I recently got to have a conversation with Dan Smith. Who is the founder of a music project entitled ‘listener’ which is currently based out Atlanta GA. At first listen the style of ‘listener’ is unlike anything we would hear being spun on radio airwaves at present time. It is in fact different, because it is what Dan calls: “Talk music”.

Also, you could call it even ’spoken word’ if you wish. The difference between listener and a lot of other bands in the current mainstream is the shere honesty that comes out of Dan Smith himself. Who chooses to write his words in poems. Having got started playing house shows, Dan went through a handful of members to get to where he is at now with his right hand man, Christin Nelson. Dan and Christin are currently on tour and just finished playing some dates at CornerStone music festival.

My intention with this interview is to help people become aware of something that more and more people should know about, this due that makes up what is, listener. Is self made, they record and produce all their own stuff. Dan and I sat down to talk about his previous album: Return to StruggleVille and the brand new album Wooden Hearts. Which I hope to review very soon, we also talked about faith and life. I hope this inspires you in some way or another, do yourself a favor, and pick up both albums on Itunes or at their website: Iamlistener.com

Hope this finds you well, enjoy:

Enoch Magazine ) Can you please give us a brief background of your life and how you came to love music?

Dan ) I started making music in grade 5 in school band. I played the cornet. I don’t know if I loved it. I started listening to rap music when I was 11 years old. I loved that for sure, and made a ton of it growing up. I was really in to it in high school and stuff. I grew up in southern Missouri, and so it was more of a curiosity to me than something I really knew too much about. You only know what you’re told or the little you get to learn about, so I had a pretty small vision of what the world and that music was about. It was until probably later in high school and in to college that I started to see other genres of music and explore those and like them more.

Enoch Magazine ) For those that don’t know, Listener is a two person band. How did you guys meet?

Dan ) Chris and I met in Nevada about 5 years ago at a house show he threw. “Listener” has always been the name I’ve given my/our project. It’s had different members over the years, but Chris and I have made the last 2 records together and they are the best by far. We met at that show, and then a couple years later I needed a drummer and I overheard him talking about giving drumming lessons and asked him if he wanted to tour and then we started touring a making music together. I used to make hiphop music and I also called what I did Listener too, and some people get confused about that….so I explain it as Listener is the name that I use for the projects I put out.

Enoch Magazine ) On your album Return to Struggleville, there tends to be a lot of pain on that record. What songs best desribe you as a person?

Dan ) Well, none of them really. It’s mostly a social commentary and a concept record. I saw a lot of my friends and peers and country undergoing this sort of drain with buying and selling things and climbing ladders and chasing possessions and not putting worth in people and wanted to write about that. I don’t know if any of those songs describe me as a person really. Sometimes I feel like we’re out here on the road like traveling salesmen selling stuff, but it’s more than that.

Enoch Magazine ) In my understanding life is very hard for most of us, what helps you keep doing what your doing everyday?

Dan ) Yeah, life can be hard, but it’s only as hard as you make it I think. Chris has a song called the truth about tragedy, and basically it’s about the fact that we need tragedy in our lives to help us round ourselves out as people and learn the things we need to learn in life. I’m not a fan of tragedy, but it happens and those are the things that make life. You can’t always have it easy, because you will never learn the truths you need to learn to survive. I like to tour and make music and play shows, and we get to. Life isn’t necessarily hard. I put tight restrictions on myself and set goals and work hard to accomplish them

Enoch Magazine ) When I think of “Talk Music” for some reason the band Mewithoutyou, with all the different genres of music out there. Why does spoken word/talk muic suit you the best

Dan ) Poems are how I have always written the words that I’ve written….and so that’s just how I know how to write a song. I like the band mewithoutyou. I think they make very open honest music and their words are great too. I started doing house shows about 5 years ago and I wanted to play for everyone and not just hiphop fans…..because at the time that’s all we played for, and so we wanted to do something different and have our promoters put something different on the flier….so we called it talk music.

Enoch Magazine ) What inspires your poems?

Dan ) Boringly enough, just life….quotes and thoughts and daydreams and visions. I try and log it all down on my phone or papers or my computer or wherever and when I get some quiet time to sit and think about my thoughts I pull out other words and make a poem about it all.

Enoch Magazine ) How did you come to faith in God, and how do you “keep the faith” on the road?

Dan ) I was raised in a Christian church by my mom. she’s a great lady. I believed most of what I was taught and didn’t have a problem with it….and it was until maybe later in high school and college that I started to believe the things I do about faith and community and God the creator and made that a personal thing….and something I believe in. Keeping faith isn’t hard on the road….it’s just as hard as doing that when you’re working a dead end job or are happy with life…..there are good times and bad times, but I know that faith is about decisions and making them….so it’s a daily thing and a want to renew my mind and body and do the things I’m passionate about and have a vision for.

Enoch Magazine ) Do you guys record all your music by yourselves? And do you like doing things yourselves, rather than searching out a record deal?

Dan ) Yeah, we record everything we do ourselves. I’ve put out projects on record labels before and that’s been great and so is doing it ourselves…..I’ve actually always recorded songs and albums myself anyways, and just handed the finished product in to be distributed…..we may work with a record label in the future….we’d be just fine with that actually….but none of them have come calling and the packages we’ve sent out so far have fallen on deaf ears I imagine….so we’ll just keep making music that is from us and our hearts and keep touring and do what we love to do. I’m not in the business of waiting around for someone or some company to “validate” me or us as a band. This is something we do already whether or not a record label wants to be a part of that or not.

Enoch Magazine ) You have a new album coming out called “wooden hearts” why did you choose that name?

Dan ) It’s pretty much off of the song wooden heart…that’s about it. The song is about a realization that I had about how we’re all a big and small family and community pieced together of shipwrecked parts and bits….all of us on our own voyages and wrecked in one way or another in different cities and places in life, and we come together all just pieces to form a whole….and the album is pretty much about that too, so I called it that.

Enoch Magazine ) Did you feel in pressure writing the new album? What do you hope to get across through it?

Dan ) No pressure at all…..perhaps personal pressure to put out a new record and time-lines of getting things done and right….but no pressure in saying things. We made the music and words that we wanted to make from our lives.

Enoch Magazine ) Do you have inspiring words of wisdom for our readers?

Dan ) I don’t know. there’s a lot of inspiring words out there…..my favorite is “chop your own wood and it will warm you twice”.

When God lays something on your heart it’s best follow. It often can be crazy, out there, and most of the time it seems like you won’t have the means or ability to do it. A little under a year ago God laid the vision on Jeremiah and Sarah Herring’s heart to walk from city to city. They weren’t sure what to do but were waiting on God. Through prayer and listening the Herrings narrowed God’s vision to this.

June 21ST Through July 20th they will be traveling on foot through the heat of Oklahoma to make stops in 27 different cities. Their goal is simply to love and serve the people in every city and community that that set up.

In every city they will stop and immerse themselves as quickly as possible into the needs of that community. In simple faith they will be uniting the churches in each city to focus on really making a difference that can have lasting effects. They will be cleaning houses, mowing lawns, and building friendships with the people they met with the intention of serving and loving as Christ did.

As there vision began to get clearer a bus was donated to their ministry and they have turned that into a mobile worship center. The bus is essentially a mobile church where the message of Christ will be shared through messages and music. The bus will also be a mobile grill that can feed the homeless and people that they encounter in the different cities along the way. With the help of churches and you they would like to have another bus that could provide showers, bathrooms and even a space for ministry counseling.

Jeremiah and Sarah believe that the church must exist outside of it’s walls and this walk in one example of bringing the church to the people of different communities. Their hope and prayer is that this walk will encourage others to be bold in their faith. They want the church to venture outside of its walls and really meet the spiritual and physical needs of their communities.

Some of the Enoch Team will be joining Jeremiah and Sarah and many others as they are trying to make a difference in the small towns of Oklahoma. Please help donate to this cause as they really bringing the gospel to the streets.

“My prayer is not for them (His disciples) alone. I pray also for
those who will believe in me through their message, that they all may be one,
Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:20-23

You can learn more about The Walk Here
You can register for The Walk Here
or
contact Sarah@forgottenchurch.com
310-658-0273

Send support by check to:
The Forgotten Church
(add in memo “The Walk”)
2417 W. Cherokee
Enid, OK, 73703

Enoch Magazine recently moved its team and headquarters to Skid Row, Los Angeles. We’re now more present on the streets, and we’ve been able to witness others, like us, who feel the need to travel to Skid Row. Some are here just to serve for a week, others seem to travel to Skid Row in search of a deeper understanding of God or how to love the poor and oppressed. We met up with Jon Pearson and his team of 6, when they took their spring break trip to “Ground Zero” of homelessness in America: Skid Row.

They were all students at a Bible College in Missouri (Central Christian College of the Bible CCCB), and they arrived in Skid Row with only backpacks, Bibles, tents, sleeping bags and a guitar. Some people may believe that you need to go to a conventional church to hear the word of God, or discuss theological elements of life. It’s true, you can. But I’ve never been able to sit comfortably in the Church; I like getting my hands dirty. I like connecting the dots between God’s word indoors and real faith in action, outdoors. God has been gracious enough to show me his people and his Word, even in the “darkest” places of our cities, like Skid Row. At 1:30 am, God’s Glory is exposed as Jon is willing to do an interview with us. He and his team have been living and sleeping on the streets of Skid Row with the homeless for 9 days; no showers, little sleep, lots of love. The Bible describes the “church” as the “Body of Christ.” I have to assume that special moments like this caught on film, and missionaries choosing to live and stand by the poor is “church” happening in real time. By the end of the trip, Jon and his team had given away a lot of their possessions: sleeping bags, tents and clothes. We thank God for his blessing and involvement with the Enoch ministry. And Lord, we ask you to bring us more video opportunities and friendships like this , where your Word and teaching through real acts of faith can be documented and studied. Amen.

With the curiosity of the album cover and name I was ready to check out Am Taxi. Little did I know that a great musical surprise would await me. Indie, Punk Rock, garage, you name it, the styles there. It’s innovative, creative and pleasing to my ears.

Track 2, The mistake, reminds me, of a band from New York called The Exit with a hint of Thrice and Alkaline Trio. The vocals are shared on this track between 2 singers and the sound of their different voices blends like ketchup and mustard. The drums drive it with a steady beat, the guitars are noisy but not over processed. As the track plays on it begins to feel as if I am right there in the garage with these boys. The bridge hits just right with a keyboard and vocal break. This is definitely my favorite track on the album.

“Fed up” makes me want to get up, walk out the door, and pick a fight with the first person I see because it’s just that good. The woahs and ohs compliment the prechrous with such force thats needed to prepare you for the rock the chorus brings. I want to mention that by track 3 the lyrics are drawing me in; vampires, drag races, powerlines all I can is ‘YEAH.” One doesn’t usually mention those 3 items in the same setting or song.

“Charissa” starts with a country twang that’s quickly transitioned into rock and roll. The bass and guitar are so simple in this song that they blend ‘like yellow and red mixed together to make the perfect orange. I cant even the describe the euphoria that is created at the 1:33 mark in the song. You are just going to have to take my word and have a listen for yourself.

The best titled track “Paper Vs Rock’ has simple guitars, story telling lyrics, and rock and roll that should take these boys to the top of the charts. Maydays and Rosarys really shows the vocal skills of their singer Adam Krier. Every track is unique and these boys from Chicago know how to rock.

This album wins the creativity award of 2010. The album is so full of stories you’d think your sitting at Christmas dinner with your favorite Uncle. I can’t wait to catch these guys live on Warped Tour

Margo May’s voice is soothing, satisfying, and leaves you feeling wonderful. Her debut release “Summerof” is filled with inspiring and heartfelt songs that make Margo May a one of a kind gem.

The opening track, “Blue Shoes’ could be the love anthem for any Hollywood Tv Show. Her voice drives the song softly but with natural emotional. There is no climatic ending or buildup and that’s why I love it. It starts and ends before you even realize it. Her voice is beautiful and reminds me of Tracy Bonham. The lyrics “If I had to choose any old shoes, I’d choose the ones that he wears.” show love in it’s simplest form.

Track 3, “Wake” is slow and relaxing. It’s stripped down to guitar and vocals. It really displays the range of Margo’s voice. It the kind of song I’d love to wake up to in the morning. Her voice is soft and tender on this track and it really relaxes me. The ending of this track is full of multi layered vocals harmonizing and bringing the vocals to your full attention.

Track 5 “Love Somebody” has a feeling of sadness throughout the song. It reminds me of death or tragedy. The ride cymbal sounds so natural on this track. They captured the drums perfectly in the studio on this one.

“Question Marks” is my favorite track on the album. It also happens to be the heaviest song on this record. It’s driven by a steady bass line and drummer that seem to be the perfect accompaniment to the ever mellow voice of Margo May. The bridge begins to builds up at 2:40 and may be the heaviest this record ever gets. If I had to pick a single from “Summerof” than this track gets my vote.

Overall this album is flawless. It showcases the vocal ability of Margo May and the music is creative. The album flows from song to song and is finished before you realize it has even begun. Please pick this album up on Itunes and help support this talented young musician. I give it the Enoch Stamp of Approval

Not many people can’t say they wrote the book on Pop Punk but Stephen Egerton is that guy. He broke on the scene as a guitar player in the 80’s with the southern California band The Descendents and has never looked back. During his time off from recording and producing music in his studio Armstrong Studios in Oklahoma he wrote, played all instruments, and recorded his first solo record. After admitting that singing wasn’t his strong point his wife suggested that he invite all his punk rock friends to help finish the record. With the help from the front men of Alkaline Trio, Mxpx, All, Lagwagon, Descendents, Less Than Jake, and many more Stephen Egerton has written and recorded a masterpiece.

I need to mention as I have listened to this album quite a few times it’s interesting to see all these different punk rock singers placing their voice behind behind the simplicity of Stephen’s Pop Punk Record. It shows that they all have a respect for Stephen and the music he has written and produced during the years.

The album opens with “Flip” sung by John Speck of the Fags. It opens just the way you would expect a pop Punk album to Kick off. It’s simple, refreshing and immediately my ears are drawn into this record. “Never Again” features the vocal work of Bill McShane, who used to sing for Ultimate Fakebook, one of my favorite bands from Kansas City. This song is a great introduction to Pop Punk for the younger listener who may have missed that 90’s era.

“Our Last Song” has the classic sound that has helped Stephen build a solid career around. The chorus is in your face and the verses are what I would call palm muted perfection. The vocals of Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio are splendid. Milo sings his heart out on “She’s got everything.” This Christmas song may not lyrically fit with the record but I love it. Milo is one singer I would have bet money on that he would appear on a record of Punk Rock Singers. This track is also my favorite on the record. The guitar solo has a little country flair to it and I love the creativity. I sure do hope that the Descendents puts out another record as maybe this song could be the teaser. It wouldn’t be a Pop Punk record if Mike Herrera didn’t make an appearance. “Cut me Down to Size’ is the party anthem song of the record. It sticks out because the vocals seem to be the perfect fit for the music. If I heard it I would swear it’s a new MxPx song.

“When they roam” features the perfect drum beat to accompany the vocals of Joey Cape. The song has the typical depressing sound that I feel accompanies many of joey Cape’s songs. “Print on Paper” could be released as the single. The guitar is stripped down, the drums are simple, and the lyrics seem to fit with the music. The lead lines that slowly appear here and there in this song really add character to the music. The bridge is the best on the record.

Overall this record has every vocalist you would want to hear from. It’s a collection of well written Southern California, Pop Punk songs. The production is flawless and Stephen Egerton is looking at a hit. Even though this won’t get the national attention it deserves Stephen Egerton I salute you.

This record is Heavy. With a mix of screamo, hardcore, punk and metal, Our Last Night brings it so heavy even your mom would be terrified. The easiest way to describe this record would be to take Boys Night Out, Thrice, Thursday, and Matchbook Romance and let them fight it our UFC stye. After listening to track 1, “Elephants”, I was drawn in and I couldn’t wait to hear the rest of their sophomore release.

Track 2 opens with the piano, an unexpected sound to hear on a record like this. It instantly heads into the land of screaming and innovative interludes. I could only picture this band live. I am willing to bet their crazy, all over the stage, and the energy must be unbelievable. This track is such a mix of styles that any listener should be happy.

“Across the Ocean” starts with another softer intro but takes it so heavy no chain could hold this rock. The guitar is intricate and flawless on this song. These guys could give story of the year a run for their money any day. “Deceiver’, track 5, shows off with the screamo style at its finest. The vocals are gruffly and low with a chorus that is all out no holds barred delicious. At 1:15 the bass drives a quick interlude that is a nice break from all the screaming and guitars.

Track 6, ‘The Devil Inside of You” is heavy from the get go and never backs down. The guitarists are working together like 2 men on a well planned bank robbery. I love this track and it definitely stands out from the rest of the record. The range of the vocalist is exhibited during the chorus. It’s surprising and a hidden treat on a record of this nature.

“The Distance is Destroying me” may be one of the heaviest sounding tracks on this release. The guitar’s are all over the map and make it so pleasing to my ears I’d highly suggest giving it a listen. This song has the best mix of screaming and singing on the record. Track 8 , “Carry me to Safety” describes exactly what one would fell in this war zone of a song. Although I don’t enjoy the use of the double bass drum pedal this track has used it with precaution and makes it perfectly suited for this song.

“Into the future” opens with a lick that reminds me of every Sum 41 record. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was picked as a single from this record. This is my favorite track from “We will all Evolve” and showcases all their different musical influences. The screaming is still there but is not the main focus.

Overall the screaming and vocals are evenly intertwined on this record. A listener can actually understand what they are saying which is different from so many of the generic screamo bands. The guitar work is intricate and surprising being that the average age of this band is 19. This release may be Epitaph’s best release this year.

The exciting news is that Enoch Magazine has been asked to accompany and document the Navigator’s outreach trip to Louisiana’s notorious Angola State Penitentiary. If this sounds a little scary to you, it should, because when I first heard about it, I got that “Oh no, here we go” type feeling. Upon doing some research, I found Angola State is a prison with a history of extreme violence. It sits on the very same land that was once a slave breeding plantation and then became a brutal prison after the civil war. 20 yrs ago, Angola was a prison full of fear, bloodshed and hopelessness.

A prisoner’s average sentence in Angola is 88 yrs. It’s the largest maximum security prison in America, where half of the prisoners are murderers, and 90 percent of it’s inmates will die there. But during my research, I also learned why the Navigators organization had asked us to accompany them to this prison….because God is restoring life and righteousness to a place no one would have expected him to. A warden by the name of Burl Cain was hired there awhile back and he was a Christian. Burl believes his opportunity to take over as Warden at a “failed prison” was a divine intervention. He began training prisoners with life sentences to be Chaplains, hosted daily sermons and discipleship programs and over time, the prison has done a 180. It’s now a community of Godly men and brothers in Christ. The revival of Angola State Penitentiary is truly a “one man can make a difference through Christ” story, and Enoch Magazine feels honored to witness and document a slice of God’s Glory behind bars.

So what’s the plan? What will we be doing there? Well, there’s a lot of people and organizations that we will be meeting and working with. Most are new to us like Navigators, Awanas, and Returning Hearts Celebration. They have a lot of events planned over a 5-day period. But Enoch Magazine will also be reunited with 2 familiar friends: Sean Hulin and Ryan Dobson of Kor Ministries in of Bolder Colorado. These guys handle a lot of the youth ministries formerly run by Ryan’s dad: James Dobson and the Focus On The Family empire. Sean and Ryan have been an encouragement to Enoch over the years and I’m excited that God is allowing us to unite. In fact is was Sean, (Ryan’s right hand man) that recommended us to film this event.

Events that we will be documenting include: Cell to Cell ministry, Men’s Prison Chapel, Returning Hearts Celebration Dads Orientation, Art Workshop, Music ministry, Visiting Death Row, Angola’s Got Talent, Don Piper, Worship Service, Malachi Dads Graduation, Ryan Dobson’s radio show on prison airwaves, Gospel Jazz Concert, Painting Competition in Prison Yard, Bible College, and a donor reception that promises fried fish at the Ranch House. So you can be praying for me (Carter Theis) as I try to document as much as I can in a way that displays the Glory of God and real faith in action. We’ve been praying to God, asking him to introduce us to prison ministry, and it looks like this is the beginning of those prayers being answers. Lord willing, in 2 years, Enoch Magazine will not only be heavily invested in homeless ministry, but also serving and loving those in prison too. “For the Bible Tells Me So.”

Before I came to Christ, there were a lot of Christians in my life. But only a few of them seemed like the kind of people you could come to with honest qualms and questions about God and life. Most of the time, I felt rejected by the Christians I knew. Sometimes I didn’t even feel comfortable being in the same room with them. It was like they had this exclusive club and people like me need not apply. Often, I would notice the Jesus fish on their cars, or the religious symbols on their t-shirts, but rarely did I witness any real compassion by them. Needless to say, I felt rejected. However, I believe one of Satan’s favorite strategies to keep us from truly seeking God is rejection.
The few Christians I did feel comfortable approaching, seemed to not be the ones who knew every bible verse about how much God hates sin. Instead, they were quick to recite every bible verse about how much God loves sinners. And boy, did it show in their words and actions. There was a glow around them, something special. Somehow they rejected sin but embraced those who were struggling with it.

At the time, I was broken and hurting; deceived by all the lies I had been believing. I was hungry for truth. These few Christians looked me right in the eye, and told me God loved me. Not once did they remind me that God hates sin. I believe this is how Jesus calls us to act towards others. “Sinners” include everyone. I believe repentance (or turning from sin) is a huge part of following Christ, but it is God’s spirit that enables you to turn from sin. I knew God hated sin. I’d been hearing that all my life. But I was at that point where I needed the tenderness of Jesus, not the harshness of the law.

God’s spirit is a spirit of love. And it’s not Christians that save people, it’s Jesus. Knowing that, I’m constantly reminded I still need Jesus each day, just as much as I did when I first gave my life to Him. I will need Jesus 40 years from now just as much as I do now. The homeless man sitting on the curb needs Jesus, just as much as the president of a fortune 500 company does. Movie stars need Jesus, just as much as Mother Theresa did each day. Thousands of children yet to be born will need Jesus. No matter what, we all, will always, need Christ.

So, realizing that, how can we NOT act in a way that reflects anything but compassion? Seeing that we all share this common need; this same Jesus shaped hole in our spirits needing to be filled. What’s the point of calling ourselves Christians if we don’t acknowledge that God is God, and we are not? I think we sometimes get so sucked into our own cultural feuds or ideological debates that we fail to see the SIMPLICITY of the Gospel.

Compassion means: to suffer with. Is it possible to see someone who does not know Christ, and then to look back at when we too didn’t know Christ? Remember that emptiness and that dull ache that we tried to medicate with thousands of other things? Instead, I we’re sometimes tempted to throw some of our own prerequisites into the beautiful gift God has given to us.
Perhaps we’re bored? Maybe we feel that arguing about theology is more important than loving the lost, lonely, and forgotten? Or maybe we’re afraid that if we use the words “grace” and “love” and “freedom” too much, people will run wild with sin. Whatever the reason is, I hope Jesus reveals to you specifically His compassionate heart towards you, and his furious desire for you to live in union with Him. That He will paint you a picture of His love as a gift to receive, but also to freely give. That is the only way compassion will fill YOUR heart. I pray that the next time you see someone sin, Jesus reminds of your own sin, and how He saved you (and continues to love you) anyway.

I’ve always enjoyed Anarbor. They put on a great live show full of energy, stage presence, and plain fun. We had the chance to interview them on the Take Action Tour last year in Las Vegas and they were the type of guys you’d want to have in your friend circle. (You can watch the Video Interview Here)

With the release of their debut full length ”The Words You Don’t Swallow” on Hopeless records they have captured my attention again. The songs follow in suite to their 2 previous ep’s and shows just how much their music has progressed.

The record begins with the song “Contagious.” The bass really drives this song home. Also, the lead guitar fills that float in and out in the background are just enough to keep the song moving forward. This track reminds me of the 90’s alternative hits I grew up listening too. “Drugstore Diet” reminds me of Third Eye Blind. It’s pop rock at it’s finest.This song is so radio friendly expect to hear it on your local radio station in the near future.

“Let the Games’ begin is one of favorite Anarbor tracks they have written. It was on their last Ep and this is newly recorded version. It’s a dance friendly track the kids will love. The singer Slade Echeverria’s voice sounds great on this song. It really gives him a chance to show off his vocal ability. The “Whole World” is a standout track on this record. It’s loaded with gang vocals and shows how talented these young guys are. The bridge threw me for a loop as it reminded me of Cheap Trick. It was unexpected and a real treat.

My favorite track on is “This Can’t Be Healthy.” It starts off with a catchy guitar lick as the drummer is hitting his sticks on the side metal rim of the the toms. It stands out from the rest of the album because it’s so poppy. The bridge has a moment where all the instruments cut out and your blessed with just the vocals of Slade. They should have opened up the record with this track. It deserves radio time and should be the track to buy from Itunes.

Anarbor is a band that will be around for years to come. They have continually put out solid music and have the live show to back it up. Support them and buy this record today.

It might just be me, but whenever I hear about a new worship CD coming out, I’m not running to the nearest store. I think a good deal of this stems from the fact that, to me, worship music all sounds the same. I know this sounds bad coming from someone that loves the Lord and enjoys worshiping him, but haven’t we all wondered about this, or am I flying solo on this one?

Recently, I found out that a worship leader I know made this album Autumn In Repair. He described it to me as a “rock meet worship experience” album. I have to admit it caught my attention, and I was intrigued. I figured that if there was someone that could pull it off, it could be these guys. After playing for a couple years in the local bar scene they seem to have found a way to blend their passion of rock with their passion of leading worship on Sunday mornings in the presence of God.

Track 1, “Freedom Doxology” repeats the line “let freedom ring out”, which seems as if it has become almost a cry of this generation to be free from government and religious oppression. Its nice to see the focus of freedom being given to God, when our current generation seems to be running away from Christ.

Track 2, “Saving Grace” is a songs that dates back aways. I can remember when Steve was working on this as we grew up. It shows his passion for God on so many levels. Each time I hear it, I’m reminded how we need to thank God for the little things that are around us, and return to his grace which first saved us.

Track 5, “All I Have” is built upon powerful lyrics that will have you analizing what faith truly means in your life. It begins with an easy beat that does not over power the lyrics, (which seem to attack your heart as you look at your own life). Its nice to be challenged in your faith during worship, and not always focused on the message of “everything will be alright.” I prefer being re-focused on where God is in my life.

Track 8, “Free” opens up with great promise of rocking out, and progresses into an amazing demonstration of worship. This is what I’ve been hoping for, and I love being able to hear the passion for God coming from the musicians. I believe worship is not only about singing, but giving your all to God as an offering to Him. Track 8 provided this special moment for me.

Look, I’m the guy that has only one or two worship albums on his Ipod. But I have now found one that I feel brings me, and challenges me to enter in the presence of God; which is very refreshing to find. I feel that Autumn In Repair’s self-titled albumAutumn In Repair is a valuable production. In it, I found a renewed passion for my Lord. To me, this is what worship is all about; being able to reach out to God in countless ways to praise His name. Check these dudes out!

You can buy their album online here

Check them Out on Myspace

Write this down gets the award for the best Album Cover of 2010. The band is surrounded by snow, ice, an amazing car, and a freaking tiger on the cover. Simply Creative and amazing.

Write this Down brings the rock straight forward with a mix of pop and hardcore. It has enough screaming for the hardcore and pop for the rock crowd. With reminiscences of Brand New, Underoath, Emery and Foo Fighters this band has put out a record that already displays maturity for a debut release. Produced by Rob Hawkins and recorded in Nashville these 3 guys are ready to bring you a release worth your money.

The album opens heavy with “Alarm the Alarm’ which immediately drew my ears in. The power, the lyrics, and guitar are mixed in melodic melancholy. The chorus has so much force behind it , their live show could only display it better. Track 2, “Despite your Valor” starts off heavy but is quickly broken down with an acoustic guitar and then right back into the rock and roll. I love it.

“Hand Grenades” has a simple intro that builds up slowly until 33 seconds where a listener is starting to see where the song is heading. The Bridge has the lyrics “we’re growing and we’re still building character” which describes the progression of this song. It builds to an ending that leads you right into the next track. “Center of Attention’ shows the simplicity that a 3 piece band often has to offer. I’ve always loved 3 piece bands because they are limited with their music instruments so they have to set the bar higher on creativity. The lyrics “Sweet Jesus Carry Me’ show that the band holds true to their faith in their lyrics and are using their voice on this album to give a positive message.

The piano driven track ‘Citadel” is beautiful. I would not have expected to hear the piano on an album like this. It’s great to see bands taking a chance to step out of their genre and try out the mellower side of music. Although the song is slow and mellow at the 2:55 mark all hands on our deck and they are back to the rock and roll. It ends with the piano just like it began and definitely could be the second single from the record.

“Redemption” has a chorus that every kid could raise their fist to. The record ends with the acoustic track “Heaven and Hell.” Write this Down has truly impressed me. Their music is creative and inspiring. I am so intrigued by this record I can’t wait to see them live. I definitely give them the Enoch Stamp of Approval.

I am four months from finishing graduate school, and that means that I am poor, tired, spiritually and emotionally drained, and about to become unemployed in the worst U.S. economy since the Great Depression. I have a rubbery lump in the right side of my face that I am terrified will turn out to be cancer, and my wife and I live above a man who is dangerously bipolar and verbally violent both to us and his young wife and daughter. And every morning I wake up at 6:30 and I am faced with the question: how does one commune with God in such times? I don’t often know. And I’m flailing like a drowning man most of the time; desperate like the bleeding woman in the Bible who reached for the barest corner of Jesus.

Sometimes I feel His presence. Many times I don’t. And I wonder, during those lonely times, why I keep trying so hard to seek and follow God if he doesn’t seem to show up for me? Could it be that our struggle to find God in the worst of times, ultimately defines not only who we are, but who we believe God to be? I am desperate to believe that God is big enough, not only to save my soul, but to repair it; to protect my family, and to patch-up my frail body in the here-and-now.

So often, I believe this great effort to believe in Christ is regarded as failure in the deepest areas of our hearts. Belief in a big God, one that is omniscient, omnipotent, gracious, loving, and good isn’t as easy as we feel it should be – and that’s discouraging. Pastor and theologian A.W. Tozer thought that the quest for an unfathomable God would be the greatest challenge facing the modern church, and in turn, the modern Christian. Yet when we reach disappointment, we need to look toward the Gospels for understanding, advice, and camaraderie. In Mark 9, Jesus addresses “an unbelieving generation” saying to them, “―how long will I stay with you? How long will I put up with you?” He is talking to the disciples, because they are unable to drive out an evil spirit. But when Jesus confronts an afflicted boy’s father with his unbelief, the man gives this simple, honest answer: “―I do believe, help my “unbelief.” Jesus does. He even heals the boy. But I wonder if perhaps he heals the father too, not of the affliction of having a sick son, but of a crisis of faith. I think perhaps the lesson to be learned here is a simple one: that in our anguish, in our darkest times, in those early hours of the morning when we are left conversing only with our pain and our doubt, we often forget that Jesus is waiting to show us just how big he really is.

Ultimately, I believe it is when we are helpless that we are best able to draw close to the magnitude of God, and to see the clues in the quest for the unfathomable. That is why I say I believe the force of our desire during such times is so crucial to our understanding of God. If I fail to seek God’s face in my torment, (either through fear or shame), then that’s worse, because when deliverance does come, I am all too likely to rationalize change, to humanize miracles.

I also struggle with giving Him the ability to come through for me, because I keep attributing His power to other things. The result is a god that stays very small, and valleys that continually get more excruciating. This is because I trust less and less in a God that works: one who is omnipotent, omniscient, gracious, loving, and good. But if we just realize that sometimes the only act of faith we’re capable of is to cry out for help and and assistance with our unbelief, I think we’ll see God do just that. And He’ll do so by showing us an image of Himself so big that we’ll be awestruck. Maybe then I’ll realize that the darkness of poor health or a flailing economy, uncertain political times or just plain weariness is part of God’s way of getting us to notice His shadow is actually quite large.

”God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” — C.S. Lewis

This is the best record I have heard in years. If Rise Against, Lagwagon, and Less than Jake all blended their records together this would be the end result!

“We’re All Dead”, track 1 opens up horns, guitar and heads straight into punk rock that is Mohawk worthy. I can picture the mosh pit in full force if they opened up their set with this tune. “Rearranging Deck Chairs on the Titanic” is an amazing title. The horns are blended into the music so well it brings chills to my spine. The ska breakdowns appear out of nowhere and surprisingly fits well. The drummer shows just how fast he can go on this track.

Track 6 has a blend of 2 guitars that compliment each other so well. One is playing ska and the other is distorted buried in the background. The style is so unique these guys could help put Punk/Ska back on the map. Bands should be taking notes from We Are the Union. “Five Out of Five kids who will Kill Love Slayer” is radio friendly and could easily be the hit single from this record. The chorus is a wall of Punk Rock Madness. I must note that the songs flow so well together that by track 8 you don’t even realize that you’re already over halfway into the record. ‘Between the Devil” is the standout Ska track of the album. The horns and bass drive the track home.

Track 12, “One Million Motors” rocks my face off. The vocals are strong on this one. At 1:15 the bassplayer shows his talent with a great run that sticks out and makes one realize that the entire band are seasoned and talented musicians.

We Are the Union has written the best record I’ve heard in 2010. You’ve never heard Punk/Ska like this before. They play fast, skillfully, and have a great sound that I am willing to bet only gets better live. I give this record a 10 out 10 and put The Enoch Stamp of Approval on it!!!

Ace Enders voice has always been calming and powerful at the same time. On “I Can Make a Mess like Nobody’s Business” new release ‘The World We Know” he does it again with mellow energetic songs that really capture his musical talent.

The record begins with “Sleep Means Sleeping.’ The song is slow, perfect, and a great song to fall asleep to at night. This song prepares you for the rest of the record and is arranged in pure musical genius. Track 3, “Old Man” has little bits of slide guitar hidden within. It definitely shows a new side of arrangement for Ace Enders. The light piano carries the choruses and is blended so well with the guitar it’s epic. “You’re Not so Good at Talking Anymore” is a slow ballad with lead guitars that help carry a melodic background ambiance.

“Light Voices Long Rides” starts slow and soft and stays that way the entire song. It’s a subtle and relaxing accompaniment to a nice cup of coffee or tea. The stand out song on the record is “Telling me Goodbye.” I love the chorus and it also happens to be my favorite track on the record. The entire song builds up until the 2:40 mark where the drums, bass and guitars kick in full force. It’s a simple track like this that made us remember why we first fell in love with Ace Enders in The Early November Days.
I think it’s a great song to end the record with and should be the sleeper hit off of ‘The World We Know”.

This release has such potential. Ace Enders has done it again with a splendid mix of bass, guitars, and drums that cultivate into perfection. The Artwork is also a perfect match to the music. Buy this record and help support Ace Enders.

Sometimes a Name can say it all. Sky Eats Airplane definitely fits this mold. We’re looking at here is a electro blend of creative lyrics, double bass pedals, and guitars shredding over this new 3 song ep , “The Sounds of Symmetry.” Let it be known that this ep is a teaser for their full length which is going to be released in the fall of 2010.

The EP opens with “Motion Sickness,” an intro track that is quite different from the rest of this ep. It begins with a melodic piano intro heading into a vocal driven track with electronic drums. At the 1:40 mark it picks up and by 2 minutes I am convinced of their talent. I would compare this track to a fist fight between Pierce the veil and Ben Folds Five.

Track 2 , “Sounds of Symmetry” opens up with full force. It the brings screaming vocals and within 30 seconds they’ve drawn you in with their intricate guitar. For most of the track the guitar is all over the map and makes me constantly wonder where it’s headed next. This track really reminds me of one of my favorite bands, Boys Night Out.

The third and final track “The Contour” is my favorite track. The guitar lead lines alone draw me in. It’s an interesting mix of hardcore , metal, and rock n roll. Their talent level fully shines through on this song. It has the ability to make any guitar player want to practice more just to be at their level. The bridge breakdown has an orchestra background but swings you right back into the heavy music.

Overall, Sky Eats Airplane, “Sound of Symmetry’ keeps a listening guessing as to what’s coming next. The production quality is great and you can really distinguish the different instruments. The Ep does seem a little short but it leaves me excited for the release of their full length.

Enoch Magazine) What are the benefits of being on a indie label?

Queen’s Club has put out one of the best releases of 2010, Young Giants. If you’re looking for a little music to spice up your party, then these are your guys. When I first learned these guys signed with Tooth and Nail records, immediate excitement took over. Now the world will know the power of these 4 guys from Kansas City, I cheered!

The album opens with “Are We? Will We?,” which brings the sound of New York Rock and Roll with what I’d like to call a “Kansas City Twist.” The drums really drive home this song, until 1:26 where the guitars take over like a king claiming his throne. So simple but amazing, I love it. The background chants in “Issinair” add icing to the cake on track 2. It’s layered with harmonies and a chorus that brings rock and roll like Kiss did, back in the 70’s to packed arenas. “An Apparition” is the type of song you’d love to have a live band play at your party. It gets you bopping your head and smiling. The guitar lines make this track wonderful.

“Dust” stands out from the rest of the tracks. It doesn’t to fit in with the rest of the record and maybe that’s why I like it. It has an electronic drum beat with midi or keyboards leading the song. At the 1:17 mark its all dropped and the rock is brought. This is one of my favorite tracks on Young Giants and one the kids will love. Track 6, “Less Talk” is the best song on this record. The chorus and verses are fighting back and forth in a mid-evil battle leaving me wondering who won. The vocals stand out on “Less Talk” and they are everything you’ve ever wanted on a perfectly produced cd. The bridge is so different from the rest of the song that it really stands out. It hits you unexpected and then leads you back into the verses for a climatic finish.

‘Upstart’ is a classic pop rock party song. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the second single released from the record. I also must mention that the artwork is beautiful. If I saw this record I would buy it based on that alone. With that said, I’d grab a cold beverage, bust open a bag of chips and head to the couch to unwrap your new Qweens Club album. This record is a must buy for 2010. Support these guys in any way you can. In fact buy 2 copies one for your home listening pleasure and one for the car!!!

http://www.myspace.com/queensclub

Enoch Magazine ) A Clever Con really has a unique sound and it immediately drew me to your music. Where does your musical influence come from and did anyone play a part in it?

Mike ) Our musical influences come from everywhere, but personally, my main influence comes from everyday life. As a construction worker in New Jersey I’ve seen the ‘bottom-of-the-barrel’ places. I look at people struggling with drug addiction and the fact that it’s so goddamn important to look skinny and have plastic lips and big tits!! A huge part of my inspiration lies within these fucked up false beliefs; there has to be a certain way or no way at all. I’m here to say fuck all that and just be your self.

TJ ) My musical influences come mostly from the music I am exposed to on a daily basis, along with a lot of the famous drummers that I idolize.

Bobby ) Mostly Rx Bandits

Ryan ) My influences run the gamut from personal experiences, to world events, to politics, to being in a band itself. I started off and have always been writing music and poetry as a cathartic device- to vent out my feelings, frustrations and express my opinions. I’m a bit of a sap in that sense, but the personal aspect of music got me hooked to it, so it’s what I know, and need.

Enoch Magazine ) I love the band photo with your band mates holding weapons and your album artwork. Where did the inspiration for the photo and artwork come from? Do you have an all time favorite album cover?

Mike ) There’s nothing cooler than ninja assassins. ‘Specially ninja assassins wearing green ties!!!

TJ ) What Mike said … as far as my all time favorite album cover, I never really paid attention to the cover. I usually buy something for the songs not for the artwork, but I do have to say our CD cover of “The Robot EP” is pretty awesome!

Ryan ) The pictures kind of came into themselves. We didn’t want to do the cliché things and take our press shots at train tracks or next to a haggard building. Why do what everyone else does? So I remembered the sweet ass bamboo forest at Rutgers Gardens in NJ. Once Mike heard about it he said, “Hey, we need to bring ninja weapons with us. When I think of a bamboo forest, I picture “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. Let’s go buy some dangerous toys!”

As far as album artwork go. First off, I need to say that all artwork looks best on vinyl packaging, period. I have two favorites. One is the White Album” by the Beatles, because it cuts to the damn chase. It’s about the music, now listen to it. Two is “Nevermind” by Nirvana, and no, it’s not because of the naked baby on the cover. I truely feel that it’s one of the most effective visual depictions of an album’s statement and message. It just reminds me of the corruption of innocence by means of greed, materialism, marketing, corruption, and kleptocracy.

Bobby ) : Go to: http://www.bagofdonuts.com

Enoch Magazine ) Our magazine works with the homeless on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles where there are over 10,000 homeless living on the streets. Many of the homeless on Skid Row are addicted to heroin, crack, etc. I know that lyrically the album touches on your ex who was addicted to Heroin. Can you please share about this situation and what can people do to help people who interact or have friends who addicted to drugs.

Mike ) Basically, the honest truth is that there is nothing you can do. The only proper way to handle it is to be harsh and wicked towards them. It’s a hard way to be, especially if you love them, but unfortunately people respond better to pain and anguish. I’m not saying to beat the drug out of them, but in my personal experience I tried everything and there is nothing more sad then loosing a loved one to a drug addiction. They have to want to help themselves; dragging them and forcing them to quit their addiction never works. How many times do you tell your friends to quit smoking? “Do you no it causes cancer?” Of course we know heroin causes death. They do it because it makes them feel good. You can be there for them lovingly but no wear to tow the line. Don’t let them steal your shit and beat you up - trust me it’s not fun.

Ryan ) Hey Mike…

Mike ) Yeah man?

Ryan ) Did you know that smoking causes cancer?! You should quit!

Mike ) Shut up!

TJ ) I have never been in a relationship with someone but I do have a few friends who are addicted or know/are in a relationship with someone who is addicted and it is tough being friends with someone who is, ‘cause you can tell when they are on the drugs, yet you really can’t do anything about it. No matter what you say, they are right and you are wrong and most of the time it’s not until it’s to late that they realize they have a problem.

Bobby ) Communicate. Don’t assume anything.

Ryan ) Easily said, it sucks. My best friend lost both of his uncles to addiction. I can’t imagine what that would be like to go through such a tragedy. I think that the best way to combat addiction to dangerous narcotics is to make sure that the opportunity to become addicted ever happens. This means that the person has to either be smart enough not to try it or isn’t given access to it. Unfortunately, that may never happen because drugs will always be around- they make the wrong people too much money. Drugs have and always will be an important commodity in the world economic system and a geopolitical hot topic. I’m talking from the Opium Wars on to the recent Mexican drug cartel conflicts. So teach your loved ones to say no and if they don’t listen, at least you know you tried and can use the lesson to teach other. I remember in high school, I had badgered a friend about him starting to smoke cigarettes. His other friends kissed his ass and appeased it, telling me to back off and saying that he would be fine. Well, that cool fad became and addiction that is killing him slowly every day.

Enoch Magazine ) Most of the homeless on Skid Row are at the lowest point of their life but they often claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. What is your perception of Jesus and how did you get that perception?

TJ ) Me being someone that has gone to church since I was a wee lad can say this… The teachings say that Jesus will forgive us for our sins. This does not mean to keep sinning and asking for forgiveness, but be forgiven for the ones you have made and move on with your life and make it better!

Bobby ) Everyone needs a Phronesis (see: Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics for context) to self actualize. For Christians, Jesus is a great Phronesis. But people of all faiths can benefit from having a Phronesis.

Ryan ) I’m actually Jewish so I don’t believe in Jesus… but, since Jesus is the pretty much the most famous Jew ever, I’ve studied his history and what he’s quoted to have said. From a secular standpoint, the morals, lessons and virtues attached to the story of Jesus still make sense and hold truth and ethical validity no matter what religion you practice.

Enoch Magazine ) If A Clever Con could put together the ultimate tour lineup who would it be and where would you tour?

Mike ) Rx Bandits, Dispatch, Miley Cyrus, Bob Marley

Bobby ) Our friends in Burning Jersey, other fun bands, and a famous band. Europe or Asia.

Ryan: What they said, haha! – As far as the where… I’d like to be the first to play in space. I’d like to be on the Moon, but the space suits but aren’t really conducive for guitar playing. A spaceship will suffice I guess…

Enoch Magazine ) I used to love watching the wrestling when I was a kid. Were you ever a wrestling fan and if so who is or was your favorite wrestler. I can tell you that my favorite was Jake the Snake or Legion of Doom.

Mike ) The Bushwhackers all the way. Dude I couldn’t get passed their crazy cool walk they did as they entered the ring. They were huge biters, I remember thinking as a kid, “I don’t want to get bitten by a Bushwhacker!”

TJ ) Never really got into wrestling, however my favorite one was The Undertaker ‘cause he was a big mofo, so I could relate to the guy!

Bobby ) Owen Hart, of course.

Ryan ) For this question I just pulled out my old WWF, when it was the WWF bed sheets. Let me see…. Oh, cool! It’s got LOD, Snake, Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior, Sgt. Slaughter, The Macho Man Randy Savage,– OH YEAAAH!! I had a love/hate relationship with The Ultimate Warrior. I got scared of him once so my parent bought me one of those mini plush figures of him that I could beat the crap out of.

Enoch Magazine ) You seem to write lyrics that revolve around very personal things. Many singers write about nonsense or make it funny. Do you feel you connect with fans more if you music is full of true honesty?

Mike ) Well, yes and no. I’ve come to realize that people can relate to anything. If you have to stop and think about what you’re writing about then it’s definitely not going to be good. I will always connect with fans because I know I can speak for us all when I say we are tired of hearing about break ups!!!

TJ ) I don’t write the lyrics but I agree with Mike saying that I think everyone out there is tired of hearing about “My girlfriend dumped me” or “I caught her cheating”, or “She’s a b**ch, waa waa” on and on. You get the hint? I think the lyrics to our songs connect with the crowd on a more personal and serious note!

Ryan ) My thing is this - I’ve enjoyed my share of good breakup songs. Sometimes you need that song to get you through the experience. But when it’s done correctly with breakup subject matter, then I can enjoy it. I frequently revisit GlassJaw’s album, “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence”. That record actually got me through a breakup, haha. But, when an artist just blatantly whines about over and over then I lose interest and respect. If you want to write about your girl, fine. Just try to be somewhat creative about it and stop singing out of your nose. You sound ridiculous!

Certo ) My favorite songs ever are the most honest.

Enoch Magazine )Who are some of your favorite bands? Are there any releases you are looking forward to in 2010.

TJ ) To name a few: Paramore, A Day to Remember, Coheed and Cambria, Rx Bandits, Lostprophets

Mike ) See the bands that I’d like to tour with, haha!

Bobby ) Moneen, Hey Mercedes, Folly, Blink 182, Whippersnapper, Millencolin, Cruiserweight, Midtown, Less than Jake, All & Descendants, Catch 22, One Cool Guy, Thrice, Bayside, and so on and so forth. The new blink and new Cruiserweight CD coming out this year,

Ryan ) I can’t wait for the new GlassJaw record to come out, if it does some out… Also “Revolutionary: Volume 3” by Immortal Technique, whenever that may come out. I’m looking forward to see the guys in Burning Jersey hit the studio and finally release some music. As far as bands go in no particular order: GlassJaw, Thrice, Rx Bandits, The Offspring (their older stuff), Say Anything, Muse, Skindred, The Beatles

Enoch Magazine ) If you were granted 3 wishes what would they be and why?

Mike )
1: Challenge Mike Tyson to a hot dog eating contest.
2: Cure Epilepsy- My sister and I have it and its needed a lot of people have to live their lives handicapped because of the brain damage it causes.
3: I wish I had a tail!! What are tail bones why do we have them?? It only makes sense.

Bobby )
1. Eternal happiness for me
2. Eternal happiness for everyone else (including my genie)
3. Infinite $ debit card (or debit RFID implant for convenience… hahaha)

TJ )
1. I could be a few inches shorter in height (not a lot just 2-3)
2. Ryan would stop taking his shirt off!
3. Mike would pull up his pants!

Ryan )

1. First off, I would take those extra 2-3 inches from TJ. I could use the lift.
2. Infinite success for the band.
3. More wishes.

Enoch Magazine ) Melissa and Brittney how are you guys doing? My first question is for Brittney, is your last name really Mosher? If so that is pretty B.A. And how was it like trying out for the band, were you at all nervous?

Melissa ) ha ha ha… all you britt!!

Brittney ) I am doing so splendid, thank you for asking!

To the first part of your question….no. I was forced to change my name when I joined the band..
Second part…absolutely not. I only felt nervous ’til after I joined.
Totally kidding. Yeah my last name is really, truly Mosher.

The girls were really great during the whole audition process. It was really laid back and chill, mainly just getting to know each other to see if we meshed. I was a little nervous, for obvious reasons, but it wasn’t too bad.

Enoch Magazine ) Wow, Brittney you just got all kinds of jokes don’t ya!? You think your funny? Have you ever considered a side gig in stand up comedy?

Brittney ) No. But I think I can be slightly humorous at random times. I would fail miserably at stand up; I am terrible at telling knock, knock jokes.

(I’ll be serious now, scouts honor )

Enoch Magazine ) Melissa, please tell me about the bands name.. It’s a hebrew name for God, I’d like to think I know most of the hebrew names, but I’ve never ever heard of Illia. Please explain my oh so smart friend. (We are friends right?) HAHA

Melissa ) Ha.. sure were are friends ha ha ha.. ok so ilia is a Hebrew name for a person and it means “God is Lord”.. We found it on a website for hebrew names cause we wanted something original that meant something so we all decided on that one!!

Enoch Magazine ) Sweet, thank you for the clarification. Can both of you wonderful rockers give me a summary of how you came to faith in God?

Brittney ) I grew up in a family strong in faith, so that really was a blessing. I am fully aware that it was only by the Holy Spirit tugging my heart strings that I came to faith though. I came to faith in God when I was really little, but it was not until around age ten that I really started pursuing God; the same time I started teaching myself guitar and writing music.

Melissa ) Well I was born into a Christian home so I was always taught there was a God and that He loved me… so I always knew that, but I suppose I did not start believing it till I went to a summer camp when I was like 12 or 13 and God just encountered my heart.. and gave me a hunger to pursue him and to pursue a relationship with him.. so yeah and every day is a struggle to stay connected, but it is also a Joy to continue to go deeper with Him!! but that does not mean my life was perfect or that nothing ever happened to me cause I have my issues!!

Enoch Magazine ) Yeah that’s true Melissa we all do have our struggles in life, would you mind talking about them? (You too miss Mosher girl)

Brittney ) oh man, so many different struggles. I mean, there are what I would loosely call “universal” ones that come at different points of our lives, there are the the personal ones, the ones that involve being an artist… I think the point to make is that yeah, we all have struggles but its how we deal with them that kind of shapes everything, if that makes sense.

One thing I struggle with, which could fit both into the personal and artist category is that I’m a major perfectionist. Being a perfectionist, especially when it concerns you as an artist really can take its toll in all aspects; spiritually, emotionally, creatively..it puts a lot of doubts in your heart and misconceptions of your creative spirit and your identity as a person and that part of you that is Artist, not to mention a lot of stress which effects your art. It can be really damaging. I have definitely gotten a lot better on handling perfectionism and learning how to be gracious to myself over the years, and I think going to a music college and being around all these great musicians, but being able to create in a relatively (you can still feel insecure and unsafe around yourself!) safe environment has definitely helped a lot. I am my biggest critic. I have always had that “tough skin” when it comes to critique from others, I actually welcome it, but when it comes to myself..I think only I can critique, judge, and condemn myself as well as I do (Simon has nothing on me!)

But yeah, like I said it’s how we handle these struggles that is important. Sometimes by grace, your greatest weakness can be your greatest strength.

(sorry that was so long Brandon!)

Melissa ) well ha ha ha.. with out getting too personal… ha ha Like for right now I am working a 9 to five job and taking a class in school… Which these are things that I never really wanted to do cause I love the road and miss it lots, but you know you just have to everyday give that to God and believe everything is for a reason… and I have already seen how He is in even this season of my life as well as good ones!! I am learning a lot.. stuff that I probably would not learn otherwise… and you know the usual stuff as well.. Just being prideful all the selfish stuff I want out of my life so more of God can fit!! finding time to spend with God!! you know I am pretty normal person with the same normal struggles..

Enoch Magazine ) There seems to be a wave or movement in my eyes of bands, that are really taking a stand in the Christian music scene and industry. Focusing mainly on Christians and Christian venues, shying away from the mainstream. Being that your band is a “ministry” do you see yourselves just focusing on mainly on your Christian fans?

Melissa ) oh it is all good I like the original questions better then the regular anyway.. makes you think more… I am currently hooked on the Almost’ new album Monster Monster… Phil Wickhem’s new one.. Paper Route.. those are my fav’s for the time.. I also put my Ipod and shuffle a lot.. so I get some UnderOath and Thrice thrown in ha ha ha!!!
while I think it is important to focus on all your fans I don’t think it should be just Christians.. I mean that is totally fine and all and I mean we are Christian people so that’s where we will land sometimes, but I don’t think is should ever be limited to just that.. I mean Jesus’ told us in the bible to go into all the nations to make disciples.. I don’t think he meant hey go tell the people who know about me about me again.. especially when only one nation knew of him at the time… So I think every “christian” band should really be focused on reaching all kinds of people!! I don’t think staying in the “christian industry” should matter as long as you are reaching kids who need Jesus! ha ha I could really get on my soap box but I wont ha ha ha ha.. so all in all I don’t see my band focusing on just “christian” fans we love them too.. but I know the heart of my best friends that are in the band with me.. and we all have a passion for “all the nations” to share Jesus with the people that might not normally hear about him!!

Enoch Magazine ) What do you think about people who have never heard about Jesus and the Bible, entering Heaven?

Melissa ) That is a hard question to answer cause we don’t really know how things work in that case cause there are tons of babies that are aborted and did they go to heaven?? I mean you know we don’t really know. I would like to think so, but I suppose if they were never given the option it is possible they may not go to heaven.. so I think we should think that they wouldn’t so we will share jesus with everyone…

Sorry I got all confused ha ha

Enoch Magazine ) Hahaha sorry for the loaded question you guys.. It’s my job to ask the tough questions. Anyway! What are you guys listening to currently?

Brittney ) that is good though.
Currently, I’m listening to T&S, Saosin, and Darien Clea.
I am constantly listening though, songs from here and there from different genres, etc. A little snippet about me: I try to never limit myself and try to pull creative nuggets from a lot of sources (including jazz, classical..) so listening to music is hardly ever a passive experience for me.

Melissa )
oh it is all good I like the original questions better then the regular anyway.. makes you think more… I am currently hooked on the Almost’ new album Monster Monster… Phil Wickhem’s new one.. Paper Route.. those are my fav’s for the time.. I also put my Ipod and shuffle a lot.. so I get some Underoath and Thrice thrown in ha hahaha!!!

Enoch Magazine ) Wow you guys have an awesome taste of music. So I hear that the band is working on a new record, do you think the new tunes will still be heavy sounding? Even though you guys are still missing a lead vocalist, I’d love more screams thrown in!

Melissa ) Umm I don’t think at this point if we will be still as heavy.. now I am a do love to jam out so I hope the songs will be some good solid rock!! but I like pretty stuff too ha ha ha.. but I am totally for some screams still but I just don’t know if it will be as much as it used to be… ha ha I hope this makes sense I feel like it is all over the place!!!

Brittney )
Whatever we do, it is going to be slightly different, in the best way I believe. People will still be able to tell that “yeah, that is still Ilia” but I think it is going to be more, refined? A little more experimental maybe as well. We are still going to keep to the roots of the band, but like any band that grows, you will be able to see changes and improvements, and having new members (me and future lead vocalist) will kind of add a new feel as well. We’re excited to see what happens and so far the writing process has gone really well I think.

Enoch Magazine ) Wow Brittney you really saved the day for me, I think that your band has the chance to really stand out in the industry.Is there a particular label you guys would like to be signed to? How is the search for the new singer going? And.. Is there anything you guys would like to say to our readers?

Melissa )
Umm I would like to be signed to the label that will help us out!! one where I will not have to pay millions of dollars to be signed to it!! ha ha ha… I don’t really have a preference.. I just don’t want to hurry up and sign something then get screwed over.. thats why we have yet to sign ha ha!! but if one comes a long who will really help us out I am down!! ha ha

Lead singer search is slow ha.. I wish I could say more, but it has been a rough go at it this time around… and I would like to say if you feel God has a calling on your life don’t let fear get in your way if it is from God he is going to make it happen so have faith in him.. and pursue it!! and I encourage you guys to get into the word and get to know Him!!!

Brittney ) 1) no particular label, but it would have to be the right and perfect fit (obviously…:) A lot of creative wiggle room, a solid “future-stable” deal, and acting more like a partnership are what I personally would take as going in a positive direction. Any takers? Haha, safe to say, we are not ignorant when it comes to labels and we are being wise when it comes to working with them.
2) I think it is always tough trying to find new members; not only who fit the style, but also mesh really well and have the same vision. It is going slower than we would like it to go, but we have absolute faith that God has it and He will bring us the right girl at exactly the right time.
3) I would like to ask if you all could keep us in your prayers as we search for a new singer and write/record a new record. And a big thank you for all of you Ilia fans that have supported Ilia over the years and are still sticking around even in this phase!

Nate Smith Interviews Nick Pick
My wife and I recently had the chance to visit Cherith Brook in Kansas City where our friend Nick Pick works. Nick has a huge heart for the homeless in Kansas City. Read the interview and learn more about how Cherith Brook makes a difference with the homeless in Kansas City.

Enoch Magazine ) I was reading through your blog and it’s very apparent that you have a passion for the poor. Has it always been like that for you? How did it start?

Nick ) I definitely did have a heart for the poor, but it wasn’t until I started the work at Cherith Brook that it finally began to shape me. Mainly this is because I had no clue how to act around someone who has found themselves on the streets. I always felt awkward and would be cordial… then keep walking. After having moved into Cherith Brook, the awkwardness and discomfort finally gave way to really meaningful relationships; so meaningful, in fact, that as I interact now with some of my friends from the days of yore, I find shallowness and a lack of depth there. I guess you could say that everything has been flipped upside down.

Even today though I still battle myself. There are days where my heart isn’t quite into the work I’ve been invested in for almost a year and a half. Some days I am not present with my brothers and sisters who are on the streets while other days it is so fulfilling and so alive that I couldn’t imagine living any other way.

Enoch Magazine ) That’s awesome. I love your honesty. It’s so encouraging that you have God’s heart for the poor. How did God call you to work in ministry? I know you you’ve been involved with many different ministries over the years.

Nick ) I don’t know if I’ve ever sat back and thought about it that way. I guess the way I look at it is, I am on a journey. If I’m not constantly deepening that faith, then I don’t really believe it. I guess what I mean is, I don’t feel like I ever had a call into the ministry, it was merely an extension of me seeing the beauty of a life lived when trying to follow things like Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Maybe the parable of the hidden treasure would make sense here. As I read more about Jesus’ life and the contrast-society he initiated, I became so excited that I had to sell some stuff, sell my car, and jump into life with other people wanting to do things. This includes things alive in the margins of society, sharing and caring for all- regardless of what people have labeled them. The homeless, the addicted, the prostituted, the abused, the abuser…all are welcome in Jesus’ day and this little community I now find myself living in is my first taste of the great treasure…a glimpse into the kingdom here on earth.

Enoch Magazine ) I think that’s great that you realized ministry is just an extension of our faith. It’s not often I have the chance to talk with someone who truly believes this: To live like Christ, we have to make sacrifices and give things up as we realize we are building treasures in Heaven. Could you please talk about what a typical week of work at Cherith Brook looks like?

Nick ) Yeah! We do simple things. We really focus in on family and presence in all that we do. We offer showers to folks who are sleeping in abandoned homes, in camp sites, or at places where they are unable to pay their water bills. People come in from 8:30am to 11am, and can get a good breakfast, hot showers, some clean clothes, maybe a bus pass, and can relax. Beyond that, we have a large community meal every week where 60 folks gather in our dining room and we share a meal together. We serve together, eat together, and clean up together. There is also a time on Fridays where we gather up lots of sandwiches and fruit and take it to the streets. We go to our friend’s abandoned houses, alleyways, and campsites to sit and visit. We also do things like grow a garden (we don’t have any grass in all of our front yard and most of our back), pray together, eat together, work together, speak out against the evils of our day together, and arrive at possible solutions to those evils… together.

We also have a common pot where we pool all our incomes together. We agree to work no more than 20 hours outside of the community and then we all share. We each get a monthly stipend and that covers the “wants” we would have (like eating out or going to shows). Things like auto repairs or medical needs come out of the pot. In this way, we strengthen our community by really depending on one another. It is beautiful, because it lightens the burden that many shoulder alone. When a car breaks down, it is the community as a whole who comes together to fix it and pay for it. It truly is freeing to know that I will not suffer alone and we’re not meant to in the first place.

A random side note: In all we do, we sit and listen to our friends. That is the most important thing. We don’t bring an agenda to them…they get enough of that. From churches who make people sit through a service in order to eat, to the various people and groups who make people their “project” to fix them and make “better.” We listen, love, and when they tell us they want to go to rehab we take them to rehab. When they ask to stay, we open our home. When they want to get an ID, we help them. Basically, we love like family and support them when they want to do something that is beneficial for them to be more whole, more human.

Enoch Magazine ) It shows great faith and trust with those involved around you in your community to live like that. I love that Cherith Brook is so open to REALLY meeting the needs of people. Many people want to be involved with loving others and serving God but they don’t know where to start. What are some basic things people can do to really take on the heart of a true servant?

Nick ) I would say to begin to allow some time in life for interruptions. Busyness kills community, and if you look at Matthew 25, all things listed there–feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, welcoming the stranger are things that require more time and thoughtfulness than money. We have the equation backwards. We should freely give of our money but it is imperative we spend time with the oppressed, marginalized, and forgotten peoples in our cities. Another thing, we should not mistake our time spent with the poor among us to be time for us to proselytize (attempting to convert people to another opinion, usually religion based). This would be a great folly. The reality is that we are just as broken as the next person. The more beautiful thing would be to simply offer your time and listen to their stories and allow yourself to be swept up in the life of this person whom is Jesus in the guise of the poor.

More practically though, I would give some of the following suggestions:

*ask for the panhandler’s name
*share your own name
*find out the person’s likes and dislikes
*think of how you can support the person’s likes
*make food and carry it with you to hand out
*carry blankets with you when it is cold
*if you can give money, GIVE without worrying about what will be done with it (disclaimer: make sure money giving isn’t all or the majority of what you do)

Those are just a few suggestions. A lot of it just involves being a loving, constant presence to someone…and allowing them to love and care for you.

To get involved with Cherith Brook you can find them on the Web Here

Here’s a new hip hop album that was sent to me last week from the emcee Paradox. It’s the debut project from the dropsci GIANTS crew, consisting of Common Child (Eugene OR), Jupiter 7 (San Francisco), reSEARCH (Tennessee), and Paradox (Texas). From what I can tell, these guys worked over the internet, emailing each other beats and vocal tracks. The album is called “littleONES” and features a different producer on each track (including Beat Rabbi of Deepspace5, Sean P., DJ Frantic, SameOldJake, and others) and guest appearances from Wonder Brown of Scribbling Idiots, Nickels of Lojique/Oldominion, Sean P., MellowDrumAddict, and Micronaut. Although there are only 8 songs on this EP, it captures a solid underground hip hop sound that I enjoy, rep’ing full bodied production, classic dj skill scratching, and lyrics pointing straight to the Kingdom. It’s exciting to know that Christian MC’s around the country are uniting and creating dope music like this.

Before hearing this record, I was not familiar with Common Child or reSEARCH. But they rock the mic with grace, calling out issues in both the hip hop world and the Christian lifestyle. My current favorite emcee J7 (Jupiter 7) is on this EP. There’s something about J7’s voice that I can’t get enough of. You’ll know when you hear it, cause he’s got this raspy, ‘could care less’ voice that delivers a myriad of visually creative metaphors. When he starts rocking the mic, it’s like flying through a roller coaster of ideas and imagery.

This EP has some funk elements in it now and then, but overall, it’s carries a more underground tone. On some tracks, like “hauntedHOUSE,” and “blueDAWN” the sound is darker and builds a feeling like you’re in a thriller movie. “farREACHING” has a super sick melody that uses this guitar/trumpet anthem from a 60’s western movie theme song. “lionDEATH” is by far my favorite track (listen to it HERE). It has this distant guitar/keyboard melody that is accompanied with a deep pulse of bass electricity that is just super fresh. I’ve never heard anything like it. Signalias is the producer, so MAD props to him and the killer cuts by Nickels. I’ve met Nickels before….we did a show together back in ‘03. What up Nickels? You still stacking change on those needles? This album is worth supporting, and it’s only $6.99!

It’s for sale at Sphere of Hip-Hop! (All pre-orders include a free 16 track mixtape.)

For more information on any of the dropsci.GIANTS, visit:
dropsci.GIANTS (www.myspace.com/dropscigiants)
commonCHILD (www.myspace.com/commonchild)
jupiter7 (www.myspace.com/jupiter7)
paraDOX (www.paradoxhiphop.com)
reSEARCH (www.myspace.com/tharmon29)

I’ve always loved the Classic Crime’s name. Simply because, what in the world is a classic crime? I think that a classic crime consists of crimes that have been repeated over and over in history therefore making it a “classic”.

The Classic Crime’s new album “Vagabonds” came with a few surprises. One noticeable surprise seemed to be that the listener was presented with an array of songs that cover many different genres. Track 2 “Cheap Shots” has lyrics that not only drive a real message home but you can’t seem to get them out of your head. “So go ahead and spit your poison out, Yeah go ahead and take your cheap shots. I’ve never been too proud to sin, Why don’t you rub my face in it.” When taken at face value, this song seems to be about not letting our words get the best of us. It’s hard to remain positive when a majority of the time we live in a society of complainers. The musical arrangement for the ending on this track with the guitar solo over the chorus is brilliant.

“Four chords” builds up the verses to lead into a simple chorus. It builds up and breaks down before you ever reenter the verse. I would compare it to a rotating door; fun to go through at a fancy hotel, but you wouldn’t want one at your house. The bridge of this song is the best bridge on the album. I am willing to bet the kids are going to love this one. On the ‘The Happy Nihilist,” the acoustic guitar in the beginning is produced so well, it reminds me of a great burger from Fuddruckers. When the song starts off, I assumed it wouldn’t rock but was I wrong. The string arrangement in the background of “My Name” makes you feel like you’re sitting at the symphony and the Classic Crime has taken over the stage. This song is over the top Rock and Roll and I love it. It really makes me think back to one of my favorite Guns N Roses Songs, November Rain.

I never thought I would compare The Classic Crime to the guitar work to Metallica… but in the beginnings of “Everything and Nothing,” it’s there. The tone is so similar, I’m willing to pull that Metallica cd off the shelf and pop it in. If you loved other Classic Crime Records, than add this to your collection. The music rocks but leaves me wondering… can they pull it off live?

During our lives we all experience things that change us. Sometimes, events or experiences in our lives can cause us to question our faith, or understanding of who God is. Feelings that we are all alone and that God is nowhere to be found can enter our minds. I believe this is the true test of faith and will show a great deal about a person. 

As much as I try to never think about the series of events which triggered my battle with faith and doubting God’s existence, it always comes back up. It’s hard to relive, but it also reminds me how much I grew during that time and what I learned as a result. It all started on what was going to be a normal Friday. It was payday so everyone at work was pretty pumped. Knowing that money was on the horizon always seemed to make the day fly by. I picked up my check and was heading out the door when I ran into a co-worker. He seemed down, so I asked him if everything was alright. His reply still haunts me to this day, “everything will be better in one hour.” If I had only known what would happen in an hour, I would have given anything to stop him. One hour later my friend took his life. 

When I heard the news, I was torn between anger and shock. I could not believe that someone with such joy in his life would do something like that. I replayed those 20 minutes at work over and over again in my mind, trying to figure out if I had missed something. Maybe I should have asked him one more time, or tried to find out what would be happening in one hour.

Because I do a lot of street ministry with Carry the Cross Ministries and Enoch Magazine, I began to question all the time that I was spending on the streets talking with people who I had never even met. I realized that I rarely took the time to look at my friends’ needs around me. I struggled with the guilt that I had never shared the love of Jesus with anyone close to me outside of the church. I don’t just mean by telling him about God with words, but by actually living it out in my actions. Everything I knew was being shaken and tossed around. I was torn over the fact that I seemed to care more about strangers than I cared about people that I actually knew.  



As the funeral approached I spent most of my time questioning and rationalizing with God about what I would do, how I would act. I thought about what I would do if someone asked me about my faith. How would I react, what would I say? I started to get mad at God for the passion He had put in my life to reach out to those were hurting outside of the church - on the streets. People that I had never met in my life, or will ever meet again. Why had He not given me a passion for those that I do know? Would I have been able to talk to my friend? Would I have been able to help some of the others hurting now or who would be hurting at the funeral? Would anyone even listen to me if I tried to comfort one of them? I got so caught up with the fact that God was not giving me a clear message that I told Him, “I would never share ‘you’ with anyone ever again.” All I could think about was how He let this happen, when I was in his life and able to be there for him. 

 
The funeral came and I kept my word that I would not talk to anyone about God. I could see all the pain in their eyes and I started to see them differently. I had never looked at them like that before. I was seeing them from the point of view of someone who actually cared for them. Yet I chose to back off. I remember going out with a few people for a drink after the funeral. As we sat there trying to think of anything except the last week of our lives, someone asked me a question that caught me off guard. He said, “Lance, you’re someone that believes in God, why do you think things like this happen? How do you move forward?” I couldn’t see how to dodge this one. I’m not even entirely sure how I responded to his question, but what stands out in my mind was what I learned in that moment. We all have people in our lives that we know we can count on to be there for us. As those who believe in Jesus, we are called to open that list up to include everyone that we meet. But it seems that the wider we open it, the harder it is to focus on the ones in our daily lives. If we lose sight of them, we miss out on the ones that truly have an impact on us. Somehow in my quest to go out and reach the lost and hurting I had forgotten to look at the people that I affect on a day to day basis. I was blown away at how clear this was now.

Part of me feels that the church is partly to blame for this; it seems we are so quick to praise the “missionaries,” and not look to those serving in their work place, or neighborhoods. I believe that work of a missionary is an amazing calling in someone’s life, but we must remember that it is not always necessary to go somewhere else to serve. It is just as important to be at work in your hometown with the people that surround you and that is something that every single one of us is called to do. We have an influence on those around us, whether we mean to or not; might as well be intentional about it. It seems that when we try to reach out to those we don’t know, there is not really a fear of judgment. But when you talk to someone who is a fixed component in your life, they know who you are. They know about the parties, the lies, the good and the bad. They know how you live your life. If we truly want to reach out to those we know in our day to day lives, I believe it has to start with actions, (not just words). I believe we must begin to learn how to live a life that glorifies God, but at the same time does not separate us from the world.

Some of the best times I’ve had talking with friends about life was when I took the time to meet them where they are…LITERALLY. I know that some Christians get freaked out if you talk about going to a bar. But when I sat down with my friend after the funeral and talked over a beer, he opened up and saw me as a real person, as someone he could relate to. If we truly want to impact those around us, we must be available and have a heart for them. I didn’t have a heart for my friends for the longest time. It is easy to forget about that calling in our lives. When we do, we take friendship for granted and we lose sight of what it truly means to be a friend.

Have you ever wondered what love really is? What it means? What would love feel like if I could touch it with my own two hands? As a teenager, I tried to wrap my head around this concept - to grasp it with my own two hands. But it never seemed possible. I have the most amazing family, great friends, and I love them. But I still didn’t think I had experienced love like I was meant to.
A clique question plagued my mind and it went like this: “If your friend was about to be hit by a car, would you push them out of the way and get hit instead?” This question seemed to ask if the amount of love I have for my friends outweighs the love I have for myself. But every time I thought about it, I got this crazy, bitter feeling in my heart, asking: “Is that really all love means?” See, I believed there had to be something else.

For years, I could never seem to grasp it. Not until I found myself across the ocean in the midst of desperate country called Colombia. I was 16 years old. My life up until then had consisted of growing up in a Christian home, sheltered, home schooled (all the way through), and cared for to no end by my parents, siblings, and friends. I was conformable, felt good about myself (as much as someone could), and had a lot thoughts of what I wanted to do with my life. Colombia was a totally different experience for me. To be honest, as I packed for the trip, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to go to this place. But regardless of my fears and uncertainty, I flew to Colombia with a team of 6 other people, (the rest of them all being 30 or more years older than me).

When we arrived, I found myself in a dream. It was the most beautiful place I had ever been. As our team was being shown around the city of Medellin, population of more than 4 million people, all I could hear from the rest of the team saying, “You are just going to love Colombia.” So far, I was liking it, but wasn’t completely positive or comfortable. I was there to support a non-profit organization called the Open Arms Foundation. Their mission is to “feed, clothe, shelter, and restore the street children of Medellin, Colombia through the transforming power of Jesus Christ.” This is what I was to experience first hand; the abandoned, homeless, and abused street children. From what I could see, the ones who had little or no hope. My heart was with them, and I wanted to help them in any way possible. But I soon learned that it wasn’t about helping them, so much as it was about changing me. Yes, they do need our love, and they need to be given a better life, but how could I give that, unless I had it as well?

God was ready to show me something that would multiply my passion for these children, as well as their families and their country by ten thousand! Open Arms Foundation has several different ministries to these children. They work with boys and girls who have been abandoned by their families or who have run away from their homes. Once the dirty streets becomes their home, they are exposed to other abusive things like drugs, alcohol, violence and prostitution or sexual exploitation. The idea is to go to these children on the streets, develop relationships with them, and then invite them to the program. There, these children can get off the streets, be fed a meal, take a shower, receive new clothes and be loved by the people that are there to welcome them with open arms. This is what I was witnessing.

As the children continue in the program and show good progress in their attitude and ability to stay sober, they are invited to move into a home set up specifically for them by the foundation. There, the children have all the necessities they need, and are able to go to school and learn different trades that are provided at the home. They are also provided with their needs mentally and spiritually. The children go through many different levels of the program, and in the end, the results are the same: the children are restored. The one part that broke my heart, was knowing that many of the children could end up back on the streets as a result of them running away from this comfortable and peaceful place. This is due to after effects of the drugs and desire to continue to make the money on the streets (selling drugs and prostitution).

A few days into our trip, we headed to the home for boys in the mountains. It was about an hour drive outside of Medellin in a small city called San Pedro. As we took the trip there (now, as I write this, it feels like it was the longest drive of my life), I couldn’t imagine what I’d see there. In the distance, a sign read “Boys Farm.” As we drove down the long gravel road, I began to see exactly what God had intended for me to see for so long. Thirty boys running as fast as they could, straight towards the van where I was. With humongous smiles on their faces, every single one of them joined us in the car ride. They were waving their hands at us with a gleam in their eye full of excitement and pure abandonment. As we got out of the car, 200 pounds of pure boy weight was added to my back. Just as they jumped on the car for a ride, they jumped on me, grabbing my arms, legs, neck and waist. I couldn’t help but just smile from ear to ear, laugh as they were laughing, and try to see all of their gleaming faces as I almost fell to the ground.

While trying to stay on my own two feet, I saw Yerson (”Jerson”). At that time, I didn’t know his name, but I knew his face, and I will never forget it. During that moment, nothing more seemed important. My fears and questions simply vanished. As I reflect back on that vivid experience, (now 3 years later) I finally understood what God had done in me. When I looked into those young, innocent eyes as they gleamed back at me, I saw Love. Love was in Yerson’s eyes. Love was in his smile. Love had just entered my heart. I stood there, and I felt the most breathtaking presence of the Holy Spirit I have ever felt in my life. All I can describe is the feeling of a father to a son. That sounded so awkward to me at the time, because we were only eight or so years apart in age. Now, it makes so much sense to me. God was showing me what he feels for this little 8 year old boy. God was showing me how he feels for me. God was showing me what Love really is.

At that moment, I knew what it meant to lay down your life for your friends, and not only your friends, but complete strangers. It was not about dying for your friends, for that passage of scripture does not say, “die for your friends,” but to “lay down your life for your friends.” (John 15:13) Now, I find so much more meaning in living my life in complete sacrifice for others, a living sacrifice, instead of dying, even though I know if that day came, I would die for my friend, or a stranger.

After that day (which seems like forever, but only was three days), I couldn’t stop thinking of that one boy, Yerson. It wasn’t that I was trying to remember him everyday, he was just stuck in my memory. When I was not sleeping, I could hear his voice, and almost reach out my arms and embrace him. It didn’t seem like that was impossible. Even in my dreams off and on, he was there. I felt like I could reach across the ocean each day. I sometimes would drive to the highest point in my small town just to see if I could see over the mountaintops. I just thought, right over there, not to far away, is the place I met Love. And I knew in my heart, Love is right here in me.

The vision of his gleaming eyes and big smile still haunts me to this day (in a good way). This is what God had shown me. As Matthew 25:40, 45 says, “Whatever you do for the least of these (brother/sister and stranger alike), you are doing for me,” I believe I saw Jesus on that day, I saw Love. I not only saw his face, I touched it, I embraced him; I laughed with him, and ate with him, and I will never forget him.

“True religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep yourself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27)
Love=Jesus
The greatest love is not to die, but to live and give up your life to rescue those who have lost it all. When you give your life up, you will find it.

Enoch Magazine films a live show in St. Louis and interviews song writer and drummer for Less Than Jake: Vinnie Fiorello. In this interview, Vinnie explains what his job was before he did music, as well as personal hobbies he enjoys.

When I did the album review for Jupiter 7, I thought that might be the end of my hip hop cd reviews for awhile….but WAIT! One more is coming out of the woodwork. And quite literally in this case with “called to Mind”’s artwork.
Called to mind is by hip hop artist Paradox. Where is he from? I’m not sure, I clicked on this press release and the link brought up a blank page. But don’t think Paradox is slacking. He’s got tons of pages to manage all over the web, so by clicking a few links, the verdict was quickly determined: Austin, Texas.

Paradox, like Jupiter 7, is an artist I can easily enjoy. The tracks are fun and funk-driven. Upbeat tempos, with jazzy horns, hammond organ keys, break-beat drums, 70’s guitar licks and that “Sly and the Family Stone” styled backup vocals. In fact, one of his tracks “Put ‘Em Together” samples the classic “Hand Clapping Song” by the Meters. In my opinion, anyone who samples the Meters HAS to know what’s up.

Paradox is certainly down with the Lord, and his lyrics deal with all aspects of faith and salvation. In the album, he also reaches out to other believers in the hip hop community, featuring known emcees like Othello (of Lightheaded), Playdough, Mellow Drum Addict, Sev Statik, Common Child, Propaganda, Afaar, SameOldJake, Metermaids, Kaboose and others.

What does this album sound like? We first let me say it’s worth obtaining, because out of 17 tracks, I probably really liked at least 14. In fact, we used one of Paradox’s tracks as the opening song in our Sleeping On Skid Row Video. Musically, the album sounds like a mash-up between Beck, The Meters and Sly & The Family Stone. Hip hop wise, Paradox’s sound is closest to hip hop groups like Ugly Duckling, Giant Panda and ill harmonics. His voice sounds like a cross between Andy Cooper (Ugly Duckling), Playdough (ill harmonics) and Eminem. Paradox was nice enough to send me all these links to sample and bu his album, so decide for yourself! But for me, I’ll be adding this to my collection of talented, spiritually driven Hip hop artist and Emcees.

As we venture more and more into the digital age, it seems that bands strive for audible perfection. They want to record their music all digitally and fix every last little thing. Ghosts, the new album by One for the Team was recorded all on tape; I love it. Ian Anderson, (the singer) had this to say about their unique direction. “Nowadays you can make everything perfect during the recording process, but you can’t do that on tape. The way it is, is the way it is and that was really important to us as a band.”

The album opens up with “I’ve been here so long.” Kicked off with slow melodic guitar and vocals, it builds up to the perfect; reminiscent of early Weezer and the classic 90’s alternative sound. The guitar tone is already raw and fuzzy. It sounds so real that I am willing to bet this record captures their live sound. “Every Little Thing” is simple and could easily be the background to any action movie where the hero gets the girl. It hits you hard at the 55 second mark and never backs down. The guitars, the keyboard, the drums; you couldn’t ask for more. This song makes buying the record worth it by itself. With a track written so well one knows the rest of the album must be great.

My favorite track from Ghosts is “Best Supporting Actress.” The bass line drives the verses while a wall of guitars brings up the chorus. The constant synthesizer in the background reminds me of the 80’s where the synthesizer ruled the music world. The background vocals of Grace Fiddler, who plays synthesizer and sings, brings a refreshing blend to every song on this record. And track 7, “Ancient Age” just plain rocks.

This record is a fresh little gem to find in 2010. Tell all your friends or buy 2 copies and give one away. If someone would pay me a dollar for every well written song on this record, then I’d have $10 bucks.

Every once in awhile, it’s fun to take a step out of the musical genre I love and check out something a little different. The new Gorillaz album falls right into that category. This album begins with the intro track “Orchestral Intro” where the soothing sounds of the ocean and seagulls can be heard along with a mellow string arrangement. I must say, it was a very original and relaxing way to open a record. The next track begins with a spacy keyboard sound and a bass line that reminds me of the 70’s. A listener feels right away like they are being transported to Mars. I can see the spacesuit and futuristic helmet I am wearing. “Rhinestone Eyes’ is wonderful. The vocals carry the song with a subtle selection of beats and instruments in the background. At 52 seconds in, the song picks up and I can’t help but enjoy this new found guilty pleasure.

The song “Solo” might as well be the new Knight Rider Theme Song. If you took Kit and mixed him with the submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, than this is what you would get. “Melancholy Hill” is a true tribute to the 80’s, drum machine, synth, and overall feeling that I need to unpack some of my coveted 80’s toys. It’s my favorite track on the album. The arrangement is amazing, and the instrumentation is pure genius. It gives the current radio crap a run for its money, and in a weird way, it reminds me of Men at Work.

“Glitter” is the perfect backdrop to play Lazer Tag too. I could picture myself and the rest of the Enoch Magazine crew shooting each us with this track confusing us in the background. On track 9, “Some Kind of Nature,” the vocals carry the song with a bass line that would best be felt and heard through subwoofers as you roll down the streets of Los Angeles.

Overall, I was surprised by this record. I had heard the Gorillaz records in the past and I wasn’t that impressed. The instrumentation is experimental, but not too out of the box. The beats leave me walking away with a groove in my head. After listening to this album I’d be interested in seeing them perform it live. I must mention too, that the album artwork is designed flawlessly. In other words, it’s good!

John The Baptist said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” (Luke 3:7-11)

As I logged on to Myspace one day, a new world was exposed to me in Los Angeles; A world where people were doing radical things to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ to the homeless on Skid Row. As i gazed at the information and videos online, little did I know that I, myself would be traveling to LA and working along side these Christians. It would be me, my friend Joe and his Senior High Pastor, (also named Joe) who would travel thousands of miles to serve in Skid Row Los Angeles.

The adventure started when Joe Barsha took over as the new Senior High Pastor at the Chapel in North Canton. At that time, I had no idea what Skid Row was, but as I was looking around a friend’s Myspace, I started watching videos about Patrick Ersig and the Jonah Project. They were a street ministry who worked with the homeless in Skid Row LA. At the same time, Joe Barsha was planning the summer’s missions trip to LA. So I decided to meet up with him and one of his student leaders Joe Furno for some delicious White Castle. Before our meeting was over, I had showed them the videos from Enochmagazine.com and the Jonah Project’s website. They were both amazed by what they saw and felt a passion to love the people of Skid Row.

Later that night, Joe Furno went home but couldn’t fall asleep. God had already put it on his heart that he should do something to help the poor and hungry around Christmas time. Joe had this overwhelming feeling that they should go Los Angeles sooner than summer. The hastened journey was initially hard to accept, but as he tossed and turned and wrestled with God, he began to feel peace about it. No longer did he worry about the danger or what it might cost him. He only wanted to do God’s will.

The next day I saw Joe at a Bible study, and he told me about what God had envisioned for them. I thought that was an amazing idea and we decided it was going to happen. However, deciding to go to Skid Row was just the beginning.

After many decisions on how to go about making the trip, we decided it would be best for just the three of us to go. Since we would be flying stand-by, our departure would have to come sooner than later with Christmas around the corner. Excited to go, we also realized we should start loving the poor and the least of these while we were still in Canton. We started to help out at the Total Living Center (yes, the TLC), as well as meet the wonderful people standing on the side of the road. Whether it be bringing diapers to dad’s who have lost their contracting jobs, or serving a hot burrito to a 60 something homeless man needing a place to stay inside at night, we meant to show the love of Jesus Christ through our actions and words.

But before the trip, Joe and I attended a potluck dinner with the new Missions/College Pastor, Clinton Lowin, who decided to put envelopes of $2,500 ($100 per envelope) on the table, saying that if anyone would like to use it to start a ministry, to take as much as they needed. Joe and I decided to take $300, and that was the start of One Coat Movement. I requested some designs from Carter at Enoch Magazine, borrowed a friend’s screen printer, and ordered 50 shirts. Before our trip, we sold a good amount of the shirts to help spread the word about the Jonah project in Skid Row, as well as help them financially.

When we finally got to LA (after many delays, due to fog), it was an amazing week. We met so many people whom we will never forget. Amazing people such as Theresa, who, despite getting attacked by a neighbor with a meat cleaver, was willing to forgive that person and show the love of Jesus Christ to him. She also told us about how she struggled with drug addiction and how she was a prostitute, until she met Patrick, who introduced her to Jesus. We also met Henry, a man from Sri Lanka, who Patrick helped get social security after he was denied because the paper work was filled out wrong. It was hard pushing his wheelchair around the city, his one wheel kept popping off. While we pushed him down the streets of Skid Row that suddenly turned into the wealthier part of the city, I realized that this is something he has to do by himself everyday. We met some other people as well, such as Bob, Oscar, Marcus, and Jedi, a spoken word poet.

Mathew, a friend of Patrick’s, also met with us that week. He showed us this vacant lot in the Hispanic district where the Jonah Project was thinking of using as a community garden. It was funny, a lot of the kids there stared at us and some took pictures when they thought we weren’t looking. They were cool though; they interviewed Mathew for a school project and talked to him about why he wanted to make a garden there. Mathew later shared some really delicious oranges with us from a tree in his backyard. Being from Ohio, we’ve never had fresh, off-the-tree oranges before.

It was an amazing experience, and I think all of us wished we could’ve stayed longer. Hopefully, i’ll be able to intern at the Jonah Project this summer. During that time, Joe Barsha will be taking the Senior High youth group to LA to show them how to love the homeless in his home neighborhood, as well as Skid Row. The One Coat Movement has been growing in order to help out the Jonah Project. It stemmed from the verse i mentioned at the top of this article. It represents a way where someone like me, who is halfway across the country, can create something that’s hands on and full of purpose. I encourage all of you to seek out people and ministries in need, lend a hand and see where God takes you.

First there was the duo of The White Stripes, two people showing the ability to make incredible music without the tremendous need for a band. The Honesty is a brand new duo that brings youthful energy and passion; Tasha GilBreath on vocals and Mikey Davis on bass, guitar and drums. At first listen one would say “Hey, they sound like Paramore or Anberlin,” but I beg the differ. This duo is still running two songs up on their myspace page from their original sampler, but in my eyes, they show an awesome amount of potential. And I don’t think it’s fair to an artist or any band to automatically stick them in the shadows of another.

I’m excited for this duo, and I’d be saddened to see them bring on new members. I would love to see them, step back, breath and not try to sound like anyone else. Just continue pushing the limits of creativity. The Honesty has a EP coming out this spring, which will consist of eight songs produced by Joel Piper, (member of the metal act Confide). Look for it on ITUNES. Don’t be a stranger, go check em out!

The Honesty on Myspace

Enoch Magazine meets up with Hawk Nelson at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. Hang with Jason Dunn, Daniel Biro and the Enoch crew as Hawk Nelson takes their new album, Live Life Loud, on the road. Hear the band’s stories from recording the new album, as well as their thoughts on homeless, getting involved and who Jesus is.

Also, read the PRINT INTERVIEW we did with Jason Dunn HERE»

Enoch Magazine loves to be a part of the Skid Row Community. Every 2nd Thursday of the month Skid Row Artists display their talents at the Downtown Los Angeles Artwalk. It happens between Main and Spring in an alley on 5th street in Downtown Los Angeles.

When we see the homeless, usually our first response is to avoid them. Don’t make eye contact, don’t acknowledge them, and everything should be fine. If for some reason, an interaction can’t be avoided, give them spare change and keep moving. But when you see 10,000 homeless people on the streets of Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles you begin to think otherwise. You feel and see their pain, their struggles, their loneliness. When you set foot into a place like Skid Row, it’s easy to forget what was so important in your life and start wondering how to help these other lives.

I first met Jay in October 2009. He was standing outside the VOA (Volunteers of America center) and struck up a conversation with me while my wife was using the bathroom. Jay was quick to tell me that he grew up in the home of an addicted mother in Las Vegas. His siblings had been placed with foster parents, most of which he no longer knew their whereabouts. He came to Los Angeles for a new start.

Jay instantly began explaining his feelings toward a “loss of identity.” I asked him to share more and he told me that he had no ID, no birth certificate, no social security card. Everyone he had approached to help him with this issue had denied him. He felt like he had no reason to live, no one cared about his life and identity. “If I died tomorrow,” he explained, “no one would even know who he was.” Jay was 20 years old, had no money, and possessed only the clothes on his back. As we talked more, my heart broke for this young man. Jay was experiencing what I imagine most homeless people go through, the frustration of not having the simplest of possessions; an drivers license and birth certificate. And now I was the next person to hear his plea for help. Would I go on with my life and pray that the next person he met would help him? Or would I put his life first, before mine?

Having just met him, I decided it was important to begin the process of finding his identity. So we set up a time to meet later that week, to go get his birth certificate. When that day arrived, we met up and literally walked 2 or 3 miles to the nearest Government office to get his birth certificate. But after a lot of patience and paperwork they told Jay he was not in their system. He broke down in tears in front of me, saying, “I know I exist.” We ended up walking the 2 plus miles back to Skid Row, frustrated.

It’s not easy spending your whole day with an anxious homeless person who’s desperate for help. I know this. That’s why most people would rather not get involved. Helping people is not always easy (in fact it’s usually draining and sometimes frustrating). But we as believers in Christ, “Christians” are not your average slackers. Christ showed me patience, so what if I have to spend another day with Jay?

The next day my wife and I drove him to the courthouse in Norwalk. In 15 min., we walked out with a copy of his birth certificate. You should have seen the smile on Jay’s face. I looked at my watch and saw that we had 30 minutes until the DMV closed. With the success of his birth certificate in play, I decided to “let it ride” as we drove to get his drivers license. It was closing time we we arrived, but we got his license too!

Over the next few months Jay and I became close friends. Since I work with the homeless in Skid Row each day, i would continually see him. We enjoyed talking about video games, sports and Jay’s plans for the future. His newly obtained drivers license told me he was turning 21 soon. I decided to take him out for his birthday. Imagine what it must be like to be homeless, and have no family…and then imagine all that on your birthday. Jay loved video games and I knew the perfect place.

So a few weeks ago the Enoch Magazine crew took Jay and his girlfriend to Nickel Nickel in Huntington Beach. For those of you who don’t know Nickel Nickel is an arcade where all the games cost a nickel or 2 (i.e. “nickel nickel”). Jay was so excited. Over the next 3 hours we played air hockey, won tickets and challenged each other on every game in the arcade. I knew the time spent would cause him to miss his shelter curfue, so that night we put both Jay and his girlfriend up in a hotel. His birthday celebration would continue as we ordered pizzas to the room and watched TV. The room also offered a fresh and the opportunity to sleep in, (which is extremely rare the homeless world).

The last few weeks Jay and his girlfriend had been living in the shelter. Each day, around 3pm, they wait in line for a bus, where by they are picked up, given a bed, dinner, and then returned to the street the following morning at 5 am. Jay says the shelter smells like body odor and piss. A good night’s sleep is nearby impossible with all the homeless fighting, yelling and trying to steal your stuff. Try to imagine the daily struggles Jay faces: sleeping on the streets for weeks, fighting for placement in shelters, waking up with an empty stomach and no money. To make a difference in lives of the homeless you must invest. People must see the homeless as real people that God created individually. They come from families, they have personalities and they have dreams. And yes, in many cases, the homeless tend to have addiction issues or mental issues; maybe they haven’t been given a fair chance like you and I. But the next time you see a homeless person, remind yourself that you are the hands and feet of Christ. Bless them with a hug. Learn their name. Jesus always tended to the true needs of a person. The next time God puts a homeless person in your path, I encourage you to seek out the true needs of that person. Take a step of real faith, use discernment and step into the world of serving others. Christ calls us in Luke 9:23 “to take up his cross daily” and live like him. If you can’t love the homeless like you love your family then maybe you need to remember that we are all part of the family of God.

The lyrics of Alkaline Trio have always drawn me to their music. I remember when Alkaline Trio first started in 1996. Since then, I have followed their career, embraced every release, and fallen in love with their unique sound, dark lyrics, and overall energy live.

The first track off their new release “This Addiction” (which is also the title) reminds me of their earlier releases. The song tells the struggle of a failed relationship that one person is strongly addicted to. It’s a powerful punk rock song, and musically shows that Alkaline Trio can still deliver the best after all these years. This cd is the first album released on their own label Heart and Skull, which is partnered up with Epitaph Records. Lyrically, every Alkaline Trio song tells a story that leaves me wondering where the lyric inspiration came from. The song “The American Scream’ has every classic Alkaline Trio element. It’s based on a news story Matt Skiba, the singer and guitar player, read about a Vietnam Veteran committing suicide on his mother’s grave. Although sad, it paints an honest story of the pain and struggle that so many soldiers face after spending time serving our country in war.

Track 4, “Dead on The Floor” starts with a reminiscent sound of their earlier release, Maybe I’ll catch Fire. The guitar driven intro and duel vocal chorus is catchy, perfect, and leaves me wanting to listen to their entire discography. On “Off the Map,” I love the lyrics: “I retire to my chair, I grab my new guitar but I can’t make it sound, you could hear poisonous dreams jumping all around”. When Matt sings “I can’t roll roll roll my boat back to shore” the background vocals of Dan Andriano bring a chill to your spine. Its just sung so innocently and perfect. Alkaline Trio may have the best combination of singers for a 3 piece band.“Draculina” starts off with an Alice in Wonderland Reference that is brought about with a keyboard intro that builds into a complex array of musical arrangement that should bring these boys to the top of the charts.

Overall this may be the best Alkaline Trio record to date. The overall lyrics paint strong stories of life and struggle. They leave you feeling the pain and strife so many Americans face on a daily basis. The recording quality and arrangement is flawless. If you haven’t heard of these guys yet than this album is a great way to become introduced. With so many terrible releases being thrown at us today, Alkaline Trio is sure to come out on top with This Addiction. Pick it up at your local record store and don’t hesitate to catch them live on tour this spring.

No Use For a Name has been one of my favorite Punk Bands for many years. They were the first band that Enoch Magazine launched their live performance and interview videos with in Kansas City. It was at that show almost 2 years ago that Tony Sly, the singer of No Use For a Name, first told me that he was working on some acoustic stuff as a side project. Now, that project is completed and available for our listening pleasure

“12 Song Program” is very mellow and serious record. Tony Sly has really opened up a side of him we’ve never seem before on any No Use For a Name album. AS i unwrapped the Cd, the first thing I noticed was the lyrics book. It features Tony’s original handwritten lyrics from his personal notebook.Very Cool. It even shows where he has scratched out lines and changed his mind.

Track 1, “ Capo 4th Fret“ opens with one guitar, simple lyrics, and a story about using vices to get by. It relates playing guitar and forgetting lyrics to a baby that just learns to speak. You can easily pick up similarities from the songwriting that made No Use For A Name the band they are today. I already love that the music is simple and stripped down to reveal Tony Sly in a new and completely vulnerable way. ‘The Shortest Pier” is a definite stand out track on the album. The vocals carry the track completely and the guitar is a soft background piece of the puzzle that makes this song both simple and complex.

“Allready Won” seems like it could have been a left over No Use For a Name song. I could easily see this song played faster and turned into a Punk Rock Masterpiece. It brings an upbeat vibe to an overall mellow record. Track 11 “Fireball” is pure musical genius and my favorite song on the record. The song is mellow and melodic and shows the powerful song writing ability that has made Tony Sly one of my favorite musicians. The verses are soft enough to make you listen closely and the powerful chorus conveys a strong message from the heart. If Tony Sly ended his musical career today, this song could easily define his God given talent for generations to come.

With overall influences from Bob Dylan and David Bowie this album relaxes the soul and leaves the listener feeling a sense of Euphoria. It seems to really paint a picture of a mature Tony Sly that we have slowly seen creeping out on the last few No Use For a Name records. If you love Tony Sly’s lyrics and voice than make sure to find a place for “12 song program” in your record collection. As I once heard a wise man say “Even Punk Rocker’s Mellow Out”.

Watch the live performance and interview videos we did with No Use For a Name in Kansas City

No Use For a Name episodes 1-3

Aaron Sprinkle has produced so many great records through the years. He’s been in the music business for a long time - plays every instrument except drums, and produces bands for Tooth and Nail Records. When I had the chance to review Disappearing World by his new band “Fair,” I was ready for stellar production, catchy choruses and overall musical talent. What I received from this latest release was all that and more.

At the 1:34 mark in “Disappearing,” the music is simply wonderful. I feel the heartfelt lyrics coming to life as Aaron was belting out “His intentions were not as clear as they could be, whose reflection was not made to look like me.” The ending of this track reminds me of a well thought out daydream; It’s beautiful. “One Last Time” is my favorite track on Disappearing World. It’s a blend of Jimmy Eat World meets Sherwood. I can’t get it out of my head and it’s the perfect track to buy off of Itunes if you want to sample Fair.

“The Worst of your Wear” shares a similar sound to the earlier work of Mae. It’s an acoustic guitar driven song with piano and keyboards coming in and out to fill the sound. I usually listen to the lyrics but the arrangement was so powerful I found myself not even sure what the song was about. The music was captivating. Track 10, titled “Anymore” is a piano ballad that even Elton John would be proud of. Its simplicity brings it to a place so serene I could fall into a peaceful sleep while listening to it. At 2:48 the drums kick in and the song is in full effect; I love it. I actually feel like I’m watching a musical as I listen to this song. High School Musical watch out.

I have so much Punk Rock in my music collection, so this Cd is a perfect opportunity for me to take a break from fast drums and blazing guitars. This album gets the “Enoch Stamp of Approval” and is a treat for all music lovers. The production couldn’t get any better. The arrangements are fresh and it’s just not the ordinary stuff we hear everyday. Well done Aaron!

Imagine living in a city with the most prestigious colleges in the world, where people travel to from all over. Imagine living in a city where public school graduates have less than 10 percent chance of attending college. A city where there are numerous neighborhoods made up of multi-million dollar homes, while just three miles away, the majority of residents fall below the poverty line. Imagine living in a city where people commute to every day to go to their high paying jobs or their ivy league colleges. A city where there are more homeless people than beds in the homeless shelters. Imagine living in a city with thousands of college students. A city where gangs, violence, and drug addiction are rampant. Well this is where I live; It is better known as Boston.

I moved here three years ago for school. The first month I was here, I secured a work study job working at a preschool in Roxbury, the part of the city were folks were not living in those kazillion dollar homes. It was here that I first witnessed the great division within Boston. I would ride the bus just twenty minutes and be met by children who would come to school hungry and in the same clothes as the day before. Children who had parents who were unable to read to them. Kids who would tell us about the gun shots they heard the night before. Kids who didn’t know their dads. Children of high school students. Kids who got sick but couldn’t afford to go to the doctors. I remember the first day I got there, the children rubbed my milky skin and held their arms up to mine. It took me a few seconds to realize, but they seemed fascinated with my difference in complexion.

After doing some research, I discovered this is not uncommon for Boston. There are “white” neighborhoods like West Roxbury, made up of mostly educated, well to do folks. Then, there are “black” neighborhoods like Roxbury and Mattapan, where less than half the kids graduate high school, and less than ten percent will enroll in college. Sad when you think about it, seeing as over 300 thousand people move to this very city every year to attend college.

Boston’s colleges and universities have a major impact on the city and region’s economy, with students contributing over four billion dollars annually to the city’s economy. These facts prompted a series of questions. What if when students did more than just boost the economy? What if we “loved our neighbors as ourselves?” Perhaps students like myself have an even greater opportunity to show the residents of Boston who Jesus is by modeling His teachings! What if college students teamed up, both young and old, and worked together to see lives and communities transformed. They could be a part of something bigger: changing the lives of local residents, as well as their own.

This is where the vision for C.R.E.A.T.E. was born. I was concerned that while I was paying well over 30 grand a year for college, there were people in my neighborhood hungry, cold, homeless, neglected, and abused. What resources did they have to succeed? After some prayer, serious Bible reading and seeking advice from people much wiser and older than myself, I saw a path before me. The only way things in Boston could ever change for the better is if a bridge was built between communities. Boston has been historically separated. The privileged and educated must use their gifts and skills to serve the underprivileged and the marginalized. We must move into these neighborhoods, to stay and to integrate ourselves into the daily grind. Rather than pushing out the locals, we go to them….stay, and love.

The plan is to buy a house in Mattapan, a 2.8 square mile section in southern Boston. In fact, we have already fallen in love with a house. Although it has been empty for well over ten years now, the house is beautiful, and it’s located across the street from one of the largest housing developments in Boston. We want to buy this house, fix it up and immediately start to love the poor and the orphaned the way that Jesus has loved us. There’s a whole bunch of practical stuff to do for our neighbors, like GED tutoring, financial planning courses, free child care, and some other services that leaders in the neighborhood told us would be helpful. But more than that, we want to form relationships. We want to invite our neighbors over for dinner, we want to learn about them, we want to learn from them, and hopefully in the process, we can share the love of Christ with them.

Are there any Christians in Boston? I want to invite you to be a part of this. Give up a few years, (heck, maybe your whole life), to living simply in this intentional community so that together we can love with no limits. We have a vision of something bigger than ourselves. A vision of growth, emerging leaders and equipping more people to go out and do the same thing in other neighborhoods of Boston, New England, America, and the world. The most exciting part here is that you can be a part of this. And if spending the next few years living in Mattapan isn’t for you, we also need lots of prayer, a website, handy people to fix up our future home, and fifty-thousand dollars. That could be only $1,000 from 50 families or individuals that agree with my plea. For more details on how you can get involved, please email us as CREATEboston@gmail.com.

You will be hearing a lot more from us over here in Boston. Thank you Enoch Magazine for helping us get the word out. We look forward to all of you being a part of this journey.

Motion City Soundtrack is at it again with a splendid release. It’s full of catchy lyrics and guitar lines that pave the way for 2010 to be a great year for music. With Every Motion City Soundtrack release they are getting better and better at what they do.

The first track “Worker Bee” features the vocal lines that made me fall in love with these guys in the first place. My favorite track is “A Lifeless Ordinary” and it definitely deserves some airplay. I love the opening lyrics “I didn’t think I would make it, I thought everybody was against me. All those conquered eyes and Christmas’ alone.” They instantly make me wonder what the rest of the song is about. As I look into the lyrics it seems to be simply a song about needing some help to get through the challenges of life. Right before the 2nd verse starts the guitars carry the vocal line until the vocals come in and it’s a change from the usual songwriting we see so often today. “Her Words” has the typical story telling that’s present in every Motion City Soundtrack Song. Justin Pierre’s lyric’s have always been so honest and seem to open up his life to our ears on every album. The lyrics of this track involve Speaking Japanese, quitting smoking weed, Dinosaurs , selling an xbox, and shaving off a beard. Could you pack more creativity in three minutes and thirty nine seconds. The album closes with the song “Weakends.” It’s a strong closer and starts off with a melodic buildup. Every time I finish this album I am instantly craving more. Hopefully this will be the year where Motion City Soundtrack becomes a household name.

“My Dinosaur Life” is 12 tracks of pure magic produced by Mark Hoppus of Blink 182. I am impressed that Motion City Soundtrack can continue to put out great albums. If their coming to your city then pony up a few bucks and check out a show you won’t regret. This is the best release I’ve heard this year.

As our enoch team is nestled away in the comforts of Skid Row Los Angeles, I got curious and opened one of our record label emails. In it, I found a promo package for this 3 song EP by a band named The Quite Revolution (TQR). They are from Israel and describe themselves as a singer songwriter folk band. In fact it’s a little more complicated than that; the email promo read as follows: ” They are a singer songwriter folk band. Think of them as if Elliott Smith meets Janis Ian; darkness meets light; simplicity meets complexity; sci-fi /fantasy inspired lyrics meet melancholic bitter-sweet melodies.” “Wow,” I thought, “I know like 5 personal friends that are singer song writers and they’re all sci-fi /fantasy inspired…So, who cares?”

So then why am I writing this review, you ask?… One reason, or rather one song, entitled: “Parallel Me.” The whole “melancholic bitter-sweet” build-up was just too much to pass up. I was sure this EP would suck, but I had to prove it. I previewed the audio tracks, and yes, 2 of their songs were useless to me, (to be fair, the genre is just too far from what I’m in to). But the third track, “Parallel Me” was impossible to ignore. As I listed to this amazing piano ballad featuring Hadar Green, I new it would be a crime not give this artist/song it’s deserved credit. Although singer song writer piano songs are not my passion, I somehow still appreciated this song’s melody. It was familiar yet surprising. By this, I mean the vocal melodies and chords are so well orchestrated, you feel like you’ve heard the song before. But once you think you know where the melodies are going, they take a turn for the better. They veer down a more unique and creative path. This song is great, and worth checking out. I don’t want to build it up too much, (i.e. my own “simplicity meets complexity” pitch), because it’s not THAT epic…but I think that’s the point. There’s something extra special about a song that is written and executed well, but still comes across as timid and simplistic. Anyway, I’m enjoying it.

Skid Row is home to thousands of homeless in Los Angeles. Along with the homeless, there are many drug dealers, prostitutes, and violent people. But they are still people. Enoch Magazine documents a group of Christians that spend the night in Skid Row.

Once again, I have been given the opportunity to interview someone from a band I grew up with. He goes by the name of Tony Byroads, he was originally from the band Crossfade. In this interview tony tells about his old life and his new life, and new band The Undivided. Tony is an awesome dude, let this be a testimony to the never ending love God has for us.

Check out the Undivided on Myspace

Enoch Magazine ) Tony, I was reading through your bio, and it mentioned that you went in and out of foster homes. Can you talk about what that was like? And has that shaped you a person?

Tony ) Well, at age 6 I had been taken to a boys home. This was after a lot of things had happened to me. I had been hit by a car that almost killed me, had boiling water poured on my skin, hot forks purposely put on me and melt my skin, I’d been thrown across the room and my skull cracked open… this is just a few. My mom had dropped me off there and said she was coming back to get me, well… she never came back. I spent most of my time thinking she was coming back and just waiting and looking out a window. It’s amazing what solid truth a child thinks the words of his parents are. Kind of like believing in Santa and the Easter bunny I guess.

The boys home was called Baker Hall, it was in Lackawanna, NY. We had house parents who took care of the kids and eventually if we were adopted by foster parents got to go live with them and their family. I went in and out of several foster homes and lived with a few different families. Some were ok but some not so good either, I had been beaten almost to death by one lady for losing my retainer. But, I moved around like this until I was 18 and then let go to be on my own. It did make an impact on who I am today. Really, your growing years as a child ends up teaching you so much, I don’t think many people realize how much of an impact those learning years have. It forms so much about a person and their personality that will carry forward into their adult years. Luckily there were also counselors at the home that helped with dealing with what went on mentally afterwards. I think they helped a lot, I could have ended up thinking that was all normal and okay. My nature is to be a people pleaser. I think that came from early years. There was always that fear that I’d be beat or tortured somehow if I wasn’t. I am however very passionate about wanting to help with others that have suffered abuse. I can’t stand to see guys hit women. It takes me back to things I experienced as a child and just really hate seeing anyone treated badly.

Enoch Magazine ) Were you raised in a Christian home? And if so has faith in God always stuck with you?

Tony ) Well Baker Hall was run by the Basilica in Lackawanna, NY which is a catholic church. All the kids attended the Basilica on Sundays. It was like you had to do it, it wasn’t something that stayed with me though, you know? None of the foster homes I had gone to were Christian homes, none of them were a believing home in any way. Really, it wasn’t until I came out of the home and was told to go be on my own did I realize that God was more real than I gave him credit for. I had tried to get to my moms house on the bus with a couple bucks I had, and when I got there she peeked out the door and said “what are you doing here? You can’t stay here!” so I ended up spending the night sleeping in a goodwill box in Buffalo in the middle of February. I thank God I didn’t die of freezing to death!

I ended up coming to a restaurant looking for food and warmth and crazy enough my uncle just so happened to be sitting there. He ended up taking me to my Aunts house and she in turn drug me to a revival at her church…you cant tell me God wasn’t working in all of this. At the revival, there was this preacher, well a traveling evangelist. His name was Ed Hollingsworth. He came up to me and said he’d been praying and knew I had been going through some troubles and asked if I would want to go with him to South Carolina where a family would give me room and board and a job. That’s kind of where I realized God was there. When I moved in with the family, they were a Christian home, they would go to church every Sunday, and expected me to go also, so it grew me a little from there. It’s like God was there the whole time and at this moment tapping me on the shoulder saying “Hello, I’m here.” But at that point I think it was still something that didn’t sink in completely.

Enoch Magazine ) When the driver of the tour bus said to you: “This isn’t where God wants you” it seemed as though a light bulb just went off in your head. What was it like telling the rest of the Crossfade members that you needed to exit the band? How did they respond?

Tony ) I should probably give some background first, there was a lot of turmoil going on in the band already when I had left. I had been with the band for years before we were signed to Columbia Records. I had actually found the band while I was living with that family in South Carolina. The rest of the guys from Crossfade and I were all really cool with each other, great friends. Actually Ed and I spent a lot of time together goofing off and hanging out, he was a really sweet guy, Id say, my best friend.

It takes time for things to start up rolling when you get signed, so amidst the label doing what they needed to, there were some unfortunate personal things happening in Ed’s life and he and I ended up hanging out even more. We started touring and the band had jumped to being one of the biggest groups and headlining our own tour in like a year, I think it went to everyone’s heads. You know, that Nickelback song, I wanna be a rockstar? Well , its all true stuff. I started seeing the rest of the band, the roadies and managers, all of them, get caught up in some things they shouldn’t have. Ed and I almost got into a few fist fights, things between everyone just started unraveling. I ended up distancing myself from them sometimes because of my choosing, sometimes by theirs. We would get to a town where we’d be playing that night and Id just take off walking. I got to where I was kind of there in body, but that was it. I was there for the show and then I’d be back on the bus in my bunk or out walking by myself.

Luckily, I met the love of my life while on tour and in the middle of all this and while everyone would be out partying and doing whatever, Id be on the phone with her. She got to hear all my frustrations, but basically she was that shoulder I needed. I was that kind of person where if you told me something and it was a lie, I’ believe it, no questions asked. I couldn’t catch it when people would roll their eyes or blow me off. She started telling me to watch for more detail. That’s when the bus driver, who are never on the bus after shows, caught me on the bus one night. He said he’d been praying for me and that God told him this isn’t where I was supposed to be. So, yea, it was kind of like a light bulb. I started putting it all together and watching, and praying. I asked God if he’d just give me a sign. He did, and I knew I had to leave.

At this point, the rest of the guys and I weren’t really speaking to each other at all. So, I came to the show at the time we were supposed to go on, played the set, and when the show was over, the guys walked their way, and I walked mine, I just didn’t show up to the next show. They didn’t respond, they didn’t call, anything. But I can say that after leaving, it was like a huge feeling of relief. I did find out in a few media posts later on that they stated I left to get married. I guess they were trying to keep everything cool.

Enoch Magazine ) So, you have a new band now, called The Undivided. What the process like finding people to join in on the new band?

Tony ) Well it’s been both easy and tough, you want the magic of talented musicians that makes the music great, but at the same time you have to find someone that wants to ultimately put in their efforts and time for the same reasons. As you can see from pictures the bands changed a little, we have new members, but we are good now. I don’t think some are cut out for all the things it takes to really dedicate to being a full time musician. It takes a lot of work. I’m really happy with what we’ve got going on right now and I think that’s the across the board with all of us. It has been an eye opener coming across all sorts of people, it’s been interesting.

Enoch Magazine ) Have you always felt drawn to creating music?

Tony ) Always. When I was in Baker Hall, they had a choir director that taught me how to use my voice, I just immersed myself in it. That’s how I dealt with all the pain from my childhood. That was my comfort blanket, I could just get lost in it. Of course it’s just a part of me now, that’s who I am.

Enoch Magazine ) I like the sound of The Undivided man, it kinda sound like trapt with a small dose of MudVayne all in one. What has been the response from people at live shows?

Tony ) Thanks man. The response has just been awesome! We’ve gotten a lot of really nice compliments and requests back. From where we’ve started from earlier last year though, I think we were still finding out what we wanted the sound to be like. We had a lot of creativeness and ideas on the table; there was a lot of experimenting going on. The full length that we are working on now will be a little different. I just hope we get the same response. We’re really trying to focus on how we want to say what we’ve got inside and mix it with a great sound. It’ll still be rockin’ but just a bit more alternative rock than aggressive/metal.

Enoch Magazine ) What bands are you listening to now ah days man?

Tony ) Actually, a lot of country. I love to warm my voice up with it. They do a lot of loops that are great and it strengthens the voice. But the radio station gets switched around all the time.

Enoch Magazine ) What would you say to someone who felt like they didn’t belong or felt welcomed in the Church?

Tony ) I have honestly been through a lot of that myself. It wasn’t easy trying to get serious about my relationship with God. You know when I first started really trying to put effort into it, I smoked, I cursed, I had bad habits. I came across some people in the church that when they saw those things. They said I wasn’t a true Christian or wasn’t Christian enough to be associated with them. What’s worse is they used bits and pieces of scripture to justify themselves in telling me off. How is one supposed to be perfect in the beginning? It’s not like poof! You wake up and all of a sudden you’re perfect. It takes time, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get to the perfect mark, but that’s why we’re all working on ourselves right?

That’s where being kind and loving other people comes in. You never know where a person is at in their life. Never assume anything about anyone. I had been told I had too many tattoos, I needed to wear a suit and take off my hat, then cover up the tattoos, take out my earrings, one time I even had a guy, that heard of my background in Crossfade, said that I was a rockstar so I didn’t need to be at church. He didn’t know me. But people don’t realize, comments and things like that don’t show the love of God. Isn’t that what it’s about? You don’t have to be perfect, God takes you as you are, and, He will use you where you’re at! It’s hard to want to keep pursuing anything after going through things like that.

The hardest part of it is – Don’t quit. It’s not about what others say or do or think. The real heart of the matter is about your own relationship with God. Talk to God. Whether it’s in your car, in the shower, He is that invisible person with you everywhere you go, but He IS there. Try to attend church even when you don’t feel like it. Yes, sometimes it is easier to say well I don’t go to church because…. but in the bible it says you should. It will grow you and mature you. You will end up being the bigger person and walk amongst all of them with your head high for all the right reasons and all that stuff will end up bothering you less and less.

That goes along with the don’t quit part. If you have to switch churches, okay, but try to eventually get your feet to stick in one place.. that’s when you see results. Otherwise, there are many people that can keep you away and the situations will keep coming. I would encourage people to read the bible. Sometimes it’s hard to find time to read but it’s really key to understanding better what God is saying. Don’t always take someone’s word for things, if you read it for yourself you will know if what others are saying is true or not. Let the Spirit work in everything you do… you can’t put God in a box, He’s always working in different ways, which is so cool. Scripture is there for a reason, but the Holy Spirit is doing the working. Don’t put limits on it. Mainly, don’t focus on people, just God.

Enoch Magazine ) Do you have any tattoos, if so what of?

Tony ) Yeah, a few. When I was with Crossfade we did a show with Dimebag and Vinny Paul and Vinny Paul pointed at this sun/lion sort of thing at the parlor and said “yea man get that one” so I did, Its on my forearm. I had Crossfade tattood on my other forearm when we first went out on tour, it’s in the middle of a cross with talons. I’ve got another on my shoulder that is from back in the boys home where we made our own tattoo gun, it’s of a wizard looking guy, but he’s faded a lot now. I’ve got a flame up the back of my right arm with Corissa (my wife’s name) in cursive inside of it. I kind of surprised her with that one.

Enoch Magazine ) What do you have planned for the new year?

Tony ) Hopefully a whole bunch, man. We’ve been writing like crazy and are trying to get it all recorded. So far we’ve booked a few festivals, and were really excited. We are playing at a huge motorcycle rally in Virginia along with Dokken and Great White and then we get to share the stage with The Newsboys in Alabama. We’re just taking things as they come. Thanks for talking with me.

I had the honor to talk with Ben Crist of The Glorious Unseen, it was awesome getting to see inside his mind an heart. He’s got a really big heart, and I hope you can see that through this interview. I’m proud to call Ben my brother from another monther. Enjoy.

Enoch Magazine ) With the success of your first album (Tonight the starks speak) where you ever afraid of writing the same songs over again?

Ben ) Yes, I actually was afraid of that - but that was mostly when I was sitting in my living room trying to write songs… Once we all got together as a band, and everyone started contributing ideas, things flowed much more easily… I started feeding off of the ideas the other guys were bringing, and it inspired me lyrically in ways which I had not previously written… So I’m looking forward to writing that way more next time around as well. I Want us to come up with unique and inspiring music - and that will in turn provide me with lyrical inspiration…

Enoch Magazine ) Yeah man, I can relate. I’m the same way with my own writing… You know with so many people regardless of age or gender struggle with legit sadness and or depression. How do you handle dealing with your own pains and struggles in this life?

Ben ) Well, I fall apart all too often… I think it’s a matter of surrounding myself with people who can encourage me.. Also, it’s a matter of going to God often - and with any circumstance… it’s a matter of trusting him no matter what the circumstance is.. I can find a lot of strength and hope in having a community of people around me.. People from my church, band, and other contacts I’ve made over the past few years have helped me through some very difficult circumstances.

Enoch Magazine ) What goes through your mind Ben, when you fall apart?

Ben ) Well - these days, since I’ve felt like I’ve fallen apart all too often… Usually I’ll just try to be done with whatever I’m doing for that day… When I have a really, really bad day - or really just fail at some area of my life… I usually quit being productive for that day. I just kinda “give up” on that day, and resolve to start fresh the next day… Usually when I “fall apart” I’m usually always dealing with a lack of sleep… Somehow those 2 go hand in hand for me… So I’ll just try to say a prayer asking God for help and try to just go to bed… Resolve to start fresh in the morning, and keep my mind in the right place… it all comes down to controlling the mind so often.. It’s easy to just be lazy with my mind and let it go wherever it wants to. it’s important to try to think about productive and encouraging things…

Enoch Magazine ) Yeah, I think a lot of people can relate to that. I’ve listened to both your albums at least three times a day, everyday. And I’ve read that there are some people who enjoy the music that The Glorious Unseen puts out, but are still unsure if there really is a God. How would you respond to that?

Ben ) 3 times a day every day???!!! wow… Yeah I know that even people who are not really “church going christians” enjoy our music… I love hearing about this, I had never set out to write songs “for the church”. I have always tried to write honest lyrics, that deal with questions I deal with on a daily basis… There’s so much that is impossible to even understand about God.. I feel like a lot of christian music and worship music lyrics don’t include a lot of questions that we may have… It’s like no one wants to appear uneducated - or they don’t want it to seem like they don’t know as much about God as they should - so everyone just writes really surfacy lyrics… Like regurgitating things we all learned in sunday school growing up… but it’s been my experience in the past few years - that I have learned more about God, but it has also raised more questions… So I wanted to sing about these things.. And yeah it connects with people who have also had questioning moments…

Enoch Magazine ) Yeah man, I’m not joking, I’ve become addicted to the music. What do you think Heaven will be like?

Ben ) Honestly - I have no idea… Although if God’s way of doing things on earth is only a small portion of what we will see in heaven, I imagine it to be an incredibly joyful experience… And we’ll all be rid of any imperfections…

Enoch Magazine ) The song “Wrapped up in you” is a personal favorite of mine. Two things: How in the world do you get such beautiful guitar tones? And would you say that that song is about craving eternity?

Ben ) I gotta give the credit for the guitar tones to Marc Byrd… He co-produced that record with Steve Hindalong, and they worked hard at getting SICK tones… We worked with many different pedals and several different amps… Yeah - the song does translate well as “craving eternity”… I’m not sure if I was actually thinking that when writing it, I was more just writing in terms of asking God to take me to the place where he is - more referring to somewhere on earth where I could be with him and release my burdens…

Enoch Magazine ) As of late I’ve been doing a lot of research of the impact on Physichal touch or the lack there of. I guess what I’m asking is how that translates in your life? Do you see a lot of kids on a nightly basis that really just need a warm hug? And what do you think of the ramifications of not receiving affection from anyone?

Ben ) As of late I’ve been doing a lot of research of the impact on Physical touch or the lack there of. I guess what I’m asking is how that translates in your life? Do you see a lot of kids on a nightly basis that really just need a warm hug? And what do you think of the ramifications of not receiving affection from anyone?

Enoch Magazine ) Yeah, I just think it’s so sad that so many people now a days are so un-known to something as touch. What are your thoughts on homelessness? Do you run into a lot of it?

Ben ) I come in contact with homelessness every day - living in downtown Nashville. I can say this - I WANT to help the poor and homeless. I WANT to serve the poor and homeless. The question is - is giving a homeless person $2 on the street helping them? That’s where the debate comes in… If I knew a LEGITIMATE way that I could serve in helping the poor and homeless, I would do it. But there’s just so many scam artists out there on the streets that so often I don’t know whether I’m helping anyone by giving some dude a dollar… So this is a good thing to research and find LEGIT ways of helping..

Enoch Magazine ) Yeah there’s like an entire debate going on whether it’s either good or bad to give a homeless person money. Most times people just throw money down at a person, and then go on with their day. It’s sad.. So, tell me.. What is your vision for The Glorious Unseen?

Ben ) The vision for the Glorious Unseen is to make really honest music that connects with people - and at the end of the day, draws them into a spiritual place. We want people to be drawn into either deep worship, or a place of internal contemplation. It’s not really about putting on a “show” for us, it’s more about “joining” with the audience, and to all have a spiritual experience. I believe God speaks through many different formats - music - art - beauty in creation. We want to create music that would cause people to look towards a heavenly beauty - towards a creator. Whenever I experience beauty on earth, I feel as if I’m seeing a reflection of the heavens. I want people to experience that through our music.

Enoch Magazine ) Well my friend, it’s been amazing talking with you. Thank you so much for taking time to have this conversation. Is there any thoughts you’d like to leave our readers or fans with?

Ben ) My latest thoughts on life are just to keep fighting in the midst of difficult circumstances in life. Hang on to your relationships, love people. Be faithful in working at whatever God gives you to do - be responsible with your time. In other words, don’t sit around all day playing video games, and then complain about how your life sucks. Go out and engage your culture, your community. Find inspiration in the people and places around you. There is beauty and inspiration to be found on this earth, we just have to have the mind to see it. if we’re totally wrapped up in our own self-defeat, we can’t love people around us, and we can’t be inspired by them.

Enoch Magazine meets up with Hawk Nelson at Club Nokia in Downtown Los Angeles. Hang with Jason Dunn, Daniel Biro and the Enoch crew as Hawk Nelson takes their new album, Live Life Loud, on the road. Hear the band’s stories from recording the new album, as well as their thoughts on homeless, getting involved and who Jesus is.

Also, read the PRINT INTERVIEW we did with Jason Dunn HERE»

As a fan of “real” hip hop, I should be flogged in front of the whole crew for not reviewing this album sooner. But as some of you may know, I’m in charge of all the videos for Enoch so my time is quite limited. Be that as it may, I’ve had the gem in my itunes for 2 months now, and literally each song on this album is phenomenal. Rocksteady by Jupiter 7 is everything someone like me is looking for in a Hip hop record.

Released in ‘09, this album comes from the San Francisco, Bay area. The beats are solid. They incorporate all the fundamentals that made hip hop not just a sound but a culture: Horns, heavy brass accompaniments, full drum samples w tone, funky bass riffs, vintage keyboards, classic breakbeats and yes, even harps. A lot of hip hop today ends up sounding like a beat that someone “emcees” over, but this album is different. Rocksteady’s beats and the rhymes equally respect each other, working to back up the lyrical flow. Nothing lags on the album and more importantly, nothing is rushed.

The track “Dedicated” is one of my favorites. It sounds like a heavy Beastie Boy beat mixed with a powerful Pharoahe Monch style brass melody. “Cops and Robbers” is another song that immediately caught my attention. It’s heavy bass line and hard crashing cymbals, aligns beautifully with it’s anthem-style chorus. “Move,” which is the video I’ve included below, is a faster, b-boy style joint. “Jive Talk” is the song that has the Harp samples in it, but it soon drops in with a breakbeat / raspy flute combo. Although completely different, this song is just as good and reminds me of Beastie Boy’s famous track “Flute Loop.” In “Get Down,” J7 overlays bossa nova, with a heavy rock drum beat. Then a amplified fuzz bass guitar and a backup woman’s vocal kicks in during the anthem chorus. Rocksteady reminds me of Dj Hurricane and what he was doing back in the day with all the best Beastie Boy albums.

This record pays careful attention to production, rendering each song to have a fully finished sound. In my opinion,this is something that doesn’t even happen with today’s so-called hip hop majors. However, due to my schedule and that fact that I only got a digital copy of this album emailed to me, I don’t know much about the artist Jupiter 7. According to mutual friends in Oakland, J7 is a Christian. His lyrics are smart and entertaining. He’ll gives props to the Creator(which I always love if it’s dont well), but no matter what topic he covers,his words deliver the voice of hip hop’s true culture. There’s even a track that scratches an old Bible story record in the “DJ Interlude” track. This is an album by a hip hop artist who loves God, not an album by an artist that loves God through hip hop….understand the difference? Jupiter’s actual voice sounds like a mix between Mos def House of Pain’s Everlast, which, how could I not love? I also enjoy his tendency to vary his vocal tone as he rhymes. The rhythmic dictation of J7’s flow also reminds me of Nas and Rakim. I feel like I can’t end this review properly unless I talk about each song in depth, but I gotta go to bed.

David Reasbeck is a good friend of Enoch Magazine. We traveled over to Scotland where he was serving as a Skateboard Missionary. Dave’s got a great spirit and he’s constantly traveling all over the world. This particular video was shot and edited by Daniel Libby. Please consider supporting Enoch Magazine with your monthly tithes, as we continue to connect filmers /editors like Dan Libby, with missionaries like David Reasbeck. Wouldn’t you love to be involved with producing testimonies like this!

If you were to look into my closet you would notice that my clothes are arranged by color. And if you were to add up the worth of all my jeans and it would round to be $1000. Throughout the past eighteen years, I have been blessed to not have to worry about much. Like other suburban families, we had two cars, a lawn service, and we always took part in the latest fads. My parents always taught me to be wise with my money and to tithe. As I was getting older, I was seeing things differently and becoming more aware of what it meant to be accepted by my peers. I found myself investing all my hard earned money into designers’ jeans, shirts, shoes, scarves, purses, jewelry; you name it, I had it.

As I was packing up all my stuff for college my mom encouraged me to donate some of my clothes. Looking down at the piles of clothes on my bedroom floor, I was overwhelmed by the amount of clothes I had horded over the past four years. I stretched four large suite cases to full capacity, and put my parents through the pain of transporting all my bags and boxes to college. I simply could not see myself going somewhere without these items I had. When I arrived at my new home, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and unpacked everything in my dorm room, I realized I couldn’t fit all of it in my room.

While I was adjusting to college life, I still found myself continuing to shop. Every weekend, I was finding reasons to go shopping for new clothes or jewelry or whatever. The girls on my floor were obsessed with the selection of things they could borrow from me. I was proud of the fact girls would come and envy all the things I had. My dorm room had become my own personal showcase, but little did I know that my prayers were going to change my perspective on life.

At the beginning of my freshman year, I prayed a dangerous prayer. I asked God for a heart that breaks for what breaks His heart. After that, I continued to pray that God would be my everything. I asked him what I needed to do in order to make him everything in my life. Everytime I prayed, unconsciously I was praying the same prayer. Desiring a heart after God’s heart became the central theme of my life at college.

One cold November day in the city I found myself at a coffee shop, broken and sad. Why was I feeling so hurt, tired and full of sadness? Is this what I asked for? Was this the heart of God when he looked down upon us and sees that we are not taking care of one another? More questions engulfed my thoughts as the days went by from the day at the coffee shop. Many of my friends asked me if everything was okay and if there was anything they could pray for me about. The sadness not only took over my heart and mind but also physically tore at my being. Was this what I really asked for from God?

My heart began to change and be softened. I realized through all of this, I had developed a compassion and love for the homeless. God was moving in my life differently than he ever had before. Could it be that God was going to use me in the mission field? Having no experience in that area, I didn’t see how it would be possible. I had never really been outside my own comfort zone.

God began to challenge me and reminded me of my prayers in the weeks to come. Soon, I began to notice my very comfortable life. I realized that the reason for my tiredness was due to me constantly hearing about how “my” generation is suppose to do something great for God… but we weren’t doing anything. If God asked us to go to the ends of the earth to spread his gospel, then why is it so hard for us to reach the homeless in the cities around us in our own country? The clock is ticking and we are running out of time. I want to do something so radical for God’s glory that the church would wake up and see that God is still alive and we still have a mission to carry out.

Now was the time for me to literally clean out my closet to make room for what God wants me to do in my life. God asked me to change the way I lived, so I went from comfortable to uncomfortable. I decided to have a “dorm sale” in my dorm room. I sold as much as I could. After the one-day sale, I still had a large amount of stuff left over. I could not handle looking at it, so I ended up just telling a bunch of girls to go through my stuff and take whatever they wanted. People asked me if it would be strange to see other girls wearing my stuff around school? I said, “No, it would not matter at all to me.” God gave me such a huge peace about selling and handing my stuff out for free. Getting rid of all the materialistic things in my life to make room for what God has in store for my life.

Each step I take, I am getting closer to what God desires me to do. Although He may ask me to do things that are not normal and make me feel uncomfortable, I will step in faith toward for his calling on my life. My heart’s prayer is to have a heart after God’s and to make him everything in my life. I want to be undignified. If everything in my life was taken away, I want to be able to depend on God alone. I want to make others around me uncomfortable by the way I carry myself in God’s glory. To my generation I say, “Wake up! Do something radical for God! Mobilize our generation to do something about the homeless in our country and in other countries around the world. What are you waiting for? Go.” Give up the securities in your life and fully rely on faith and God alone. Evaluate your life and what takes the place of God in your life. Clean out your “closet” and make room for the tools God will equip you with. Let go of your flesh, let God take control and… go.

Enoch Magazine ) As far as instruments go, are you guys constantly staying up to date on new products and models, or do find yourselves staying with one guitar or drum kit that you just love. Cause I imagine you can get new equipment whenever you want right?

Tim ) New recording and music technology is always exciting and interesting, sometimes even a little overwhelming, the options are endless it seems. Finding that middle ground between a super cool new plug-in, a micro-synth pedal, a drum sequencing program, whatever it is; and some good old fashioned creative thought is the most fun. I enjoy re-imagining a guitar solo with a Moog, or making a violin quartet out of a light generated noise machine. I wouldn’t call us total new gadget geeks, but we enjoy finding new and old noise making machines that can be controlled to make music. I will say though, there are times when all I want to write with is my Silvertone acoustic guitar that I bought right after college for fifty bucks at the thrift store, some pots and pans for a beat, and a four track. So I guess, I like it all.

Enoch Magazine ) When we heard we had the chance to interview you, we asked people what was unique about “Ok Go?” and most people said “they have amazing videos”. Even your press release calls note to this, something like 170 MILLION video views!!? As musicians, is this cool or frustrating (sometimes having your videos mentioned before your music).

Tim ) The music industry is in disarray. The old major label model is slowly crumbling, and all of a sudden the definition of what it means to be a band is being redefined. Not only do we make records and tour, but we also get to direct our own videos, write for magazines, act in films, help raise money for displaced musicians who lost their homes in New Orleans, feed the homeless, get involved in politics, produce plays. Music is a huge part of what we do, and enjoy; because of it we’ve gotten to do so many other great things. If people come to hear the music because of the video then great. If they continue to keep coming back for more, well then even better.

Enoch Magazine ) Your famous treadmill video. I imagine that would get tons of views on youtube whether you were a band or not. Was that production a calculated decision given the viral climate created by Youtube?

Tim ) We aren’t marketers, we just like to make stuff that we hope people will like. We thought after the accidental success of the backyard dance video for A Million Ways, it would be a fun gift to our fans to make another video, but ratchet up the level of absurdity. We really didn’t think anyone but our fans would see the Here it Goes Again video. It was a great surprise to see the treadmill video catch fire the way that it did. We never could have guessed or imagined the kind of success that video enjoyed. You can’t plan these types of things really, I wish we could, but we can’t. We just hope to make things that will light people up.

Enoch Magazine ) Ok, this is the biggest “loaded” question in the world, but it’s a new issue I’m wrestling with and I’d like to hear your thoughts: Our magazine spends most of it’s time documenting ministries around the country. We also live and work with the homeless in Skid Row LA. At one time…doing stuff like this… it was very acceptable or common to say “I’m doing this to create awareness,” (much like a photographer will take beautiful portraits of homeless and post them on flickr). But now with the internet, awareness is no longer the problem. At what point would you say “creating awareness” is no longer needed and instead, direct action and the restructuring of our time and priorities is what is needed to combat injustice, the poor and the oppressed?

Tim ) Well, that’s a good question. The internet has not only been an amazing way to create awareness, but also an great tool for rallying people together to actively go out and make a difference. For example, a few months ago, we reached out to our online fan base in Chicago to help feed the homeless. We got 25 volunteers to make 15 burritos a piece, and then we walked around the city passing them out to the homeless. Creating awareness will always be needed, but it’s great when you can connect it with an activity that can make a small or big difference, and hopefully do a little leading by example.

Enoch Magazine ) Most of us at Enoch Magazine are Christian. So we believe in Jesus and try to study the Bible, etc. Is there a topic or aspect to Christianity that you’ve always thought seemed weird or lame? And flip side, is there an aspect to “Jesus” that you like or respect?

Tim ) I’m not very religious myself, but I believe in the expression to each his/her own.

Enoch Magazine ) Growing up, what jobs did your parents have? And did those occupations lend themselves to any funny or unique situations that you’ll always remember?

Tim ) My father was a tax attorney, and a fairly conservative fiscal Republican. My mother was a weaver, and a totally liberal Democrat. No, I’m not pitching you an idea for a sit com, this was my life. It was kind of incredible to grow up in a household so politically divided, but as a family unit we somehow kept it together. It led to a lot of comical debates, and comedy in general. I’m here to tell you it is possible for both Republicans and Democrats to like Benny Goodman, mid century modern Danish furniture, The Boston Red Sox, and Mel Brooks, that much I know they agreed on.

Enoch Magazine ) I read that you guys testified before Congress and then played in the Senate Chambers. That seems like a very unique opportunity. What exactly were you testifying about and how did it come about that you played for the Senate.

Tim ) Damian was asked to speak before the House Judiciary Committee on the importance of net neutrality to the music community. Basically, Internet Service Providers want to charge content providers for the faster loading of their sites. Those who couldn’t afford to pay this toll would be stuck waiting for sites to load, if they’d load at all. Of course much of our bands success last album was due to the fact that everyone (relatively speaking) had access to, and could watch our video online. Many bands benefit from the fact that anyone with an internet connection can find them online and listen to their music. If Internet Service Providers starting charging for this privilege, only those who can afford to pay will benefit. During Damian’s trip to DC he was asked to play in the Senate Chambers, and so what was he gonna say, “No? When the Senate asks you to bring the rock, you bring the rock.

Enoch Magazine ) Hurricane Katrina hit a lot of people hard. Where did your passion to raise money for Al Johnson to buy a house come from. Are you guys big fans?

Tim ) We are big fans of Al “Carnival Time” Johnson. Music is such a rich tradition in New Orleans. So many musicians and cultural bearers in New Orleans lost their homes due to Hurricane Katrina and the civil engineering mistakes that caused the levies to break and flood the lower 9th ward. We work with two political organizations called Air Traffic Control and The Future of Music Coalition who for several years now have been taking musicians down to New Orleans to not only discuss political issues that affect the music community, but also to create awareness and remember the tragedy in New Orleans. We were fortunate enough to have been invited down to NOLA to tour many of the still devastated communities, and to try and help however we can. We made an EP with a New Orleans based horn rock orchestra called Bonerama. All proceeds go to help bringing home displaced musicians who want to get back to New Orleans. One of the songs on the EP, a cover of Bob Dylan’s I Shall Be Released features Al Johnson. I am happy to report we were able to raise enough money to get Al Johnson a new home in the Musician’s Village, NOLA.

Enoch Magazine ) With such a big fan following you guys really have a chance to make a difference. What are some organizations that you help out or are really passionate about their causes?

Tim ) A few organizations we work with are:

Air Traffic Control who help connect the music community to social action. They work with interested musicians on a myriad of different issues such as humanitarian relief, energy and the environment, human rights, health care…The list goes on.

Find out more about Air Traffic Contro
.

Inspiration Corporation who help people affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives. They helped us put together our burrito project in Chicago.

Find out more about Inspiration Corporation

Future of Music Coalition is a national non for profit organization that works to insure a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want. The Future Of Music Coalition helped us put together our benefit EP for musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina. They are a wonderful organization.

Find out more about Future of Music Coalition

Enoch Magazine ) Until a few months ago I was driving a 1991 Toyota Previa Mini van that had 339,000 miles on it. I loved it and bought one just like when I moved to California. What vehicles do all your band members drive? If money was no option what is your dream car?

Tim ) We all have piece of sh#$ cars. Between all of us we have a dented Ford Focus, a super dinged up Subaru Station Wagon, and a sensationally banged up Honda Civic…Well I think you get the idea, many of us are bad drivers, and have operated under the idea — Why have a nice car if it’s just gonna get banged up? My dream car you ask??? Hmmmmmm…The new battery powered Aptera. The Aptera looks like what Woody Allen would have thought in the 1980’s a space ship to look like. It’s pretty cool.

Enoch Magazine ) If you could meet one celebrity dead or alive who would it be and why? What are 3 questions you would ask them?

Tim )Harry Houdini because I would love to see him perform his magic live. I’d probably ask him if he thought magic helped improve the world? What else besides magic was he interested in? And you know, probably see if he’d show me how to do some slight of hand type stuff. I like magic.

Ryan Alexander is at is again. Or rather, he is continuing to stay at it. The Goal is to Raise $30,000 in 4 days with literally no plan but to trust God, ride bikes and love people along the way.

I met Ryan a few years ago. He later joined us on one of our Enoch Magazine trips to Skid Row. The first time I met him I knew he was the real deal as far as ministry is concerned. He was housing homeless in his own house and he was working on a new ministry called “Not Fashionable.” Upon our first meeting, he opened up his suitcase and gave me a t-shirt he’d made. It read, “30,000 KIDS DIE OF HUNGER EVERYDAY.” He told me that statistic was true, but that’s as far as he’d gotten with the concept. “I really don’t have a ministry or game plan behind this shirt yet,” Ryan said, “for now I think it’s just important that people know - 30k kids die everyday from starvation.”

I wore the shirt even though I knew I’d look like an activist. And ya, I did get into some discussions in the frozen food section, but I blamed Ryan completely. “Oh, it’s a shirt that a friend gave me….” But there was something really genuine and loving by Ryan’s initial act of giving me that shirt. A tip for all you beginning “world changers” out there: If you initially catch someone off guard with a gift, AND purely from the heart…

Today, Ryan is focused on that shirt more than ever. He’s going on a bike ride with 3 other friends from Homestead Florida to Key West to raise $30,000 for a farming project in Swaziland, Africa. And as you can see by the map, the rout looks like mostly water, (Christians insert Peter joke here). Ryan has no one sponsoring this event. “Just to be clear,” Ryan wrote in his last email to friends, “We haven’t raised a dollar yet. We don’t have anyone pledging to give money if we do this. We are doing this because we are believing that there is $30,000 waiting between here and there.”

They’ll be sleeping in tents along the way, not to mention - the weather looks like it might be pretty nasty. I won’t say too much more, because Ryan’s website is designed to “take it from here.” But I’ll end with these two points: 1) Based on the statistics of his t-shirt, It’s crazy to think how many kids have died of starvation since he first started asking people to wear this message. And how many kids will die each day he is on this bike ride? 2) By getting on his bike and heading to Key West believing that God with show him how to obtain $30,000, Ryan is in for a true adventure with God. This is faith, and in my opinion, one of the best things about having a relationship with Christ.

I’ve always loved the concept of Mtv unplugged. It really gives a band or artist a chance to strip down their music and bring it back to the basics. Some of my favorite Unplugged Performances include Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Dashboard Confessional, Alanis Morisette, and Hole. Mtv Unplugged really gives a chance for the bands to be creative and reinvent their songs. When All Time Low decided to release their MTV Unplugged Album with a DVD I was really excited. I love pop punk and I have always enjoyed acoustic renditions of most Pop Punk songs.

It starts off with the track “Damned If I Do (Damned if I don’t).” The voices ring out so fresh and the guitars sound splendid right away. It’s a new song and begins with a tribal hand drum sound that right away kicks into the classic All Time Low sound. I love it.
The 2nd track “Coffee Shop Soundtrack” draws me in with the sound of the guitars. The production is excellent and every time I listen I notice something different. The vocals really carry this song. I love the idea of bands taking it unplugged because I think it makes me pay more attention to the lyrics. Right after this song with true honesty the singer of All Time Low admits his nervousness. Mtv Unplugged Banter is always funny. Anyone remember Nirvana Unplugged?

Kate Vogele’s voice sounds so soothing and relaxing on “Remembering Sunday.” So many bands see Mtv Unplugged as a great place to bring in Guest Musicians to sing with them. On Weightless the tempo picks up and it seems the band is finally comfortable in this environment. The added crowd vocals and clapping give a fresh sound to this track. It gives me a feeling that I am right there sitting in the front row during the performance. This isalso the first song that I feel the crowd really gets into. My favorite track is “Maria Count me In.” It’s one of my favorite All Time Low tracks and I was glad the band decided to play it. The crowd once again gets the clapping going.

Overall I am disappointed because I was really hoping the band would have full drums, bass, and guitars filling their unplugged performance. The hand drums are not my favorite but definitely a different sound for Pop Punk. This CD/DVD is great for any Pop Punk fanatic. For All time Low its a great CD to kick off 2010.

Enoch Magazine ) You guys just released a new album. what was the recording and writing process like . also how was it different from your previous album’s?

Jason ) Live, Life, Loud was recorded in Nashville, tn. we’ve never done a record in Nashville until this one. It felt really good. We maintained our focus and our bonding as a band really grew during this project. The writing process was the same as usual. I come up with the original thought, and we just put it all together and create something.

Enoch Magazine ) “Let’s dance” is one my favorite songs. What was the inspiration behind it?

Jason ) “ Let’s Dance” is a song that talks about forgetting what you look like on the outside. Just be yourself. Let your true colors show. Forget about your insecurities and…let’s dance!

Enoch Magazine ) I saw hawk nelson at the revolve tour this past year and I saw some pretty crazed fans. What is the most bizarre thing you have ever seen a fan do?

Jason ) It’s always funny when girls start crying. Super random, but very enlightening for us guys. It’ll make great stories for our grandchildren when we’re older!!

Enoch Magazine ) If there was one family member that you could see at your concert who would it be and why?

Jason ) My family travels like a pack of wolves. I’m from a family of 8 people, so it’s very rare for someone to travel alone. If I was to reverse the question and who would be a no-show, I’d go with my brother Caleb!

Enoch Magazine ) Our magazine just recently moved to Los Angeles so we could focus on helping the 10,000 to 15,000 homeless people they estimate to be living on the streets of skid row. What can we do to help the homeless and have you had any experiences with the homeless?

Jason ) As a Christian guy in a Christian band, I am destined to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Going to the streets of skid row and feeding and ministering to homeless people is exactly what Jesus would be doing if he was walking the earth today. Mad props to you guys. You are such an inspiration for us. You lead by example and I want to do what you do, except in my hometown. It’s contagious and I know it’ll catch on!

Enoch Magazine ) Everyone grows up hearing about and having a perception of Jesus. What is your perception of Jesus and why?

Jason )When I think of Jesus, I think of someone who maybe didn’t catch the attention of big wigs. When I picture Jesus, I picture a raggedy, homely-looking guy that just wanted to change the world. He was probably a guy that most middle-class Americans would avoid (oh the irony)!

Enoch Magazine ) My favorite color is red because it reminds me of life. What is your favorite color and why?

Jason ) My favorite color is red because my favorite hockey teams jerseys are red!

Enoch Magazine ) Being in a band means you have a lot of time on the tour bus or in the van. what do you find yourself doing to occupy the time?

Jason ) I spend a lot of time writing, playing video games and watching hockey!

Enoch Magazine ) Where do you write most of your songs and what inspires you to create music?

Jason ) A lot of my inspiration comes while I’m flying somewhere! I don’t know why, but I’ve always got a notebook and pen ready to go as soon as I board a flight!

Enoch Magazine ) If you weren’t playing music what would you be doing?

jason ) If I wasn’t playing music, I’d probably try to make it to the NHL.

Also, WATCH the video we did with Hawk Nelson while on tour HERE»

Photos by Edwin Medina

Shot by Edwin Medina Hawk Nelson Flickr.

Enoch Magazine ) The Punk Rock Music style seems to change and redefine itself through the years. What is your definition of Punk Rock and has the original message changed from back in the 70’s?

Jordan ) Punk Rock to me is a kind of music that isn’t afraid to ask questions and make changes. There will always be a breed of people putting their minds outside the box and finding common ground in a place smaller than the popular. There will always be an underground and a good set of beliefs amongst the right people. I don’t think much of the message has changed, a message that is a very positive one when stripped down, it has only gone on to inspire others to spread the same words or to even expand on the ideas the bands and artists who came before them had. Musically, I’ve enjoyed seeing it grow from the mid 90s to present
year, and learning / listening to the decades before. I hope to see it always shift and take on new influences, timbre, and feel. Some of my favorite current artists doing this / currents bands to get into: Hit The Switch, Hostage Calm, Title Fight, Fireworks, The Swellers, Make Do And Mend, Paramore, You Me At Six, Four Year Strong, New Found Glory, Smartbomb.

Enoch Magazine ) Set your goals put out their new record, “This will be the death of us” this past summer. Tell us about the recording and writing process. Looking back is there anything you would do different.

Jordan ) The recording was an intense 7 weeks with but 3 days off and no less than 8 hr a day studio sessions. Serious bootcamp. It was incredible though. Everyday was like a creative workshop class. We got to build, re-arrange, write, layer all kinds of things together. Though stressful at times, it really was just a whole lot of fun at the end of the day. Mike, our producer, became a 7th member of the band and you can find him in a group shot of all of us (taken in front of a mural outside his studio in Los Angeles at Pico and Fairfax) in the CD tray. One of my favorite weeks was week 5 or so, too. We did gang vocals for a couple days and all our friends were in town. It was just a good place and time in all our lives, the recording was. Something we all really needed.

Enoch Magazine ) As your band has traveled on tour I am sure you have had the chance to interact with homeless people outside your shows or at various stops along the way. What are some of your experiences and what can we do to help the homeless?

Jordan ) I went on a field trip of sorts my sophomore year of high school. We went to the San Francisco Tenderloin District (sketchy crack, homeless, corrupt police) and to a church that served lunch and dinner to the homeless. They told us we couldn’t eat that day before going and we had to spend a full work day at the church before we could have dinner. Then we stood in line like everyone else to eat, took about 2 hrs. The whole thing was cool cause you were integrated into their society whether you wanted to or not, and forced you to see how life is for them daily, on the inside. Not just what we see driving around at night. I met a lot of cool people, heard a lot of cool stories. Same has been true on tour. I like meeting nomadic wanderers, not so much
homeless, people in europe and places super foreign to America. Everyone’s story is different. I think just by being good people towards anyone, no matter who they are, we are helping the homeless by helping humanity in general. To make someone feel good, special, important, that matters more than money or food to me.

Enoch Magazine ) With the rise of online media musicians have a stronger voice in other outlets besides just their music. What are some things you are passionate about and are there any organizations that you support and why?

Jordan ) Check out this organization: www.ncadp.org - we wrote a song for the record about our views of the death penalty system. A good film to check out is ‘At The Death House Door’ by IFC films. It’s a horrible, torturous system and it’s infamous. How this kind of cruelty is still happening is beyond me, especially after I saw this documentary here. I’d like for the band / label to become more involved with the song and it’s meaning. Hopefully everyone will check that out. It’s track 10, Flawed Methods of Persecution and Punishment.

Enoch Magazine ) Growing up in the Midwest it seemed that I had religion and Jesus being pushed upon me. What is your perception of Jesus and how did you get that perception?

Jordan ) I believe Jesus was someone who had a very spiritual experience and wanted to share his peace of mind and love of life, all life, unconditionally, with all those who would listen. I don’t think he ever pushed himself on anyone and I don’t believe he ever truly said, I am the one true light and son of god. Only through me will you be saved. None of that sticks with me. That’s just ego and he wasn’t about ego. He was about peace and wisdom. He was a hippy, not a bad thing! But some obsessed Jesus fan took it another level and started a cult (religion) out of it. I hate talking this harsh and I gotta tone it down. I have a lot of close friends. I do believe in Jesus, I just have a very different take on god and higher power (and those who have been prophets to this) than most people my age do. I have a lot of christian friends who are completely open minded and grounded. Their religion gives them a
strength and a peace and they don’t take it to anywhere that would stress someone out. It’s a personal relationship, it should always be just saw that. Something for yourself. I don’t follow any religion but I have become very spiritual. The hard part is staying grounded and choosing when to talk about things and when to leave it out.

Enoch Magazine ) I have a strong passion for music and my dream as a kid was to tour and take over the world. I ended up working for Enoch Magazine, where we spend a good bit of our time working with the 10,000 to 15,000 homeless that live on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles. What would you be doing if you weren’t in a band and why and what do your parents do for a living?

Jordan ) My Dad works with new media at a medical center that comprises most of our county’s hospitals. I live in a valley in the east bay of san francisco. About 20 minutes from oakland. My mom works for the county’s unified school district. They seem to enjoy what they do. Love music, too. If I wasn’t in a band, I’d be helping other bands out and staying involved in live music. Listening, playing, moshing. F@#& it man. It’s the one place I really want to be. I also enjoy helping people and it is nice to hear someone say you have inspired them. I respect what you do a lot in your work and we would love to help where we can.

Hopefully this interview will help spread awareness more, too.

Enoch Magazine ) With the music industry changing so quick there are so many genres and different artists to listen to. What were your top 7 releases that came out in 2009 and who are your favorite bands to tour with?

Matt ) These are probably my top 7 releases for the year. I think my favorite band to tour with has to be Fireworks. They are some of our best friends and there’s never a dull moment when they’re around. Pretty much every other band on our “Gig Life” tour last summer as well: Four Year Strong, The Swellers, Grave Maker, etc. New Found Glory and Saves The Day are also a blast to tour with and watch every night.

1. The Swellers - Ups And Downsizing
2. Mayer Hawthorne - A Strange Arrangement
3. Animals As Leaders - Animals As Leaders
4. Mew - No More Stories Are Told Today, I’m Sorry, They Washed Away
5. Fireworks - All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion
6. Trapped Under Ice - Secrets Of The World
7. Converge - Axe To Fall

Enoch Magazine ) Epitaph records was one of my favorite labels growing up and continues to be today. What are some Epitaphs bands of past and present you enjoy?

Matt ) Ditto! Converge, Bad Religion, The Offspring, NOFX and Rancid have all put out records on Epitaph that have influenced me greatly, and I still enjoy immensely to this day.

Enoch Magazine ) As you travel you have the opportunity to eat and enjoy many different foods and restaurants. Where are some of your favorite places to eat and what do you order there?

Matt ) If I could fly around the world in a jet all day to eat my favorite foods, I’d start my day off right in England. My favorite breakfast in the world is probably the Veggie Breakfast from Popina’s in Leeds. For lunch I’d go to Melbourne, Australia and get a veggie burger and fries with some interesting sauces from Lord of the Fries. For dinner I’d go home to the Bay Area and order a veggie burrito from Taqueria Cancun in San Francisco.

Enoch Magazine ) If you could be one superhero who would you be and why and what superhero would you want to fight?

Matt ) I’d want to be Superman because, although he isn’t even close to my favorite superhero, he seems to have the best powers. I’d want superhuman strength and the ability to fly, even into outer space. I’d probably fight Robin, I never liked him much.

FireFlight is a band that has had a roar of success. Their first two albums had great appeal in Christian and general markets alike. After two hard rocking albums, how does a band continue to keep the fire burning and ears open?

When I received the advanced copy of their new album “For those who wait” I saw that the disc was purple and so full of colors. The band wearing all black, which would make Johnny Cash, the man in black, proud. This album has great progressive energy, and very encouraging messages in every song. It could very well be an album for those who like a band that blurs the lines between heavy and pop rock. Dawn’s vocal range stretches pretty far and carries a sense of urgency that is very contagious.

I like this album but I’m afraid that its more of the same sound as their previous albums with different song names. While I don’t mind listening to this album, in my eyes it falls short of any kind of new creative direction. The songs seem so toned down and I kept turning up my stereo just so it could get louder. And with songs like “Permanent Addiction” it reminds me in all honesty of just another version of “My Obsession” or “Better than Drugs by Skillet.

I know there is a lot of pressure to stay relevant as artists, but I think FireFlight should seriously go back to the drawing board and bring back a sound that can really set them apart from the other bands in their genre. It seems just as I get into the album it’s all ready coming to a close. Overall, this would be a great album for teenagers who just want something to relate to.

Tabitha Lynn is a young and inspiring singer/songwriter/tap dancer from Portland Oregon. I met her just the other day, while having coffee with a really great friend of mine. At first glance she seemed very “at home” in her own personality and skin. She carries inside her a powerful story and a musical talent that in my mind needs to be given quick attention. After talking with her you realize very quickly that she’s not in it for fame or record sales. I could easily tell in her music Tabitha is carrying inside a bridge between her and so many teens searching for love and a life to call their own.

Her first album is called “In The Begining She Planted”. It was recorded in a small Church in Wyoming. The sound quality is actually pretty good, but the main thing that catches my heart is how she crafts her faith into her music. While she is bold, it is still refreshing and will keep the listeners attention. And while her heart floods emotion, the music is in no way manic. It’s fairly up tempo the entire album. I find that her style reflects something one might hear in the movie Juno, or at least something out of a love story. It’s hard to toss her music in any one genre. This album is stripped of any mass production; just one hungry soul with a piano. Tabitha Lynn is sitting on a gold mine, with more fine tuning and sharpening of her skills, she is bound to sweep music lovers off their feet. Until then check out her Myspace Page and enjoy some authentic tunes that will softly move through you.

Check Out Tabitha’s music on Myspace”

Enoch Magazine loves traveling around the country and documenting people like Jeremiah from the Forgotten Church. We originally met Jeremiah and his wife Sarah on the streets of Skid Row Los Angeles. They were partners with Patrick and the Jonah Project on Skid Row. But once they lost their building down there, Jeremiah and Sarah traveled to back to Jeremiah’s roots in Enid, Oklahoma. Most people might think their “cool” ministry days were over once they were no longer in Skid Row, but not Jeremiah. He quickly began working on a new ministry concept called the Forgotten Church.

The name says it all. Either the church has “forgotten” how to reach the community, ot the community has simply forgotten about the church. Regardless, Jeremiah and Sarah have seen significant results just with the first few outreaches and events they’ve done. The Forgotten Church is a way for churches to get off the pews and out into the community. It’s a way to unite churches in a town and start serving the poor. Contact Sarah at sarah@forgottenchruch.com and see how you can do the same in your community.

www.forgottenchurch.com

Someone stole my iPod from my car the other night. To say I was upset would be quite the understatement. I felt angry, violated, and frustrated that at the end of a 10 hour day at school, someone felt that my three year old iPod, cracks and all, was worth taking.

My one hour drive home was rife with vitriol thoughts of downright hatred. I flopped down on my couch with my laptop and angrily smashed at the keyboard to update my Twitter with the news and added two words to the end that were not necessary to share before heading to bed. Imagine how small I felt the next morning when I awoke to check my comments on Facebook, which pulls new status updates from my Twitter, to see a comment from a dear friend, a youth pastor from southern Jersey, that simply said “who are you?”

I sank. Who AM I?

A year and some change ago I could have told you exactly who I was. I was coming off of touring for a nationally known non-profit organization that ended not so well; a a missions trip in South Dakota that crushed my spirit and my thirst; and a tour with a band of friends that opened my eyes to the brokenness of what I had aspired to be.

Upon my return home, I was a crushed man. My soul was crippled and my heart was bitter against the church. Looking back over the last 18 months I had become someone who was nothing like the man typing this article right now; and that scares me. We often hear in church sermons, bumper stickers, and t-shirts that “life is hills and valleys.” You peak one minute and sink the next. The climb up is hard and rewarding, the fall is fast and easy. But when you hit the ground, the sudden impact is excruciating.

The past 15 months have essentially been the time line for my fall. I crashed and burned, and then began to accept my “failure” and “unworthiness.” I tend to make unwarranted excuses and justifications in an attempt to allow my faith to conveniently fit my life as I want it to. But inside I still feel the guilt and shame. Barely does a day go by that I don’t want to bury my head in the ground and pretend that the atheists are right. Pretend for a moment that there is no God that created me, loves me, cares about me - a God who knows what I am compared to what I could be.

It’s amazing how my bitterness against the church, led to a turning away, which led to feeling the guilt and shame of abandonment against my Father. Self realization is the catalyst to righting the ship and correcting the course. I could quote scripture about running races, enduring pain, allowing the world to hate you, not belonging here, being held to a higher standard, etc., but all I really need to remind anyone reading, anyone struggling, anyone trying to hold on, is that no matter what you do, how bad things get, it’s never too late. Grace abounds.

Identify, act, and grow. Do something to enact a change in your life that causes you to move forward with your walk in Christ – or in my case, my stumble. Grace is sufficient. Peace be with you.

“There are days where I’m right where I’m supposed to be
But mostly I am far away
I’m learning to live the way I should
I’m learning to love the way you would
And today it’s been made clear that I’ve walked so far alone
It’s easy to want something more.

But I will dive, closer to you.”

Life in Your Way – Threads of Sincerity

Enoch Magazine ) When I first heard your cd I was impressed with the quality of musicianship and lyrical poetry. Can you please tell me about the writing and recording process?

Jacob ) Each song I write seems to have its own unique process. I am often influenced to write a song when I see or hear an amazing story or performance in music and film, and also by the consequential (good or bad) actions of people. But a lot depends on my mood and I where I’m located at the moment. If I can get to a piano I sit down and just play whatever seems to match what I’m thinking… If I am energized it tends to be upbeat… If I am feeling reflective and emotional, you’ll probably hear something that matches that feeling. I take my love and frustration out on the piano and when something sounds right then I’ll start figuring out the key, where I can go from there, and ask questions like, should it sound simple… or “big” next? I then start singing nonsense words over it to create a vocal melody (which is always fun for the neighbors to hear). Once the song is in place, I dig deep to find lyrics that relate to what is happening in my life at the moment. I enjoy writing words that require a little thinking to fathom, yet are not entirely abstract to where the meaning seems completely skewed… it’s like a teacher leading his students to find the answer on their own.

The recording process is where the envisioned final piece starts revealing itself. In songs like “All That You Have,” “Antarctica,” and “Jonah’s Dream,” I gathered singers and musicians to practice ideas I had written out. When the recording was finished, it was a huge victory for me, my band, my manager, and my recording engineer. It always seems great on paper, but when the final project comes together like an enormous jigsaw puzzle, the satisfaction can’t be beat (as well as the relief!).

Enoch Magazine ) Who was an influential person in your life that exposed you to music or playing music?

Jacob ) Hmm… well I can tell you that as a child, I, nor my siblings, couldn’t shut our mouths to stop singing… not even real songs, but sort of like a improv musicals where we would just sing whatever…I don’t even know…. I guess singing in church, and also the fact that my parents forced us all to take piano lessons as kids, planted a seed that actually grew into something for me. I didn’t really ever practice my pieces, because I just liked making up my own stuff. In terms of musical influences, Ben Folds’ music saved me from giving into the peer pressure of quitting piano and picking up guitar so that I could be cool again. He showed me that you can really rock out on a piano but also play it with great sensitivity.

Enoch Magazine ) As we take a closer look at many of the cities in America you realize that we have a huge homeless population. What can we do to help the homeless and have you had any experiences with the homeless.

Jacob ) I’m intrigued by the homeless. I feel compassion for them, but I am also interested in their story. What led them to this point? Have they gotten a second chance? And what could I do to help them, but KNOW that it will help them get out of the hole they’re stuck in? I’m pretty sure I have given more food to the homeless than money… while I would love to aid their escape from poverty by handing them cash, I also don’t want to help them dig deeper into it by having them use it for the wrong things. This where organizations like the “Jonah Project” and missions trips I have been on seem to work best… I KNOW the money and service will surely be used for their good. Essentially, give food/clothing on the street; give donations to projects which will do even more when at home.

Enoch Magazine ) Often in America we have religion pushed upon us but these are the very same people aren’t living what they preach. Jesus often spoke about this in the Bible. What’s your perception of Jesus and how did you arrive at it.

Jacob ) Well, I grew up in a loving and Christian family. I was raised knowing Jesus at age 5 when I had little knowledge of any other perceptions. But as I am sure many people like myself know, teenage years can bring an abundance of questions that can only be answered by faith. Currently, I struggle with my faith, but believe that the Christian ideals I was brought up with have shaped who I am today. But, honestly, it’s hard for me to appreciate those who force feed Christianity to others (although this may be the minority… many unbelievers don’t see it this way). I have even been on the receiving end of it many times in New York, and it also frustrates me that some people think that condemning others is the key to showing them “the way.” Who are we to judge anyone, right? So it’s hard. My perception of Jesus is twofold… Psychologically, I understand what it’s like to be on both sides… It seems that love would only prevail when there are no sides at all.

Enoch Magazine ) I’m always hearing about the power of prayer and I believe in it? Do you believe that prayer actually is a means to communicate with God why or why not?

Jacob ) I’m not sure of any other way. It all comes back to faith. If one’s faith is strong, the belief that prayer is a means to communicate with God will be strong as well. In my 22 years time, my strongest moments of faith have come during amazing acts of love between people and prayer.

Enoch Magazine ) I love the imagery painted in Jonah’s Dream. Can you share with Enoch Magazine the inspiration and story behind this song?

Jacob ) I call “Jonah’s Dream” my U2 song for world peace… sort of. One night I just stared into the blackness of my room and imagined if we all spent our time and resources on giving instead of taking. We are bred with opinions on other nations without formulating our own. We are all human, we are all living on the same planet, and we all feel love and pain. What is keeping us from eliminating the hate? Our own stubborn and misinformed opinions and the seemingly unchallenged belief that the human-invented idea of humans owning the world is what is right and natural. Now I’m not promoting anarchy, just the idea that it is possible for all of us to love each other since we’re really not different at all. I wrote it from the perspective of a child because, before a certain age, children wouldn’t understand the reasons behind hating another nation… they just know love and how to avoid the feeling of hurt. The less we “know” the more we would love.

Enoch Magazine ) You’re a young musician, what are your plans for the future.

Jacob ) The only thing I have set in stone is going to the World Cup in South Africa when I graduate from school in May. I honestly don’t plan on getting a 9-5 job. I can’t really handle the same routine day-in and day-out. As my brother defined it, I’d rather live my life in projects. So for the time being, those projects will entail taking the musical leap when I graduate school and we’ll see what happens. I’m in the middle of solidifying some new band members right now so that when May comes around we can be on our feet and ready to do the whole shebang. Talk about faith, huh?

Enoch Magazine ) Every Musician has a favorite line of lyrics they have written. Can you please share these lyrics with us and explain what they mean.

Jacob ) Oh man. Although I love several of lines in “Jonah’s Dream,” I’d have to say my favorite line is tucked within “Antarctica.” Right before the chorus I say, “I stand upright and upside down / at the same time to shake my thoughts out.” Sometimes it just blows over a listener’s head, but a few people have caught what I meant. The whole song is about going to Antarctica to escape the troubles of one’s life and the troubles of the world itself… it’s about erasing stresses and hate and finding clarity on one of the most desolate places on Earth… Antarctica. So if you think of Antarctica as being the “bottom of the world” you would be standing “upside down” per se and also upright at the same time. All the thoughts that need clearing out filter “down” through the top of your head as if you were “standing upside down.” Coincidentally, it was the first line I wrote for that song.

Enoch Magazine ) What’s an up and coming band that you’re currently listening to and why do you like them?

Jacob ) I’m currently listening to a few songs from three different up-and-coming bands, which are Phoenix, Passion Pit, and Kings of Leon. I know that they are almost to the point of being past up-and-coming, but they are at least newer to national attention. I dig all of them because each one has a fresh and unique sound that you don’t hear much of these days, but they all still grab you with their hooks. More and more musicians and bands are finding new ways to portray “pop rock” in their own unique styles.

Enoch Magazine ) If you were stuck on a Desert Island and could only have 5 cds or records what would they be.

This is really unfair to the rest of my music (and some classics), but these are the ones that I don’t really get sick of too quickly….

Ben Folds Live – Ben Folds.

Come On Feel The Illinoise – Sufjan Stevens.

Transatlanticism – Death Cab for Cutie.

Third Eye Blind – Third Eye Blind.

Rush of Blood to the Head – Coldplay.

My favorite label of all time has always been Fat Wreck Chords. They’ve put out quality Punk Rock Records since I was a teenager and still continue to do so. I left the 1997 Warped Tour in Lawrence, KS with my first 2 Fat Wreck Compilations. It was my first Warped Tour experience and I feel in love with so many of the bands on those early comps. Excitedly, I still head to the local record store when A Fat Wreck Band puts out a new CD.

When Fat Wreck released “Wrecktrospective” a 3 disc set, all I could do was grin with a huge smile. This 3 disc set features 88 songs, including 27 unreleased demo songs, The Fattest Hits, and the entire Fat Wreck 7″ Series. For every Punk Rock Kid this is a must have. The artwork alone is worth the money. The lyric book has a fold out poster with a picture of every release Fat Wreck has ever put out. It also has photos of old flyers, a hand drawn piece, and other treasures. The lyric book also tells the stories of why bands signed with Fat Wreck and other great tour stories.

This 3 cd set is a great way to introduce the younger generation to the Punk Rock they may have missed. It’s also important to note that they put out almost all of their releases on Vinyl and they always have. They introduced me to Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, Good Riddance, Tilt, Strung Out, and too many other bands to name. Every Kid needs this in their stocking!!!

It’s 2:45 AM, and I am still awake. Every so often, I think about things, and when I do, there’s one question that comes to mind. This question never seems to have an answer. It’s not that I don’t know the answer, but it’s that I haven’t seen the answer come into fruition. The question is this: What would happen if we took Christ at His Word and truly lived out what He’s asked us to live? What a great change we would see!

As easy as it is to pawn the blame off on other people, I am just as guilty. We are not doing anything to solve the riddle that plagues my mind. The question is simple, and I don’t claim to be the first to ask it. I believe many men and women have asked it, begging God for an answer.

What if our nation, who once claimed to be a Christian Nation, opened our eyes and realized that we have turned our backs on God. For the life of me I do not understand, why he has held back His wrath and extended us great grace. People’s lives would be turned upside down. No longer would people look at the Church, the assembled body of Christ, and say that they want nothing to do with her. Instead, they would beat down the doors to be a part of the great works I believe God desires to do through the church. For the first time in a long time and maybe ever, I believe that God would allow the American Church to take part in both the persecution and wondrous works He’s allowed the Churches of Asia and many others to experience.

If we got off our pews and stopped going to Church just to be entertained for an hour out of our week, I believe that we would see an amazing, life-altering change take place. If we took Christ at His word and truly started living out His mission I believe, no longer would the world see us as hypocrites, but as maniacs who have something they want.

The things we’re called to do include bringing good news to the poor, binding up the broken-hearted, comforting those who mourn, and encouraging (not tearing down) fellow believers. How often do we do these things?Christ has called us to a life of selfless love and we must remember that we will answer for every person we’ve turned away by not following his word.

There’s a pretty clear picture of that in Ezekiel 9, in which God tells Ezekiel to gather up executioners to go through the city and put a mark on everyone who sighs and groans at the abominations in the city. Next he tells them to kill everyone who does not bear the mark. The kicker, which hurts me the most, is when God says as his last instruction to “Start at My sanctuary”.

If God were to place Ezekiel in this country today and give the same command, would we get the mark or would the world’s perception of who we are be justified? Would God’s house be filled with the slain bodies of dead and fruitless “followers” that didn’t take Him at His Word? What would happen if we truly took Christ at His Word? The answer lies in you and in me. Let’s do it. Dress for battle, gird your loins, and put on the armor of God.

This video is the first of many, we hope. One of our goals is to help the residents of Skid Row in sharing their talents and dreams. Bobby Lee wanted the world to hear his voice and we weren’t sure how to proceed with that. But we filmed what we could and released the video and ALREADY recording studios and record labels are asking to record Bobby Lee. We’ll let you know if anything happens…

Downloading Tips: If you are on a mac you’ll need to go through Firefox. Safari doesn’t do it. Just click “Download,” wait for the Quicktime file/bar to load the whole song across. Once the song is completely loaded, select the drop down arrow on the right side of the bar and click “Save Source.” The Quicktime file will be on your desk top and then drag it into itunes.

Enoch Magazine ) What can fans expect with your new album that maybe different from the last few? Will this album be a more mature album for the band?

Josh Head :I think this record has a little bit of all our records in it. However I think it sounds a lot like our first two records, so I don’t know if that’s different or not. So I guess that means there’s nothing new, just a lot of old stuff.

Enoch Magazine ) A few years back I traveled the country living in a ghetto 77 camper loving on the homeless and speaking at different churches. Seattle was one city I spent some time in.
While there I saw so many kids who choose the lifestyle of homelessness. How can people help the homeless and make lasting changes in their lives, especially these kids?
?

Josh Head : I think that depends on the person; some people choose that lifestyle and some are there for one reason or another, so I don’t think there is one answer. However, I do think that you have to start by loving people the way Jesus did. What I mean by that is that he was always serving people. His whole life was about what was best for other people and not what was best for him. He did what was best for people even when they didn’t want it. I think so many people look at other people (homeless guy, friend, mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife) and try to get as much from them as they can so they can be happy or do things for them because they want to say “look what I did.” That kind of “love” says I’ll love you as long as you make me happy (look at the divorce rate) or as long as it’s not hard to love you (i.e. I’ll give a bum some change but not invite him into my home). That’s not love at all. God’s love of us is not dependent on us; therefore my love for you is not dependent on you.

Enoch Magazine ) Family is such an important aspect in many people lives. What do your parents think of your career choice as a musician? Did your parents have an influence in you playing music?

Josh Head : My parents are amazing. They have always supported what I do. My dad even comes out on tour with us.

Enoch Magazine ) What is the ultimate message behind Emery of the music of Emery?
When Emery is all said and done someday what is it that you will like to have accomplished?
?

Josh Head : Well like I was saying before, “loving people” is what I feel I should always be doing, and that doesn’t start or stop with Emery or any other kind of job.

Enoch Magazine ) Depression is a major factor in so many high school kids lives. What would be your advice for these kids and have ever struggled with this?

Josh Head : That’s hard to say without knowing the person, but I guess the first thing I would say is that they are alive for an amazing and beautiful and perfect reason.

Enoch Magazine ) I’m always hearing about the power of prayer and I believe in it. Do you guys believe that prayer actually is a means to communicate with God why or why not?

Josh Head : Yes I do.

Enoch Magazine ) Often in America we have religion pushed upon us, but these are the very same people aren’t living what they preach. Jesus often spoke about this in the Bible. What’s your perception of Jesus and how did you arrive at it?

Josh Head : I think Philippians 2: 5-11 says who Jesus is better then I can.

Philippians 2: 5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NIV)

Enoch Magazine ) Being on the road must be tough sometimes because you’re away from everything you’ve known. I believe in Jesus and I try to base my actions and decisions on the teachings of Christ and how he rolled. Where do you get your morals and values from, and are they ever challenged due to your band’s success?

Josh Head : They have always been challenged because I am human and I need Jesus, but not because of what I do for a living.

Enoch Magazine ) If you weren’t playing music for a living what would you be doing for a living and why?

Josh Head : I’d be playing football for the Seattle Seahawks or getting paid to watch them play.

Enoch Magazine ) I live in Kansas City and Ed Rose has been producing local band albums here since the early 90s. Black Lodge Studios has also been home to so many bands I grew up listening to. When recording that album, what was your impression of Kansas and what did you do in your time off from recording. Would you ever work with Ed Rose again?

Josh Head : I love Kansas we would just go hang out in Lawrence and eat at Jefferson’s when we had down time. Ed was really cool and we would love to work with him again.