http://cms.colum.edu/reservoir/arts_entertainment/rock_religion_and_anberlin_q_a.php
Rock, religion and Anberlin: Q & A with Stephen Christian
By Jordan Raubolt
Arts + Entertainment Editor
Stephen Christian is a quintessential rock star.
On stage the lead singer of Anberlin moves and struts like a young Mick Jagger and belts out soaring vocals with the punk rock energy of John Lydon and the maturity of Morrissey.
With the dynamic Christian at the helm - accompanied by bassist Deon Rexroat, Joseph Milligan on lead guitar, Nathan Strayer on rhythm guitar and drummer Nathan Young - Anberlin has made a name for itself as an up-and-coming rock sensation.
Since 2002, the Orlando-based indie/punk rock group has built up a large following with their intense live performances and catchy hooks, and with the success of their 2005 release “Never Take Friendship Personal,” Anberlin is on the cusp of the alternative music scene.
But often overlooked is the band’s spirituality and Christian influence.
Many of their songs contain positive messages that allude to theology, God, morality and virtue over temptation and self-destruction, but are not overtly Christian. While Anberlin is open about their background, they do not go out of their way to advertise it, and are quick to distance themselves from the “Christian rock” persona.
As the leader of the pack, Christian explains the strange split personality of Anberlin:
RESERVOIR: When you first started out, what role did spirituality play in developing Anberlin's identity?
STEPHEN CHRISTIAN: I believe that when we started, and even present day, spirituality has played for the most part a very quiet but important and vital role in the band. We all came into this band knowing that it was not a 'ministry' and that we were not going to evangelize from stage, we were just five Christians that had the same passion for music and life.
R: How has your faith aided in sustaining the relationships between band members after years of touring?
SC: Spirituality as you refer to it in this context has been the glue that has kept us together. While other bands are off doing drugs or abusing alcohol we try our best not to engage in what is happening around us. I must admit, we all have our vices - again, none of us are perfect by any stretch of the imagination - but we attempt. Spirituality has been a constant anchor for the band. It has held our pride in check and judged our decisions.
R: You have been up front about Anberlin's spirituality, but at the same time you prefer to stay clear of the "Christian band" label. How influential is your Christianity in your song writing?
SC: I do not believe that Christ has influence on a guitar line or coming up with a melody line, though we do believe that he gave us the talent. I do not believe our songs are “Christian” though I do believe that my personal beliefs do have an influence on my lyrics. If a person is touched or influenced for a change in their personal lives, then I feel that I have done my job… Music influences people; it’s how the musicians choose to use that influence that is so important.
R: Are there any conflicts between expressing those beliefs and making the band more accessible to a wide-ranging audience?
SC: I believe that we are “walking the fence” properly. We refuse to hide our beliefs under masks of deceit for the sole purpose of selling records to a general market audience, and we still play shows and tour with bands that are not "Christian," like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday and Hawthorne Heights. On the other side of the fence, we also refuse to sell out to the Christian market and tour within the Christian bubble… I refuse to market my religion for the sake of money. I will not sell out my faith no matter what the costs, or cause.
R: Many of your songs seem dialectical in their subject matter, describing feelings of being lost and confused, while searching for peace and salvation. What is the inspiration behind such songs?
SC: I try to write songs about life, about the journey through it and the successes and failures that come along with it. They are all in one way or another autobiographical in nature. I only write from what I have experienced. I want to expose my thoughts and my failures, so that people realize that they are not alone.
Our third record (called “Cities,” due out Feb. 2007) is going to be the most introspective Anberlin record to date. I have come to terms with my humanity, and much like a coming of age novel, I want people to know that they are normal, and that we all are scared of basically the same things.
Anberlin will be in Chicago on Nov. 16 to play the House of Blues along with Story of the Year and Greeley Estates. For more information go to, http://www.myspace.com/anberlin.
By Jordan Raubolt
Arts + Entertainment Editor
Stephen Christian is a quintessential rock star.
On stage the lead singer of Anberlin moves and struts like a young Mick Jagger and belts out soaring vocals with the punk rock energy of John Lydon and the maturity of Morrissey.
With the dynamic Christian at the helm - accompanied by bassist Deon Rexroat, Joseph Milligan on lead guitar, Nathan Strayer on rhythm guitar and drummer Nathan Young - Anberlin has made a name for itself as an up-and-coming rock sensation.
Since 2002, the Orlando-based indie/punk rock group has built up a large following with their intense live performances and catchy hooks, and with the success of their 2005 release “Never Take Friendship Personal,” Anberlin is on the cusp of the alternative music scene.
But often overlooked is the band’s spirituality and Christian influence.
Many of their songs contain positive messages that allude to theology, God, morality and virtue over temptation and self-destruction, but are not overtly Christian. While Anberlin is open about their background, they do not go out of their way to advertise it, and are quick to distance themselves from the “Christian rock” persona.
As the leader of the pack, Christian explains the strange split personality of Anberlin:
RESERVOIR: When you first started out, what role did spirituality play in developing Anberlin's identity?
STEPHEN CHRISTIAN: I believe that when we started, and even present day, spirituality has played for the most part a very quiet but important and vital role in the band. We all came into this band knowing that it was not a 'ministry' and that we were not going to evangelize from stage, we were just five Christians that had the same passion for music and life.
R: How has your faith aided in sustaining the relationships between band members after years of touring?
SC: Spirituality as you refer to it in this context has been the glue that has kept us together. While other bands are off doing drugs or abusing alcohol we try our best not to engage in what is happening around us. I must admit, we all have our vices - again, none of us are perfect by any stretch of the imagination - but we attempt. Spirituality has been a constant anchor for the band. It has held our pride in check and judged our decisions.
R: You have been up front about Anberlin's spirituality, but at the same time you prefer to stay clear of the "Christian band" label. How influential is your Christianity in your song writing?
SC: I do not believe that Christ has influence on a guitar line or coming up with a melody line, though we do believe that he gave us the talent. I do not believe our songs are “Christian” though I do believe that my personal beliefs do have an influence on my lyrics. If a person is touched or influenced for a change in their personal lives, then I feel that I have done my job… Music influences people; it’s how the musicians choose to use that influence that is so important.
R: Are there any conflicts between expressing those beliefs and making the band more accessible to a wide-ranging audience?
SC: I believe that we are “walking the fence” properly. We refuse to hide our beliefs under masks of deceit for the sole purpose of selling records to a general market audience, and we still play shows and tour with bands that are not "Christian," like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday and Hawthorne Heights. On the other side of the fence, we also refuse to sell out to the Christian market and tour within the Christian bubble… I refuse to market my religion for the sake of money. I will not sell out my faith no matter what the costs, or cause.
R: Many of your songs seem dialectical in their subject matter, describing feelings of being lost and confused, while searching for peace and salvation. What is the inspiration behind such songs?
SC: I try to write songs about life, about the journey through it and the successes and failures that come along with it. They are all in one way or another autobiographical in nature. I only write from what I have experienced. I want to expose my thoughts and my failures, so that people realize that they are not alone.
Our third record (called “Cities,” due out Feb. 2007) is going to be the most introspective Anberlin record to date. I have come to terms with my humanity, and much like a coming of age novel, I want people to know that they are normal, and that we all are scared of basically the same things.
Anberlin will be in Chicago on Nov. 16 to play the House of Blues along with Story of the Year and Greeley Estates. For more information go to, http://www.myspace.com/anberlin.
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