I have been playing drums for almost 12 years and I started before I accepted Christ. I wrote many lyrics before and thought I knew it all. Well, I gave my life to Christ and knew that was not true. I use to jam with friends because I didnt care about what we played. I am not trying to be the self righteous Christian, but I think that I should not play what I use to because the messages that what I played was real bad. I don't mind secular music that has just regular messages, but ones that promote hate, idolitary, sexism, and other bad messages turn me off. I hope that I am not the only one. Well, After a couple of years of being the primary drummer of our praise team, I have been wanted to venture in doing gigs, the problem is, is that there arent many people in me area that want to promote a Christian theme to music in the gigging arena. I am called to do music, and I feel pulled strongly into gigging. I have a band that wants to audition me for covering tunes from Matchbox 20, Incubus, Pearl Jam, and others. I listened to all the songs they want to do and they are not bad messages, but not Christian as well. I am torn and hoping to do something that spreads the hope in Christ. Any suggestions are welcome.

Peace,
Keith

Is anyone else here in a band?

I don't mind secular music that has just regular messages, but ones that promote hate, idolitary, sexism, and other bad messages turn me off. I hope that I am not the only one.

no, you're not the only one. :)

as far as this band audition. i know this may sound trite, but pray about it. ask the Lord to show you if this is where He wants you to do.

i know there are some secular songs that do have a positive message that you can cover, and then use that to minister to people. [ex. "Everything you want" by Vertical Horizon]

[sidenote: are the members in the band, that want you to audition, christians?]

i admire your heart to want to reach out to people through music and glorify Him. like i said earlier, i would pray for direction. maybe He wants you to take His message to a mainstream arena. or maybe He wants you to be in a Christian setting [church, youth events, etc.]. both settings demand something from you. but when you are in His perfect will - then you know He will bless you and be with you. that it wouldn't be you all alone.

Thanks for the encouragment. I just talked to our associate Pastor and he pretty much said the same thing. As far as I know, at least one of the guys is a Christian, maybe both. It will be three and possibly four members. The guitarist only plays rhythm and he is looking for a friend of his to play lead. I hope that works out. I hope maybe we can do original stuff that I am writing which is cross-over stuff. I am feeling the blister I got from the bass I barely play! It is rockin which God inspired me to write a couple of nights ago. I am tired, so please excuse this fragmented story. Anyway, I am doing bass for a song called divided and it is about serving "idols" and not God. It is very close to the way I have been feeling lately and that is where my best comes from.

I'm going crazy, can't get enough!

I am torn and hoping to do something that spreads the hope in Christ. Any suggestions are welcome.


Dude you've got to move on! I was in exactly the same possition you are in and you know what the Lord is telling you? "You'll never grow if you stay here!" There may not be many other musicians where you're from (I know what that's like) but you've at least got to wait. Music is so much more than just something fun to do with your friends, and it can't be taken lightly. It's cool to jam every once in a while with non-christians, but don't commit to anything, because you'll have two seperate visions, and when you have two different visions you have, that's right, di-vision. It's bound to crumble. Step out in faith and wait on the Lord, He wants to form your heart into His image. I even played with guys that were like, "Yeah, I'm a christian," but totally had sin that they were still walking in and weren't following Christ. You need brothers that are going to lift you up not drag you down.
I hope this speaks to you. ;)

Joshua,

I take serious heed to your words. I will be audition and see what they are about in person, if they are not going to follow Christ, then I will not join. I can wait, and seeing I am writing songs now, I may have some stuff at the end of the year to send to Christian labels. I can be a disciple of Christ in the venues they play and let the word out still if there isnt a direct message of Christ in the songs lyrics, but I will not play anything that goes against Christ as well. Many people come up to the musicians at the end of the set and that is a great time to witness.

Peace,
Keith

if the members of the band you may audition for are christians than maybe it may be a good thing... i kinda think that if they are christians, then you may be able to find some songs to do in a club/bar type gig that will make both of you happy... there are bands now that are christian and are popular (times they are a changin'), and maybe they may be willing to do some covers of switchfoot, p.o.d. and whatnot that may fit into thier type of songs... when i lived in nashville, i got to know a band who were all christians but rarely if ever played at christian venues, and would play in bars and whatnot... thier songs were all original (and perhaps the band you're auditioning for is interested in doing original songs - perhaps yours? ;)) and though they didn't witness from the stage, they did when in person after the show, and never comprimised themselves... and were evenutally signed and put out a mainstream cd before they disbanded... (its atticus fault, and if you can find it, buy the cd because its amazing) ...

all that to say that i think that if you pray about it and if the bandmates are also christians and playing, there is a place in this world for christian bands in bars.

if you come to Milwaukee, i'll start a band w/ ya. ;) ;)

Right on bro. Actually, my name's not Joshua, that's just the name of my band. ;) joshuafire.com

oops sorry about that! I have given that serious thought and prayer. You guys are amazing, this is great support here. I won't join the band if they compromise, that isnt right and sets a bad example. I already let the bassist know that and he seems to be ok with that, but who knows what his intentions really are right now. I think it does help that we are going to his Church to get together the first time. I mentioned covering some Skillet and it seemed to be a possibility, so that is cool.
Skilletchick, I won't be moving anytime soon, unless joining a gigging, signed band. I have a family to think about, which means paying the bills and feeding them. My son eats the most I think, he is 7-1/2 months old and is around 24 pounds. He is wearing (and has been), 1+ year old clothes.
We are considering doing original stuff eventually if we can get the right synergy. I think the best songs come out of that feel you get when everything melds well.

Joshua Fire rocks! Great drumming in there! I like the sound! I may have to buy your CD soon. I can really get into it.

hey i am in a band called hipcheck i play the bass. the other guys didnt show up at my church for our concert so i am really thinking of quiting besides they don't want to be a christian band and i do so if anyone is from around polk county florida and wants to be in a christian band let me know

Wow, didnt show up for their own gig? Thats not good at all. I hope you find some committed people.

I agree with everyone's imput. I'm actually in the same situation myself. I was in a band a year ago, we recorded 2 songs, and played 3 shows, but after the third show I just felt like I couldn't really go on in the band, that God wanted me to do my music.

Well, ever since then, it hasn't been easy lol. Finding band members have been few and far in between. I know this is what God wants me to do, but I think He wants me to just trust in Him and he'll bring the right people along.

It's defintely important to meet with these guys and get a feel for them. When I first started doing music and doing a band, if they said they were Christian, I'd totally think "sweet it'll work" but that's not always the case. If you want strong people who are in the word of God pray that He'll send you the right people to start a ministry with. He will bring the right people along.

I have some sites if you're interested. They're Christian message boards where you can look for musicians in your area. One is www.findjesusfreaks.com I've had some luck with that and hope it'll help you out. Another is http://www.christianmusic.org/cmp/equipforum/ Good luck dude!

-J

Yeah Thats Good Only If i Had A Vocalist For My Christian Band Out Here In Chicago.

>Some Additional Advice<

Seeing what everyone has mentioned to you, Keith, about how and in what way you should follow this through. I agree full heartedly on everything that's been said here. So if you don't mind I'll throw in my own two cent's:

1. Don't think that it's not possible to pursue your dream, because everything is possible through Christ.

2. Don't give up, no matter how tough it may be. Because if you're really wanting this, you won't give up.

3. Pray every night about it.

4. Really let people know how much it means to you to Minister God's word through music, make it very clear.

I hope what I've said here will help you. There's much more that I could say, but. I've got things to do with my own band. But good luck!

Thanks a ton! I am content with what God wants me to do, just sometimes I want things my own way, and I start to complain. I pray about it and I need to pray more, like you said, every night. I am understanding that this ride is not certain to me, and it doesnt need to be right now. I have gotten compliments about my drumming on Sundays, which actually bugs me. But I may not be a good gigging drummer. I say it bugs me about Sunday because I try hard to blend, but the praise team wants me to lift the songs to new levels to get the intensity going at times. I try to think of ways to do that and not put on a show, and it has been aparent that ways to many new comers, which is good. I think that is important to make sure you arent showey, but doing your best to be a part of praising God with the congregation. I play because that is a tool he has given me and praise with instruments is Biblical.

I used the findjesusfreaks before, but never knew about the other search site. I just posted there. Thanks!

I also have not been able to practice much of the songs they are doing, but I hope they arent looking for me to know them Friday night.

I know that God will provide for u and give u everything u need.. BUt one things is do what God wants u to do.....

amen to that

its the truth...

I am becoming not very concerned with this, I think that I was making more of a production out of it. I do however am glad I wrote here because the encouragement is so great for me.

Yeah.. One thing that God has shown me in the past and this might help u actually.. is Who Gave u those talents?? Answer is God..Right? OK
So if God gave u those talents and u use them in the wrong way.. Cant God take it away any time he wants to? SO this is my thing.. If God can take it away any time then why would u want him to take it away.. And why would u want to use the Talents he gave to u in the wrong way.. If its not going to Glorify God or uplift his name ,, or anything why use them in the wrong way? LIke say ur in a mainstream band and ur like in mansons band.. Ok.. not saying u will.. but say ur playing his stuff and all and u were a christian and all .. and ur playing and all and All of a sudden God takes all ur talents away what r u going to do? How would u feel? thats something God is making think about and understanding what hes trying to tell me.. Peace out..

I went last night knowing they had already been auditioning and playing around with another drummer. They said it was fun and I kept the groove. I can see myself not being a good fit with the band though, and it is at least an hour drive each way to get there. The schedule would not give me any family time, so I am going to decline any further time with these guys. They real cool, and real good. I am just going to wait out for another audition. Thanks for all the support and encouragement. I did get some good understanding about this whole deal.

Peace,
Keith

I have been playing drums for almost 12 years and I started before I accepted Christ. I wrote many lyrics before and thought I knew it all. Well, I gave my life to Christ and knew that was not true. I use to jam with friends because I didnt care about what we played. I am not trying to be the self righteous Christian, but I think that I should not play what I use to because the messages that what I played was real bad. I don't mind secular music that has just regular messages, but ones that promote hate, idolitary, sexism, and other bad messages turn me off. I hope that I am not the only one. Well, After a couple of years of being the primary drummer of our praise team, I have been wanted to venture in doing gigs, the problem is, is that there arent many people in me area that want to promote a Christian theme to music in the gigging arena. I am called to do music, and I feel pulled strongly into gigging. I have a band that wants to audition me for covering tunes from Matchbox 20, Incubus, Pearl Jam, and others. I listened to all the songs they want to do and they are not bad messages, but not Christian as well. I am torn and hoping to do something that spreads the hope in Christ. Any suggestions are welcome.

Peace,
Keith

Hmm. I have only one suggestion for you... move to Oklahoma right now. Everyone and their dog is looking for drummers here, and some of the bands that need one are really, really dedicated to serving God through music ministry. Seriously, if you guys will send us some of your drummers you don't need, I would be happy to send out a few extra guitarists that are laying around taking up space. How about it? ;D

I think we need drummers here too!, just not as much!

wow thats just dandy, i like that- not a lot of ppl(christians) that i kno wont just play christian music like that...thats awsum!! yeh im learning the guitar rite now and id love to get a band together but there's no one realli that will be in one band singing one type of song, specially christian... well yeh pe@ce-ness llove ya'll! *muah*;):-*

I play Bass... And learning how to play drums....

im learning the guitar, but rite now i play the flute/piccallo/piano