009 was something different. I’ve even been to several Christian music events, but nothing that compared to the scale of Revelation Generation 2009.
Unlike the events listed above, RevGen 2009 started with something special – a word of prayer. Under Friday’s blue skies, the early arrivers bowed their heads before The Glorious Unseen took to the New York stage. This set the mood for the entire weekend, as throughout the weekend thousands of teens were given the chance to learn more about Christ while watching their favorite bands, many of them for the first time. Sean Grom of the RevGen steering committee commented “Revelation Generation is not just a concert. We want to see lives changed.”
“I don’t care, I’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada, I can die now!” said a girl of fourteen or fifteen years. Interestingly enough, each band stressed throughout the weekend that they do not deserve to be looked at as anyone different than the fans in the crowd. This was also the aim of “Tent 7,” a place where a few lucky fans were able to meet and greet their favorite bands and listen to what they had to say. Most shared messages about being saved, and how God and music have changed their lives. “We try to do the right thing, and let people down all the time” says Toby Morrell of Emery. Many bands, including Underoath and Switchfoot told stories about tough times in their lives, and how they wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for God’s love. At the end of each Tent 7 session, people unfamiliar with Christ were given the chance to receive a bible and talk to the friendly volunteer staff so that they could learn more about what it means to be a Christian – something a lot of youth took advantage of.
Friday’s acts kept their fingers crossed as the breeze began to cool and the clouds began to darken. Although Emery introduced themselves as the “official Underoath tailgate party,” their performance was nothing less than spectacular. After, fans got treated to Haste the Day, who encouraged listeners to “stand up for what you believe in, even when everything falls away.” Attendees were reminded that it’s easy to do the right thing in a Christian atmosphere such as RevGen. But when you go out into the world; whether at school or work, or even seeing the same bands in a non-Christian setting, stay true to what’s important to you and to God.
Over on the Philadephia stage, popular artists like Matthew West, Jars of Clay, and MercyMe pumped out their chart-topping hits. Joining them was Delirious?, in what will most likely be their last show in the United States, as they have decided to split ways in November 2009. Dressed in three piece suits, the band from the UK is best known for their 1994 song “I Could Sing of your Love Forever.” Friday bands didn’t have huge crowds, but that didn’t stop them from putting out amazing music that echoed over the massive space that is Revelation Farms. Jars of Clay ended up drawing the biggest crowd of the night, playing songs from the new album all the way back to their self-titled. This was the first time I personally felt God over the weekend – I’ve been listening to Jars for about six years, and to look around and see everyone singing along and praising God was quite amazing. Even though just about everyone was there to see different bands, everyone was really at RevGen for a similar reason; to praise God through music, and not worry about work or school.
Closing out the night was Underoath, who stressed the importance of the fact that we cannot tell other what to do, but that we can love people, be open minded, and have open hearts, while loving everyone the same. A large group prayer followed, where several of the tents were packed with teens who shared tear-jerking testimonials and words of guidance.
One event attendee, Kate Laird, 24, from Port Republic, NJ, commented that she wished that all of the RevGen bands would talk more about Christ onstage at their other shows. I agree, and hope that bands will continue to thank God while onstage, and reach out to music fans that really need help finding God in their lives.
Saturday’s weather ended up being a bit hotter, as temperatures rocketed up to the high 80′s. (Come on, that’s hot for September in Jersey!) Thankfully, RevGen was also more reasonable about water prices, selling bottles for just a dollar – talk about unheard of! The proceeds from the food and beverage sales benefited various local charities. Speaking of charities, RevGen’s merch tent provided an awesome outlet for many non-profits, including Gospel for Asia, Rockforlife.org, To Write Love on Her Arms, and several Christian apparel brands. Fans got a chance to get some free gear, find out more about a charity, and donate money directly.
Also in attendance were several local colleges, which provided a great chance for all high school and middle school students to get a peak at some of the northeast’s finest Christian based schools. In attendance were Philadelphia Biblical College, Baptist Bible College, and Messiah College, and many others. With free t-shirts and private orientation dates, I’m sure many teens took advantage of a free college fair during the weekend.
August Burns Red, ready to headline their next tour, gave Staurday’s crowd a reason to arrive early. Before their performance, fans heard a message from festival organizers explaining that love is what will build the music community, and parents learned that although the music of the Philadelphia stage may sound “angry,” it is passionate, and presents a strong message. The weekend provided Christian music for all types of fans, which is why it is such a big hit for youth groups and families. Other attractions included skateboarding and BMX demos, and multiple volleyball courts not too far away from the main stages.
Jon Foreman of Switchfoot packed the Nashville stage tent on Saturday afternoon, with fans literally overflowing out the sides of the tent for a solo performance. In an intimate setting, he let listeners choose which songs they wanted to hear. He mentioned that he writes music to take care of the things in the world that don’t make sense, and that music is all about communicating these issues. The fans sang along, and got a kick out of references to Bob Dylan and Wayne’s World 2.
I got a chance to sit down with Mindy Daleo, who played on the Nashville Stage Saturday afternoon as well. She explained that if there’s one thing you need to know, it’s that “Anywhere you’re at, you can get out of it. I’ve been there.” She said that she can’t stand how religion is presented these days, and “Believes in a God you can talk to in your living room.” This message is one that is close to my heart, as I often find myself talking to God in the middle of my day in any given place.
Before I mention Saturday’s headlining acts, let’s take a look at two other side stages. Ranging from the pioneers in the Southern Christian hip-hop, GRITS, to B.Reith’s Nashville based band, the Urban Stage provided an opportunity for exposure to some fresh Christian artists. MyChildren, MyBride, and Impending Doom were the big names on the Come and Live stage, which attracted a steady flow of fans that came to see the headlining acts. Between dance teams and DJ’s, these stages offered something different than the Christian alternative scene.
The Devil Wears Prada played a lot of new material in an energetic set that had the crowd surfing and circling in pits that “exceeded (the bands) expectations.” It certainly seemed as if the crowd and the band were feeding off of each other’s energy, as TDWP too mentioned that everything that happens in the crowd is just as important as what they’re up to on stage. Lastly, they made sure attentive fans knew that even as devout Christians, they too make mistakes.
Saturday evening’s performances included Relient K, MercyMe, Switchfoot, and Flyleaf. Relient K treated their old fans to a special set which included tracks like “Mood Rings” and “Sadie Hawkins Dance,” all while busting out trumpets, accordions, and even a bit of 90′s rap. Flyleaf’s Lacy Mosley was the only female at RevGen – she was joined by the talent of Fireflight, Blanca Reyes of Group 1 Crew, Mindy Daleo, and the award winning BarlowGirl.
In passing, I heard a girl mention “I feel like this year it went by so fast.” I truly felt the same way, as the headlining acts were flowing all weekend long. Luckily, I (like everyone else) didn’t have time for a single break, and found myself joining packs of teens running from stage to stage in order to try and catch the end of a set.
This year’s Revelation Generation Festival provided an awesome venue for music fans to come together in a Christian setting. Let’s hope that the future holds more events of this sort all over the country!
You can find out more about Revelation Generation at www.revgen.org
or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Rev_gen
As you likely have already noticed, the divide between Christians and non-believers seems to be getting wider every day. For every bold individual that manages to construct a bridge to navigate over this gulf, there are dozens, if not hundreds, more who are happy to sling invective, insults, or worse back and forth.
There is hope, however. Hope of closing this gap, opening up dialogue between these two disparate parties, and healing some of the hurt inflicted on each group toward the other. Hope in the form of a tall, bespectacled fellow who likes to walk around covered in bumper stickers.
True, that’s not the only way he likes to dress, but when we first meet Dan Merchant in his entertaining and eye-opening documentary Lord Save Us From Your Followers, he’s wearing a white rain suit covered in stickers and varieties of Jesus fish decals and drawing attention from a variety of passersby. It’s a quick way to grab people’s interest, but also a quick way to get people talking to Merchant on camera about their beliefs, their understanding of Christianity and just why it is that, as the subtitle of the film spells out, the gospel of love is dividing America.
“We are the ones who are supposed to understand compassion and forgiveness,” says Merchant, “so why are we in the middle of all these political arguments? Why is it when people yell at us, we swing back?”
Merchant, an advertising and marketing filmmaker based in Portland, Oregon, took a film crew with him across the country, interviewing theologians, politicians (including Rick Santorum and Al Franken), preachers, a beat poet and even a drag queen hoping to answer these questions and shake up of his own firmly held beliefs, the first cracks of which started to show about five years ago.
“I was on a trip to Ethiopia to shoot a documentary for the State Department on aid and I saw some profound things,” says Merchant, speaking from his production company’s office in Portland. “What really struck me was the Christians that I saw there who come from around the world to do the difficult work that needed to be done. And that Ethiopian Christians have a much greater depth of faith than anyone I know. There I was thinking, ‘This guy who lives in a hut half way around the world understands God better than you do.’”
Coming back to the U.S., Merchant saw the stark contrast go into deeper relief in the news coverage leading up to the Presidential elections of 2004. “I heard people on TV and on talk radio and they had this very strident, aggressive, divisive approach and were really alienating people. I compared the people on the mics to that kid in his hut who reminded me of Jesus…and then I looked in the mirror and realized that I had much more in common with the guys on TV.”
Like Michael Moore and Bill Maher before him, Merchant puts himself in front of the camera, giving viewers a figure to follow through the film and giving us a chance to watch him peel away his preconceptions as he goes along, as well as watching him challenge himself for the sake of being a more loving Christian. The most potent example being the confession booth he set up at Portland Pride, the annual event for the city’s gay and lesbian community.
Taking its inspiration directly from the pages of Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, this booth was for Merchant to confess the sins of Christians towards homosexuals, as well as his own personal sins. As the film attests, the experience had quite an effect on the booth’s visitors and on Merchant. “Half the people that came in broke down in tears and so did I,” he remembers. “They were so generous and kind to me to be willing to listen and accept my apology. And the conversations that we had afterward, they told me things that were very personal and I told them things. And that’s just what friends do.”
Lord Save Us is not without its lighter moments, as well, like Merchant’s very Michael Moore-like attempts in St. Paul, Minnesota to have the city’s name changed to New Leningrad, a satirical reaction to the city council’s decision to remove the Easter Bunny from their holiday decorations. The director is quick to point out though that moments in the film, like these were thought up on the fly, free of the preconceived agendas that mark the work of Moore or Maher’s anti-faith film Religulous.
“It’s why the film took three years to shoot. It was like I was in the middle of a detective story. I would read the news and go, ‘Oh, here’s a clue: a guy in kabuki makeup screaming at kids playing guitar on the steps of city hall in San Francisco [the aforementioned drag queen, Sister Mary Timothy, protesting a Christian youth conference holding an event in his hometown],’ then that’s what we’d do. Or when talking to Al Franken and he’d say something about the Easter Bunny being removed from St. Paul City Hall and we’d go find out about that. My personal quest is simply mirrored in this movie.”
The film is going to slowly be released in theaters around the country starting on September 25th, but Merchant has already taken the film to churches and colleges around the country for small screenings, events that the director says have already started to help push these two sides closer together. “So many people who call themselves Christians have told me this is a movie for them, and non-Christian audiences – Jewish, Muslim or Atheist- they think the movie is for them. It speaks to them all.”
About 50 miles south of San Jose is the home of the Spirit West Coast Christian Music Festival – Monterey, California. Less than 24 hours from the show, Family Force 5 is in a van, headed for the show.
Dance, Rawr, Dance 3, an official tour, starts in September, but until then, FF5 is playing festivals like Spirt West, averaging 250 days on the road for the year.
“We’re a bunch of road dogs,” Derek “Chap Stique” Mount, the band’s guitarist, said. The band is dedicated to its fans, constantly playing shows and actively communicating with MySpace, Twitter and an open phone line fans can call and leave messages on. “We have incredible fans. We have a great relationship with them, too.”
But it’s a double-edged sword, as many of the band members have wives and families they leave behind every time they hit the road. So for their latest creation, a fantastic video for their song “Dance or Die,” they decided to get creative.
“We’re trying to make sure we put our families first,” Mount said. “So instead of trying to shoot on our time off we decided to shoot it on the road.” The band brought Director Steven Shultz, a lighting rig and a green screen made from bed sheets to shoot between rehearsals, sound checks and shows.
“We have a blast. We’re a very visual band and love the escapism element of videos. It’s a lot of fun, just a nice change of pace from writing recording and touring.”
And the video, something Mount said the band is very proud of, is out of this world.
“Its very Captain EO influenced,” Mount said. “It’s very Neverending Story-esque. We’re real excited about that. We got to feel like we’re on a different planet.”
And the video has been well received. An mtvU video of the week winner, the video has been featured on AOL and has kids mimicking dance steps. “Everybody’s loving it. All the kids are just really excited.”
If festival dates, and a brand spankin’ new video aren’t enough, the band is still finding time for the studio, and their new Christmas album will drop October 6th.
“Writing Christmas songs has been a hilarious process,” Mount said. “You’ve got really, really tough competition. You might write a killer song, but it’s definitely not as good as Jingle Bells.”
While Mount jokes about wearing Santa hats and breaking out the fake Christmas tree in July for inspiration as they work on the album, its clear that for Family Force 5, the real inspiration comes from a deeply rooted faith.
“We’re very much Christians, it’s a huge part of our lives,” Mount said. “A lot of our songs are about our spiritual experiences and its something we’re very passionate about. We want this band to mean something to everybody. We try to spread fun and hope and escape and joy.”
According to Mount, its an allegory best seen in their album, Dance or Die.
“You have life, and you choose what to do with it,” Mount said. “You can either sit on the wall watching every one else, drinking some punch, or you can dance and enjoy it.”
And FF5 is definitely not sitting any numbers out. Hard work and dedication to their fans is making this group of “robot” rockers a force to be reckoned with.
“There some thing much deeper than just trying to get up there and be famous,” Mount said. “We’re trying to hopefully touch people’s lives.”
For more on Family Force 5 or their up coming Christmas album and tour, check out www.modlife.com/familyforce5.
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Josh Gloer is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. Currently he’s a writer on his sixth season of MSNBC’s Lockup: Extended stay. He has also written for MTV, TLC, TruTV, HGTV and Oxygen. Josh has been a journalist for about 12 years, doing celebrity interviews with actors such as Djimoun Hounsou, Dennis Farina and James Marsden; and bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Orgy and sax guru, Carl Grubbs. Josh’s work has appeared in Filter, Car Audio & Electronics, Zink!, Item and many other publications and websites. This fall, his fiction is scheduled to appear in an anthology of LA writers, including Charles Bukowski. www.joshgloer.com
There are many times in life where it seems that you are going backwards or even standing still, instead of going forward. There is an uncertainty to your own abilities and whether you will be a success or a failure. In spite of those realities, there are also the things that make you happy and excited once they have happened or have been achieved. Stephanie Smith is familiar with all of these things.
Stephanie and her brother were raised in Pennsylvania by her mother. Her father was in the Midwest, keeping his distance from the family. Regardless, Stephanie and her family were active in their community and their church family. She attended a non-denominational church growing up. She was shy, but there was someone who noticed that she had an impeccable gift. It was her youth leader, Jonathan. He became a father figure to her and was able to help her realize her gifting and helped her to break out of her shell.
But it hasn’t always been easy.
“It’s weird on your psyche,” she says as she describes what it feels like to go from singing in a packed-out auditorium at night, to waking up at the crack of dawn to serve coffee.
Switching gears like that would definitely be hard to do. And even though there may be a struggle, Stephanie focuses on the big picture.
“God has been specific in making my dreams come true,” she explains.
As a little girl, she dreamt of singing in front of crowds. She also wanted to perform with Tobymac and be with Gotee Records. And so far, all those dreams have been checked off the list. She performed at Creation Festival in Pennsylvania and has done many performances at churches in the aftermath of her successes.
But there is still a challenge.
“It is hard to keep dreaming when things are not going as planned,” she says.
What a true statement!
What Stephanie means by this is that there is always that smidge of uncertainty that can prevent you from dreaming big because there is always a chance that what you dream for will not play out as expected. Everyone has this feeling. However, she remembers that God has given her a gift and as long as she has a dream, He will make it happen for her.
“The burden is on the Promise-Maker,” she tells me convincingly.
God has always reminded her of that. He is the Promise-Maker. That keeps Stephanie going. And that also forces her to extend and challenge her dreams while taking a humongous leap of faith. God is always there for her.
Another one who is always there for her is her road manager Emily. She is Stephanie’s best friend/roomie/travelling companion. She helps Stephanie with whatever she needs and is always supportive of what Stephanie does. Stephanie is really grateful to have a friend like Emily because being an artist in the music industry sometimes can be grueling and unsettling.
Even though her main ministry is her music, Stephanie is also active in three other ministries, Soles4Souls, Compassion International, and Pure Freedom. Soles4Souls is an organization that gets donations of shoes and in turn, donates them to people who are in need of shoes worldwide. Compassion International helps in sponsoring children who live in poverty-stricken environments. Stephanie was given the opportunity to meet her child, which is something that cannot be done on a regular basis. The other ministry that she is a part of is Pure Freedom. Pure Freedom is an organization that teaches about purity and modesty and what the Bible says about it.
It is apparent that Stephanie has a heart for helping people.
“I love my girlies,” she says excitedly.
Although it is her goal to touch all lives, Stephanie has a heart to reach young girls and teenagers. It is apparent in her music, especially in her song Superstar. Her lyrics are full of emotion and honesty. They are also filled with words that encourage you to keep on fighting through what may be trying to hold you back.
She will also have more opportunities to spread her message this fall because she will be a featured artist in the Winter Wonder Slam Tour. She will be accompanied by part of her Gotee family, Tobymac and B. Reith, as well as Relient K. She also plans on releasing an EP prior to the tour.
I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed when I was listening to Stephanie speak. She spoke with honesty as she described what she goes through in the pursuit of carrying out her dream. Some people think that by doing so it would make you vulnerable. But in my opinion, I see her as a fighter and a heroine. Even in the face of uncertainty, she plows through with formidable, God-given strength and ability. She is trailblazing as a solo, female, Christian rock artist.
You can learn more about Stephanie by going to her website http://www.stephanieisagirl.com. And of course she has a Facebook, MySpace, and a Twitter account. Go there to learn more about Stephanie and to keep up with tour dates and album info, etc.
