Post
by crossways » Thu May 12, 2005 6:54 am
I would like to offer an opinion, though an experienced opinion, as to the obstacles a "Petra-like" band faces today.
By Petra-like, I mean rock/hard rock and overtly Scripturally based lyrics. A lot of Christian rock bands today don't have nearly the Scriptural content in there lyrics, but do have positive lyrics. I am not arguing that philosophy. Those bands that do that are doing it for a reason and I don't believe they are trying to hide anything. I love them and support them for following God where they feel they are being led.
However, I was blessed by Petra becuase their lyrics fed me with the Scripture, often the lyrics were straight Scripture. I needed that. I needed that being in my ears and in my head daily (the Scripture, not Petra per se).
We in Crimson Truth lean that way with our lyrics, but lately we have had a lot of pressure to be more subtle with our message. The reason?: Finding venues.
Bands have to be a lot of things, especially when starting out: manger, musician, booking agent, roadie, soundman, etc. But there is just no way to successfully be the PROMOTER for every show. A band like ours is not really welcome in many bars - by patrons or by management. Most patrons avoid a night when they think they will hear "preaching" in music, though we sdon't preach. And managers need to sell drinks, the band is partially there to help sell drinks, even if it's indirectly.
Christian clubs and coffee houses are springing up more and more. However, they are usually open through donations and are just trying to keep the doors open. Often what they are able to pay, if anything, doesn't even cover gas money.
STOP - Crimson Truth is not in this for the money. But in reality traveling, equipment, studio - all of this costs money. So while we will happily travel to your town set up - rent equipment if neccesary - and play our hearts out for free (and we have done that), it limits us in the scope of our ministry.
S O L U T I O N
Churches. If we want more "Petras". I think we have to have churches getting behind these ministries. We need churches that will not be competitive with each other, but work togther in hosting concerts. And not one concert every other year - several a year. This would be feasable if they would look for "big name" groups that require a certain amount of money and and 10 page rider. Hire groups of of places like IndieHeaven - search out groups that are quality, but that may not have the backing of a lable. Many of these bands would travel for their expenses and a merch table.
Church leadership, I think, would agree that music is a powerful influencer. And that even their church kids are listening to some horrible stuff - lyrically. Then they should be wanting "Petras" for their kids.
Creative Youth Pastors can promote an concert series and get good attendance (if more than one church is involved).
Anyway - that's how I see it.
My opinion
0 x
I KNOW my Redeemer lives!
- Job
www.crimsontruth.com/Forum.htm
www.crimsontruth.com
If I could get them down in a usable form though, I'd certainly want that for them.
